For our 350th episode, let’s spotlight one of the true rarities in the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program. The Winans, of course, were and are one of the most famous, most talented families in the history of gospel music. Starting with brothers Marvin and Carvin, the Winans exploded in 1981 with Introducing the Winans for Light Records. Later, they were followed by younger siblings BeBe and CeCe Winans ... and now yet another generation of Winans are on the gospel charts.
But in the mid-1970s, they were called the Testimonial Singers in their hometown of Detroit, back when the group included smooth-voiced lead singer Howard Smith. Smith later joined Andrae Crouch and was instrumental in the Winans recording with Andrae on his Don’t Give Up album, a couple of years before they went on their own.
But before all of that, they cut their own self-produced and released 45 in the late ‘70s. Side A is titled “Thank You for the Mind” and features Smith on the lead vocals – it is an enticing glimpse into the Winans’ unique sound – gospel music that can be either funky or smooth ... or sometimes both!
MUSIC: “Thank You for the Mind,” the Testimonial Singers, 45
I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU, the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries and is funded by generous support from the Prichard Foundation.