The Dixie Hummingbirds are an influential American gospel music group, span… Read Full Bio ↴The Dixie Hummingbirds are an influential American gospel music group, spanning more than 80 years from the jubilee quartet style of the 1920s, through the "hard gospel" quartet style of Gospel's golden age in the 1940s and 1950s, to the eclectic pop-tinged songs of today.
Formed in 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina, by James B. Davis and his classmates, they sang in local churches until they finished school, then started touring throughout the South.
Lead singer Ira Tucker joined the group in 1938 at age 13, and they signed with Decca Records. In addition to his formidable vocal skills, Tucker introduced the energetic showmanship - running through the aisles, jumping off stage, falling to his knees in prayer - copied by many quartets that followed. Tucker also took the lead in the stylistic innovations adopted by the group, combining gospel shouting and subtle melismas with the syncopated delivery made popular by The Golden Gate Quartet, as well as adventuresome harmonies, which the group called "trickeration", in which Paul Owens or another member of the group would pick up a note just as Tucker left off. The group relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1940s.
During the years, a number of talented singers starred in the group—their bass, William Bobo (known as Thunder), tenor Beachey Thompson, James Walker (who replaced Owens), and Claude Jeter, who went on to star for The Swan Silvertones. The Hummingbirds added a guitarist, Howard Carroll, who added even more propulsive force to their high-flying vocals.
The Hummingbirds absorbed much from other artists as well, performing with Lester Young in the 1940s and sharing Django Reinhardt records with B.B. King in the 1950s. Tucker and the Hummingbirds inspired a number of imitators, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown, who adapted the shouting style and enthusiastic showmanship of hard gospel to secular themes to help create soul music in the 1960s.
The group recorded for a number of different labels over the years, while touring the circuit of black churches and gospel extravaganzas. They occasionally came to the attention of white listeners—at Café Society, the integrated New York nightclub favored by jazz cognoscenti, in 1942, at the Newport Folk Festival in 1966, and as backup for Paul Simon on the 1973 single "Loves Me Like a Rock". For a long time, the group was signed to Don Robey's Peacock Records, based in Houston, Texas. In 1973, Robey sold Peacock to ABC Records, which released a cover of "Loves Me Like a Rock," produced by Walter "Kandor" Kahn and the group's lead vocalist Ira Tucker, which reached #72 on Billboard Magazine's Top 100 R&B Singles chart. The single also won a Grammy for "Best Soul Gospel Performance". Kahn and Tucker produced an album for ABC entitled We Love You Like A Rock. The album contained Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children", on which Wonder played keyboards.
At that time, the group consisted of five vocalists: Ira Tucker Sr., James Davis, Beachey Thompson, James Walker and William Bobo. Howard Carroll was the group's guitarist. The group now consists of William Bright (vocals), Carlton Lewis, III (vocals), Torrey Nettles (drums/vocals),) and Lyndon Baines Jones (guitar & vocals and Ira Tucker, Jr (vocals)
In 1973 The group sang the backup vocals on Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock", and "Tenderness", from his album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon".
In 2003, the Hummingbirds were the subject of an award-winning book about their 75-year career span, Great God A'Mighty! The Dixie Hummingbirds: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music [Oxford University Press] by Jerry Zolten. The book was favorably reviewed in The New York Times. 2-26-2003.
In February 2008, the first feature-length documentary/concert film featuring the life and history of the Dixie Hummingbirds was released in commemoration of their extraordinary eighty years as performers. The Dixie Hummingbirds: Eighty Years Young has been shown on the Gospel Music Channel and has played at numerous film festivals. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jeff Scheftel, and executive produced by University of Hawaii musicologist Jay Junker, the film is now available on DVD, featuring extensive interviews with Ira Tucker, Sr., archival footage, and following the current group as they perform in numerous venues and rehearse under Mr. Tucker's spirited guidance, in their hometown of Philadelphia, and across the vast landscape of America.
Ira Tucker, Sr. died due to complications from heart disease on the morning of June 24, 2008, at the age of 83. The group will go on, thereby preserving the rich legacy left by Tucker, James Davis, William Bobo, Beachey Thompson, James Walker, Howard Carroll, et al., with possible new additions to their personnel down the road.
Howard Carroll, the guitarist, died in October 2017.
Awards and recognition
The Dixie Hummingbirds Grammy Award History
Year Category Title Genre Label Result
2007 Best Traditional Gospel Album Still Keeping It Real Gospel MCG Nominee
2000 Best Traditional Gospel Album Music In The Air Gospel House Of Blues Nominee
1994 Best Traditional Gospel Album In Good Health Gospel Atlanta International Nominee
1973 Best Soul Gospel Performance "Loves Me Like a Rock" Gospel MCG Winner
Grammy Hall of Fame[edit]
Recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance."
