Tag: Blackwood Brothers

Gospel Music Legends: The Enduring Legacy of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet

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JEFF TURNER

One of my earliest memories of Gospel music growing up is the harmony of The Blackwood Brothers Quartet. The group, has been around for more than nine decades.

1956 Re-release of Favorite Gospel Songs and Spirituals ablum

The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was founded in 1934 during the Great Depression, emerging from a deeply musical Mississippi family. It started as the Choctaw County Jubilee Singers featuring brothers Roy, Doyle, and James Blackwood, along with Roy’s young son R.W. Their musical journey began with local performances and radio broadcasts, eventually expanding to national recognition.

The group experienced significant challenges, including a tragic airplane crash in 1954 that claimed the lives of R.W. Blackwood and bass singer Bill Lyles. Despite this devastating loss, the Blackwood Brothers continued, with family members and talented musicians stepping in to maintain the group’s musical legacy.

Throughout their career, the quartet traveled through every Canadian province, all fifty United States, and appearances throughout Great Britain, Europe, Africa, and Asia. They became a cornerstone of Gospel music, setting industry standards and innovating performance practices.

The Ultimate Blackwood Brothers: 80 Years – 80 Songs, released in 2015 by Daywind Records

Notable achievements include winning Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts competition, launching the National Quartet Convention, and pioneering tour bus customization for musical groups. They also made significant chart history, with their song “Learning To Lean” holding the number one spot on the Singing News chart for an unprecedented 15 months.

The group has seen multiple generational transitions. James Blackwood’s sons, Jimmy and Billy, have been instrumental in continuing the family’s musical tradition. Recent years have brought further changes, with new members like Jonathan Mattingly, Eric Walker, and Jim Rogers joining to keep the quartet’s spirit alive.

Despite periods of disbandment and reorganization, the Blackwood Brothers remain a respected name in Gospel music.

The latest makeup of the Blackwood Brothers include Billy Blackwood, Baritone; Jim Rogers, Tenor; Jonathan Mattingly, Lead; and Eric Walker, Bass.

Future of the Blackwood Brothers: Changes for Jonathan Mattingly

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Pictured (left to right): Kasey Kemp, Jonathan Mattingly, Billy Blackwood

Blackwood Brothers – Special for Texas Gospel Canada

Nashville, TN (January 11th, 2021) – Few names are as synonymous with Gospel music as Blackwood. For nearly nine decades, generations of Blackwood Brothers have shared the Gospel around the globe, having recorded over 200 albums and toured in 47 countries, earned GRAMMY and Dove Awards, and appeared on countless stages and events.

While honoring the long-standing tradition of this legacy, the Blackwood Brothers have decided to scale back from touring full-time, continuing to play select concerts in 2021 and beyond.

In anticipation of the upcoming changes, lead singer Jonathan Mattingly has announced that he will be joining forces with the up and coming trio, Avenue. Mattingly was first introduced to Gospel music fans with his family, the Mattingly Family, before uniting with the Blackwood Brothers in 2017.

“Jon has been a tremendous blessing to the ministry of the Blackwood Brothers and will continue to be as we move forward. We look forward to working with Kasey and Avenue, coordinating our schedules to allow both groups to utilize the great gift that Jon brings to the platform and the ministry as a whole.

Kasey Kemp shares his excitement for welcoming Jonathan into the Avenue family, “Jon and his wife Sarah have been dear friends of our family for many years, so I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to sing together. We are excited about the future and what God has for us going forward!”

To stay up-to-date on current happenings, follow the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, as well as Avenue on social media, or visit blackwoodbrothers.com and avenuemusic.net.