This message comes to TBGB from Eric LeBlanc, who found the obituary in the Augusta Chronicle on 5/1/2005. James “Big Red” Anderson was an original member of the Swanee Quintet of Augusta, Georgia and recorded with the quartet for more than fifty years.
James “Big Red” Anderson
JONESBORO, Ga. – Entered into rest Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at the
University Hospital, Mr. James (Big Red) Anderson, formerly of Holly
St., beloved husband of Mrs. Willie Mae Anderson, Jonesboro. Other survivors
include a step-daughter, step-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews,
other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 5, 2005, at 2:00 PM from Beulah Grove Baptist Church of which Rev. Dr. Sam Davis is pastor; Rev. Howard Hunt officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to Dent’s Undertaking Establishment, 930, D’Antignac Street, Augusta, GA, 30901. The Historic Dent’s Undertaking Establishment serving the CSRA since the 1800’s.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Swanee Quintet recently released a new CD that featured “Big Red” on vocals. TBGB truly regrets the loss of another pioneering gospel singer and extends its sympathies to his family and friends.
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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’m looking for Swanee Nightingales or Swanee Nightengales of Cleveland, Ohio. I know one of the members was Willie Drake. He was my grandfather. I know they had at least two records. They were 45’s and I believe they were on either Bounty or J&W record labels out of Michigan and or Ohio. Some of the songs were “I need your Mercy”, Peace in the Valley”, I know the Lord will make a way” You don’t know like I know.. Please help me find out information about my grandfather.
I am also a grandaughter of willie drake of the swanee nightengales gospel group. I am also in search of someone out there who may have actual footage.such as vcr or vhs tapes of live tapings of those special gospel concerts i enjoyed attending as a little girl.i am fortyone now and have four children.three of them are boys who i feel as their momwould appreciate and grow as god fearing men and citizens if they were able to have that opportunity grandpa gave me as a child to see how special he was in loving the lord and giving him praise and worship.my entire family are as dependant on god as we were all those years ago when grand dad gave us jesus. We have prayed many years for someone to step up and bless us with the memories we so cherish today of seeing a man of god again in action and sharing that with the new generations that has come.the children and young adults in this family need his presence in whatever form we can have as far as his legacy of worship. We just want to praise god with him again.