SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - 'Mountain Railroad' by The Rev. June Cheeks

Who was the greatest shouter in gospel music history? Many folks believe it was Archie Brownlee with the Blind Boys of Mississippi. But I think you can make a great case for the Rev. June (or Julius) Cheeks. Cheeks was born in abject poverty in South Carolina, left school after 2^nd grade to pick cotton – and sing. He eventually joined the Sensational Nightingales, where they had their greatest success with songs like “Somewhere to Lay My Head” and “The Last Mile of the Way.”

After the Nightingales, Cheeks recorded several fine releases, including The Rev. June Cheeks Sings, which includes his powerful version of the traditional gospel song, “Mountain Railroad.” Oh, and one other thing about Cheeks – he was functionally illiterate. His prodigious knowledge of the Bible came from listening to recordings of the Bible recorded on dozens of 78s.       

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

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