Grammy Hall of Fame
Year Recorded Title Artist Genre Label Year Inducted
1946 "Amazing Grace" The Dixie Hummingbirds Gospel (Single) Apollo 2000
Inductions
Year Inducted Title
2007 Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum
2000 Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Members: William Bright, Lyndon Jones, Torrey Nettles, Carlton Lewis, and Adebo Wali (Ira Tucker Jr)
Past members: James Davis (1916-2007) (founder), Ira Tucker (1925-2008) (lead singer), Willie Bobo, Jimmy Bryant, Barney Gipson, Claude Jeter (1914-2009), J.B. Matterson, Fred Owens, Paul Owens, Barney Parks, Beachy Thompson, James Walker, William Henry (bass) (1922-1997), Howard Carroll (1924-2017) guitarist, Willie Coleman, bass guitarist and vocals
Formed in 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina, by James B. Davis and his classmates, they sang in local churches until they finished school, then started touring throughout the South.
Lead singer Ira Tucker joined the group in 1938 at age 13, and they signed with Decca Records. In addition to his formidable vocal skills, Tucker introduced the energetic showmanship - running through the aisles, jumping off stage, falling to his knees in prayer - copied by many quartets that followed. Tucker also took the lead in the stylistic innovations adopted by the group, combining gospel shouting and subtle melismas with the syncopated delivery made popular by The Golden Gate Quartet, as well as adventuresome harmonies, which the group called "trickeration", in which Paul Owens or another member of the group would pick up a note just as Tucker left off. The group relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1940s.
During the years, a number of talented singers starred in the group—their bass, William Bobo (known as Thunder), tenor Beachey Thompson, James Walker (who replaced Owens), and Claude Jeter, who went on to star for The Swan Silvertones. The Hummingbirds added a guitarist, Howard Carroll, who added even more propulsive force to their high-flying vocals.
The Hummingbirds absorbed much from other artists as well, performing with Lester Young in the 1940s and sharing Django Reinhardt records with B.B. King in the 1950s. Tucker and the Hummingbirds inspired a number of imitators, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown, who adapted the shouting style and enthusiastic showmanship of hard gospel to secular themes to help create soul music in the 1960s.
The group recorded for a number of different labels over the years, while touring the circuit of black churches and gospel extravaganzas. They occasionally came to the attention of white listeners—at Café Society, the integrated New York nightclub favored by jazz cognoscenti, in 1942, at the Newport Folk Festival in 1966, and as backup for Paul Simon on the 1973 single "Loves Me Like a Rock". For a long time, the group was signed to Don Robey's Peacock Records, based in Houston, Texas. In 1973, Robey sold Peacock to ABC Records, which released a cover of "Loves Me Like a Rock," produced by Walter "Kandor" Kahn and the group's lead vocalist Ira Tucker, which reached #72 on Billboard Magazine's Top 100 R&B Singles chart. The single also won a Grammy for "Best Soul Gospel Performance". Kahn and Tucker produced an album for ABC entitled We Love You Like A Rock. The album contained Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children", on which Wonder played keyboards.
At that time, the group consisted of five vocalists: Ira Tucker Sr., James Davis, Beachey Thompson, James Walker and William Bobo. Howard Carroll was the group's guitarist. The group now consists of William Bright (vocals), Carlton Lewis, III (vocals), Torrey Nettles (drums/vocals),) and Lyndon Baines Jones (guitar & vocals and Ira Tucker, Jr (vocals)
In 1973 The group sang the backup vocals on Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock", and "Tenderness", from his album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon".
In 2003, the Hummingbirds were the subject of an award-winning book about their 75-year career span, Great God A'Mighty! The Dixie Hummingbirds: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music [Oxford University Press] by Jerry Zolten. The book was favorably reviewed in The New York Times. 2-26-2003.
In February 2008, the first feature-length documentary/concert film featuring the life and history of the Dixie Hummingbirds was released in commemoration of their extraordinary eighty years as performers. The Dixie Hummingbirds: Eighty Years Young has been shown on the Gospel Music Channel and has played at numerous film festivals. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jeff Scheftel, and executive produced by University of Hawaii musicologist Jay Junker, the film is now available on DVD, featuring extensive interviews with Ira Tucker, Sr., archival footage, and following the current group as they perform in numerous venues and rehearse under Mr. Tucker's spirited guidance, in their hometown of Philadelphia, and across the vast landscape of America.
