It was so good for Brenda and me to see the Blackwood Brothers last Sunday night in Montgomery. Jimmy, the older you get, the more you sound like James in his prime, and you do it without even trying. Even your stage mannerisms, facial expressions, and hand gestures are the same. If you TRIED, you would sound just like him! You have a great quartet and a great sound, and good men to be with and on the road with. The group honors the legacy of the Blackwood Brothers, and I know James is proud of you.We love you and hope to see you again soon!

Brenda and Allen
Troy, Alabama

I just received my Rock-A-My-Soul collection yesterday. I can't begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed listening to the CDs. I grew up listening to the Blackwood Brothers. I can still remember my parents and grandparents discussing the plane crash of June 30, 1954. My parents knew Jackie Marshall and J. D. Sumner. Southern Gospel and Blackwood Brothers are synonymous. Keep up the great work!

Douglas L. Hardin, R.Ph.

We went to see you in Augusta, Ga. Without a doubt, hands down it was the very best quartet we have ever seen. Hope y'all are comeing this way in the near future. I'll watch this site for a date. I bought 2 CD that night and needless to say, they both stay on top of the stack. God Bless you, your families and the ministry.

B J Fetterman

I finally got the chance to hear the "new" Blackwood Brothers--I was blown away! In my opinion they have recaptured the great sound of the 1950's group (though I've been listening for only forty years).
I remember Jimmy from the 70's and 80's--he's always been a good singer--but WOW,I am impressed with how his particular sound has mellowed! If he gets any better he's going to pass his dad--and it takes a mighty good runner to do that!

Forever a fan,
Ed Gowen

Question or Comment: Have you ever copied something over and over until what you ended up with, looked nothing like what you started with? When this group began singing in the thirtys, they had no one to copy from. They have been imitated by people who have no idea who they are imitating. Every gospel music style and singer has stood on the stage,waved their arms, stomped their feet,switched microphones,frailed frantically on the piano, and entertained people world wide because they had seen someone else do it.
Often, this has been done with much success by many singers,taking gospel music to the next level. I had the delight of being in a concert and hear something I thought I'd never hear again. A unique sound, painting pictuers in my mind from my childhood,that set the compass for the rest of my life.
I'd like to say thanks to Wayne,Jimmy,Brad, and Randy for taking me back, and letting me hear again - - - -THE ORIGINAL BLACKWOOD BROTHERS QUARTET!

Dean

I grew up around gospel music all my life. My parents used to attend concerts at the Akron Baptist Temple even before the plane crash and still have some of the old books about the Blackwood Brothers from back then. My parents also worked for the Gospel Chords from Youngstown, Ohio for many years. I have also had the pleasure of working with Billy when he was the youth pastor at the Hendersonville Chapel. However, that is enough of that. I really just wanted to tell you that I am very happy to see you carrying on the Blackwood Brothers name. I have looked through your site and loved taking the trip back in time. It takes me back to the old 78 rpm's that my dad still has of them. I hope that one day soon I can order some of the old stuff on the website. Please continue to share the gospel with your music and I truly loved listening.

God Bless, Doug

You guys are totally awesome! I am not a religious man but you most definitely brought light into my life with your music. I do not have enough words to tell you how you made me feel when I made a stop over in the US. I was staying with friends who attend church regularly and was invited to go along. You guys were there as guests and my life has never been the same. Thank you for bringing joy into my life with your music.

Paul, from the UK

Thank you for continuing the Blackwood Brothers. I had no idea the group was still going. I was searching for CDs so I did not have to transfer my scratchy LPs to disc when I stumbled on your web site. I was a kid when the Blackwood Brothers came to Anchorage, Alaska sometime in the 1960s. Otherwise, I knew the group from LPs. Thanks for continuing the tradition in your own way.

Timothy Miller

I found your great new web site. Terrific, as one would expect from a Blackwood. Your father (and all the Blackwoods) would be proud, as I know your mother is. All the best to you all.

Dan Johnson

I grew up listening to the RCA recordings of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. James Blackwood was, by far, my favorite singer. I was inspired by not only his quality voice but the spirit in which he sang. I believe he was a godly man.
Jimmy, you sound so much like your dad. I love this kind of music and I'm so glad to have found your web site.
My sister and I attended the Blackwood Brothers National School of Christian Music in Murray KY in '79, '80, and '81. God called me to preach in August of 1981 and I have been preaching for 26 years now. Although I did not pursue a gospel music career, what I learned at the school has been a great blessing to me. My sister is a Pastor's wife and greatly helps in the music ministry of their church.
One year at the end of the school you all held a banquet and concert in the dining hall there at Murray State University. You started to sing "One Day at a Time" and then forgot the words. Tommy Fairchild helped you out by saying "it starts, I'm almost human". Well, those are great memories.
May the Lord richly bless your ministry.

