News Updates
Blind Boys of alabama featured on the today show
Blind Boys of Alabama sit with TODAY’s Craig Melvin to discuss their new book “Spirit off The Century,” how their music is guided by their personal faith, some of their favorite collaborations and more.
SPIRIT OF THE CENTURY out now!
An insider history of the Blind Boys of Alabama, the longest running group in American music, and the untold story of their world, written with band members and key musical colleagues, drawing from the group’s private archive.
Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and deeply inspiring, Spirit of the Century is a fascinating and one-of-a-kind read that you won't be able to put down.
NEW ALBUM ‘Echoes of the South’ Out NOW!
Today, the Blind Boys of Alabama have returned with ‘Echoes Of The South’- their first new album in six years - which signals a homecoming for the Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees, and a declaration of their tenacity over the span of 80 years. The eleven-song collection is a portrait of perseverance from a group well-versed in overcoming incredible odds - from singing for pocket change in the Jim Crow South, to performing for three different American presidents, soundtracking the Civil Rights movement and helping to define - and redefine - modern gospel music as we know it. The group has reckoned with the loss of two of their own in the lead up to ‘Echoes Of The South’, Paul Beasley and Benjamin Moore, both longtime members of the Blind Boys’ tight-knit family. 'Echoes Of The South' is released in their honor, continuing their spirit of resilience and marking their pledge to keep on singing.
BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA REIMAGINE STEVIE WONDER’S “HEAVEN HELP US ALL” - OUT NOW!
Blind Boys of Alabama have returned today to unveil the closing track from their upcoming album Echoes Of The South, coming September 8 on Single Lock Records. A reimagining of Stevie Wonder’s “Heaven Help Us All” (originally penned by Ron Miller), the five-time GRAMMY-winners bring their iconic and unmistakable vocal stylings to this chart-topping classic from one of their multi-time collaborators. With its focus on empathy and compassion in the face of calamity, “Heaven Help Us All” was first released in 1970 but feels more relevant than ever today; a rallying cry against war, racism and gun violence through the powers of light and love.
New SINGLE "WORK UNTIL MY DAYS ARE DONE" Out NOW!
Listen to the latest single from the forthcoming Blind Boys of Alabama album, Echoes of the South, out September 8.
Blind Boys of Alabama have shared “Work Until My Days Are Done,” which finds the five-time GRAMMY winners shifting between heart-wrenching doo-wop and a raucous, rafter-raising second half; recalling the group’s rich history “epitomizing a livelier breed of gospel” (New York Times). While the Blind Boys make this standard their own, the themes of “Work Until My Days Are Done” perfectly suit the group’s long-held mission statement: “as long as everybody gives all that they have to give and we sing songs that touch the heart, we'll live on forever.” That belief has taken on even deeper meaning recently, as they've reckoned with the loss of two of their own - Paul Beasley and Benjamin Moore - and they’ll release their first album in six years Echoes Of The South (Single Lock Records) on September 8 in their honor. “We lost two great champions in Ben and Paul,” reflects 91-year-old group leader Jimmy Carter. “But I know they would want the Blind Boys to keep on going.” Both the new album and song were co-produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Margo Price, John Prine), Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, Jason Isbell) and Charles Driebe.
New album ‘Echoes of the South’ Out SEPTEMBER 8!
Blind Boys of Alabama will release Echoes Of The South, their first album in six years, on September 8.
Co-produced by Matt Ross-Spang, Ben Tanner and Charles Driebe, Echoes Of The South was titled after Birmingham, Alabama radio station WSGN’s show that was the first to welcome the Blind Boys as guests. The 11-song Echoes Of The South was recorded in Sheffield, Alabama at The NuttHouse Recording Studio and marks the Blind Boys’ first full-length release for the Alabama-based independent label Single Lock Records.
Blind Boys’ Collaboration with Béla Fleck Nominated for a Grammy
The Blind Boys, who have won 5 Grammy Awards, have an opportunity to win number 6 via their collaborative track with Béla Fleck titled “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free.” The category is Best American Roots Performance, and you can read more about the nominations here.
NASHVILLE’S WMOT INTERVIEWS THE BLIND BOYS
The Blind Boys always enjoy sitting down with their friends over at WMOT Roots Radio 89.5 FM in Nashville! Click here to hear the interview.
Blind Boys release new collaborative Track with Béla Fleck
The Blind Boys have released a new single called “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” featuring Béla Fleck. Click here to listen to the new song.
