The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was formed in 1934 with brothers Roy, Doyle, James and Roy's son, R.W. Although the group would not contain any brothers after 1950, the quartet with James as the enduring nucleus, would go on to become the best-known quartet in the history of gospel music.
In 2002, James Blackwood moved on to his eternal reward, but his son, Jimmy (James Jr.) continues the 73-year tradition. The group today consists of Wayne Little and Randy Byrd, acclaimed the best tenor/bass comination in the industry, Billy Blackwood, baritone, and Mike Hammontree, piano showman. The result is one of the best quartets you will ever hear!
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Anchoring
the Blackwood sound is the great lead voice of Jimmy Blackwood.
Jimmy joined the Blackwood Brothers in 1969 after having sung with
the Junior Blackwood Brothers and J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet.
Both the Blackwood Brothers and Stamps have been inducted into the
Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Jimmy is a five-time Grammy Awrad winner.
He and his wife Mona have two daughters, Dana and Debbie, and five
grandchildren.
Wayne has sung for many years in numerous quartets including the Crystal River Boys, and most recently, New Millennium. His crystal clear tenor voice is amazing people across the country. He has sung at hundreds of events including a concert at the Pentagon with Franklin Graham. He snd his wife Gina have two sons, Micah and Maison.
Randy provides the foundation for the quartet. His smooth bass voice and personality are winning fans across the country. Before joining the Blackwood Brothers, he sang with the group Majesty in Des Moines, IA. He and his wife Lisa have three daughters, Misti, Tiffani, and Kristin and two granddaughters.
Billy, James Blackwood's youngest son, sings baritone and is the music arranger for the quartet. Billy played drums for J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet at the age of 14. He also played for the Blackwood Brothers, Gordon Jensen and Sunrise, and Andrus/Blackwood & Company and toured with Voice, the opening act for the Elvis Presley show. He has traveled in solo ministry and has worked in youth and pastoral ministry. Billy has four daughters and one son.
Mike Hammontree began playing the piano when he was only 4 years old, and at the age of 6, was accepted in the Jacksonville University Conservatory of Music. He also sings and arranges music and for fifteen years was the minister of music at Southside Assembly of God in Jacksonville, Florida. Mike was influenced by former Blackwood Brothers accompanists and feels like he has always been a “Blackwood”. Mike and his wife Dana and their two sons, Chad and Chase also participate in their family’s ministry.
