A machinist by trade, my father was a talented pianist and vocalist. Every day when he came home from work, he would wash up and sit down at his piano. Even as a preschooler, I would stop what I was doing and join him in the living room. I grew up listening to him sing these beautiful songs by the Blackwood Brothers. I had the privilege of seeing them in person in the early 1970’s at the Kingsland Theater in St. Louis. My father also performed that night, with my little sister. She wore a red and white checkered dress that I made for her. Wonderful memories!
I need to be the first to give honor to the off camera piano player. It shames me to tears that others claim they play piano and not one of you mentioned the pianist. His name was Jackie Marshall. At this filming date, he was barely 20 years old. He was a musical genius and was responsible for the harmony arrangements and the innovative development through the 1950s with this group. He was blessed and brilliant enough to keep the gospel music beat and arrangements just far enough from the secular scene. In doing this they invented their sound. Jackie is the most overlooked and underrated member of the group and his contribution needed to be mentioned.
+Nick Jarnecke Thank you for this info on their piano player. Do you know if Dan Huskey is still living? I haven't been able to find any history on him. Thanks again.
+Dick Short Thank you!! Dan Husky passed away in the 90s from what I have heard and read. He had an extensive singing career and was successful in a few business ventures. He was actually hired for the Blackwoods as a filler from another group they had singing at the time. Dans voice was very hard and loud for the sound they invented. His voice at this time in his career would crack sometimes and he would get strained due the the high parts he has to sing. You can hear his voice crack on another 1951 clip-swing down sweet chariot. BTW....all the tenors James hired could not sing higher than him.
"Each drop of blood bought me a million years" ...what a powerful message in song brought by a legendary quartet of men. The "Blackwood Brothers" have left us a rich treasure of Southern Gospel music that will stir a slumbering soul back to life!!
Betty, it was R.W Blackwood Sr and Bill Lyles Sr and it was three weeks after the Arthur Godfrey's talent contest. The Crash occurred before the concert was set to begin at the Peach Festival in Clanton Ala, it was the one pivotal event according to Bill Gaither, in Gospel music nothing was and has been this dramatic and touched this many as the plane crash was. There was simply NO ONE like R.W Sr. and never will be, no one is that good a singer! His vocals blow my mind.
Awesome video. I appreciate it more than you know. James Blackwood is/was my mom's first cousin. Bill Lyles and another member of the quartet (I believe another Blackwood) were killed in a plane crash in Alabama long ago. I have lots of albums but this is the first video I've seen of the original quartet. My mom died a few years ago but I sent my Dad, who thinks Bill Lyles was the greatest bass singer EVER, a link to this video.
This video is astounding. It shines the spotlight on each member in turn, revealing virtuosity and range at every point. It doesnt get any better! No less an authority than James Blackwood said Bill Lyles had the best bass voice of anyone. Lyles was smoother than any other bass that could sing as low. And few could sing as low or as well.
Thank you so much Dean for posting this great old classic clip of the famous Blackwood Brothers. What beautiful "high pitched" harmony. I think this may be my favorite song that the Blackwood ever sang. Thanks again! It made my day! God Bless You! MoJoPiano
This was also recorded in 1951 on Decca during 2 days of Nashville sessions by Red Foley with The Andrews Sisters (Patty, Maxene, LaVerne). The sisters were hoping to repeat the recording successes they had with Burl Ives in 1947 ("Blue Tail Fly") & Ernest Tubb in 1949 ("I'm Bitin' My Fingernails & Thinking of You"). Though the sessions with Foley, especially the gospel pair ("It Is No Secret" was the flip side), received a good deal of radio play on the country stations, not many casual fans realize that the sisters even recorded with Foley. One of their standout duets: "Where Is Your Wandering Mother Tonight?" which is also on UA-cam, with early rockabilly influence.
Do you know much about their recordings by any chance in Fresno, CA? Are these the earliest ones? Don Smith was a member from 42 to 47 but seemed to have also recorded some of their music and distributed it around 50/51. Thanks *I also found a misprint on wiki about Don smith leaving in 52 which sounds and looks wrong but I cannot identify everyone on the record labels I’ve seen.*
This is a good song to show the similarities between RWs and Cecils voices. This is a rare recording, since Tenor Dan Huskey was with the Blackwoods for such a brief time.
