The Blind Boys of Alabama continued their unprecedented winning streak with two new Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, handed out during the 40^th Annual Dove Awards in Nashville last week.  After accepting their trophies in the Traditional Gospel Recorded Song and Traditional Gospel Album (for their 2008 critically acclaimed release Down In New Orleans) categories, the Blind Boys started the show’s final performance with a rousing rendition of  the Dove-winning song “Free At Last” (with Mac Powell from Third Day sitting in) that brought the audience to their feet. They then performed “Oh Happy Day” with Edwin Hawkins and an all-star cast as the grand finale of the night.

The Blind Boys add their new Dove Awards to an already-crowded trophy shelf.  Earlier this year, they were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Grammys and also took home their fifth Grammy for Best Traditional Gospel Album.  The Blind Boys have been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and awarded the NEA’s Heritage Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement, as well as many other prestigious honors, earning them the true distinction of “living gospel legends.”  The Blind Boys of Alabama are Jimmy Carter, Eric 'Ricky' McKinnie, Joey Williams, Tracy Pierce, Billy Bowers and Ben Moore.

GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL 

TO WORLD PREMIERE 

EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PREVIEW

OF THE NEW BLIND BOYS  

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA WIN

FIFTH GRAMMY AWARD!

ALSO HONORED WITH GRAMMY

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD!

New DVD, Live In New Orleans,

Due February 24

(Fairfax, VA) – The Blind Boys of Alabama achieved an exceptional ‘perfecta’ at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles this past weekend. On Saturday, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing the tremendous artistic success built during their 60 year-plus recording career. Then they won their fifth Grammy Award Sunday, taking home the trophy in the Best Traditional Gospel Album category for their 2008 release Down in New Orleans, which was produced by roots music producer Chris Goldsmith. Rarely has a band been honored for a lifetime of work and also for their most recent output at the same time. And they show no signs of slowing down. On February 24^th, the Blind Boys of Alabama will release a new concert DVD, Live in New Orleans (Saguaro Road), filmed at Tipitina’s club during last year’s JazzFest and including guest performances by Dr. John, Susan Tedeschi, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and more. 

“We've worked a long time for this and are thankful to be recognized," said founding member Jimmy Carter at the invitation-only ceremony on Saturday.  In addition to the Grammy honors, the Blind Boys have also been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and awarded the NEA’s Heritage Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement, as well as many other prestigious honors, earning them the true distinction of “living gospel legends.”  The Blind Boys of Alabama are Jimmy Carter, Eric 'Ricky' McKinnie, Joey Williams, Tracy Pierce, Billy Bowers and Ben Moore.

The forthcoming Live In New Orleans DVD was filmed at the city’s historic club Tipitina’s during the 2008 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Inspired by the Blind Boys’ critically acclaimed album Down in New Orleans, the DVD continues their heartfelt tribute to the Crescent City and includes guest appearances by old friend Susan Tedeschi as well as New Orleans-born acts the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John, Henry Butler and Marva Wright.   Live in New Orleans combines new songs and old favorites, with selections from the Down in New Orleans disc performed alongside songs from the Blind Boys’ four Grammy-winning CDs as well as several classic gospel tunes.   The DVD also features bonus material: “The Making of Down in New Orleans” program which aired on BET earlier this year, and the music video for “Free at Last,” which was filmed in the Crescent City.

Essence Music Festival to feature Beyonce, Maxwell, Ne-Yo, John ... The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com - New Orleans,LA,USA The Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Raphael Saadiq, Zap Mama, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Lalah Hathaway, Janelle Monae, ...

Essence Festival Adds Maxwell, Al Green, Ne-Yo Billboard - New York,NY,USA ... Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Zap Mama, The Knux, Irvin Mayfield, Lalah Hathaway, Blind Boys of Alabama, Ledisi, Marva Wright, Big Sam's Funky Nation,

The Blind Boys of Alabama’s latest release, Down In New Orleans, has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

Released on January 29th, Down in New Orleans represents the band’s desire to bring hope to the still-storm-ravaged city and includes performances by some of New Orleans’ finest, including Allen Toussaint, The Hot 8 Brass Band, and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.  “We may not be able to swing a hammer,” explains founding member Jimmy Carter, “but we hope we can help inspire folks with a song.”

Produced by Chris Goldsmith, The Washington Post said of the record, "Inspired and relevant, [Down In New Orleans] borders on the miraculous." USA Today praised the "rousing musical tribute to New Orleans," Rolling Stone called it “A super weapon of roots-music uplift,” while the Toronto Sun gasped that the CD is “Inspirational.

