Two years ago, TBGB reviewed “Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray” by Frederick
“Nee” Smith and the Sensational Gospel Light (Rae Cox 144) as an Essential Gospel pick.
Classic Gospel: Essential Recordings – Week 112
As with many 50s and 60s quartets, biographical information is often scarce, and at the time we were unable to say much about the artists of that powerful performance. I posited a plea for more information. Minister Donnie Addison wrote TBGB recently to shed some “gospel light” on Frederick “Nee” Smith and the Sensational Gospel Light.
It turns out that Freddie was an original member of Tommy Ellison & the Singing Stars, and performed with The Five Blind Boys of Alabama during the time when Clarence Fountain was pursuing his solo career. Smith recorded several songs on some of the Blind Boys’ HOB LPs. In addition to his Rae-Cox singles, Smith also recorded for Hoyt Sullivan’s Su-Ann and HSE imprints.
Although anyone who has met Donnie Addison knows he is a walking encyclopedia of gospel quartet history, how Addison came upon information about Smith is quite interesting.
Addison told TBGB that he was leafing through a stack of records at his aunt’s home and came up with something like ten copies each of some of Freddie’s 45s. Of course, his curiosity was piqued, and he asked his aunt why she had so many of Smith’s records. She told him that she used to date Freddie Smith when she lived in New York.
His aunt proceeded to tell him hilarious stories about how Freddie & the Sensational Gospel Light female singers would practice their fancy footwork in front of a mirror to make sure everyone was on time with their “shout moves”. As Donnie relates, tongue-in-cheek: “Well, it was the 1960s and hard quartet gospel was competitive. What would it look like to not shout in synchronization?!”
Sadly, his aunt lost touch with Smith and does not know his whereabouts or if he is still alive. Meanwhile, we have a photo provided by Addison to admire (thanks, Donnie!).
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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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HELLO my name is reginald stinson the person to whom you are speaking of is my grandfather. Email me for more info [email protected]
Hello Reginald,
Your grandfather is my uncle. I would love to hear from you
MY PARENTS ERASTUS (BROTHER OF HARDIE CLIFTON OF THE BROOKLYN ALLSTARS) AND EUNICE CLIFTON FOUNDED THE GROUP “THE SENSATIONAL GOSPEL LIGHTS” OF JAMAICA, NY. UNCLE FREDDIE CAME TO SING WITH THEM WHEN HE LEFT THE FIVE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA. THE FANCY FOOTOWRK WAS NOT DONE IN FRONT OF A MIRROR BUT IN THE BASEMENT OF OUR HOME. UNCLE FEDIE ALONG WITH MARILYN CHESTER THE LADY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PICTURE WERE THE LEAD SINGERS IF YOU WANT FURTHER INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT [email protected]
I remember hearing Frederick sing and met him back in 1976. Is he still alive.he used to come to the st.ann spiritual church in in Brooklyn often to sing.
Hello, Ms. Banks – my understanding is that Frederick “Nee” Smith is no longer living. Thank you for your remembrance!
Hello All,
. “Freddy” is my uncle Frederick, my father’s baby brother. Yes, it’s true he passed away. He was one of my favorites. He even wrote a song for me because, like him, I also sing. I have been trying to locate his son who I’m told lives in South Carolina. If anyone out there has information and doesn’t mind sharing, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!