Southernaires Explained
| The Southernaires |
| Origin: | United States |
| Years Active: | –1950s |
The Southernaires, organized in 1929, were an American popular vocal group, popular in radio broadcasting of the 1930s and 1940s.[1] They were known for their renditions of spirituals and work songs.[2] In 1942, they won a widely publicized case of hotel discrimination.[3]
Their best known recording, "Nobody Knows De Trouble I've Seen", was released by Decca (2859-B) in 1939. Pianist-arranger Spencer Odom replaced their previous accompanist, Clarence M. Jones, the same year.[4]
In 1948–49, they hosted a 30-minute show, The Southernaires Quartet, on Sundays on the American Broadcasting Company television network.[1]
Work with Frank Buck
In 1950, the Southernaires provided the vocals for the Frank Buck album, Tiger.[5]
Key personnel
- Homer Smith (tenor)
- Lowell Peters (second tenor)
- Jay Stone Toney (baritone)
- William W. Edmunson (bass/narrator)
- Clarence M. Jones (pianist from 1933)
- Ray Yeates (tenor, replacing Smith from 1945 onwards)[1]
- Spencer Odom (pianist/arranger, replacing Jones in 1939)
By 1951, they had only one original member, Edmunson, in their line-up[1]
See also
Notes and References
- Book: The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Colin Larkin. Guinness Publishing. 1992. 1st. 0-85112-939-0. 2334.
- Southernaires and Anne Brown. The New York Times. March 10, 1941
- "Negroes Win Judgment In Hotel Discrimination", Christian Science Monitor, (December 18, 1942)
- "Southernaires Heard; Feature Spencer Odom, Pianist, on Program at Town Hall", The New York Times, (January 12, 1948), p 15.
- Book: Lehrer
, Steven
. Bring 'Em Back Alive: The Best of Frank Buck . Texas Tech University press . 2006 . x-xi . 0-89672-582-0.
