The Canton Spirituals are a renowned gospel music group that formed in Canton, Mississippi in 1943. They are acclaimed for their distinctive style of traditional gospel music and have profoundly influenced the development of gospel choirs. The original quartet consisted of four young men from Canton who came together out of a shared love for gospel music.
The Founding Members
The four founding members of the Canton Spirituals were:
- Harvey Watkins Sr.
- Eugene Bartlett
- Isaac Bolton
- Eddie Jackson
These four individuals each brought unique talents and experiences that helped shape the iconic sound of the Canton Spirituals. Here is some background on each of the original members:
Harvey Watkins Sr.
Harvey Watkins Sr. is considered a pillar of the quartet and one of its founding fathers. Born in 1926 in Canton, Watkins grew up singing gospel music in the church. He had a passion for the new gospel quartet style that was emerging at the time. In 1943 at age 17, Watkins joined together with three other young men from Canton to form a gospel quartet. As one of the original members, Watkins sang tenor and contributed songwriting, guitar playing, and musical arrangements. He was renowned for his smooth tenor vocals and guitar style. Watkins anchored the group as its continuous member throughout various lineup changes over the decades. He was devoted to gospel music and the Canton Spirituals right up until his death in 1994 at age 68.
Eugene Bartlett
Eugene Bartlett was another founding member of the quartet in 1943. Hailing from Canton, Mississippi, Bartlett grew up singing gospel music in church like the other founding members. In the Canton Spirituals, Bartlett sang bass and was known for his deep resonate vocals that provided a sturdy foundation in the quartet’s harmonies. Along with the other three original members, Bartlett helped establish the group’s signature sound. He sang on early recordings such as “Old Ship of Zion.” Bartlett eventually left the group after a few years. But his original contributions left an impact as part of the pioneering original quartet.
Isaac Bolton
Isaac Bolton was the third member of the founding quartet in 1943. He was born and raised in Canton, Mississippi like the rest of the original members. Bolton brought his strong gospel baritone vocals to the group. As one of the founders of the quartet, Bolton helped establish their tight vocal harmonies and classic gospel quartet style. He contributed outstanding vocals to some of the group’s earliest recordings. Bolton sang with the Canton Spirituals for about seven years before leaving the quartet. But his original contributions left a mark as part of the quartet’s foundational roots.
Eddie Jackson
Rounding out the original quartet was Eddie Jackson, a native of Canton, Mississippi. As the fourth piece of the original Canton Spirituals quartet, Jackson sang lead and was known for his soaring high range. His prominent lead vocals were a signature element of the group’s emerging sound. Jackson helped define the quartet’s style on their earliest recordings like “Search Me Lord.” After seven years with the group, Jackson decided to leave and pursue other opportunities. But he made core contributions as one of the quartet’s establishing lead singers.
Early Days and First Recordings
The four founding members first came together to sing as a quartet in 1943. They adopted the name “Canton Spirituals” to honor their hometown of Canton, Mississippi. The group performed extensively around the Canton area, developing their smooth four-part harmonies and upbeat gospel style.
In 1949, the Canton Spirituals entered a gospel talent contest judged by Claude Jeter of the famous Swan Silvertones quartet. Impressed by their performance, Jeter helped the group land an opportunity to record for the Jackson-based Trumpet Records label. This began the Canton Spirituals’ recording career.
Between 1951 and 1953, the original quartet lineup recorded several singles for Trumpet Records:
- “Old Ship of Zion”
- “Certainly Lord”
- “Search Me Lord”
- “Heavenly Father”
- “I’m a Soldier”
These first recordings capture the raw talent and signature sound established by the pioneering original members. Their upbeat, foot-tapping gospel style and polished vocal harmonies became hallmarks of the quartet. This early body of work seeded the group’s success for decades to come.
Later Lineup Changes and Growth
By the early 1950s, Bolton, Bartlett, and Jackson had each decided to leave the Canton Spirituals for personal reasons or to pursue other opportunities. This left Harvey Watkins Sr. as the sole remaining founding member. But the quartet carried forward by replacing departed members with new talent:
- 1953 – William Brown replaces Bolton
- 1954 – James Johnson replaces Bartlett
- 1960 -Richard Denton replaces Jackson
Watkins remained the anchor that provided continuity from the original lineup. Together with fresh talent, the Canton Spirituals continued to build their popularity and success over the coming decades. They went on to release dozens of albums and win numerous accolades, becoming gospel music legends.
The original members occasionally made guest appearances and contributions in later years, even after departing. For example, Isaac Bolton and Eddie Jackson can be heard singing on the 1972 album Shake the Devil Off. But the core quartet maintained forward momentum thanks to Harvey Watkins Sr.’s leadership and emerging talents.
Legacy and Influence
Although their time together was relatively brief, the founding members left an indelible impact. Their early recordings and style were foundational to the Canton Spirituals’ signature sound and success. Together, the original quartet established the group and recorded the first body of work that seeded their legacy.
Each member deserves credit for contributing their unique talents:
- Harvey Watkins Sr. – tenor vocals, songwriting, arrangements, guitar
- Eugene Bartlett – bass vocals
- Isaac Bolton – baritone vocals
- Eddie Jackson – lead vocals
Beyond the Canton Spirituals, the original quartet’s music influenced later gospel groups and choirs. Their upbeat, catchy style helped evolve gospel toward a new contemporary sound that engaged younger audiences. The Canton Spirituals later became one of the top groups leading the modernization of traditional gospel music.
In recognition of their immense contributions, the original members Harvey Watkins Sr., Isaac Bolton, Eddie Jackson, and Eugene Bartlett were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Today, the Canton Spirituals remain active and popular after over 75 years. Their roots trace back to that original quartet from Canton, Mississippi that came together in 1943 and changed gospel music forever.
Summary
In summary, the four original members of the pioneering Canton Spirituals gospel quartet were:
- Harvey Watkins Sr. – Tenor vocals and guitarist
- Eugene Bartlett – Bass vocals
- Isaac Bolton – Baritone vocals
- Eddie Jackson – Lead vocals
These four young men from Canton joined together in 1943 driven by their passion for gospel music. They established the quartet’s signature sound through seminal early recordings like “Old Ship of Zion.” The original foursome soon went their separate ways, but Watkins anchored the group as sole original member for decades. Their pioneering contributions in the 1940s forever shaped the Canton Spirituals and left a lasting impact on gospel music.
Member | Voice Part | Years Active |
---|---|---|
Harvey Watkins Sr. | Tenor | 1943-1994 |
Eugene Bartlett | Bass | 1943-Early 1950s |
Isaac Bolton | Baritone | 1943-Early 1950s |
Eddie Jackson | Lead | 1943-Early 1960s |
Conclusion
The original quartet of Harvey Watkins Sr., Eugene Bartlett, Isaac Bolton, and Eddie Jackson ignited the Canton Spirituals starting in 1943. Their pioneering work and talent established the foundation for an iconic gospel group that would influence generations. Each member deserves recognition for their role in shaping the quartet’s signature sound during the 1940s and early 50s. Though lineup changes occurred, the spirit of those founding fathers lived on and fueled the legend of the Canton Spirituals.