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The Dixie Hummingbirds are an institution. While they have always remained deeply rooted in the gospel tradition, their influence has made itself known far and wide in American popular music. Perhaps Isaac Hayes has put it most eloquently: "In the beginning, after the word, and before there was rap, hip-hop, disco, punk, funk, metal, soul, Motown, rock-a-billy, before bebop, doo-wop, and the big band swing there was the Dixie Hummingbirds."
The group began their remarkable journey in 1920s Greenville, South Carolina, organized by gospel great James B. Davis, then 12 years old. After singing together in church through their high school years, Davis and his friends embarked on a ten-year stint of "wildcatting" - taking their act on the road to build up a reputation. In 1939, they began recording on the prestigious Decca label, and in the early 1940s they moved to Philadelphia, where easy access to a range of venues allowed them to make a name for themselves on an even larger scale.
By 1942, the Dixie Hummingbirds were wowing audiences at Cafe Society, New York's first integrated nightclub, backed by legendary jazz saxophonist Lester Young. In the 1950s, they routinely brought down the house at the Apollo Theater. The group broke into the popular consciousness in 1966 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=2M_OY88YYms), when they prompted a standing ovation at the Newport Folk Festival, and still greater fame was in store in 1973, when they backed Paul Simon on his smash hit "Loves Me Like a Rock." The Birds' own rendition of the tune won them a Grammy in 1974. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4eDGUfvh6PQ)
But the truth is that long before mainstream America knew their name, they knew their music. Retired patriarch Davis is fond of noting that the Dixie Hummingbirds have typically been about a decade ahead of the curve. In the 1940s, for example, they were singing the kind of a cappella harmonies that caught on as doo-wop in the 1950s, and in the 1950s, they added electric guitar to their sound with the addition of Howard Carroll who is heralded as the most progressive guitarist of his time and possibly this century, pre-figuring the soul music of the 1960s.
Lead singer Ira Tucker, Sr., who has been with the group since 1938, when he was 13, was especially inspired and inspiring. Musicologist Horace Boyer writes that "not only did he put his voice and vocal technique to use, he also became the model for the 'activity' singer. He ran up and down aisles, jumped from the stage, and spun around without sacrificing one iota of the pure musical sound that he first brought to the quartet. Indeed, he served as the model for many of the rhythm and blues and soul singers from Jackie Wilson and Clyde McPhatter to Bobby Blue Bland, Stevie Wonder and the Temptations."
At the turn of the century time took its toll on the Dixie Hummingbirds. After their 70th Anniversary many of the members retired, all but one, Ira Tucker. And now on the eve on celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Dixie Hummingbirds in 2008, indeed he is "The Last Man Standing" and by all means "Still Keeping It Real". After singing 69 years with the Birds' Tucker chose an elite group of young men to help carry the Legacy of the Dixie Hummingbirds in to uncharted waters, 8 decades of faith-based song. This legacy is now one step closer to being fulfilled with the album Still Keeping It Real....The Last Man Standing nominated at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in 2007.
Currently the Dixie Hummingbirds consists of 6 members and over sixty years separating the members, with Ira Tucker the senior and lead singer at 82, William Bright, baritone and former lead singer of the apprentice group "Sons of the Birds", Lyndon Baines Jones lead guitarist, Willie Coleman bass guitarist, Torrey Nettles with the double duty of tenor singer and drummer, and last but not least bass singer Cornell McKnight.
As The Dixie Hummingbirds embark on their 80th Anniversary in 2008 and Ira Tucker celebrates 70 years of non-stop performances they are renown as National Treasures. The legacy of the Bird's will live on forever through the mural and street dedication on 15th and Dixie Hummingbirds Way in Philadelphia.
Critical Praise for "Diamond Jubilation"
"Diamond Jubilation is the best project I ever worked on."
-Levon Helm
"They continue to press the envelope with their greatness linking us to a rich musical heritage that keeps us in-tune and in harmony with the universe and each other. Happy 75th Anniversary."
-Stevie Wonder
"What do Norah Jones, Buena Vista, O Brother, Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan have in common with this new album from the Dixie Hummingbirds? They are all honest, organic, poetic and moving - qualities our listeners look for in the records they buy."
-Bruce Warren, Program Director of WXPN
"Listening to The Hummingbirds was something that brought me back to my roots: church and R&B. I loved it."
-Sam Clayton, Percussionist for Little Feat
"You have a great, great record on your hands. Larry did a stunning job. We are completely blown away by the whole thing."
-Julie and Buddy Miller
"In the beginning, after the word, before rock 'n' roll, and before there was rap, hip-hop, disco, punk, funk, metal, soul, Motown, rock-a-billy, before bebop, doo-wop, and the big band swing there was The Dixie Hummingbirds. The mighty Dixie Hummingbirds. They sang through the Great Depression, the terms of thirteen presidents, four major wars, five generations of Americans and seven decades of the twentieth century. The Dixie Hummingbirds. They personify perseverance, talent, and dedication. Now the iron men of gospel are celebrating their seventy-fifth anniversary. The Dixie Hummingbirds are indeed an American institution. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the gentlemen of song, the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds."
-Isaac Hayes, GREAT GOD A'MIGHTY! THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music by Jerry Zolten published by Oxford University Press (2003)
"GLORY, HALLELUJAH: Philadelphia-based gospel greats the Dixie Hummingbirds celebrate their 75th anniversary with Diamond Jubilation (Rounder), bejeweled with warm and intimate performances. A."
- The Philadelphia Daily News
"Lead singer Ira Tucker, Sr., now in his late 70s, displays his still-considerable house-wrecking skills over the Cajun rhythms of "God's Radar" and the growling blues of Julie Miller's "Too Many Troubles." Not too shabby for a group celebrating its 75th anniversary."
- USA Today
"With the success of the Blind Boys of Alabama's recent albums for the Real World label and Fairfield Four member Isaac Freeman's 2002 disc Beautiful Stars, it's no overstatement to say that we're in the midst of about as big a gospel revival as we're likely to see. It's hard to imagine a more welcome addition to that revival than Diamond Jubilation.:
- No Depression
"Diamond Jubilation is a vibrant new studio recording….With all the renewed interest in gospel brought upon by Robert Randolph and the Blind Boys of Alabama, credit should be given to these true musical innovators."
- Offbeat Magazine
"Diamond Jubilation is not your ordinary gospel record - it's soulful and reverent, but it rocks too!"
- Miles of Music
"Led by Ira Tucker, Sr., who has been with the group since 1938, the 'birds follow the Blind Boys into the secular realm of blues, zydeco, and Americana, playing gospel standards and notable originals with a crack backing band. For gospel fans, the story is the incredible resilience of this group and their message: Tucker and his men make sweet, six-part harmony of their rough-hewn vocals...
An Americana dream band if there ever was one, the musicians respectfully keep the spotlight on the voices. The joy in this labor of love rings out from every track, making for an inspiring celebration that's impossible not to like."
- Barnes & Noble.com