This disc highlights Florida’s African American religious music traditions. The collection features both nationally recognized acts and previously unknown local artists, including the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Georgia Sea Island Singers, the Versiteers, and the Amigo Male Singers.

Download the disc as a ZIP file containing 320kBps MP3s.
Contact the State Archives of Florida to request a complimentary CD.

Liner Notes

1. Amazing Grace - Florida-Alabama Progressive Seven-Shape Note Singing Convention
Recorded: May 18, 1980 by Dwight DeVane (Florida Folklife Program)
Florida Record Project
Crestview, Florida
(S 1576, reel T83-83)

2. I've Got Heaven On My Mind - Hickory Bottom Harmoneers
Recorded: May 1, 1955 by Foster Barnes (Stephen Foster Center)
1955 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T76-12B)

3. Babylon Is Falling Down - Deacon Dan Smith with Nick Hallman & the Georgia Sea Island Singers
Recorded: August 30, 1975 (Stephen Foster Center)
1975 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T79-18)

4. I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand - The Cisrow Gospel Allstars
Recorded: September 15, 1985 by Peggy Bulger (Florida Folklife Program)
Golden Gospel Concert
Orlando, Florida
(S 1576, reel T85-151)

5. Jesus Met the Woman at the Well - The Versiteers
Recorded: May 27, 1995 (Florida Folklife Program)
1995 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, tape D95-41)

6. Soon I Will Be Done - Amigo Male Singers
Recorded: May 2, 1958 by Foster Barnes (Stephen Foster Center)
1958 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T77-68)

7. Wasn't That a Mystery - Madison County Senior Center
Recorded: April 19, 1983 by Nancy Nusz (Florida Folklife Program)
Rural Folks Arts in Education
Madison County Senior Citizen Center
Madison, Florida
(S 1576, tape C84-58)

8. Excerpt from church service - Testerina Primitive Baptist Church
Recorded: May 11, 1980 by Dwight DeVane & Doris Dyen (Florida Folklife Program)
Florida Record Project
Seville, Florida
(S 1576, reel T83-89)

9. Daniel in the Lion's Den - Bessie Jones and The Georgia Sea Island Singers
Recorded: August 29, 1975 (Stephen Foster Center)
1975 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T79-15)

10. I'm In His Care - The Washington Singers
Recorded: September 15, 1985 by Peggy Bulger (Florida Folklife Program)
Golden Gospel Concert
Orlando, Florida
(S 1576, reel T85-151)

11. Jesus Be a Fence Around Me - Antioch Junior Choir
Recorded: May 1970 (Stephen Foster Center)
1970 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T77-214)

12. Jesus is Coming Soon - Dixie Hummingbirds
Recorded: September 15, 1985 by Peggy Bulger (Florida Folklife Program)
Golden Gospel Concert
Orlando, Florida
(S 1576, reel T85-153)

13. Come and Go To That Land - The Religionaires
Recorded: September 15, 1985 by Peggy Bulger (Florida Folklife Program)
Golden Gospel Concert
Orlando, Florida
(S 1576, reel T85-152)

14. The Peaceful Death of the Righteous - Troy Demps, James Robinson, & Frank Spaulding
Recorded: May 28, 2004 (Florida Park Service)
2004 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
Library Folklife Program
(S 2034, tape CD04-91)

15. There's a Bright Side Somewhere - Reatha Pearl Marshall
Recorded: September 5, 1976 (Stephen Foster Center)
1976 Florida Folk Festival
White Springs, Florida
(S 1576, reel T77-255)