Ed Grady Videos : JOHNSON FAMILY SINGERS - A HAVEN IN HEAVEN - 1956 ZENITH COBRA-MATIC

johnson family singers haven in heaven 1956 zenith cobra-matic christian gospel religious 1940's a cobra matic

JOHNSON FAMILY SINGERS - A HAVEN IN HEAVEN - 1956 ZENITH COBRA-MATIC

Once more I veer off the 20's dance music path! A friend gave me a number of 10 sleeve record albums so I can shelve some loose records that have accumulated. He left some records he was getting rid of in them and I planned to throw them away, especially the red Columbias which I always make fun of. But when I played one of them I was instantly thrilled by their beauty! I've always loved the old-fashioned gospel music as it shares many characteristics of 20's music in its pretty melodies played in 4/4 time. "This is best described as southern gospel, in the tradition of the Stamps-Baxter Music and Printing Co. of Dallas, TX in the 30's. It is characterized by four part harmony, "shaped notes," strong 4/4 rhythm, chromatic passing notes. Uniquely American, it was influenced by African-American folk styles, jazz, "stomp beat", and rag time. The melodies are simple, charming and accessible." (Liner notes from Precious Memories by The Oak Creek Boys Gospel Quartet, with each voice being furnished by Marcus Corley, who is married to my cousin Sherry where they reside in Austin, TX) Without any apology, here is the history of this wonderful singing family plucked straight from Wiki: The Johnson Family Singers, a popular singing family during the decade of the 1940s, was probably the best-known family singing group during the "golden days of radio." This original family of singers consisted of a father ("Pa"), a mother ("Ma"), and four children—Kenneth (Red), Betty, and twins ...

Video Credit: