Day 11 - Ira Tucker - #blackhistorymonth In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Gospel Quartet lead singers became matinee idols. This was especially true of Ira Tucker of The Dixie Hummingbirds. While R.H. Harris was prematurely bald (he was called “Pops” even in his 30s) and Claude Jeter was an intellectual, Tucker was a sex symbol. Tucker could shout with the best of them, but he could also croon, with the Birds moaning in perfect harmony behind him. They had the heaviest bass in William Bobo and

Ira Tucker performing "Who Are We (The Dixie Hummingbirds)" from the #GospelLegendsCollection #MalacoRecords #MalacoGospel Hear More: https://VA.lnk.to/fSnUCFA Buy Tickets for Malaco's 50th Gospel Celebration: www.malaco.com | Quartet Celebration

It’s been a minute since I posted some good old Quartet music. Here are The Dixie Hummingbirds in 1964 with James Walker on lead. This lineup of birds was pretty much unbeatable: Walker and Ira Tucker on leads, Howard Carroll on guitar, James Davis singing tenor and basso extraordinaire William Bobo. Rounding out the harmony is one Beechie Thompson, grandfather of Ahmir Thompson aka Questlove. Enjoy “The Little Wooden Church.” | Eli Paperboy Reed