Great God A'Mighty! the Dixie Hummingbirds: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music

by Jerry Zolten

Book Overview

From the Jim Crow world of 1920s Greenville, South Carolina, to Greenwich Village's Caf Society in the '40s, to their 1974 Grammy-winning collaboration on "Loves Me Like a Rock," the Dixie Hummingbirds have been one of gospel's most durable and inspiring groups.
Now, Jerry Zolten tells the Hummingbirds' fascinating story and with it the story of a changing music industry and a changing nation. When James Davis and his high-school friends starting...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195152727
• ISBN13: 9780195152722
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

terrific book

Full disclosure: I have known the author for many years. This is wonderful book. Even though I know and admire the author, I would not lie about the book. If I didn't like it, I just wouldn't say anything. This is a wonderful book. The book is solid scholarship, and it is readable. How often do you see that? It reads like a compelling narrative, which it is, but it also has the complete discography of the Dixie Hummingbirds, and chronicles the racist times the men lived in and overcame. It is equal parts reference for American Studies and a fun read. Highly recommended!

Givin' God the Glory

Jerry Zolten, co-author of 'Speaking to an Audience' and writer for Living Blues magazine, has devoted his interest into the lives and music of The Dixie Hummingbirds. What would gospel be like today if not for the influence of singers like The Hummingbirds, Fairfield Four, Skylarks, Kings of Harmony, Radio Four, the Selahs among others? They brought to us the reality that gospel was poulated by every type of people you can name. All that travels the gospel road those that succeeded were the Dixie Hummingbirds for their spiritual qualities and their unique a-capella style. It was thier backbone and their success that kept them together until now. Before there was Rock-n-Roll there they were. They sang through history from the Depression, the World Wars, Korea and Vietnam and through the decades of changing pop culture. Now that perseverance and dedication rewarded them, this will be their 75th anniversary. They have their place in the American Music Hall of Fame.This is their story that began in 1920s Greenville, S.C. to their 1974 Grammy winning song 'Love Me Like a Rock.' Others made popular during their long career are, 'Christian's Automobile,' 'Have a Little Talk With Jesus,' 'Ezekiel Saw the Wheel,' 'Two Little Fishes & Five Loaves of Bread,' 'Let's Go Out to The Programs,' 'Savior Don't Pass Me By,' 'Devil Can't Harm a Praying Man,' 'I've Been Born Again,' and 'Wonderful to Be Alive' among a long line of memorable songs. James Davis and his friends began singing in a rural church. Their next 10 years would be jaunting from town to town, working radio stations, schools and churches. By 1939, the a-capella songbirds recorded their 4-part harmony spirituals on Decca. By 1942, they moved to Philadelphia and then New York with the Lester Young band they brought down the house each night at the Café Society. For there they catapulted into nationwide tours, major revord contracts, collaborating with Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. And they're still going stronger as ever. There are interviews of the artists who worked with the Hummingbirds. The book brings out the vivid life that shaped the gospel singers and gospel music. In the words of Ira Tucker, Sr. at the anniversary roast, he said, "There have been a lot of people that have turned their backs on us. But you know what? The man upstairs sits high and looks low. That's who we have our faith and trust in, is God Almighty. I'd like to say this to you. It wasn't the money that kept the Hummingbirds out there." In conclusion"....Don't think that we are finished. I'm glad not. AMEN. There are notes in the back of the book to further your search in Blues, Gospel, Jazz & Broadcasting with bibliography of books, articles, interviews, recordings & documentaries for more reading. n the subject of Blues, Gospel and those that influence the story of soul music, like Willie Dixon, Billie Holliday, Wynonie Harris, Mahalia Jackson and Josh White. Afterwards is a listing of the Hummingbirds recordings of