Blind Boys of Alabama, Preservation Hall Jazz Band announce collaborative tour!!! 

TWO legends of gospel & jazz hit the ROAD AFTER recording together on the blind boys’ latest CD 'DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS'

The Blind Boys of Alabama and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band continue to bring attention to the rich musical heritage of New Orleans by announcing “Down By The Riverside,” a co-billed tour, starting Sept. 16, 2008 through March of 2009.  These two historic institutions join together to share with audiences the jubilance and richness of New Orleans as the city continues to rebuild and revitalize.  In January, the Blind Boys released Down In New Orleans, their first album ever recorded in the Big Easy. The album continues to receive overwhelming critical acclaim, and features guest performances by the legendary Allen Toussaint, local kingpins the Hot 8 Brass Band, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.  In April the Blind Boys and Preservation Hall performed together, along with special guests Dr. John, Susan Tedeschi, and others, at a sold-out concert at Tipitinas in New Orleans. The show was recorded for a DVD due for release in early 2009.

 Released on January 29^th, 2008, Down In New Orleans represented the Blind Boys desire to draw hope to the still storm-ravaged city.  The Washington Post said “Inspired and relevant, (Down In New Orleans) borders on the miraculous.”  USA Today praised the “rousing musical tribute to New Orleans,” while Rolling Stone called it “A super weapon of roots-music uplift” and the Toronto Sun gasped, “inspirational.”

About the Blind Boys:

The Blind Boys of Alabama thrill and inspire audiences the world over.  Formed in 1939, The Blind Boys still continue to create critically acclaimed recordings and reach new career heights even today.  In recent years the group has won FOUR consecutive Grammy Awards, were featured on “60 Minutes,” “Regis & Kelly,” “The Tonight Show”  and the “Late Show with David Letterman”, performed on the 2005 Grammy Awards telecast, and appeared in the 2003 movie “The Fighting Temptations” alongside Beyonce and Cuba Gooding Jr.  They sang a Phil Collins tune in Disney’s “Brother Bear” animated film, and were also the inspiration for the Steven Bochco TV series “Blind Justice.”  The Blind Boys have also been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and awarded the NEA’s Heritage Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement, as well as many other prestigious honors, earning them the true distinction of “living gospel legends.”

About the Preservation Hall:

Dedicated to preserving and perpetuating New Orleans Jazz, the world renowned, Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from the venerable music venue founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Preservation Hall presents New Orleans Jazz on a nightly basis.  Post Katrina, the band’s mission became increasingly important as a result of the severe physical and cultural loss due to the flooding of New Orleans.  The son of the founders and Creative Director, Ben Jaffe, co founded The New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief which continues to operate today as Sweet Home New Orleans: Renew Our Music.  The band’s response to the destruction was the release of “Made In New Orleans: The Hurricane Sessions” a scrapbook of Preservation Hall memorabilia from the Preservation Hall archives, new recordings and tracks recovered from the flooded Seasaint Studios as well as a DVD of historic Preservation Hall performances.  The band was awarded the 2006 National Medal of Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest level of recognition by the Federal Government.  Today, the band is comprised of musicians all born and raised in New Orleans. Many have performed together for over 40 years. The band tours worldwide carrying on the musical legacy and varied traditions of New Orleans. 

THE 'DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE' TOUR:

9/16-21 Fort Collins, CO - Lincoln Center

9/23     New York, NY - B.B. Kings Blues Club

9/26     Schenectady, NY - Proctor’s  Theatre

9/27     Utica, NY - Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute

9/28     Washington, DC  - John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts                      

9/30     Buies Creek, NC - Campbell University – Turner Auditorium

10/1     Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre

10/7     Urbana, IL - University of Illinois- Krannert Center

10/10   Glen Ellyn, IL - College of DuPage- McAninch Arts Center

10/12    Minneapolis, MN - Orchestra Hall

10/16    Gainesville, FL - University of Florida – Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

10/18    Birmingham, AL - University of Alabama – Alys Stephens Center                        

10/20    Opelika, AL  - Opelika Center for the Performing Arts

10/21    Spindale, NC - Isothermal  Community College - Foundation Performing Arts

