Culture
Legendary Gospel Group to Perform at OU
< < Back toThe Ohio University Performing Arts Series welcomes back the Blind Boys of Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Ohio University’s Memorial Auditorium.
The Blind Boys of Alabama have the rare distinction of being recognized around the world as both living legends and modern-day innovators. They are not just gospel singers borrowing from old traditions; the group helped to define those traditions in 20th century and almost single-handedly created a new gospel sound for the 21st.
Since the original members first sang together as kids at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in the late 1930s (including Jimmy Carter, who leads the group today), the band has preserved through seven decades to become one of the most recognized and decorated roots music groups in the world.
Today, more than 70 years later, founding member Carter can look back on a career far beyond what he and his colleagues could imagine in the ’30s. The group has won a long list of awards, including Lifetime Achievement honors from the Grammys and the National Endowment for the Arts; entertained around the world; been profiled on 60 Minutes; sung for three Presidents at the White House; and been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
This event is part of the Ohio University Performing Arts Series. Tickets start at $8 and may be purchased by calling (740) 593-1780 or visiting www.ohio.edu/performingarts.