Deep River Boys facts for kids

The Deep River Boys were an American music group. They were famous for singing gospel music, spirituals, and R&B. The group started in the mid-1930s and kept performing until the 1980s. They were known for their smooth harmonies and exciting shows.

Meet the Members

The first group had four singers. They were Harry Douglass (who sang baritone), Vernon Gardner (first tenor), George Lawson (second tenor), and Edward Ware (bass). In 1950, Jimmy Lundy joined the group. He became the first tenor, and Vernon Gardner switched to second tenor. Many other singers joined and left the group over the years. But Harry Douglass was always a part of the Deep River Boys.

Their Musical Journey

The Deep River Boys started their journey at Hampton Institute. This school is now known as Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. They first became popular after winning a talent show on the radio. This win led to more radio shows and stage performances. During World War II, they traveled a lot with the USO. They entertained American troops who were serving overseas.

In 1952, their song "Recess in Heaven" became their first big hit. They also toured with a famous dancer named Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Touring and TV Shows

In 1950, the group went to Canada. They had a long series of shows in Montreal. When they came back to the US, they appeared on popular TV shows. These included The Ed Sullivan Show and The Milton Berle Show. After that, they had another long series of shows in Philadelphia.

That same year, they recorded "Solid as a Rock" with the Count Basie Orchestra. They also recorded "Tuxedo Junction" with Erskine Hawkins. He was the person who wrote the song. Then, they traveled to England. They performed for 10 weeks at the famous London Palladium. While in England, they received an award. It named them the "Most popular entertainers of American troops in England."

Record Deals and Popularity Overseas

Even with their success in England and Canada, their records were not selling well in the US. So, they left their record company, RCA. They signed with a smaller company called Beacon Records. But their record sales were still not great. So, they signed with RCA again. Surprisingly, in 1954, they went back to Beacon Records.

The Deep River Boys also performed with other music legends. These included Count Basie, Fats Waller, Charlie Christian, and Thelma Carpenter.

The group was very popular in Europe. They were especially loved in countries like Sweden and Norway. They appeared on many TV shows there from the 1950s onwards. They even released several hit songs in Swedish and Norwegian. In 1956, they visited Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. They returned in 1958 and shared American gospel music at a church service. As late as the 1970s, they recorded a Norwegian version of a Norwegian hit song called "Ratiti." The group continued to tour until the early 1980s.

Later Years

Jimmy Lundy was the last early member of the group to pass away. He lived in Portsmouth, Virginia, and died in October 2007. Two later members of the group are still alive. Ronnie Bright was the bass singer from 1964 to 1968. After leaving, he joined the Coasters before retiring. Eddie Whaley Jr. was a tenor from 1969 to 1971. He was born in England but now lives in Florida.

Awards and Honors

In 2019, one of their songs received a special honor. Their 1941 song "They Look Like Men of War" was chosen by the Library of Congress. It was added to the National Recording Registry. This means the song is important for its culture, history, or beauty.