Producer Frank Crisler formed the group in 1940, yet they did not become active until 1969, with the release of Too Late by Song Bird Records. At its inception, The group consisted of five members; Huey Williams, Roger Bryant Jr., Maurice Surrell, James Burks, and Luther Jennings. The group received a nomination for a Grammy Award in the Best Traditional Gospel Album category at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards. The group has released 28 albums, including their 2010 release, Back Again, with Blackberry Records. Eleven albums have charted on the Billboard magazine charts, only on the Gospel Albums chart.
Members
Current
Huey Williams
Maurice Surrell
James Burks
Former
Roger Bryant Jr. (Deceased)
Willie Banks (Deceased)
Frank Williams (Deceased)
Luther Jennings (Deceased)
Huey Williams
Huey (Paul) Williams, Sr., a native Mississippian, is the son of the late Leon “Pop” Williams and Mrs. Amanda Williams, who resides in Smithdale, Mississippi. Huey is thankful to God for being first in his life. He is especially grateful to God for having two loving parents who encouraged and pushed him forward in all of his efforts toward serving the Lord and making a meaningful profession of singing and praising God. He loves his parents for bringing him and his siblings up in the church and keeping them on their knees and keeping God on their minds and in their hearts. Huey also thanks his immediate family - - wife Mamie Williams, son Huey Paul Williams II, and daughters Dee Dee, Wanda, Shononda and Joy for standing behind him in his gospel and spiritual endeavors. Huey began singing the gospel with his brothers during his early years, and although he is the only Williams of the original group started by his late Father, by God’s grace he has led the Southernaires to become one of the top gospel recording artist in the State of Mississippi, throughout the United States and abroad. Thanks to the radio and television angels who have stood beside the Southernaires through the good and the bad times, the Southernaires are still top performers in the gospel industry, and have remained in the top 20s on the gospel music charts. Fans young and old have always loved and bought the Southernaires music. Writing, arranging and singing is Huey Williams, Sr. Huey loves hunting and fishing when he is not on the move for Jesus, and thinks that he is pretty good at both.
Maurice Surrell, Sr.
Maurice Surrell, Sr. a.k.a. “The Godfather” of Quartet and Gospel Drummers, was born December 14, 1954, in Jackson, MS, he is the son of Mr. David Surrell Sr. (a former member of the Jackson Southernaires) and Mrs. Gloria Lea; he is a graduate of C.M. & I High School in Jackson, MS He began his career in 1968 at the age of 13 with the renowned Williams Brothers of Smithdale, Mississippi; he played drums and sang with themfor over 14 years. He joined the Jackson Southernaires in 1982 and has been a faithful member and drummer for over 20 years, he is also Assitant Manager, Business Manager, Secretary, Treasurer, Fasion Coordinator and Tenor Singer. He is also owner of LLERRUS Music Publishing. He ia a member of Word of Faith Christian Center where Bishop Kevin E. Wright is pastor; he is also a member of the Praise Team and Voices of Faith Choir. His motto is: “Have Faith in God, for with God, All things are possible” Maurice became one of Malaco Records in house studio drummers in the early 1980’s, his dexterity and showmanship as a percussionist has gained him signature drumsticks since the early 1990’s and he is currently pursuing an endorsement with a major drumstick company. He has achieved recognition for such Special Achievement awards as Mississippi Gospel Music Award (Musician of the Year), Gospel Music Workshop of America (Quartet Division Award), and the California State Assembly (Certificate of Recognition). His personal successes with the Southernaires are endless. Maurice is married to Janice Boyd-Surrell and he is the father of two, Maurice, Jr. and Erica Surrell. My advice to upcoming groups: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” – Matthew 6:33
James Burks
James Burks was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and at a young age moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was born into a family that God had anointed and blessed with various musical gifts. In the summer of 1967, James returned to Jackson. He was feeling a call on his life to use his gifts to help spread God’s word through song and praise. He is blessed to have musical talent, and is able to play both lead and bass guitars, and some keyboard also. He is also blessed to be a singer with the ability to sing in various voices. He first joined a local group but was not with them long before he was to become a Jackson Southernaire. He has been with the Southernaires for 34 years. Putting God first in his life has enabled him to continue on the glorious path. When at home, James enjoys attending church, fishing, other outdoor activities and just relaxing with his wife, family and friends. James thanks his family, fans, and friends for all of the years of support and prayers. God’s blessings are extended to you all.