Dan was my uncle, this is the first time I have ever seen him sing. My father and his brothers were all supposed to be great singers, but Dan was the one who pursued it.
Is this the only video recording of the Blackwoods with Bill Lyles his Bass was wonderful. A very young James Blackwood and love the accent. I sure like Dan Huskey is a great tenor. Dear RW was so good. His boys have done him proud as Jimmy has done his Dad. Would love to find some old recordings if nothing else of the orignal group
@bfafan1 the accent is a southern one. RW had thought they should tone them down but james said they should play them up. well they won the author godfrey hour. this is as far as I know the only filming of the group all gone now.
Chief was perhaps the best showman of all the classic bass singers. He could work an audience! He was also a very fine singer. Bill Lyles was smoother and lower; John Hall and Arnold Hyles had stronger voices; London Parris & Low Note Hilton, were superb. But the all time greatest quartet bass was J. D. Sumner. He was a great songwriter, singer, innovator and a mesmerizing force on stage. I miss them all. Thank God for old LPs and Adkinsda! (Big John is still singing, last I heard.)
Sandraz1634, Definitely no apology necessary. Trust me, I often get these folks who post gospel vids mixed up! Yes, I have played gospel piano for almost 43 years. Anthony Burger was an incredible musician; unlike myself, who is pretty much limited to playing gospel, Anthony could play it ALL, gospel, classical, pop, show tunes, broadway musicals, you name it. Of course he was classicaly trained by the best, plus he was blessed with a GOD-GIVEN talent from the start. THANKS! MoJoPiano
GREAT video (and you're other posts too!) What's the name of the high tenor singer? Is he still living? I know the others have unfortunately all left us.
Sandraz1634, I'm confused (which is not unusual for the old man here)! I see on adkinsda profile that is name is "Dean", thus I called him "Dean". What am I missing? THANKS! MoJoPiano
There are three or more that haven't been placed on this site....I have some black and white of them doing various songs. Note that these folks don't get near the mikes and sing from afar....old mikes would shock the dickens out of you!
Does anyone know what auditorium they are performing in here? A friend of mine believes that they are in LIttle Rock, but I think he is off in his timing even if they did perform there sometime.
two of the blackwoods were killed in a plane crash on the way back from arthor godfrey's talent scouts......rw was one of them don't remember who else.
Sandraz1634, I have noted his UA-cam account name and I will surely check him out in a day or so and I will reply. Thanks so much and may God bless you! MoJoPiano
Please receive words from the Book of Hebrews, Ch. 9, v. 25 & 26: "... nor was it that He would offer himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself."John 6:28 & 29: "Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
A machinist by trade, my father was a talented pianist and vocalist. Every day when he came home from work, he would wash up and sit down at his piano. Even as a preschooler, I would stop what I was doing and join him in the living room. I grew up listening to him sing these beautiful songs by the Blackwood Brothers. I had the privilege of seeing them in person in the early 1970’s at the Kingsland Theater in St. Louis. My father also performed that night, with my little sister. She wore a red and white checkered dress that I made for her. Wonderful memories!
I need to be the first to give honor to the off camera piano player. It shames me to tears that others claim they play piano and not one of you mentioned the pianist. His name was Jackie Marshall. At this filming date, he was barely 20 years old. He was a musical genius and was responsible for the harmony arrangements and the innovative development through the 1950s with this group. He was blessed and brilliant enough to keep the gospel music beat and arrangements just far enough from the secular scene. In doing this they invented their sound. Jackie is the most overlooked and underrated member of the group and his contribution needed to be mentioned.
+Nick Jarnecke Thank you for this info on their piano player. Do you know if Dan Huskey is still living? I haven't been able to find any history on him. Thanks again.
+Dick Short Thank you!!
Dan Husky passed away in the 90s from what I have heard and read. He had an extensive singing career and was successful in a few business ventures. He was actually hired for the Blackwoods as a filler from another group they had singing at the time. Dans voice was very hard and loud for the sound they invented. His voice at this time in his career would crack sometimes and he would get strained due the the high parts he has to sing. You can hear his voice crack on another 1951 clip-swing down sweet chariot. BTW....all the tenors James hired could not sing higher than him.
"Each drop of blood bought me a million years" ...what a powerful message in song brought by a legendary quartet of men. The "Blackwood Brothers" have left us a rich treasure of Southern Gospel music that will stir a slumbering soul back to life!!