Ira Tucker, Sr. died due to complications from heart disease on the morning of June 24, 2008, at the age of 83. The group will go on, thereby preserving the rich legacy left by Tucker, James Davis, William Bobo, Beachey Thompson, James Walker, Howard Carroll, et al., with possible new additions to their personnel down the road.
Howard Carroll, the guitarist, died in October 2017.
Awards and recognition
The Dixie Hummingbirds Grammy Award History
Year Category Title Genre Label Result
2007 Best Traditional Gospel Album Still Keeping It Real Gospel MCG Nominee
2000 Best Traditional Gospel Album Music In The Air Gospel House Of Blues Nominee
1994 Best Traditional Gospel Album In Good Health Gospel Atlanta International Nominee
1973 Best Soul Gospel Performance "Loves Me Like a Rock" Gospel MCG Winner
Grammy Hall of Fame[edit]
Recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance."
Grammy Hall of Fame
Year Recorded Title Artist Genre Label Year Inducted
1946 "Amazing Grace" The Dixie Hummingbirds Gospel (Single) Apollo 2000
Inductions
Year Inducted Title
2007 Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum
2000 Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Members: William Bright, Lyndon Jones, Torrey Nettles, Carlton Lewis, and Adebo Wali (Ira Tucker Jr)
Past members: James Davis (1916-2007) (founder), Ira Tucker (1925-2008) (lead singer), Willie Bobo, Jimmy Bryant, Barney Gipson, Claude Jeter (1914-2009), J.B. Matterson, Fred Owens, Paul Owens, Barney Parks, Beachy Thompson, James Walker, William Henry (bass) (1922-1997), Howard Carroll (1924-2017) guitarist, Willie Coleman, bass guitarist and vocals
We'll Meet Again
The Dixie Hummingbirds Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'We'll Meet Again' by these artists:
Ali.Akbar14 We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when But I kno…
Angelus And I see through all your lies The only one I…
Anne Murray CHORUS: We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when B…
Another Level [Chorus] We'll be together again We'll be the same as back t…
Arthur Young Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Artie Shaw and His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Ashford & Simpson We′ll meet again you can count on it 'Cause it′s supposed…
Beca There's something I wanted to tell you but I didn't have…
Benny Goodman We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Bosson It's hard to say goodbye, it hurts to be alone…
cab calloway & his orchestra; vocal by cab calloway & the palmer brothers We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Carol Sloane We'll meet again We'll meet again, don't know where, don't…
Carroll Gibbons And His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Concert Band & Chorus of the R.A.A.F. (P-c-F-F) Cause I know we'll meet again I know we'll meet ag…
Dennis Hayward and His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
doubleVee If you are running today, I could meet you by…
Dr. Strangelove You don't say that you love him But it shows…
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Engelbert Humperdinck We'll.meet again, don't know where, Don't know áwhen, but I…
Frank Sinatra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, Bit I…
Fron Male Voice Choir We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I k…
Geraldo & His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians w/Carmen Lombardo vocal We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know…
Hal McIntyre & His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Ian Kelly If you feel that time goes by too fast You should…
Ink Spots We'll meet again We'll meet again, don't know where, don't…
J. Kowalski & The Ghost Band 시간을 잠시 멈추어 그대의 맘을 잡아 무거운 나의 두발을 묶어 주어 내가…
Jack Hylton & His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Jenkins Katherine Lets say goodbye with a smile dear, Just for a while…
Jim Capaldi Charles-Parker We'll meet again, don't know where, don't …
Joe Henry We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, But I…
Joe Loss & His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
John Lee Hooker We'll meet again don't know where don't know when But I…
John R. Cash Johnny Cash & Roy Cash Jr. We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know…
Kate Smith We'll meet again We'll meet again, don't know where, don't…
Katherine Jenkins Lets say goodbye with a smile dear, Just for a while…
Ken Griffin Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu When the clouds…
Kodie Osborne Someday we'll meet again We'll meet again We'll meet again O…
Laura Brehm TheFatRat Suddenly, you're nowhere to be found I turn around and every…
laurie & john We'll meet again--don't know where, don't know when But I kn…
LEE PeggY & GOODMAN Benny We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Lynn Vera Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
maruwhat We'll meet again Don't know where, don't know when But I kno…
Mary Duff Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Mrs. Mills Still thinking bout that day When my ass got charged The gir…
P.J. Proby (P-A-F-F) Cause I know we'll meet again I know we'll meet ag…
P.J.Murrihy (P-c-F-F) Cause I know we'll meet again I know we'll meet ag…
Pantera I walk the Streets of darkness Where hell awaits Guarded…