Single Lock Records Announces Collaborative Limited Edition 45 RPM 7” Single with Béla Fleck for Record Store Day
The Blind Boys are excited to announce that they are releasing a collaborative limited edition 45 RPM 7” single with Béla Fleck on June 12, as part of Record Store Day on Single Lock Records!
The A-side is a cover "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free," the classic song made famous by Nina Simone. The B-side is the first physical release of “See By Faith," a previously unreleased song by Bob Dylan which was a bonus track for album Almost Home.
This release is available exclusively at your local participating record store on June 12! For a complete list of participating shops, visit recordstoreday.com
The Recording Academy Features the Blind Boys in their Positive Vibes Only Series
The Blind Boys’ performance of If I Had a Hammer was featured in an episode of The Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) in January! Click here to watch the video and read more.
Blind Boys Sign with Single Lock Records to premiere Almost Home on All Platforms and release bonus track
The Blind Boys of Alabama have signed to Alabama-based Single Lock Records, who widely released the band's critically acclaimed album Almost Home to all digital music platforms for the first time on August 28.
To celebrate the signing and the wide release, the Blind Boys made a bonus track from the Almost Home sessions at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals — a previously unrecorded Bob Dylan song from his gospel period, “See By Faith” - available now on all major digital platforms! Click here to stream the album.
CHECK OUT The blind boys live PERFORMANCE at paste studio in atlanta
Click here to check out the Blind Boys live performance at Paste Studio in Atlanta.
the Blind boys will be taping an episode of bluegrass underground for pbs on march 29th
The Blind Boys will be taping an episode of Bluegrass Underground for PBS on March 29th at The Caverns in Pelham, TN. Single day and 3-Day Packages go on sale Friday, 11/22 at 11a CT.
Blind boys open for Jason isbell at the ryman auditorium in nashville
"I think they are one of the greatest American singing groups, “ Isbell said of the Blind Boys of Alabama, who received an enthusiastic reception from the crowd.
Check out the full piece from Billboard here.
BLIND BOYS with Amadou & Mariam at The Blues Kitchen - Camden is now LIVE! Take a look:
‘WORK TO DO’ out now!
NEw album with marc cohn
Work To Do is available now! The album is comprised of three studio tracks by Marc Cohn and the Blind Boys of Alabama plus seven intimate live performances recorded during a taping of the PBS series The Kate TV.
Stream or buy here: https://smarturl.it/WorkToDo
blind boys release 2 more collaboration tracks, this time with afro-pop duo Amadou & mariam
In the midst of their European tour with Malian Afro-pop duo Amadou & Mariam, the Blind Boys have released 2 collaborative tracks titled Bamako to Birmingham and Two Cultures, One Beat. Click here to listen to both songs on the release titled “From Bamako to Birmingham.”
“work to do”
title track off new ALBUM premieres on billboard
The title track off the Blind Boys of Alabama’s forthcoming record with Marc Cohn, ‘Work to Do’, premiered exclusively on Billboard. You can check out the article & track here.
Blind Boys Announce Newest Album with Marc Cohn Titled Work to Do
Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Marc Cohn and gospel titans Blind Boys of Alabama have announced the August 9th release of Work to Do, via BMG. Produced by John Leventhal, the unique collection combines the songwriting talents of Marc Cohn with the soul-stirring harmonies of Blind Boys of Alabama and falls on the heels of more than a year of live collaborative dates. To read more about the album, click here. To preorder the album, click here.
Blind Boys to perform with Phil lesh of the grateful dead on may 4th
The Blind Boys will be performing alongside Phil Lesh, Luther Dickinson, John Medeski, and more as a part of Phil Lesh & Friends on May 4th in Las Vegas, NV. Click here for tickets.
Alabama NewsCenter Premieres Interview with Jimmy Carter
This week, Alabama NewsCenter released a short interview with the Blind Boys’ lead singer, Jimmy Carter. Click here to read the full article, and click the video above to see the interview where Jimmy talks about the history of the group, and his vision for the group’s future.
BLIND BOYS GARNER TWO STANDING OVATIONS AT CARNEGIE HALL FOR VAN MORRISON TRIBUTE
Photo: Bobby Bank/Getty Images
“The Blind Boys of Alabama provided an early highlight as they took the sold-out crowd to church with their performance of “By His Grace” from Hymns To The Silence. The legendary vocal group received not one, but two standing ovations for their powerhouse performance.” Read more about this awe-inspiring evening by clicking here.
Blind Boys Announce Cambridge Folk Fest Among Several Other European Dates Alongside Amadou & Mariam
The Blind Boys have announced their performance at Cambridge Folk Festival in August of 2019, alongside renowned group Amadou & Mariam. The package is titled Bamako to Birmingham, alluding to the ties between African roots and African American music. More dates to be announced soon. Click here to view the announced dates.
