Junior And The Sacred Four
Robert Covington And The Cross Jordan Singers- Keep On Praying
This group were also known as The Cross Jordan Singers, they have recorded several 45's and albums on a variety of labels since the 1960's, including Revelation Records. This is a solid traditional gospel quartet Lp, I really like these brothers singing.
Group members: Rev. Albert Townsend, Jr., Rufus McDonald, Thomas D. Moore, Richard Davis, Willie Smith, John Charles, Brandon Hutchison and James Jingles
The Sacred Four was organized in 1931 in Indianapolis, Indiana under the name “Secret Four” by brothers James & Jesse Beck, Vernon Johnson, Leroy Burse, and later joined by Leroy Davis. They began their journey by rehearsing in each other’s home and performing locally in church, church related functions, and even in school auditoriums, all the while honing their craft. Passionate about singing for Jesus, they adopted Psalms 100: 1-2 as their motto, and began to gain momentum. As the Lord blessed their efforts, they began to grow in popularity as well as in size. They were in such a demand; they respectfully formed two units, Sacred Four#1 and Sacred Four#2!
In 1956, after 25 years of singing locally, and garnering regional popularity, a 19 year-old singing sensation from West Point, Mississippi, named Albert Townsend, Jr. joined the group. He came on board as a lead singer, and from there his skills would be put to the test. Indianapolis legend has it that from the start, there was no question about Townsend’s abilities, and when the time was right, his talent began to speak for itself. Pretty soon, The Four, Townsend in particular were wowing audiences, and “taking the house” everywhere they went.
The Sacred Four continued to make sizable progress as singers, as well as performers. Subsequent and inevitable changes made its way to the unit and in 1960, Rufus McDonald, baritone singer and native of Newton, Mississippi joined the group. They began to take their well crafted performance on the road, performing in such places as Los Angeles, Ca, Minneapolis, Mn, Biloxi, Ms, and New York. Armed with that anointed, Midwest flavored brand of Gospel they worked so tirelessly to perfect, they became a great success and heroes to many in their local community. It also caused them to become more of a major contender in any gospel arena they were invited to work in. Townsend, who became affectionately known as simply “Junior”, had an uncanny ability to captivate an audience with his “seasoned” vocal style and a tonal quality that was virtually unmatched by his peers. Along with that crystal clear, pulsating, and accurate background, not to mention the rhythmic music, that had its base in gospel, sprinkled with a lot of soul, the Sacred Four was quickly turning into a force to be reckoned with. They regularly made appearances with such groups as the Highway Q.C.’s, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, as well as the Legendary Dixie Hummingbirds.
With the departure of most of their original members, they decided to rename themselves, “Junior & The Sacred Four”. Not ones to mark any time, the group continued forward with the addition of ace Lead Guitarist Thomas D. Moore in 1975, Bass Guitarist Fred Hardy, Second Lead and Baritone singer Richard Davis, son of original member Leroy Davis, PR/Utility man James Jingles both in 1978. Their most famous line up consisted of Junior, Percy Gowdy, Jerry (Jabie) Bond, Fred Hardy & Richard Davis.
Throughout their career, the group made sizable recordings that quickly became part of the culture of great Indiana legends. In the 1980’s they signed a deal with J&B Records. They enjoyed success from their hits which include “Somebody Watching Me”, “Beams of Heaven”,” Hold Out Till The End”, and most recently, “Lift The Savior Up”. Now in their 79th year of existence, the group currently consists of Rev. Albert Townsend, Jr., Rufus McDonald, Thomas G. Moore, Richard Davis, Third Lead and Tenor singer Willie Smith who joined in 1986, Drummer John Charles who came aboard in 1993, and most recently, in 2010, Bassist and Second Tenor singer Brandon Hutchison, along with longtime PR/Utility Man James Jingles.
This multi-award winning group still continues to wow and overwhelm audiences everywhere. They still make appearances with notable groups like The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams & The Spiritual Q.C.’s, and The Jackson Southernaires. Their latest project entitled “Thank You Lord” has had a tremendous impact on Sacred Four fans all across the country. It delivers the classic “Four” sound in a soulfully challenging way that only they can deliver! If it is the will of the father, they will continue to represent the essence of strong, honest, and committed Christian men while lifting up the name of Jesus for generations to come.