Chris Forrest
All praises and glory be to God. Chris Forrest of Winona, Mississippi, was born December 18, 1973, and is the son of Reverend Jimmy L. Forrest and Minister Rosie L. Forrest. He was raised in the church, and is thankful to his parents for providing a loving and spiritual home during his childhood. He is especially grateful to God for allowing him to continue to follow after his godly teachings from his early stages of life until now. Chris’s parents introduced him to gospel music at a very early age. He began to follow his father at the age of two years old as he traveled with Willie Banks and the Messengers. By the age of three, Chris was playing drums for The Forrest Brothers quartet group, which was his first group he played for in the gospel music profession. Chris gives God the glory and praise, for he is still a vessel for God and still loves playing gospel music. Chris is the father of three beautiful daughters - - Ashley, Kirsten and Aniya. It has always been Chris’s lifelong dream to change the world, with his gift of music. Chris counts it a blessing and a privilege to be a part of the Jackson Southernaires Gospel organization. He also thanks the Jackson Southernaires for having faith in him as well as his God-given talent for music.
Todd Vaughan
Todd Vaughan, the son of Prentiss and Dorothy Vaughan, was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi May 17, 1980. Todd grew up in the church, and every Sunday he had to be in somebody’s church. During childhood Todd and his sister Dana would often play church at his grandmother’s house, so it is no surprise that he would be in church and playing gospel music. Todd has been playing music since the age of five. The first instrument that he learned was the drums. In 1996, God saw fit to give him another gift, which is playing the piano, his first gift being an ear for music. It has always been Todd’s dream to play for a top gospel group, never thinking it would come so soon. In November 2003, Todd was given the opportunity to play for the Jackson Southernaires, which later resulted in his becoming a musician for the Southernaires in February 2004. Todd thanks God for everything that has happened in his life, and he acknowledges that it is all because of God. He would also like to thank his parents, family, “Jlov” and friends for their support, and for never giving up his dreams. This is just the beginning of greater things to come.
Paul Williams
Paul Williams, aka Huey Paul Williams II, is the son of Huey Williams, Sr. and Mamie Williams, born September 16, 1970 in Jackson, Mississippi. He is also the grandson of the late Leon “Pop” Williams, father of the renowned Jackson Southernaires and the Williams Brothers and Mrs. Amanda Williams. Paul attended public school in Franklin County, but graduated from Crystal Springs High School in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. After graduating from High School, Paul enrolled in Alcorn State University, but decided that he would rather follow after and share in what he envisioned as a successful endeavor with his dad. Paul is married to Sharita Danett Williams and the proud father of three multi-talented children- -Huey “Little Paul”, III, Roderic Devine and Taylor Makallah Genae. Paul is the Bus Driver for the Jackson Southernaires and handles road and travel matters, booking and contracts for the Southernaires. He is the driving force behind the organization of the recording company known as “JS” Records, established before the latest recording of the Southernaires. He is also responsible for helping the Southernaires to realize a long-time dream of recording on their own label. He is the founder of Huey and Huey Entertainment, which is a joint venture of the Southernaires established in 2004, and operated by Paul and Sharita Williams in Smithdale, Mississippi. Paul is proud of the accomplishments that are unfolding for his dad and the Southernaires. He loves his parents, wife, children and siblings very much. He attributes his success, in part, to the support he receives all around from family. Paul believes that love, faith in God, and support of family are linked closely together, and all of them together equals true success. The greatest rewards outside of making it to heaven is seeing happiness and joy among those you love. God makes it all possible.
