The Canton Spirituals
The Canton Spirituals are an award-winning gospel recording group and are regarded as pioneers in the genre of traditional gospel music.
Founded in Canton, Mississippi in 1943, the original Canton Spirituals were Reverend Arthur Lee Jackson Sr., Reverend I.S. Watkins, Claude "Bubba" Nichols, Warren G. Ward, Isaac Bolton, Eddie Jackson, Theo Thompson, Roscoe Lucious and founder Harvey Lee Watkins, Sr. (December 5, 1929 – November 16, 1994).
As of 2016, the group is fronted by Watkins' son, Harvey Watkins, Jr., and consists of Cornelius Dwayne Watkins, Billy Voss, David Curry, Merlin Lucious, Shannon Lee, Rodrick Jones, and Antoine Porter Sr.
On November 1, 2012, they released a single, Keep Knocking. The album, Keep Knocking was released on December 3, 2013.[1]
Awards
The Canton Spirituals garnered a Grammy nomination in 1993 for the album Live in Memphis and were 1997 Stellar Award recipients for "Best Group/Duo of the Year" as well as "Traditional Group of the Year" for the Living the Dream: Live In Washington, DC album. In 1998, the group took home two awards at The American Quartet Awards for "Quartet of the Year" and "Artist of the Year".
Discography
- That's My Train Fare Home (1977)
- On the Move (1978)
- I'm Coming Lord (1980)
- We'll See You In Church(1982)
- Everything Is Gonna Be Alright (1983)
- Meet the Same People (On Your Way Down) (1984)
- Mississippi Po' Boy (1985)
- Determined (1987)
- Nobody But Jesus (1990)
- Come Go With Me
- I'll Give It All To You (1990)
- Live in Memphis (1993)
- Live in Memphis II (1995)
- Living the Dream: Live In Washington, D.C. (1997)
- The Live Experience 1999 (1999)
- Walking By Faith (2002)
- New Life: Live In Harvey, IL (2004)
- Driven (2007)
- Keep Knocking (2013)
Personnel
- Harvey Watkins, Jr. (1973–present): lead vocals, background vocals, bass guitar, guitars
- Cornelius Dwayne Watkins (1974–present): lead guitar, lead vocals, background vocals
- Merlin Lucious (1974–present): bass guitar, background vocals, drums
- David Curry (2004–present): drums
- David "Dee" Curry III (2004–present): drums
- Billy Voss (2004–present): keyboards, background vocals
- Harvey Watkins, Sr. (1946–1994): original member, deceased): lead vocals, background vocals
- Wallace Strickland (1990–2005): keyboards, background vocals
- Victor Allen, Sr. (1990–2005): keyboards, lead vocals, background vocals
- Michael Richardson (1993–1995 and 1999): drums
- Antoine Porter Sr. (2013-Present): lead guitar, background vocals
References
- ↑ "Blackberry Records: The Canton Spirituals". Retrieved 8 February 2013.