The Canton Spirituals: A Biography
by Clarissa L. Nolen (SHS)
For many listeners, the word "gospel" conjures the sound of large African-American Southern choirs singing joyous songs of celebration. These choirs began singing traditional spirituals and later evolved into close knit, small groups that were the blueprint for doo-wop groups (All Media Guide). However, the Canton Spirituals have become more than a doo-wop group. The Canton Spirituals are often described an accomplished gospel quartet that has paved the way for many gospel groups and singers. Founded in Canton, Mississippi, the original group included the songwriter and singer, Harvey Watkins, Sr., who began to sing in the group at the age of fourteen, and the other original members: Eddie Jackson, Theo Thompson, and Roscoe Lucious (Mississippi Almanac 1997-1998).The Canton Spirituals has remained the number one gospel music quartet in the country. They represent the best of the past and present in gospel music (i music).
The current lead singer, Harvey Watkins, Jr. has been singing and performing with the group since he was a young child. Watkins attributes his interest in music ic to his parents. Watkins's father and mother are still the most important persons in his life. Since The Canton Spirituals' founding, they have been through heartaches and pains and many people have left the group. Presently, The Canton Spirituals members (Wallace Strickland, Victor Allen, Ralph Loften, Michael Richardson, Merlin Lucious, Cornelius Dwayne Watkins, and Rufus Mapp) are under the direction of Harvey Watkins, Jr., since the passing of his father, Harvey Watkins, Sr.,who died of cancer in Jackson, Mississippi, on November 16, 1994. Harvey Watkins, Sr., until his death, was the only original member with the Canton Spirituals (Mississippi Almanac 1997-1998). In the city of Canton, Watkins's song- writing skills, music and legacy will remain an important part of not just the city of Canton's history, but America's history also.
In July 1994, Watkins received a Legend Award at the Mississippi Gospel Music Awards. During the same month, Second Street in Canton, Mississippi, was renamed Harvey Watkins, Sr., Street in his honor (Mississippi Almanac 1997-1998). The Canton Spirituals have always kept God as the cornerstone of their life and music. Their music, according to one source, reflects the "heart"and "soul" of this rich genre and is perhaps the primary reason why they have such a loyal following (i music). The Canton Spirituals have received numerous awards due to their dynamic and melancholic music.
In Harvey Watkins' hometown of Canton, Mississippi, The Canton Spirituals received a Concurrent Resolution 557 in February from the Mississippi Legislature during their 1998 Regular Session honoring them for receiving two Stellar Awards at the 1997 Stellar Gospel Music Awards and for being the only gospel quartet in America and the only Mississippi gospel artist to achieve such honors (Blackmon). The Canton Spirituals have also received the 1998 Excellence Award for Quartet of the Year-Traditional and LP of the Year- Traditional (Mississippi Almanac 1997-1998). The Canton Spirituals have also won Group/Duo of the Year and Traditional group/duo at the thirteenth annual Stellar Awards (gospelcity). Their album, Live in Memphis I, received a Grammy nomination. They appeared at the awards show in April 1994. Live in Memphis I was also the longest running album on Billboard's Gospel Music Chart as of November, 1994 (Mississippi Almanac 1997-1998).
They are currently a part of the Gloryland's Gospel Music Top 15 Quartet Albums - 1st half of December, 1998 (geocities). Other awards and accomplishments include numerous Stellar, GMWA, Excellence, Dove, Soul Train, Urban Network Awards, and several Grammy Award nominations (i music). The Canton Spirituals put their heart and soul into their music. Listeners can only wonder if this is what contributes to their rising success. The Canton Spirituals have become loved and admired not only because of their ability to sell their music, but also to sing gospel effectively, change lives and people's views on life, and, most importantly, spread the story of Jesus and the things he does for them and what he can do everyone else.
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Cantons... Our Fathers in Christ. We Rev & the True Disciples Greatly appreciate the request. We strongly feel it is an honor to be on your profile. You all hane paved the way for groups such as us that are young. We will forever love you all.
I pray your Holiday's have been a blessing thus far *smile* We are in a season that some of us are celebrating the birth of our Father & others of us will be celebrating getting...
Luke 2:1-52 (Reading about Jesus birth) God's son became a person & lived with us for a while. During His life He was sad, happy, excited, and disappointed. God knows what life on earth is like... The name Immanuel is both comforting. Comforting because He has come to share the danger as well as the discomfort of our everyday lives. He desires to weep with us & to wipe away our tears. And what seems most bizarre, Jesus Christ, the Son God, longs to share in & to be the source of the laughter & the joy we all to rearely know. He makes His presents known to us daily. We realize, then that there can be no "ordinary" moments for the people who live their lives with Jesus. Jesus paid a tremendous price to be with us. The cross was the most obvious cost. We focus so much on the fact that Jesus died for us, we sometimes forget the He also lived for us and lives for us still. Imagine what it would be like sitting in heaven at the Father's side one moment & struggling to sleep in a manger the next... Imagine what it would be like to go from hearing praise of angles to suffering the ridicule of stupid men... & (women) *smile* The cost to Jesus is an indication of the incredible value of what He came to give us. And because no one will ever fully know what that cost Jesus, we can only begin to understand the incredible value of His gift to us.
During our celebrating & in our everyday lives, lets take a moments to reflect on what "Immanuel" (God with us) means to us... Make it a point to seek God in every little area our lives and see how many gifts He presents you with....*smile* JESUS PAID IT ALL, ALL TO HIM WE OWE! Oh taste and see that the Lord is good... ~MUCH LOVE~ Until next time...tah..tah... MERRY CHRISTmas! *smile*
What's Good fellas? Just dropping by to let you know that it's a pleasure having you as a myspace friend. May God bless you and give you favor in all that you do.
Many Blessings, Tim Woodson (formerly of The Mighty Clouds of Joy)
Hey Fellas, I know my messages have been coming slower but that's because God has blessed me to get out of the house after 4 months of bed rest. Also He has blessed me by bringing more friends into myspace...LOL! But if I've heard from you, you've heard from me...*smile* In the spirit of Thanksgiving I am giving thanks! In giving thanks to God, my mind wonders to the people He has placed in my life and also to the ones He has called home.
Ecclesiastes 9:1-12:14 We all must face death. Those who are righteous and wise rest in God's hands... (Thank you God) Work hard, enjoy life, and seek wisdom. Wisdom provides greater assets than power. Although you still face death, you can be comforted to know that those wo follow God will live forever with Him. (Thank you God) Each day we have the honor of sitting down with a book that contains the words of the One who created us. Every day we have the opportunity to let Him give us a thought or two on how to live. (Thank you God) If we don't do what He says, He doesn't burn the book or cancel our subscription. If we disagree with what He says, lightning doesn't split us in half or an angel doesn't mark our names off a Holy list. If we don't understand what He says, He doesn't call us dummies. (Thank you God) In fact, He calls us "His children" and on a different page explains what we don't understand. I'm learning everyday not to take everyday miricales for granted. I'm discovering many things, traffic jams eventually clear up sunsets are for free, I'm learning that people are people and God is God...and except them for who they are...and are not...LOL! I'm learning that if I look...if I open my eyes and observe... there are many reasons to get on my knees and look toward heaven and just say THANK YOU LORD! Look at your remarkable blessings and give God thanks for what you do have...I thank God for you!
