The Gospel Music Workshop of America concluded its annual convention in Cincinnati yesterday evening and will be returning to the “Queen City” for next year’s gathering. Although the following is not meant to be a comprehensive survey of Cincinnati’s gospel music heritage, here are some tidbits to whet your appetite:
Queen City Gospel
Cincinnati, the “Queen City,” has been part of the gospel music scene since at least 1933, when Sallie Martin visited Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky to persuade local ministers and churches to organize gospel choirs, purchase Dorsey song sheets and join the new National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.
Since then, the Greater Cincinnati area has produced its share of gospel and quartet talent. Here are just a few examples of the city’s impact on quartets and gospel music:
Quartets:
Silvertone Gospel Singers of Cincinnati – Arguably one of the best-known Golden Age quartets from Cincinnati, and certainly one of its most prolific on record, the Silvertones blended sweet jubilee harmonies with hard lead singing. Their recording career spanned at least four decades, starting in 1947. Also known as the Cincinnatians, the group was at one time comprised of James Avant, Theodore C. Wallace, Artis Conley and Louie King. It is not known whether James Avant is the same person as Jimmy Avant who became a gospel announcer in Dallas and started his own record label, Avant. It wouldn’t be surprising, though, as the first group to record for Avant (in 1956) was t
he Gospelaires of Dayton, Ohio (see below).
Charles Fold and the Gospel Messengers – One of Cincinnati’s best known gospel sons, the late Charles Fold (left) was a prolific singer and songwriter. He sang and recorded with the Gospel Messengers in the 1960s. Fold later worked with James Cleveland and eventually assumed a position of leadership within the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Fans will remember the Grammy-winning Charles Fold Singers for their classic 1975 performance of “Jesus is the Best Thing that Happened to Me,” with James Cleveland.
Gospelaires of Dayton, Ohio – Although not from Cincinnati but nearby Dayton, Ohio, the Gospelaires must be in
cluded when discussing quartets from this region of Ohio. Featuring Bob Washington, Paul Arnold, Robert Lattimore and Charles McLean, the Gospelaires were one of the hardest singing quartets of the 1960s. Those who saw them perform say they could wreck a church or auditorium in no time flat. The group eventually traveled the world singing quartet, including their big hits, “Rest for the Weary” and “Ride This Train.”
Record Labels:
King and Federal Records – Sydney Nathan’s King and Federal imprints had an impressive roster of gospel quartets. King/Federal released the earliest recordings of the Swan Silvertones and the Spirit of Memphis as well as the Wings over Jordan and the CBS Trumpeteers (1940s), the fabulous Four Internes (1950s) and the Patterson 
Singers and Kelly Brothers (1960s). The King LP recording of the Bibleway Church of God and its effusive pastor, Rev. “Little” Abraham Swanson, produced the perennial radio favorite, “Rev. Abraham Swanson’s Prayer.”
Finch Records – Like King Records, John Marshall Finch’s eponymous label and Cincinnati studio presented many types of music, but unlike King, his releases were mainly private pressings for groups to sell at programs and give to radio announcers in towns they were appearing. Regardless, Finch produced a number of quartet records, all of which are in demand by quartet enthusiasts. Quality-wise, the Mighty Pilgrims’ 1971 Finch recording of “I Tried,” based on “When I’ve Done the Best I Can,” is arguably among the finest quartet recordings ever made.
Other local quartets that recorded for Finch include the Christian-Aires of Cincinnati, Dynamic Golden Stars, Mighty Gospel Travelers, House of God Harmonizers, and the Singing Mastermen.
Finally, we cannot forget two important Cincinnati-based record manufacturing/recording companies: Queen City Album (QCA) and Rite Pressing. Both were essential sources for artists, churches and pastors locally and nationwide to get their music recorded and pressed.
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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I have looked at all the info on the GOSPELAIRES OF DAYTON OHIO.Have you never heard of MELVIN PULLEN. He sang tenor for the ORIGINAL GOSPELAIRES OF DAYTON OHIO, He was also the 2nd manager of the group. He sang and recorded records with them for the 1st 15 years of their existance. He was there when they were the 5 TONEBLENDERS. He wrote REST FOR THE WEARY. If you look at the album you would see his picture on the back of it. please don’t leave out this important piece of history
Victor, thanks for writing and point well taken. An accidental omission. Melvin Pullen was there during the group’s most exciting years!
I have talked with Victor and yes we remember your father..his legacy should be remembered as well. thanks Victor have your sister to call me…so we can catchup and
Hey, Bob I am posting on Facebook about the wonderful event on Gospel Memories honoring my father the late Paul Arnold lead singer and his group the Sensational Gospelairs of Dayton, Ohio. This Saturday Feb. 23rd 11 am our time. WLIW-FM Bob Marovich and Khadijah Ali, doing it again another year honoring the man, his music and his legacy!!! Thank you Bob Marovich you are the guru of Gospel Music, your talent to spread the music and the lives of the musicians who performed Gospel Music is a strenght for the community and the world!!!