Blackwood Brothers Gospel Quarter to perform at LaMoille church

Quartet has performed around the world for decades

LaMoille

The Blackwood Brothers Gospel Quartet is scheduled to perform a free concert 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Community United Methodist Church, 73 N. Main St., LaMoille.

The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was formed in 1934 with brothers Roy, Doyle, James and Roy’s son, R.W. In the late 50s Roy and Doyle retired from traveling and in 1954 R.W. was killed in an airplane crash. The quartet with James, however, as the quartet’s leader and spokesman, established a new group of singers who would go on to take gospel music to new heights as they traveled and sang in all 50 of the United States, every Canadian province as well as cities in Great Britain, Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

In 2002, James Blackwood died, but his sons, Jimmy (James Jr.) and Billy have continued the 80-year tradition. Recently Jimmy retired after singing for 49 years and his younger brother, Billy, now carries on the quartet that has the distinction of being the best-known name in gospel music history.

Offerings will be accepted. Call 815-638-2348 for more information.