The Blind Boys of Alabama

The Blind Boys of Alabama are a long-running gospel vocal group who have been performing since 1939! The original band got together at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind when they were still children. Tho’ they mostly stuck to performing in the church for their first six decades, the Blind Boys of Alabama began an ascent into pop music in the early ’00s when they racked up a Grammy, made TV appearances, and their “Way Down in the Hole” was used as the theme for The Wire. As a result, they’ve dealt more in reverent anthems and hymns over the last couple decades, sorta updating their traditional black gospel sound, but keeping themselves close with Jesus. MIKE NIPPER