Levitt Releases 2018 National Tour Recap Featuring the Blind Boys
The Blind Boys joined Paul Thorn for Levitt’s 2018 National Tour, which was a huge success! Take a look at the video above recapping a great tour spanning the country’s numerous Levitt venues.
Blind Boys perform with Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom
The Blind Boys performed alongside Yo La Tengo on Dec 3 at the Bowery Ballroom. Met with cheers and applause, the Blind Boys accompanied the band for two of their original songs, “More Stars Than There are in Heaven” and “Ohm,” along with a cover of The Velvet Underground’s '“Jesus.” Click here to read more about the show.
Blind Boys sing and play alongside phil cook and friends at pickathon 2018
The Blind Boys took the stage alongside Phil Cook and many others at this year’s Pickathon Festival in Happy Valley, OR. Take a look!
BLIND BOYS OF ALabamA Featured on muscle shoals tribute album
The Blind Boys were featured in the much anticipated Muscle Shoals tribute album Small Town Big Sound. Click here to hear their track “Respect Yourself”.
The NEW york times reviews “The gospel at colonus”
Click here to read the full New York Times review of “The Gospel at Colonus”.
blind boys return to "gospel at colonus" in central park this september
“The Gospel at Colonus,” the celebrated soul music adaptation of Sophocles’ “Oedipus at Colonus,” will return to New York for the first time since 2004. The Blind Boys of Alabama will return to their role in this production which will run at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park with six free performances Sept. 4 through 9. Check out more details from the New York Times HERE
Founding Member Clarence Fountain Passes
Clarence Fountain, founding member and longtime leader of the iconic gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama, died Sunday morning, 6/3/18, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was 88. To read more about Clarence and his legacy, click here.
blind boys are headed out on tour with Their good friend, Paul Thorn!
The Blind Boys are joining Paul Thorn for several dates in 2018 as a part of the "Mission Temple Fireworks Revival" tour. The tour features Paul, who will be singing gospel songs off of his newest album, many of which feature the Blind Boys. The Blind Boys will be playing their own set along with accompanying Paul . Click here to find the closest Mission Temple Fireworks Revival show to you!
Blind Boys of Alabama headline the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Blind Boys of Alabama rocked the Blues Tent at JazzFest 2018. Click on the picture above for more pictures of the show!
BLIND BOYS ON THE RED CARPET AT THE 60th GRAMMY AWARDS IN NEW YORK CITY
Blind Boys Nominated for 'Best American Roots Performance' GRAMMY
The Blind Boys are excited to announce that they have been nominated by the Recording Academy for 2017's 'Best American Roots Performance!' The nominated track, "Let My Mother Live," was co-written by John Leventhal, Marc Cohn, and the Blind Boys' own Jimmy Carter. It includes an array of sentiments and stories behind Jimmy's relationship with his mother throughout his lifetime. Click the photo above to see the full list of GRAMMY nominations.
Blind Boys Perform live at radio heartland studio
Evan Frost | MPR News
The Blind Boys performed a handful of songs off the new 'Almost Home' album LIVE in the Radio Heartland Studio for Minnesota Public Radio's series, "The Current." Click the image above to check out the article which includes the live performances, photos from the session, and a review from the station's Mike Pengra.
THE REVIEWS ARE POURING IN: PASTE MAGAZINE'S TAKE ON 'ALMOST HOME'
With just a few days until the release of 'Almost Home,' the reviews are piling up. The latest review is from Paste Magazine, in which journalist Santi Elijah Holley says that "Almost Home can’t help but feel like their swan song, or like the culmination of their long journey." Click HERE to read the full article.
NPR MUSIC RELEASES AN EXCLUSIVE "FIRST LISTEN" OF THE BLIND BOYS' NEW ALBUM, ALMOST HOME
NPR Music has written a rich summary of the Blind Boys' new album, Almost Home, in anticipation of its release on August 18. The article's author, Jim Allen, peruses Almost Home in a concise yet compelling way, working through the album one piece at a time. Additionally, the album is available to stream in full ahead of its official release. Click HERE to read and listen.
american songwriter magazine premiers blind boys' new music video for "singing brings us closer"
In anticipation of their new album, the Blind Boys have been featured by American Songwriter magazine as they premier their new music video for "Singing Brings Us Closer." Click HERE to view the article and the brand new video. The single is one of the four songs that have been pre-released exclusively on Amazon. Click HERE to stream or buy the songs and to preorder the new album, set to be released on August 18 exclusively at Amazon.com.
blind boys announce new record "Almost Home"
We are very excited to announce to the world our new record Almost Home will be coming out this summer exclusively on Amazon Music! Click HERE to head over to NPR to read more about the record and to hear 4 NEW SONGS!
