James Bodie Davis (June 6, 1916 – April 17, 2007) was an American

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

singer and a founder of The Dixie Hummingbirds, one of the longest-lasting and most influential groups in gospel music.Bernstein, Adam (April 27, 2007). Gospel Singer James B. Davis; Founded Dixie Hummingbirds. '' Washington Post'' In 1928, at age 12, he founded as the Sterling High School Quartet in

Greenville, South Carolina Greenville (; locally ) is a city in and the seat of Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. With a population of 70,720 at the 2020 census, it is the sixth-largest city in the state. Greenville is located approximately halfway be ...

, but took the present name the following year. The group's sound changed when

Ira Tucker Ira B. Tucker (May 17, 1925June 24, 2008) was the lead singer with the American gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds. He was with The Dixie Hummingbirds for 70 years, from 1938, when he joined at the age of 13, until his death from cardiovascula ...

joined in 1938, and they recorded their first album on the

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...

label. During a lifetime of touring and recording, he was the business leader and disciplinarian. Highlights include singing at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival and recording with

Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actor whose career has spanned six decades. He is one of the most acclaimed songwriters in popular music, both as a solo artist and as half of folk roc ...

on his 1973 song "

Loves Me Like a Rock "Loves Me Like a Rock" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the second single from his third studio album, ''There Goes Rhymin' Simon'' (1973), released on Columbia Records. It features background vocals from the Dixie ...

." The Dixie Hummingbirds cover of the Paul Simon song won a 1973 Grammy Award in the soul gospel category. They also had a nomination in 2007 for best traditional gospel album, for ''Still Keeping It Real'' (

MCG Records The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), also known locally as "The 'G", is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. Founded and managed by the Melbourne Cricket Club, it is the largest stadium in the Southern ...

). Davis retired in 1984. He died of a heart ailment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

References

External links

* Zolten, Jerry, ''Great God A' Mighty!:The Dixie Hummingbirds - Celebrating The Rise Of Soul Gospel Music,'' Oxford University Press, 2003, .
The Dixie Hummingbirds
via Vocal Group Hall of Fame
1985 recording of "Jesus is Coming Soon"
via State Archives of Florida 1917 births 2007 deaths American gospel singers 20th-century American singers {{US-singer-stub