This group were also known as The Cross Jordan Singers, they have recorded several 45's and albums on a variety of labels since the 1960's, including Revelation Records. This is a solid traditional gospel quartet Lp, I really like these brothers singing.
Group members: Rev. Albert Townsend, Jr., Rufus McDonald, Thomas D. Moore, Richard Davis, Willie Smith, John Charles, Brandon Hutchison and James Jingles
The Sacred Four was organized in 1931 in Indianapolis, Indiana under the name “Secret Four” by brothers James & Jesse Beck, Vernon Johnson, Leroy Burse, and later joined by Leroy Davis. They began their journey by rehearsing in each other’s home and performing locally in church, church related functions, and even in school auditoriums, all the while honing their craft. Passionate about singing for Jesus, they adopted Psalms 100: 1-2 as their motto, and began to gain momentum. As the Lord blessed their efforts, they began to grow in popularity as well as in size. They were in such a demand; they respectfully formed two units, Sacred Four#1 and Sacred Four#2!
In 1956, after 25 years of singing locally, and garnering regional popularity, a 19 year-old singing sensation from West Point, Mississippi, named Albert Townsend, Jr. joined the group. He came on board as a lead singer, and from there his skills would be put to the test. Indianapolis legend has it that from the start, there was no question about Townsend’s abilities, and when the time was right, his talent began to speak for itself. Pretty soon, The Four, Townsend in particular were wowing audiences, and “taking the house” everywhere they went.
The Sacred Four continued to make sizable progress as singers, as well as performers. Subsequent and inevitable changes made its way to the unit and in 1960, Rufus McDonald, baritone singer and native of Newton, Mississippi joined the group. They began to take their well crafted performance on the road, performing in such places as Los Angeles, Ca, Minneapolis, Mn, Biloxi, Ms, and New York. Armed with that anointed, Midwest flavored brand of Gospel they worked so tirelessly to perfect, they became a great success and heroes to many in their local community. It also caused them to become more of a major contender in any gospel arena they were invited to work in. Townsend, who became affectionately known as simply “Junior”, had an uncanny ability to captivate an audience with his “seasoned” vocal style and a tonal quality that was virtually unmatched by his peers. Along with that crystal clear, pulsating, and accurate background, not to mention the rhythmic music, that had its base in gospel, sprinkled with a lot of soul, the Sacred Four was quickly turning into a force to be reckoned with. They regularly made appearances with such groups as the Highway Q.C.’s, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, as well as the Legendary Dixie Hummingbirds.
With the departure of most of their original members, they decided to rename themselves, “Junior & The Sacred Four”. Not ones to mark any time, the group continued forward with the addition of ace Lead Guitarist Thomas D. Moore in 1975, Bass Guitarist Fred Hardy, Second Lead and Baritone singer Richard Davis, son of original member Leroy Davis, PR/Utility man James Jingles both in 1978. Their most famous line up consisted of Junior, Percy Gowdy, Jerry (Jabie) Bond, Fred Hardy & Richard Davis.
Throughout their career, the group made sizable recordings that quickly became part of the culture of great Indiana legends. In the 1980’s they signed a deal with J&B Records. They enjoyed success from their hits which include “Somebody Watching Me”, “Beams of Heaven”,” Hold Out Till The End”, and most recently, “Lift The Savior Up”. Now in their 79th year of existence, the group currently consists of Rev. Albert Townsend, Jr., Rufus McDonald, Thomas G. Moore, Richard Davis, Third Lead and Tenor singer Willie Smith who joined in 1986, Drummer John Charles who came aboard in 1993, and most recently, in 2010, Bassist and Second Tenor singer Brandon Hutchison, along with longtime PR/Utility Man James Jingles.
This multi-award winning group still continues to wow and overwhelm audiences everywhere. They still make appearances with notable groups like The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams & The Spiritual Q.C.’s, and The Jackson Southernaires. Their latest project entitled “Thank You Lord” has had a tremendous impact on Sacred Four fans all across the country. It delivers the classic “Four” sound in a soulfully challenging way that only they can deliver! If it is the will of the father, they will continue to represent the essence of strong, honest, and committed Christian men while lifting up the name of Jesus for generations to come.
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