The Echo of Hymns: Arthur Rice's Journey Through Gospel's Golden Era and the Rise of Southern Quartets

Hot Mic with Houston and Hogan

Can you imagine a time when the radio was the lifeline for weather updates and church announcements? Join us on a nostalgic journey through the history of gospel music with our special guest, Arthur Rice. Raised in Weaverville, Buncombe County, Arthur recalls the powerful influence of radio stations like WWNC and WSKY on his childhood, filling his home with hymns and country music. Arthur's story unfolds from his early days with the Rice family group to his celebrated career with legendary quartets such as the Kingsman Quartet, Squire Parsons, and the Kingdom Heirs. We also touch on the health and well-being of Squire Parsons, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the lives that have shaped gospel music for generations.
In the second segment, we explore the rich heritage of Southern Gospel music quartets with insights from the Minister of Music at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, who has also led the Southern Gospel Music Association since 2015. Discover how the Southern Gospel quartets of the 1940s and 1950s, initially formed to promote songbooks, skyrocketed to fame through the power of radio. You'll learn about the traditional structure of a male quartet and hear personal anecdotes about iconic groups like the Statesmen and Blackwood Brothers. We also recount the tragic 1954 plane crash that claimed the lives of RW Blackwood and Bill Lyles, cementing their place in gospel music history. This episode is a tribute to the legacy and contributions of these early quartets, whose music continues to resonate today.

Chapters

1. The Echo of Hymns: Arthur Rice's Journey Through Gospel's Golden Era and the Rise of Southern Quartets (00:00:00)

2. Gospel Music History With Arthur Rice (00:00:12)

3. Southern Gospel Music Quartet Heritage (00:07:11)