Gospel music -- Kentucky.

Abstract Ernest Martin was a talented musician and singer, originally from Clay City, Powell County, Kentucky. In the 1930s, Martin had some success in country music on such radio stations as WNOX in Knoxville, Tennessee. However, at age twenty-two, in about 1936, Martin began a career as an independent Baptist evangelist which lasted well into the 1980s. Martin traveled thousands of miles conducting church revivals and recorded radio programs of preaching and singing. These programs were broadcast...

Abstract Gilbert R. Combs (1886-1966) compiled his collection of songs and ballads in part from those he heard growing up in Eastern Kentucky, and also from his acquaintance with gospel music and spirituals from several southern states. The collection includes some biographical notes covering Combs' early life, and his own recollections of his early childhood and description of traditional songs in mountain settings. The Rev. Gilbert Reynolds Combs, according to his own account, was born in a cabin...

Abstract The Prichard Quartet and the Melody Five gospel singing groups from Whitley County were jointly organized by Chester Prichard and John Miles who both worked as barbers in Barbourville, Knox County, Kentucky. The Prichard Quartet at various times was comprised of Chester Prichard, John Miles, Clifford Miller, Anna Prichard, and Ruby Parton. The Melody Five included Chester, Anna, and Jaola Prichard, and Chester and Roberta Bryant. Both were accompanied on piano by Janice Lundy. The groups...

Abstract Walter McNew (1912 - 1998) inherited his knowledge of, and love for, shape note singing from his father, John G. McNew who was a fiddler, singing school teacher, and telegraph operator for the L&N Railroad in Rockcastle and Madison counties of Kentucky. The earliest of his recordings were made by Walter and his siblings on reel-to-reel tape. These recordings document both Walter alone and as part of a family gospel quartet with siblings, Astor, Homer, and Bernice (Branaman). The solo...

Abstract William Chester (1920-2012), known as “Chet,” and Donald (1921-    ), or “Don,” Ware were born in Argyle, Casey County, Kentucky.  They grew up in an atmosphere of country gospel music and singing and were taught to sing and play guitar by their father Virgil Ware who was a shape-note gospel singer and teacher.  The two brothers performed together since the late 1920s and, after hearing Delmore Brothers for the first time in 1933, began covering Delmore Brothers songs. The duo’s career...