Why are some groups stars and other groups – equally talented and equally passionate – not? For instance, why weren’t the Mighty Supreme Voices of Dallas, Texas, bigger? They had excellent vocalists in brothers Cecil and Calvin Washington, while Cecil and Michael McCowin were first-rate gospel songwriters. And the remaining Washington brothers were all fine and funky musicians, too.
The Supreme Voices came close a couple of times, with first-rate albums for both Savoy and GosPearl in the mid- and late-1980s and they were considered one of the best-touring bands on the gospel circuit. But they never quite broke through, though I’m not sure why. Check out the title track from their J&B Records release, “I Don’t Have a Friend Like Jesus” – see if you don’t agree that the Mighty Supreme Voice had talent and charisma to spare!
MUSIC: The Mighty Supreme Voices of Dallas, Texas, I Don’t Have a Friend Like Jesus LP, “I Don’t Have a Friend Like Jesus,” Side 1, Track 1
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.