SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Mighty Inspirations

While Nashville is still best known for country music, a number of first-rate gospel groups have come from Music City USA as well. The Mighty Inspirations emerged in the mid-1980s with four funky gospel LPs for producer Ted Jarrett’s tiny T-Jaye Record label and toured widely in the Midwest.

The group boasted five fine singers, including lead soloists Melvin Bufford and Larry Gatewood, wrote most of their own music, and featured an exceptional live band. One of my favorite cuts is Bufford’s soulful “Miracle Man” from the group’s smokin’ Be Careful album.

MUSIC: (2436) The Mighty Inspirations, Be Careful, LP, “Miracle Man,” Side 1, Track 1 (September 8, 2024)

I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.

PREVIOUS EPISODES OF SHOUT!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Anthony Butler and His Singers

Anthony Butler and His Singers recreate the classic sound of the beloved Golden Gate Quartet with their song, “Judgement’s Coming.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Sister Barbara Jones

While unknown today, Sister Barbara Jones’ razor-sharp soprano gives the stompin’ “Be Ready” a timeless quality.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Drinkard Singers

The Drinkard Singers were one of the first families of gospel music, and whose members included Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Highway QCs

The Spence Taylor-led Highway QCs transform the old classic “I’ll Fly Away” into a Temptations styled psychedelic soul romp!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Sammy Lewis

The Rev. “Singing” Sammy Lewis was dubbed the Crown Prince of Gospel for recordings like “Jesus Paid It” for Vee-Jay Records.

Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rev. W.M. Anderson and the Jordan River Singers

The obscure Rev. W.M. Anderson and the Jordan River Singers deliver a spirited rendition of the old gospel classic, “Jesus on the Mainline.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Columbus Mann

Columbus Mann and the Gospel Outreach Choir of the Pentecostal COGIC of Inkster, Michigan, Jesus Never Fails LP features the blistering seven-minute vamp, “Blind Old Satan.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Sterling Glass and the Metropolitan Singers of Waterbury

Sterling Glass and the Metropolitan Singers are best known for their dramatic, 5 ½ minute version of the old spiritual, “Mary, Don’t You Weep.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Golden Trumpets

Check out the Golden Trumpets’ array of superb soloists on this winsome mid-tempo jubilee number, “Jesus My Doctor.”

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.