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

Founded in 1944 by Ike and Bess Berman, Apollo Records began by releasing Yiddish novelty songs, then moved into comedy by the likes of George Burns & Grace Allen, Fibber McGee and Molly and Jack Benny. The Bermans later ventured into R&B and pop music as well.

But it was a release by a very young Mahalia Jackson that changed gospel music. Mahalia was eventually signed away by Columbia Records, but the Bermans kept releasing superb gospel music – including this rare 45 by Anthony Butler and His Singers, “Judgement’s Coming.” Had the Bermans had Columbia’s marketing clout, Butler – who clearly loved the Golden Gate Quartet – could have been their second breakout gospel star.

MUSIC: (2439) Anthony Butler and His Singers, “Judgement’s Coming,” 45 (September 29, 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 - The Blend Wright Trio

The Blend Wright Trio were a poppy, upbeat gospel group led by the multi-talented Eleanor Wright, who recorded for Savoy in the 1960s.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Bible Way Church of God

The Bible Way Church of God Choir’s “What Do You Say About Jesus?” features the church’s longtime pastor, Little Abraham Swanson.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Melody Kings

The LP Believe in Me by the Melody Kings features a rousing version of Lee Wallace’s gospel rave up, “I Pray.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - The Kindly Sheperds

The Kindly Shepherds’ “Lend Me Your Hand,” produced by Monk Higgins, is much coveted by Northern Soul vinyl collectors.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Willie Banks

Willie Banks’ titanic sermon song “Things I Can’t Change” features one of the most powerful vocal performances in gospel music.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Heavenly Stars of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“Leaning on the Lord” is an incredibly infectious gospel rave up by the otherwise unknown Heavenly Stars of Milwaukee.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Bishop John D. Bright Sr and the Choirs of the St. James A.M.E.

The St. James A.M.E. Youth Choir dedicates “I Don’t Know Why He Loves Me” to their beloved pastor, Bishop John D. Bright Sr.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Gwen Carter

Prepare to be moved by Gwen Curtis’ impassioned vocals on this titanic version of John Stallings’ “Learning to Lean.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Rev. Oris Mays

The Rev. Oris Mays was one of the true originals of the incomparable gospel music scene in Memphis.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Selah Jubilee Singers

One of the earliest jubilee groups to record, the Selah Jubilee Singers’ close-harmony “Judgment’s Coming” is one of their best-loved numbers.