Willmer Broadnax facts for kids

Willmer M. "Little Axe" Broadnax (born December 28, 1916 – died June 1, 1992) was an American gospel singer. He was known for his powerful voice in gospel quartet music during a special time often called the "golden age" of traditional black gospel. People often called him "Little Axe." This nickname came from his smaller size and because his brother, William Broadnax, was a popular singer known as "Big Axe."

Early Life and Family

Willmer Broadnax was born in Houston, Texas in 1916. His parents were William Broadnax and Gussie Frazier. By 1930, he was living in Houston with his mother, Gussie Frazier, his stepfather, Augustus Flowers, and his younger brother, William Broadnax.

Some records about Willmer's early life can be a bit confusing. Even though he was the oldest of the Broadnax children, many sources sometimes said he was the younger brother. This might have been because of his naturally high singing voice and his smaller build.

Singing Career

Willmer Broadnax started his singing career as a teenager. He joined the St. Paul Gospel Singers in Houston in the 1930s, singing alongside his brother William.

Later, the two brothers moved to Los Angeles. There, Willmer became a member of the Southern Gospel Singers from 1939 to 1940. This group mostly performed on weekends and did not travel much.

Little Axe and the Golden Echoes

Eventually, Willmer and William decided to form their own group called Little Axe and the Golden Echoes. William later left to join another group, but Willmer continued as the lead singer throughout the 1940s.

In 1949, the group, with the help of Paul Foster (singer) (who later joined The Soul Stirrers), recorded a song called "When the Saints Go Marching In" for Specialty Records. However, the record company decided not to record more songs with them, and the Golden Echoes group soon broke up.

Willmer was known for his high voice. A musician named Willie Love once said that "Little Axe couldn’t sing low, because he had a relatively high voice. It wasn’t falsetto, it was naturally high." When he sang with Paul Foster, their voices worked together. Willmer's clear, high voice would lead, while Foster's deeper voice would support him, making it sound like one amazing singer with a huge vocal range. Music critic Ray Funk described Willmer's voice as "sweet but almost vicious, dripping with emotion."

Joining Other Groups

In 1950, Broadnax joined the famous Spirit of Memphis Quartet. In this group, he sang alongside two other lead singers, Jethro "Jet" Bledsoe and Silas Steele. The Spirit of Memphis Quartet recorded for King Records, and Willmer appeared on their songs until at least 1952.

After that, Broadnax moved on to sing with other well-known groups. He worked with The Fairfield Four. In the early 1960s, he also joined the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, taking the place of their original singer, Archie Brownlee.

Until 1965, Willmer led another group also called "Little Axe and the Golden Echoes." This group released several songs on Peacock Records. However, around this time, gospel quartet singing became less popular commercially, and Broadnax decided to stop touring. Even after retiring from touring, Broadnax continued to record new music occasionally with the Blind Boys into the 1970s and 1980s.

Later Years and Passing

Willmer Broadnax passed away on June 1, 1992. His passing was a sad event for the gospel music community.

Legacy

Willmer Broadnax left behind a lasting impact on gospel music. His unique high voice and emotional singing style made him a memorable figure in the golden age of traditional black gospel.

Discography

Little Axe and the Golden Echoes

• The Lord Is My Sunshine / Remember Me, Peacock Records, 1963
• My Mind On Jesus / Jesus Loves Me, Peacock Records, 1963
• My Life Is In His Hands / So Soon, Peacock Records, 1964
• Lord Have Mercy / Swing Down Chariot, Peacock Records, 1965
• Old Time Religion, Specialty Records / Ace Records (United States), 1992
• American Pop / Gospel's Golden Age, Volume 3 (1945 - 1959), Collector Records, 2012

The Spirit of Memphis Quartet

• Make More Room For Jesus / Calvary, King Records, 1950
• How Far Am I From Canaan / I'll Never Forget, King Records, 1950
• On The Battlefield / Jesus, Jesus, King Records, 1950
• Days Past And Gone/Blessed Are The Dead, King Records, 1950
• Tell Heaven I'm Coming / Ten Commandments, King Records, 1951
• Sign Of The Judgement / Every Time I Feel The Spirit, King Records, 1951
• The World Prayer / Every Day And Every Hour, King Records, 1951
• Lord Jesus Part 1 / Lord Jesus Part 2, King Records, 1952

The Fairfield Four

• Come Over Here/Who Is That Knocking, Dot Records, 1953
• His Eye Is on the Sparrow/Every Day, Dot Records, 1953
• How I Got Over/This Evening Our Father, Dot Records, 1953
• Stand by Me/Hear Me When I Pray, Dot Records, 1953
• When The Battle Is Over/Standing on the Rock, Dot Records, 1953
• Somebody Touched Me/Mother Don't Worry, Dot Records, 1953

The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi

• Precious Memories, Peacock Records, 1960
• I Call On Jesus / Time To Think About The Lord, Peacock Records, 1960
• I Never Heard A Man, Peacock Records, 1960
• Sending Up My Timber, Peacock Records, 1961
• Can't Serve The Lord / Constantly Abiding, Peacock Records, 1961
• Five Blind Boys* / Spirit Of Memphis - Negro Spirituals, Peacock Records, 1961
• Father I Stretched My Hands To Thee / Lord Remember Me, Peacock Records, 1962
• I Got It Within Me / The Tide Of Life, Peacock Records, 1962
• You Done What The Doctor Couldn't Do / Speak For Jesus, Peacock Records, 1963
• Just A Little While / Servant's Prayer, Peacock Records, 1963
• Something To Shout About / Leaning On Jesus, Peacock Records, 1964
• Father I Stretch My Hand to Thee, Peacock Records, 1964
• Lift The Savior Up / In The Hands Of The Lord, Peacock Records, 1965
• My Soul Is A Witness / Love Lifted Me, Peacock Records, 1970
• Oh Well, What Can You Do / I Have But One Desire, Peacock Records, 1974

Compilations

• So Many Years, Jubilee Records, 1989