1953
THIS WICKED RACE * CBS TRUMPETEERS & THE HARMONIZING FOUR * GOTHAM 738 * USA
Established in Richmond, Virginia 1927 The Harmonizing Four were a Gospel quartet who's original members is still (as of 10/2013) subject to dispute, of the founding members are the names: Thomas "Goat" Johnson, Levi Hansly, Joe Curby, Willie Peyton and Joseph "Gospel Joe" Williams. The group were very successful during the 1930s and 40s singing at such events as the funeral of President Roosevelt and the wedding of Sister Rosetta Tharpe. After leaving the major label MGM they signed with the independent Philadelphian label Gotham where they cut some nineteen singles during the period 1950 - 57, This Wicked Race an up-tempo Gospel belter is the B side to Mother's Prayer their ninth release on the label.
Formed in Baltimore and led by Joseph Johnson The CBS Trumpeteers were originally know as just The Trumpeteers, but it was after broadcasting for the Columbia Broadcasting System that out of recognition of this highly prized position that they renamed themselves The CBS Trumpeteers, Mother's Prayer/This Wicked Race was the groups only recording on the Gotham Gospel series.