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SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Capitolaires of Dayton, Ohio

This version of “Jesus Made it Possible” by The Capitolaires of Dayton, Ohio, tells you all you need to know about this powerful quartet.

The Capitolaires were formed by brothers Clarence and Wallace Fowler in the mid-1950s in the gospel hotbed of Dayton, Ohio and it was an uncommonly talented group. In addition to raspy, soulful lead singer Walter Flemming, the Capitolaires featured William “Butch” Monroe who wrote, arranged, sang, and played both lead and bass guitars on their recordings.

While the group was widely respected during their 15-year career, they never quite broke through. Today, their 45s for the tiny Gospel Record label of Brooklyn, New York, are much coveted by collectors... and their version of “Jesus Made It Possible” will tell you why!

MUSIC: (July 21, 2024) The Capitolaires of Dayton, Ohio, “Jesus Made It Possible,” 45 (July 21, 2024)

2429 The Capitolaires - Jesus Made it Possible.mp3

“Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.

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Robert F. Darden is the author of two dozen books, most recently: Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume II: Black Sacred Music from Sit-In to Resurrection City (Penn State University Press, 2016); Nothing But Love in God’s Water, Volume I: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement(Penn State University Press, 2014); Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor(Abingdon Press, 2008), Reluctant Prophets and Clueless Disciples: Understanding the Bible by Telling Its Stories(Abingdon Press, 2006); and People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music(Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2004).