Wonderful quartet. This song is very beautiful.
Bill Lyles bass is so true. The best.
I love the harmonies. And the words are so true. Thank-you Jesus Ronsie
bill was the smoothest bass you will ever hear and you can understand every word
Betty, it was R.W Blackwood Sr and Bill Lyles Sr and it was three weeks after the Arthur Godfrey's talent contest. The Crash occurred before the concert was set to begin at the Peach Festival in Clanton Ala, it was the one pivotal event according to Bill Gaither, in Gospel music nothing was and has been this dramatic and touched this many as the plane crash was. There was simply NO ONE like R.W Sr. and never will be, no one is that good a singer! His vocals blow my mind.
To been able to go back in time to this era. Blackwoods & Statesmen set the standard, way back then, of how Southern Gospel Quartets should sing.
How have I lived for so long and never heard these divine heavenly sounds. Thank you.
wish i could go back to those days.....this was living, and I actually played piano for another quartet out of Dayton Ohio. I was 22 at the time
Wow what a great rare video. Thanks for sharing. It IS a shame that R. W.. and Bill Lyles were taken so young, but God has His plan. Great share!
Listen to that double low G by Bill at the very end. Very clear and pitch perfect even though he was standing way off mic.
Just sit back and listen is what I do...I still love the old groups....wish we had more footage of them all.
R.W.'s Voice is SO smoothe on this. I've heard this is one of very little footage of the original group.
Beautiful! God is so good.
I love this quartet and this song....Thanks for posting.....God blessyou!!!!!!!
Awesome video. I appreciate it more than you know. James Blackwood is/was my mom's first cousin. Bill Lyles and another member of the quartet (I believe another Blackwood) were killed in a plane crash in Alabama long ago. I have lots of albums but this is the first video I've seen of the original quartet. My mom died a few years ago but I sent my Dad, who thinks Bill Lyles was the greatest bass singer EVER, a link to this video.
R. W. was the other Blackwood killed.
I enjoyed Big Chief....met him in a restaurant while they were in our town for a performance way back when ......love the Blackwoods
This video is astounding. It shines the spotlight on each member in turn, revealing virtuosity and range at every point. It doesnt get any better! No less an authority than James Blackwood said Bill Lyles had the best bass voice of anyone. Lyles was smoother than any other bass that could sing as low. And few could sing as low or as well.
This is one of the very best early songs that they recorded.
Thank you so much Dean for posting this great old classic clip of the famous Blackwood Brothers. What beautiful "high pitched" harmony. I think this may be my favorite song that the Blackwood ever sang. Thanks again! It made my day! God Bless You! MoJoPiano
This was also recorded in 1951 on Decca during 2 days of Nashville sessions by Red Foley with The Andrews Sisters (Patty, Maxene, LaVerne). The sisters were hoping to repeat the recording successes they had with Burl Ives in 1947 ("Blue Tail Fly") & Ernest Tubb in 1949 ("I'm Bitin' My Fingernails & Thinking of You"). Though the sessions with Foley, especially the gospel pair ("It Is No Secret" was the flip side), received a good deal of radio play on the country stations, not many casual fans realize that the sisters even recorded with Foley. One of their standout duets: "Where Is Your Wandering Mother Tonight?" which is also on UA-cam, with early rockabilly influence.
Do you know much about their recordings by any chance in Fresno, CA? Are these the earliest ones? Don Smith was a member from 42 to 47 but seemed to have also recorded some of their music and distributed it around 50/51. Thanks
*I also found a misprint on wiki about Don smith leaving in 52 which sounds and looks wrong but I cannot identify everyone on the record labels I’ve seen.*
They all have great voices, but R.W. Blackwood's is as smooth as velvet.
This is a good song to show the similarities between RWs and Cecils voices.
This is a rare recording, since Tenor Dan Huskey was with the Blackwoods for such a brief time.
Dan was my uncle, this is the first time I have ever seen him sing. My father and his brothers were all supposed to be great singers, but Dan was the one who pursued it.
This is so awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful!!
Bill Lyles, their awesome bass singer, was the other member who died in the crash.
THE VERY BEST YET..
Is this the only video recording of the Blackwoods with Bill Lyles his Bass was wonderful. A very young James Blackwood and love the accent. I sure like Dan Huskey is a great tenor. Dear RW was so good. His boys have done him proud as Jimmy has done his Dad.
