The Black Gospel Collector’s Forum reported that Barney Parks, an original member of the Dixie Hummingbirds and organizer of the Sensational Nightingales, passed away Saturday, February 24 in Durham, North Carolina.
Parks is in the back, second from right, in this 1942 photo of the Dixie Hummingbirds published in the Philadelphia Afro-American (from Jerry Zolten’s superb biography of the Dixie Hummingbirds, Great God A’mighty).
Born to James Tate and Maggie Parks on July 15, 1915, Barney Parks was 91 years old at the time of his death. Homegoing services took place in Henderson.
In addition to his pioneering quartet work, Parks was married to, and managed the career of, Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke.
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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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YES BARNEY PARKS WAS A REL LEGEND IN THE FIELD OF GOSPEL QUARTET MUSIC. HE DISCOVERED MANY SINGERS TO INCLUDE JULIUS CHEEKS, HOWARD CARROL, JOSEPH WALLACE, TOMMY ELLISON, THE PILGRIM JUBILEES AND MANY MEMBERS OF THE POPULAR QUARTETS THAT’S SINGING TODAY. A GREAT ONE HAS GONE TO REST!!
[…] “RIP Barney Parks of Dixie Hummingbirds and Sensational Nightingales”. Journal of Gospel Music. March 4, 2007. Retrieved October 22, […]