Blackwood Brothers - (May 25, 2019)

The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was formed in 1934 with brothers Roy, Doyle, James and Roy's son, R.W. In the late 50s Roy and Doyle retired from traveling and in 1954 R.W. was killed in a tragic airplane crash. However the quartet with James, as the quartet's leader and spokesman, established a new group of singers who would go on to take Gospel music to new heights as they traveled and sang in all fifty of the United States, every Canadian province as well as cities in Great Britain, Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

In 2002, James Blackwood went to be with the Lord, but his sons, Jimmy (James Jr.) and Billy have continued the 80-year tradition. Recently Jimmy retired after singing for 49 years and his younger brother, Billy now carries on the quartet which has the distinction of being the best-known name in Gospel Music history!

Billy, James Blackwood's younger son, sings baritone and is a song writer. Billy played drums for J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet at the age of 14. He also played for the Blackwood Brothers, Gordon Jensen and Sunrise, and Andrus/Blackwood & Company and toured with Voice, the opening act for the Elvis Presley show. He has traveled in solo ministry and has worked in youth and pastoral ministry. Billy has four daughters, Brette, Britni, Emma and Ellie and one son, Will. He and his wife, Cherry live in Hendersonville, TN.

Wayne Little has sung for many years in numerous quartets including the Crystal River Boys, and most recently, New Millennium. His crystal clear tenor voice is amazing people across the country. He has sung at hundreds of events including a concert at the Pentagon with Franklin Graham.Wayne is known for his singing of the great Gospel classic, O What a Savior. He and his wife Gina have two sons, Micah and Maison.

Butch Owens is no stranger to gospel music. He sang bass with an earlier version of the Stamps Quartet and most rececntly with Bob Jones and the Songfellows Quartet. He is a retired law enforcement officer. Butch has a great personality and his solid low notes make a great foundation for the group. Butch and his wife Margaret live in Spring Hill, TN.

Jonathan Mattingly is the newest member of the quartet and sings lead. He grew up in a singing family and recently deicided to move to Nashville with a desire to further his career and ministry. He and his wife, Sarah, quickly found the answer to their prayers as Jonathan joined the quartet within in just a few weeks. They have one son, Asher Levi, who was born prematurely and is definitely is a miracle baby. He overcame a lot of complications but is doing fine.