Daughter Chronicles Father’s Life in Gospel Quartet

Anne’ DuBois and her brothers Kenneth and Jonathan, Jr. began compiling a patron’s program to distribute at the 70th birthday celebration of their father, Jonathan “Papa Joe” DuBose, Sr. of the Sensational Starlights quartet.

But the more Anne’ researched and contributed information to the program, the more the project “took on a life of its own,” she reflected.

Now, complete with an introduction by award-winning historian Anthony Heilbut (The Gospel Sound), 70 and Beyond: The Evolution of Quartet Music in the Life of Papa Joe is a handsomely-illustrated history of the Senational Starlights of Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Anne’ hopes that it will become an educational resource for youth and emerging gospel artists.

Besides biographical information on DuBose Sr. and the Sensational Starlights, the booklet details the Bridgeport area’s place in gospel music history. For example, it includes interesting tidbits about other local gospel stars, most notably Mother Marie Wiggins and the True Light Gospel Singers. A sampling of the recorded output of quartets with whom the Sensational Starlights shared the stage – groups such as the Caravans, Soul Stirrers and the Original Five Blind Boys of Mississippi – is included, as well.

70 and Beyond also provides contact information for music-related organizations such as the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, BMI, ASCAP and SESAC. 

The booklet is available for purchase online at http://aeotv.biz/resources/QuartetPapaJoe.html.

Learn more about the booklet and the Senational Starlights — hear their music, too! — on WLUW’s “Gospel Memories,” Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. CT.  Anne’ and Jonathan Sr. will be guests on the program, which is hosted by Bob Marovich. 

In Chicago?  Tune into 88.7 FM.  Not in Chicago? Listen online at http://www.wluw.org/.

Note: collectors should not confuse the Sensational Starlights and True Light Gospel Singers of Connecticut with Philadelphia’s Sensational Starlights (Melron) and the True Light Gospel Singers (Simpson).  They are different gospel groups.