I Can Do All Things
The Jackson Southernaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never knew I could be so clean
Until Christ freed my mind
And His Holy Spirit in me, He intervened
Now I can do all things through Christ
That strengthens me
I'd like to say that I can do all things through Christ
And He restored my joy
And He renewed my faith
He made my dreams a living reality
And He saved me, saved me by His grace
Now I can do all things through Christ
That strengthens me
I want to say it one more time, y'all
I can do all things through Christ
Oh, thank You, Lord
That strengthens me
There's another thing
He manifested Himself in my life
Gave me a new sight and a new mind
Now look at Him
He intervened in me, His Holy Spirit
I thank God He's with me all the time
I can do all things through Christ
That strengthens me
Paul said
When he was down on the Damascus road
When God knocked him down
When he went to hear a song
After God lifted him up
He said, I can do all things through Christ
That strengthens me
Let me tell you
Listen here
He restored my joy
And He renewed my faith
And that ain't all
He filled me with love
He saved me by His grace
Listen
He restored my joy
And He renewed my faith
He filled me with love
He saved me by His grace
And now I can sing
I can do all things through Christ
That strengthens me
That strengthens me
And I can look up and tell you
I've been changed
Ooh, I've been changed
Things that I used to do
No, no, no, no, no
I don't do no more
Places I used to go
I don't go, go, go, go, no, no
Lies I used to tell
No, no, no, no
I don't tell no more
The people that said they loved me
Always
No, no, no, no
They don't like me, no, no, no
Since God fixed my heart
He fixed my mind
He fixed my soul
He touched my body
I'm able to walk right now
Look here
I'm glad I'm able to tell you
Oh, I've been changed
The lyrics to "I Can Do All Things" by The Jackson Southernaires speak of the profound transformation and empowerment that comes from encountering Jesus Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit. The singer expresses gratitude for Christ's intervention, which has cleansed their mind and allowed them to experience newfound joy, faith, and fulfillment. Through the strength and guidance of Christ, they proclaim the ability to accomplish all things.
The lyrics highlight the idea that with Christ in their life, the singer is no longer confined by their past limitations or struggles. They have been set free from their old ways and have been granted a fresh perspective, a renewed mind, and a new sight. They attribute their transformation to God's grace and acknowledge that they can now do things through the power and strength imparted by Christ.
The song also suggests a parallel with the Apostle Paul's story of conversion on the Damascus road. Just as Paul experienced a radical transformation and newfound ability to do all things through Christ, the singer shares a similar testimony of being changed and empowered by Christ's presence in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
In my wildest dreams
Even in my most unimaginable scenarios
I never knew I could be so clean
I never realized I could become so pure
Until Christ freed my mind
Until Jesus released me from mental constraints
And His Holy Spirit in me, He intervened
And His Holy Spirit intervened within me
Now I can do all things through Christ
Now I have the ability to accomplish anything through Jesus
That strengthens me
Who empowers me
I'd like to say that I can do all things through Christ
I want to emphasize that I am capable of anything through Jesus
And He restored my joy
And He brought back my happiness
And He renewed my faith
And He revived my belief
He made my dreams a living reality
He turned my aspirations into a tangible existence
And He saved me, saved me by His grace
And He rescued me, brought salvation through His undeserved favor
I want to say it one more time, y'all
I feel the need to reiterate it once again, everyone
There's another thing
Additionally
He manifested Himself in my life
He revealed His presence in my existence
Gave me a new sight and a new mind
Provided me with a fresh perspective and mindset
Now look at Him
Now consider Him
He intervened in me, His Holy Spirit
He intervened within me, through His Holy Spirit
I thank God He's with me all the time
I express gratitude that God is always with me
Paul said
Paul declared
When he was down on the Damascus road
When he was in a struggling state on the road to Damascus
When God knocked him down
When God humbled him
When he went to hear a song
When he went to listen to a melody
After God lifted him up
After God raised him
He said, I can do all things through Christ
He declared, I have the ability to achieve anything through Jesus
Let me tell you
Allow me to share
Listen here
Pay attention
He filled me with love
He inundated me with love
And now I can sing
And now I can rejoice
Things that I used to do
Actions that I used to engage in
No, no, no, no, no
No longer, absolutely not
I don't do no more
I no longer partake in them
Places I used to go
Locations I used to frequent
I don't go, go, go, go, no, no
I don't visit them anymore
Lies I used to tell
Falsehoods I used to speak
No, no, no, no
Absolutely not
I don't tell no more
I no longer utter them
The people that said they loved me
Those who claimed to love me
Always
Constantly
No, no, no, no
No, they don't
They don't like me, no, no, no
They don't appreciate me
Since God fixed my heart
Since God healed my heart
He fixed my mind
He corrected my thoughts
He fixed my soul
He repaired my spirit
He touched my body
He impacted my physical being
I'm able to walk right now
I have the capability to walk at this moment
Look here
Pay attention
I'm glad I'm able to tell you
I am pleased to inform you
Oh, I've been changed
Oh, I have undergone a transformation
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Huey Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Darnell
on God Never Run Short Of Anything
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Gobro
on Old Rugged Cross
Oh that old rugged cross