The Roberta Martin Singers facts for kids

The Roberta Martin Singers were a famous American gospel music group. They were known for their unique sound and helped shape gospel music in the United States.

The Group's Story

How the Group Started

The Roberta Martin Singers began in 1933. A talented musician named Roberta Martin formed the group. She had just discovered gospel music, which was a new style different from the older spiritual songs.

Roberta was asked to play piano for a junior choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Chicago. From this choir, she chose six young men to form a new singing group. These first members were Eugene Smith, Norsalus McKissick, Robert Anderson, Willie Webb, James Lawrence, and W.C. Herman.

At first, they were called the Martin and Frye Singers. But by 1936, they became known as The Roberta Martin Singers. The group was special because it didn't have a traditional bass singer. Later, in the 1940s, women like Bessie Folk, Sadie Durrah, and Delois Barrett (Campbell) joined the group. Delois Barrett later started her own famous group, the Barrett Sisters.

Making Records

In 1947, the group made their very first recording. It was for Fidelity Records, and they sang a song called "Precious Memories." After this, they recorded many more songs for different labels like Religious Records and Apollo Records.

Some of their popular songs from this time include "Old Ship of Zion" (1949), "Yield Not to Temptation" (1947), and "The Lord Will Make a Way" (1951). Most of their early recordings featured only a piano, organ, and sometimes drums. Roberta Martin's piano playing was special. She mixed classical music styles with blues, creating a unique sound.

Changes in the Group

Over the years, members joined and left the group. In 1949, Eugene Smith became the group's business manager. This allowed Roberta Martin to focus more on writing music and running her own music school.

New singers like Romance Watson, Myrtle Scott, and Myrtle Jackson joined. Roberta also worked with a young musician named James Cleveland. He wrote several songs for the group, including "I'm Determined" (1953).

Some members left to start their own groups. For example, Willie Webb formed the Willie Webb Singers for a short time. Lucy "Little Lucy" Smith (Collier), Roberta Martin's stepdaughter, became the group's organist and later their main pianist and musical director. Lucy Smith was so good that she even released her own album of gospel instrumentals!

Recording for Savoy Records

In 1957, the Roberta Martin Singers started recording for Savoy Records. They had a big hit song in 1958 called "God Specializes," with Gloria Griffin singing the lead.

More changes happened. Archie Dennis joined the group, replacing Romance Watson. The group also traveled internationally, singing at a festival in Spoleto, Italy, in 1963. During their time with Savoy, they recorded many more popular songs like "Grace" (1958) and "No Other Help I Know" (1962).

Slowing Down and End of the Group

By the mid-1960s, the group started to slow down. Delois Barrett-Campbell left to focus on the Barrett Sisters. Gloria Griffin also left to start a solo career. Lucy Smith Collier took over as the group's main musical director. The group's sound changed a bit, with more choral arrangements and electric bass guitar.

Sadly, Roberta Martin became ill during this time. The group recorded one last album in 1967 called Praise God. Roberta Martin was able to lead one song on this album, "I Have Hope." She passed away from cancer on January 18, 1969. Without their leader, The Roberta Martin Singers tried to continue but eventually disbanded in 1970.

After the Group

After the group ended, many former members continued their music careers.

• Delois Barrett-Campbell sang full-time with the Barrett Sisters.
• Archie Dennis toured with the Rev. Billy Graham and later started his own church.
• Louise McCord recorded solo albums for labels like Stax and Savoy Records.
• Gloria Griffin released her first solo album in 1967.
• Willie Webb became an accompanist for a TV show called Rock of Ages.
• Lucy Smith Collier also played piano for a TV show, Jubilee Showcase. Even after a stroke affected her ability to play, she continued to sing.

Reunion Concerts

The group came together for special reunion concerts in 1981. These concerts celebrated Roberta Martin's legacy. Many original members, including Eugene Smith, Norsalus McKissick, Delois Barrett-Campbell, and Lucy Smith Collier, participated. More reunion concerts happened into the 1990s, keeping their music alive for new fans.