Sincerely,
Jon Hawkins

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for an EXCELLENT program this past Saturday afternoon at Meramec Caverns! What a joy for me to have the honor of emceeing this event. Your professionalism really shined. You could have complained and whined about your bass and tenor being sick with colds, etc. However, you chose to give the people what they came to hear...
SINGING! Many group managers could take a lesson from your book.
Again, THANKS for a wonderful afternoon. I'm looking forward to the next time we work together.

Sincerely,

Duane Garren
Brumley Music

WOW! The concert tonight at Marco Presbyterian was an overwhelming success......everyone just loved the quartet and Jimmy your message at the conclusion was right on target. Thank you so much for the blessing! It was nice of you to take the time to stop over afterwards, we enjoyed visiting with you and hope you felt the same. Thanks again for a wonderful evening and we'll look forward to seeing the group again.

Brent

Just wanted to tell you how much Janice and I enjoyed the concert in Middletown, Ohio Saturday night.We were very impressed with the highness and crispness of your voice.Also your tenor was very good. It brought back fond memories of the many times I attended the Blackwoods and Statesmen concerts where I talked with your Dad as well as others.
Look forward to seeing you guys again next time you are in the Cincinnati area.Until next time, may the Good-Lord take-a-likin to you and yours.

Roger Hobbs
Sacred Blend Quartet

We spent today with Dr. Charles Novell and what a fan of yours he is!! I want to thank you for restoring The Blackwood brothers to it's original glory. You guys sound phenominal! It's refreshing to not hear the vocals buried beneath alot of instrumentation. God bless you for your efforts for Him. We love you.

Bill and Melita Cook
Florence, KY

Hi Mr. Blackwood. (I am a 55-year-old piano teacher and former quartet baritone at seminary) -- This message is intended for THE James Blackwood Jr., please forward if necessary. I just wanted to express my pleasure and congratulations to you. I have loved the old Blackwood Brothers ever since I was a teenager, and have most of the albums up through the late 60's. I saw you and the group three times in the mid-seventies, and it was always enjoyable although I looked fondly back on earlier times (I'm sure you all got sick of people who had that attitude). But I have now heard some of your new recorded performances, and they are just phenomenal. The gorgeous sound, put together through much hard work I am sure, is exciting and delightful to hear. Each member is to be commended (I sang baritone and played piano accompaniments, but never at the same time!!!!!) Your own lead performances are so powerful now, it takes my breath away. I will continue to pray for strength and safety for you, and that your service to the Lord's people and fellowship within the group is by the power and grace of the gospel and pleasing in God's sight. May your family be prospered and preserved by the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Thanks again for all your work.

Truly yours in Christ,
Jim Neher

Dear Jimmy,

I really appreciate your taking time out of your very busy schedule to drop me a note--THANKS! My husband and I enjoyed your concert immensely. We are retired and will look for you when you come to FL next year--if you are not in Lakeland, then we will travel to where you are scheduled.

My cousin from Ackerman, MS is coming to visit me next week. I am anxious to show her the good pictures I took of you, Wayne, Randy and Brad. Thank you for taking the picture with me. I have showed it to all my friends. Your grandchildren are so good looking--I looked at your other web site. I printed their pictures to show my three grandchildren (two 13 year old boys and 6 year old girl) so they can see how "cool" your teenagers look. I have a hard time getting mine to stand still and smile. Yours look great.

We were really inspired by the dedication, professionalism, and true faithfulness in Christ that you all display in your program. Each of you give it your "all" during a performance and that means a lot. The minister at the Lake Gibson Nazarene Church in Lakeland, FL on March 1 was so impressed that you all took requests from the audience. You did a beautiful job with each song.

We are enjoying the group of CDs that we purchased. I love to listen to the older recording of the original singers--is that your father talking? Such a southern accent! Sounds like my father who was born in Acona, MS near Lexington, MS. My father used to talk on the radio when we moved to Lakeland in 1953 and his southern accent seemed so much more apparent on the radio. His radio reports were boring-reports on the road system, lake water quality, and mosquito control.

You have a wonderful quartet. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. You are blessed and so are we after hearing your ministries.

Sincerely,

Carolyn McGraw

We " I mean us " The SonShip Quartet typed in your name to the internet and what a wonderful suprise. I have almost every album your father did with the 50& 60's Blackwood Brothers including the live albums. It was your dad and the Oakridge Boys influence that got me into singing gospel music. I am now just getting started into full time after 30 yrs at G.M. My son also is joining me on the road. But I am thrilled to see and hear you folks singing.
Wow what a privilege to see and hear this great style instead of the new modern style are prayers are with you and perhaps at some point we may even work together that would be a huge privilege.

God bless you.