11/9      Cerritos, CA -  Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

11/21    Dallas, TX - McFarlin Memorial Auditorium

11/22    San Antonio, TX - Majestic Theater

11/23    Austin, TX - The Long Center

3/26     Lebanon, NH - Lebanon Opera House

3/27     Boston, MA - Symphony Hall

3/28     Ithaca, NY - State Theatre

TIPITINA'S APRIL 26

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, SUSAN TEDESCHI AND DR. JOHN

Concert To Be Filmed For DVD,The Companion To Their Recent

Critically Acclaimed CD, Down In New Orleans (Time Life)

Fairfax, VA --- Four-time Grammy winners The Blind Boys of Alabama will hold a special performance in New Orleans in support of their new album Down In New Orleans (Time Life), the group’s first-ever recording made in the Big Easy.  The concert, held at Tipitina’s at 9 p.m. on April 26^th, will be filmed for a DVD to be released early next year.   Special guests confirmed for the event include the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who appear on the CD, as well as Dr. John, Susan Tedeschi and Marva Wright.

Released on January 29th, Down in New Orleans represents the band’s desire to bring hope to the still-storm-ravaged city and includes performances by some of New Orleans’ finest, including David Torkanowsky and The Hot 8 Brass Band.  “We may not be able to swing a hammer,” explains founding member Jimmy Carter, “but we hope we can help inspire folks with a song.”

The Washington Post said, "Inspired and relevant, [Down In New Orleans] borders on the miraculous." USA Today praised the "rousing musical tribute to New Orleans," Rolling Stone called it “A super weapon of roots-music uplift,” while the Toronto Sun gasped that the CD is “Inspirational.”

Blind Boys' concerts are legendary, packed with exuberance, passion and spirit. The Boston Globe observed earlier this month, "In concert, the Blind Boys of Alabama still raise up their bluesy hallelujahs to rarefied soul-groove highs." 

Blind Boys of Alabama are Jimmy Carter, Eric 'Ricky' McKinnie, Joey Williams, Tracy Pierce, Billy Bowers and Ben Moore.

By Randy Lewis, Times Staff Writer

Go tell it on the mountain, indeed.

There's nothing like bona fide gospel music to cleanse the aural palate of the endless shopping-mall renditions of "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" at this time of year. That's the seasonal blessing the venerated Blind Boys of Alabama brought with their stirring "Go Tell It on the Mountain" holiday program Saturday at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The long-running ensemble, fronted this night by founding member Jimmy Carter, brought spirit to the forefront, letting its commitment to the gospel tradition stand in for anything resembling proselytizing for this secular outing. Clarence Fountain, the group's longtime focal point, missed Saturday's show because he's undergoing dialysis treatment for his diabetes, according to a Disney Hall spokeswoman. Ben Moore handled his vocal parts.

Fountain's absence, however, didn't create a monumental void, especially given the torrents of vocal power unleashed by latter-day recruit Billy Bowers, a mountain of a man who looked like nothing so much as a chunk of granite in sunglasses and who consistently pushed the emotion toward the heavens.

The four-time Grammy winners mixed spiritually rooted holiday music with their cornerstone gospel songs in a program that was imaginatively conceived, enthusiastically executed and briskly paced. In fact, by the time they reached the end of the 90-minute show, it seemed they'd just gotten warmed up, and their departure came too soon.

Songs such as the concert-opening "Down by the Riverside" and "Go Tell It on the Mountain" are as ubiquitous in the gospel world as "Jingle Bells" is in the realm of holiday music, so it takes considerable smarts to lift them above the conventional. The Blind Boys put their stamp on "Go Tell It" by shifting its musical foundation from major to minor key, lending it additional heft with a tinge of darkness instead of the usual celebratory feeling.

And they delivered their answer to the pop world's mash-up mania with a rendition of "Amazing Grace" that replaced its exceedingly familiar melody with that of "The House of the Rising Sun."

Two mini-segments within the show contained the Christmas music, and the least familiar — "When Jesus Was Born" and "I Pray on Christmas" — fared best, although their turning of "Silent Night" into a soul scorcher also worked beautifully.

The only false note came during that number, when Carter left his spot at center stage, wound his way through the crowd and back onstage with a playful game of pretend-to-end-the-show while continuing to stretch out the song.

Near the end, he feigned fainting into the arms of one of his sighted bandmates. It was clearly a stab at adding a little entertainment dramatics, à la James Brown's multiple stage exits of yore.

But it paled in the context of the genuinely overwhelming spiritual tension that gospel singers can create during a full-on church service. It was the only time this six-decades-old performing institution appeared to forget the scriptural advice to be in the world but not of the world. randy.lewis@latimes.com