The Jackson Southernaires

A musical legend in their native Mississippi, the long-lived gospel group the Jackson Southernaires was formed in 1940 by producer Frank Crisler; originally comprising Huey Williams, Roger Bryant, Jr., Maurice Surrell, James Burks, and Luther Jennings, the quintet took its earliest cues from the Mississippi Blind Boys but swiftly honed its own distinctive style, becoming the first group in the state to implement guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard into their stage act. After decades of touring, they signed their first contract with Duke/Peacock in 1963; their debut, Too Late, wa...