The Blind Boys at LOVE ROCKS NYC!
The Blind Boys of Alabama were thrilled to be a part of an amazing evening at the legendary Beacon Theatre for Love Rocks NYC on March 9th! We enjoyed benefiting God's Love, We Deliver by singing with our friends Jackson Browne and Michael McDonald (pictured above), as well as joining Aaron Neville to sing one of our favorite songs, People Get Ready. Its always a pleasure to be surrounded by so many talented artists, such as William Bell, Mavis Staples, Gary Clark Jr., Dr. John, Paul Schaffer, John Varvatos, and so many more. Thanks for Love Rocks NYC for inviting us to take part!
BLIND BOYS ARE NOMINATED FOR TWO GRAMMYS!
The Blind Boys have earned two Grammy nominations for their work on God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson! The album was nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album and the Blind Boys' song on the album ("Mother's Children Have a Hard Time") was nominated for Best American Roots Performance.
BLIND BOYS TO PARTICIPATE IN JAM THE VOTE CONCERT
The Blind Boys are joining forces with Preservation Hall Jazz Band and many guests for the Jam the Vote concert at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on Nov. 6th! This show is not something you want to miss. Click the image above for more info.
OMNIVORE TO REISSUE "ATOM BOMB" AND
"GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN" ON NOV. 4
Omnivore Recordings continues its Blind Boys of Alabama reissue initiative with the legendary gospel group’s Go Tell It on the Mountain and Atom Bomb albums, both slated forNovember 4, 2016 release in expanded editions —in time for the holidays. Click the photos above for more info on the rerelease!
BLIND BOYS APPEAR ON KEXP
The Blind Boys did an in studio at KEXP during their trip to Seattle, WA for Bumbershoot Festival. Watch the video above!
THE BLIND BOYS NAILED PERFORMANCE WITH PHIL COOK AND AMELIA MEATH AT NEWPORT FOLK FEST
Photo By: Adam Kissick
The Blind Boys' performance in Phil Cook's "Southland Revue" at Newport Folk Festival was nothing short of magical. To check out other amazing shots during the fest, click the photo above.
BLIND BOYS ANNOUNCED ON BUMBERSHOOT 2016 LINE-UP
The Blind Boys are excited to be on the Bumbershoot 2016 lineup. Check out the video above or their website for more information.
Blind Boys Announced on Newport folk fest LineUp!
The Blind Boys are excited to be a part of Phil Cook's Southland Revue at the Newport Folk Festival this year. Click the image above to see the full schedule!
ORIGINAL MEMBERS, JIMMY CARTER AND CLARENCE FOUNTAIN, HONORED IN BIRMINGHAm
The original Blind Boys members, Jimmy Carter and Clarence Fountain, were honored on April 21 in Birmingham. The event was sponsored by the Alabama Institute of the Deaf and Blind Foundation and The Mainstream Financial Group. Jimmy Carter and Clarence Fountain were given this honor by the mayor of Birmingham's office.
The Blind Boys To Be On The Blind Willie Johnson Tribute Album
The Blind Boys of Alabama have contributed their version of the song "Mother's Children Have A Hard Time" to the album God Don’t Never Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson, which is being released by Alligator Records on February 26th. The track was recorded at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and was produced by fellow Alabaman Jason Isbell (who also contributed slide guitar to the track). The star-studded album (which includes Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams and many others) is being released on CD, vinyl and as a digital download. For more information, click the photo above.
THE BLIND BOYS TO PERFORM AT BLUESFEST IN AUSTRALIA
The Blind Boys are heading down under for the BluesFest in Byron Bay on March 27th and 28th. Make sure to get your tickets now here.
"HOW SWEET THE SOUND"
Blind Boys Documentary Takes Home Award at Queen City Film Festival
THE BLIND BOYS WITH BEN HEPPNER
The Blind Boys recently recorded gospel songs with renowned Canadian opera singer, Ben Heppner. Ben Heppner is a critically acclaimed tenor opera singer who, among many achievements, has performed with the New York Metropolitan Opera and won a Juno award for his album, Airs Français. To read more about the collaboration click here.
THE BLIND BOYS WITH LONE BELLOW AT EAUX CLAIRE FESTIVAL 2015
The Blind Boys and Lone Bellow stunned audiences at the Eaux Claire Festival with their lovely rendition of "Watch Over Us."