Would love to find some old recordings if nothing else of the orignal group
I agree with James , a beautiful song.
R.W. Is my favorite in this one.
I am just getting to know them and their great work. I do know that Elvis and James Brown loved and idolized them (in a good way).
Another good one Dean!
Thanks so much Sandraz1634 for setting me straight. I need to learn to READ! LOL! Yes, it is a beautiful song and what a message! MoJoPiano
@bfafan1 the accent is a southern one. RW had thought they should tone them down but james said they should play them up. well they won the author godfrey hour. this is as far as I know the only filming of the group all gone now.
Another great Stuart Hamblen hymn; he wrote many, including "it is no secret"
[what God can do]....
+David Stanford be sure to read below Nick's tribute to Jackie Marshll..
thanx for that
Chief was perhaps the best showman of all the classic bass singers. He could work an audience! He was also a very fine singer. Bill Lyles was smoother and lower; John Hall and Arnold Hyles had stronger voices; London Parris & Low Note Hilton, were superb. But the all time greatest quartet bass was J. D. Sumner. He was a great songwriter, singer, innovator and a mesmerizing force on stage. I miss them all. Thank God for old LPs and Adkinsda! (Big John is still singing, last I heard.)
Sandraz1634, Definitely no apology necessary. Trust me, I often get these folks who post gospel vids mixed up! Yes, I have played gospel piano for almost 43 years. Anthony Burger was an incredible musician; unlike myself, who is pretty much limited to playing gospel, Anthony could play it ALL, gospel, classical, pop, show tunes, broadway musicals, you name it. Of course he was classicaly trained by the best, plus he was blessed with a GOD-GIVEN talent from the start. THANKS! MoJoPiano
Man. You had to be a TENOR to sing with these guys.
My favorite is Bill Lyles!
This version of the Blackwood Brothers was the greatest. The group that followed was awfully good also.
@ronapoolescott Yes, it was Bill Lyles and R.W. Blackwood, next to Lyles in this video, that were killed in the crash.
That must have been a humble beginning.
London joined the group about 17 or 18 yrs. later. (Appx.)
RE Blackwood was the best baritone voice ever!😂
I think you meant R.W. Blackwood and yes his voice was smooth as butter.
Doy Ott is a little bit better. But both were excellent
GREAT video (and you're other posts too!)
What's the name of the high tenor singer? Is he still living? I know the others have unfortunately all left us.
@BillVol Now that IS big authority.
Sandraz1634, I'm confused (which is not unusual for the old man here)! I see on adkinsda profile that is name is "Dean", thus I called him "Dean". What am I missing? THANKS! MoJoPiano
Thanks- I wasn't sure of his name- I can't find any info about him tho- is he still living?
I think i heard this is the ONLY footage of the original group.
There are three or more that haven't been placed on this site....I have some black and white of them doing various songs. Note that these folks don't get near the mikes and sing from afar....old mikes would shock the dickens out of you!
Does anyone know what auditorium they are performing in here? A friend of mine believes that they are in LIttle Rock, but I think
he is off in his timing even if they did perform there sometime.
London was not still in the group?
DAn Huskey was the tenor.
two of the blackwoods were killed in a plane crash on the way back from arthor godfrey's talent scouts......rw was one of them don't remember who else.
Bill Lyle's was the other one killed.
My dad thought that Bill Lyles was the bestest bass singer in the world and second was Arnold Hyles! Low Note Hilton was third pick!
Sandraz1634, I have noted his UA-cam account name and I will surely check him out in a day or so and I will reply. Thanks so much and may God bless you! MoJoPiano
@dagwood387 Dan Husky is also gone now. as for basses after Bill Lyle big chief was the best. did not growl.
What number of role is not back in 1954 then half of those days back in the United States five ROBBIE HAGBERG
across all america J.D. Sumner was the best bass singer
Well, many agree with you; but personally, I prefer Bill Lyles. We all have our favorites, I suppose.
1:39
RW Blackwood not re! Sorry old hands don't type very well.
2017 How Lucifer has risen.
Please receive words from the Book of Hebrews, Ch. 9, v. 25 & 26: "... nor was it that He would offer himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself."John 6:28 & 29: "Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
Plane crash Clanton, Alabama June!!
Anton
Beautiful!!