"Mr. Gospel Singer of America" James Blackwood was born August 4, 1919 in Choctaw County, MS. In 1934 he teamed with siblings Roy and Doyle along with Roy's 13-year-old son R.W. to form the Blackwood Brothers, whose country gospel harmonies earned a devoted following throughout the south thanks to their regular appearances on Shreveport, LA superstation KWKH. The group disbanded during World War II but reunited in 1946, with Don Smith replacing brother Doyle; Bill Lyles assumed Roy's duties in 1950, two years before the Blackwoods made their first recordings for RCA. Tragedy s...