Who were the Jackson Southernaires members? Gospel music group’s lead singer Huey P. Williams dies at 80

Longtime frontman of the Jackson Southernaires, Huey P. Williams, died peacefully at his home in Smithdale, Mississippi on March 24 at 80. Darrell Luster of Malaco Music Group announced his death to the Journal of Gospel Music.

The Jackson Southernaires was an American traditional black gospel music group from Jackson, Mississippi. The group consisted of five members: Huey P. Williams, Roger Bryant Jr., Maurice Surrell, James Burks, and Luther Lennings. It was formed by producer Frank Crisler in 1940.

Born into a family of gospel music, Huey was the elder brother of Frank Williams, who founded the Mississippi Mass Choir, and of the members of Grammy-nominated Williams Brothers: Melvin, Doug, and Leonard Williams. Doug paid tribute to his brother in a statement, mentioning,

"My big brother Huey, in my eyes, was in a league of his own. He possessed a signature voice that was unmistakably his own. His music ministry touched so many lives in such a positive way over the years. He had a big personality, but such a humble spirit. Huey was the epitome of a people's person, a man that loved everybody and never met a stranger."

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More about Huey P. Williams' gospel group, The Jackson Southernaires

Led by late frontman Huey P. Williams, The Jackson Southernaires was formed in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1940 by Frank Crisler. The group started by singing in local churches for freewill offerings before signing a contract with Song Bird, a subsidiary of Peacock Records, in 1963. In the same year, the group released their first breakout single, "The Greatest Creator."

Their 1968 track, "Too Late," also went on to become a hit and led to the release of their first full-length album. The group also had a long-running weekly radio broadcast and hosted their own television program, Gospel Unlimited, in 1973.

The group became the first gospel act to sign with Malaco Records in 1975, which led them to the Billboard Top Gospel Albums list with titles Down Home, Legendary Gentleman, and Lord We Need Your Blessing.

The Gospel Music Workshop of America named the group Traditional Male Group of the Year in 1987, 1988, and 1989. They also won their first Stellar Award in 1989. The group earned a GRAMMY nomination for the Best Traditional Gospel Album for Thank You Mama For Praying for Me in 1992.

In 1993, longtime member Frank Williams passed away at 45. However, the group continued to release music and released tracks like "Word in Song" and "Brothers Dream...Alive."

A musical celebration in memory of Huey P. Williams will be held on March 28, 2025, at 6:00 pm at Fernwood MB Church, 3176 Fernwood Road, McComb, MS 39648, followed by a celebration of life on March 29, 2025, at 1:00 pm.