Juneteenth Performers CONTINUES
The
The Sensational Nightingales performed in Europe for the first time in 1983 at the Bern
and
Villingen Festivals. The following summer they were on the bill of the “American SpiritualBefore the Sensationalwith the stars of faith,sang with renowned Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke Group.
& Gospel Festival” Nightingales, Thompson The Barrett Sisters, and Reverend Robert
Mayes, and appeared at the Montreux, Berlin, Vienne (France) festivals, and at The
Hague (Northsea). In 1984, the group was invited to make a two-month tour of Africa
The Sensational Nightingales performed in Europe for the first time in 1983 at Congo, Camer(Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Zaire,the Bern and
Villingen Europe The following summer Germany, the bill
oon) and of Festivals.(France, Switzerland,they were onSpain).of the “American Spiritual & Gospel Festival”
with the stars of faith, The Barrett Sisters, and Reverend Robert Mayes, and appeared at the Montreux, Berlin,
In 1984 and 1985 their album atSurrender All was on In 1984, the group was invited to make a two-month
Vienne (France) festivals, and I The Hague (Northsea). the charts for several months
(BillboardAfricaSpirituals Albums). TheGhana, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Zaire,of Goodwill
Nightingales toured as Ambassadors Congo,
tour of Top (Sierra
for the Arts American Leone, Ivory Coast,U. S. Information Agency in 1985. The mission Cameroon) and
Program of the
of Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany, television interviews, and participating in
involved public performances, radio andSpain).
workshops and teaching sessions with university students and local gospel singers.
In 1984 and 1985 their album I Surrender All was on the charts for several months (Billboard Top Spirituals
Since 1987 The Sensational toured as Ambassadors of Goodwill for thecontinent on a regular
Albums). The Nightingales Nightingales have been touring our Arts American
basis. After of the U. S. Informationactive membership, Bill Woodruffpublic performances, radio and
passed away during
Program forty-eight years of Agency in 1985. mission
a tour in the summer of 1993. He was replacedThe Richardinvolved a former singer and
by
Luster,
television interviews, and participating in workshops and teaching sessions with university
bassist with Charles Johnson, who remained with the group for almost four years. students and local
gospel singers.
The Sensational Nightingales also referred to as “The Gentlemen of Song,” have long
been ranked as the best of the “golden age” singers with their vintage harmony tradition. In 1998 they became the first group inducted into the American Gospel Quartet
The Sensational The crowning achievement “The Gentlemen of Song,” have long been the
Hall of Fame. Nightingales also referred to as of the Nightingales’ long history was
ranked as the best of the “golden age” singersthe cornerstonesharmony tradition. Inmusic.
honor recognizing the group as one of with their vintage of gospel quartet 1998 they
In 1996, the governor of North Carolina, the mayor of Durham (NC), churches and the
gospel industry joined to celebrate the have been touring our continent on a regular basis. After forty-eight
Since 1987 The Sensational Nightingales Sensational Nightingales golden anniversary
with a concert inmembership, Bill Woodruff passed soloist, Larrytour in the summer of 1993. He was replaced
Durham. A new and talented away
Moore from Norfolk, Viryears of active
ginia was engaged by The Sensational Nightingalesduring a 1998. Since his youth he has
in May
by Richard with various singer
been singing Luster, a formerlocal and bassist with Charles Johnson, who remained with the group for almost
four years.
choirs, and with The Mighty Pearl Gates.
Darrell Luster governor of North Carolina,soloist of of Durham (NC), churchesDurham, NC, DarIn 1996, the is the fourth singer and the mayor the group. A native of and the gospel
rell industry joined to celebrate Sensational Nightingales golden anniversary withloves singing. A new
is passionate about The the
whose repertoire he a
became the first group inducted into the American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame. The crowning
He first appeared with Spencer Sensationalthe remarkable Highway Q C’s. Likeconcert in Durham.
Taylor of Nightingales
his brother
That ceremony fell over 50 years history was the honor recognizing the group 1942, by Barachievement of the Nightingales’ long after the Nightingales were founded inas one of the
and talented a member of the Charles Johnson’s was engaged by The
Richard, he wassoloist, Larry Moore from Norfolk, VirginiaRevivers from 1984 to 1993, singing
ney Parks of gospel quartet music.
cornerstones ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, who had left the famed Dixie Hummingbirds to andSensational Nightingales in May 1998.dream has comehas been singing with various local
playing the guitar. Today, an old Since his youth he true and he has become a comstart his own group. The first great soloist Parks discovered was Paul Owens, an inspired
plete memberwithThe SensationalGates.
choirs, and of The Mighty Pearl Nightingales.
stylist who later on joined the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Swan Silvertones, and the
That ceremony Stars. 50 years after the Nightingales were founded in 1942, by Barney Parks of
Brooklyn All fell over
Their last recording on the singer and soloist of the group. Ato Edify receivedNC, Darrell is passionate about
Malaco label entitled Songs
a Grammy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who had left the famed Dixie Hummingbirds to start his own group.
Darrell Luster is the Traditional Soul Gospel Album” innative of Durham,
nomination for “Bestfourth
2003.
In first Julius “June” Cheeks, a member of a local group called th