Blind Boys of Alabama perform in the Radio Heartland studio (full session + interview)

Blind Boys of Alabama - God Knows Everything (Live on Radio Heartland)

Blind Boys of Alabama - I Can See (Live on Radio Heartland)

Blind Boys of Alabama - Amazing Grace (Live on Radio Heartland)

What a thrill. I mean … these guys have been singing together for more than seven decades! From their roots as young singers at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind to their many appearances at the White House, the Blind Boys of Alabama are still keeping the gospel flame alive. 

 is the group's 71st record in their history, and it contains songs penned for them by such writers as Phil Cook, Valerie June, John Leventhal, Marc Cohn and more. And the lyrics were based on autobiographical interviews with the Blind Boys' two surviving original members, Clarence Fountain and Jimmy Carter.

The Blind Boys of Alabama took a little time to bring their band into the Radio Heartland studios to talk about the new album and to perform some of this new material. The speaking voices you'll hear in the interview are leader Jimmy Carter, musical director Joey Williams and singer Ricky McKinnie.

The first two songs are from the Blind Boys of Alabama's 2017 album, 

Gallery

Phil Cook performs in The Current studio

Valerie June performs in The Current studio

Review and photos: Irma Thomas, Blind Boys of Alabama send their voices to Guthrie rafters

Mike came to MPR as a newsroom intern in 1988 and since then has been an audio engineer, mail delivery boy, overnight news host, production manager, program manager and producer with MPR News talk shows Midday and Midmorning. Most recently, Mike produced The Morning Show with Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole. A native Minnesotan, Mike was a touring musician around the Midwest before arriving at MPR and holds a B.A. in Music Education from Gustavus Adolphus College.


Host, Radio Heartland and Producer for Classical Music

Mike Pengra

The Blind Boys of Alabama have been singing together for more than seven decades, and they've recently released their 71st album, 'Almost Home.' The group recently visited the Radio Heartland studio to talk about the album and to perform some of the new material, as well as to perform their take on a longtime traditional hymn.


Members of the Blind Boys of Alabama perform in Studio M.

Evan Frost | MPR News

Three members of the Blind Boys of Alabama perform in Studio M.

The Blind Boys of Alabama pose for a photo with some of The Current Staff.

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