10 Gospel Music Bands You Need to Know

Here are 10 Gospel music bands who are making a name for themselves in the industry.

The Five Blind Boys of Alabama

The Five Blind Boys of Alabama are an American gospel music group who first gained popularity in the 1930s. The group has been active for over 80 years, and has recorded more than 60 albums. The Blind Boys have won five Grammy Awards, and were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

The origins of the group date back to the beginning of the twentieth century, when a young boy named Clarence Fountain lost his sight in an accident. Fountain gathered a group of other blind boys from the Alabama School for the Negro Blind, and they began singing together informally. In 1926, they caught the attention of record producer George Washington White, who arranged for them to make their first recordings.

The Blind Boys’ biggest hit came in 1950 with their recording of “I Can See Everybody’s Mother But Mine.” The song was a smash success, and helped to make the group one of the most popular gospel music acts of the 1950s. In subsequent years, the Blind Boys continued to record and perform together, and appeared on such television programs as “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”

The Blind Boys are still active today, and continue to tour internationally. They have collaborated with a number of other artists over the years, including Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, and Ben Harper. In 2017, they released an album called “I’ll Find a Way” with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver fame.

The Fairfield Four

The Fairfield Four is an American a cappella gospel group. The group’s origins date back to 1921, when four young men began singing together at the Fairfield Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The group’s first professional performance was in 1924, and they soon began touring with various gospel and blues artists. In the 1940s, the Fairfield Four became one of the most popular gospel groups in the country, appearing on radio and television programs and recording numerous albums. The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

The Fairfield Four has been cited as an influence by a number of popular music artists, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Emmylou Harris.

The Swan Silvertones

The Swan Silvertones were a gospel music group who achieved their greatest popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. The group was originally formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1938, and originally consisted of lead singer Tony Williams, baritone

The Soul Stirrers

Formed in the early 1920s, The Soul Stirrers were one of the longest-running and most influential gospel groups of all time. Originally from Texas, the group was founded by lead singer R.H. Harris and later featured such iconic figures as Sam Cooke and Paul Foster. The Soul Stirrers were known for their intricate harmonies and ardent spiritual delivery, and their music helped to shape the sound of modern gospel.

The Dixie Hummingbirds

The Dixie Hummingbirds are an American gospel music group who have been performing since the 1920s. One of the most influential vocal groups of all time, they are known for their intricate harmonies and soulful sound. The Hummingbirds have influenced everyone from James Brown to Stevie Wonder, and they continue to be one of the most popular gospel bands today.

The Blind Boys of Mississippi

The Blind Boys of Mississippi are a five-time Grammy Award winning gospel group who have been making music for over seven decades. The group was formed in the early 1940s by a group of young blind boys at the Central Mississippi School for the Blind in Jackson, Mississippi.

The Blind Boys have recorded with a wide range of artists, including Bon Iver, Brad Paisley, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder, and Mavis Staples. They have also appeared on several television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with David Letterman.

In addition to their five Grammy Awards, The Blind Boys of Mississippi have also won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and a GMA Dove Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

The Mighty Clouds of Joy

The Mighty Clouds of Joy are a five-time Grammy Award-winning gospel music band. Formed in 1953, the band has been a major force in shaping the sound and style of contemporary gospel music. With their signature blend of traditional gospel, R&B, and soul, the Mighty Clouds of Joy have inspired generations of gospel music fans and performers.

The Staples Singers

One of the most famous and influential gospel groups of all time, The Staples Singers were formed in Chicago in 1931 by Roebuck “Pops” Staples. The group originally consisted of Pops and his children Cleotha, Pervis, and Mavis, who were all raised singing gospel music in the church. They rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s with their popular recordings of spirituals and hymns, including “Uncloudy Day” and “This Little Light of Mine.” In addition to their success in gospel music, The Staples Singers also found crossover success with their rendition of “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” which became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

The Williams Brothers

Formed in the early 1970s by Levi and Douglas Williams, The Williams Brothers began their musical career singing background for different artists within the gospel music industry. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that the group released their first album, “Saying Something.” With a succession of chart-topping albums and singles, The Williams Brothers achieved elite status in the gospel music world, opening doors for other black gospel groups that would follow. Hailed as pioneers and trendsetters within the genre, The Williams Brothers continue to make music that appeals to both young and old alike.

The Winans

The Winans are a contemporary gospel music quartet from Detroit, Michigan consisting of brothers BeBe, CeCe, Marvin and Carvin. The group has achieved critical and commercial success both in the United States and internationally. The Winans’ highest-charting single, “Ain’t No Need to Worry”, peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart in 1988.