Nearly 230 Bay State artists entered NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest. Our panel of judges are selecting their favorite local entry, and narrowed it down to 21.
Son of Quartet Legend Spencer Taylor Jr. Has Passed | Martha Munizzi Releases New Book | Christian Radio's Dave Ramsey Named in Lawsuit Citing Fraud | Actor Robert De Niro Teases Possible Role in Scorsese “Jesus Movie” | Gospel Singer Earnest Pugh Celebrates Release of Music Compilation
For Black residents from the South, during the Great Migration North in the 1940's and 50's, gospel music defined the sacred side of life. In Chicago, churches served as places of community, musical joy, and healing. A tradition of quartet singing grew with groups like the Clefs of Cavalry, Holy Wonders, and the Highway Q.C.’s. These groups toured on gospel circuits nationwide, had record deals and radio shows. Group members often changed; Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, and Johnnie Taylor had all been in the Highway Q.C.’s before each turned to secular music. Spencer Taylor Jr. was a member of the Holy Wonders when the Q.C.’s came calling in the 1950s. I sat down with Mr. Taylor and his son, Spencer Taylor III, of the Highway Q.C.’s, to talk about his long life leading the ensemble.