The Southernaires, organized in 1929, were an American popular vocal group, popular in radio broadcasting of the 1930s and 1940s. They were known for their renditions of spirituals and work songs.Southernaires and Anne Brown. The New York Times. March 10, 1941 In 1942, they won a widely publicized case of hotel discrimination."Negroes Win Judgment In Hotel Discrimination", Christian Science Monitor, (December 18, 1942)
Their best known recording, "Nobody Knows De Trouble I've Seen", was released by Decca (2859-B) in 1939. Pianist-arranger Spencer Odom replaced their previous accompanist, Clarence M. Jones, the same year."Southernaires Heard; Feature Spencer Odom, Pianist, on Program at Town Hall", The New York Times, (January 12, 1948), p 15.
In 1948–49, they hosted a 30-minute show, The Southernaires Quartet, on Sundays on the American Broadcasting Company television network.
Work with Frank Buck In 1950, the Southernaires provided the vocals for the Frank Buck album, Tiger.
Key personnel Homer Smith (tenor) Lowell Peters (second tenor) Jay Stone Toney (baritone) William W. Edmunson (bass/narrator) Clarence M. Jones (pianist from 1933) Ray Yeates (tenor, replacing Smith from 1945 onwards) Spencer Odom (pianist/arranger, replacing Jones in 1939)
By 1951, they had only one original member, Edmunson, in their line-up
See also 1948–49 United States network television schedule
References