Peggy Lee We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman & His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Perry Como We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, But I…
Roland Shaw And His Orchestra And Sailors Soldiers & Airmen Of Her Majesty's Forces And Vera Lynn Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Rose-Marie Hey, hey there, it's me again I'm just thinking 'bout what…
Rosemary Clooney We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, Bit I…
Ross C. Parker The longer it takes the more you get The heartaches from…
Saga Have you been listening? We must have more supplies We wil…
Sami J. Laine Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu When the clouds…
Sammy Davis Jr. Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Sammy Kaye We'll meet again We'll meet again, don't know where, don't…
Savvy Ani We’ll meet again Something coming for me Make my commas l…
She & Him We'll meet again, Don't know where,don't know when, But I kn…
Starlite Orchestra & Singers We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know…
The Benny Goodman Orchestra & Peggy Lee We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
The Black Cat Bone Some places come and go Sometimes its warm and then its…
The Byrds We'll meet again Don't know where don't know when But I know…
The Central Band of the R.A.F. (P-c-F-F) Cause I know we'll meet again I know we'll meet ag…
The Cryan' Shames Charles-Parker Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear, Jus…
The D-Day Darlings Feeling so great about this morning Don't wanna get out of…
The Ink Spot's We'll meet again We'll meet again, don't know where, don't…
The Inkspots We'll meet again We'll meet again, don't know where, don't…
The Jaded Hearts Club We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know …
The Little Prince С тобой танцевал одной И в музыке шёл к тебе По нотам…
The Lord Weird Slough Feg We'll meet again - in another world In another time In ano…
The Starlite Singers We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know…
The Turtles We'll meet again We'll meet again, don't know where, don't…
TheFatRat Suddenly, you're nowhere to be found I turn around and every…
U-KISS Put your finger on it Pugging a hole in the dam Built…
V.A. I done lost a couple brothers til we meet again Man…
Various Artists We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know…
Vera Lynn Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Vera Lynn & Arthur Young We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I k…
Vera Lynn & Katherine Jenkins Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Vera Lynn (Karaoke) Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Vera Lynn - Topic Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Vera Lynn Sailors Soldiers & Airmen of Her Majesty's Forces & Roland Shaw and His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
Vera Lynn&Arthur Young (2) Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Vera Lynn, Sailors, Soldiers & Airmen of Her Majesty's Forces & Roland Shaw And His Orchestra We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know…
Vera Lynn; Arthur Young At The Novachord Let's say goodbye with a smile, dear Just for a while,…
Victor Silvester It's three o'clock in the morning We've danced the whole nig…
Victor Sylvester And His Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
West & Storm I tried to call you today, ten times. To the number…
YCK I don't need attention I just need a dose So I'll…
ペギー・リー & Benny Goodman Orchestra We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when But I…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Dixie Hummingbirds:
Are You Ready Well, are you ready now – Hallelujah! To see your savior's…
Beam From Heaven Look at me, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a…
Christian's Automobile Oh, you know that every (Ev'ry child, ev'ry child of God) Ru…
City of Gold There is a city of gold Far from the rat-race that…
Have a Talk With God There are people who have let the problems of today Lead…
Heaven Heaven help the child who never had a home, Heaven help…
How Great Thou Art Oh Lord my God When I in awesome wonder Considered all the…
I Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your…
I Just Want to Tell You Ohhhhh, I just want to tell you How good the lord…
I Know I Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your…
I Must Have Jesus There's a hero If you look inside your heart You don't hav…
I'll Be Satisfied Don't you know that I, I'll be satisfied (I'll be Satisfied)…
Is There Anyone In Heaven That You Know Oh, when you walk by every night Talking sweet and looking…
Love Me Like A Rock (Mhm, that's that, that's that groove) When I was a little…
Move On Up A Little Higher One of these mornings Soon one morning I'm gonna lay down …
Nobody Knows The Trouble I See Oh children, nobody knows the trouble I've seen Oh, nobody …
Oh I Want To See Him As I journey through the land, singing as I go Pointing…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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nighttrane1
I used to have this album! Thanks for sharing!
Eliz. Jackson
A very nice and comforting song" love the melodies
TheBrandon425
These guys are one of the greatest groups ever of any type of music.
Gospel Nostalgia
+TheBrandon425 Yes indeed.
Gospel Nostalgia
Glad you like it.
samcookeable
i love it.
Gospel Nostalgia
Glad you like it.
Gospel Nostalgia
You're welcome.