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[Delois Barrett and the Barrett Sisters]

Gospel trio. Its members were Delores [Delois] (soprano), Billie (alto), and Rhodessa (high soprano) Barrett. Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, they grew up with seven other siblings and were members of the Morning Star Baptist Church where they sang in a choir directed by their aunt. As the Barrett–Hudson Singers, Delores and Billie had performed in a group with a cousin, whom Rhodessa later replaced to form the Barrett Sisters. Delores, the eldest and the group’s leader, started singing at the age of six. Her professional career began in earnest after graduating from Englewood High School, when she became the first female to join the Roberta Martin Singers (1944; see martin, Roberta ). Billie and Rhodessa received some formal training, but it was through the Roberta Martin Singers that Delores learned technique and honed her individual style, along with the unique ensemble quality known as the Roberta Martin sound. Delores continued to sing with Martin from time to time, even as the Barrett Sisters took shape. Getting their start as an African American gospel trio, the Barrett Sisters first recorded with the label Savoy (...

(b Henry, TN, Sept 18, 1938). American gospel music television and radio host, singer, choir director, and media executive. He began singing publicly in the Methodist church as a child, although his first exposure to gospel music came in sanctified churches. His involvement with gospel music deepened in Nashville when he served as keyboard player, singer, and director for church and civic choirs while studying at Tennessee State University. In 1978 Jones recorded the first of many albums with his small ensemble, the New Life Singers, whose aesthetic leaned more toward contemporary Christian music than black gospel. Around this time he began hosting children’s and gospel music shows on Nashville television stations. In 1980 Black Entertainment Television began broadcasting one of these programs, Bobby Jones Gospel. The popular program has featured performances by Jones’s ensembles, established gospel stars, and up-and-coming gospel artists. Firmly within the gospel entrepreneurial tradition, Jones’s other enterprises include music festivals, workshops, radio shows, the gospel opera ...

(b Chicago, IL, Aug 29, 1929; d Chicago, IL, Oct 8, 2010). American gospel singer. She began singing at the West Point Baptist Church in Chicago as a little girl, and by the time she was 17 had become part of an ensemble led by Robert Anderson. Walker was sought after to record as a soloist and, reportedly resistant to sing solo, recruited fellow members of Anderson’s group to record with her. After making a decided split from Anderson in 1952, the Original Caravans were formed. Earliest members included Ora Lee Hopkins, Elyse Yancey, and Nellie Grace Daniels. The group was known for close harmonies and earthy singing. Walker’s own voice was a husky contralto sound with a characteristic crack of three or four descending tones while moving through a melodic line. Walker originally sang lead and remained the anchor of the group. She was lead soloist for “Lord, keep me day by day” (composed by Eddie Walker, ...