MANSFIELD, PA— The Fairfield Four, the most distinguished proponents of traditional African American a cappella gospel singing working today, will perform in concert at Mansfield; University’s Steadman Theatre on Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m.
The Fairfield Four quartet will be the featured guest artists at the annual Young Men’s Choral Festival (YMFC), organized by the student American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) chapter.
Organized in 1921 by Reverend J.R. Carrethers, assistant pastor of the Fairfield Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, the a cappella style of the Fairfield Four was drawn from the Birmingham, AL, quartet tradition exemplified by recording groups such as the Bessemer Sunset Four, the Birmingham Jubilee Singers, and the Famous Blue Jay Singers with lead vocalist, Silas Steele.
The Fairfield Four were among the pioneers of African American gospel groups that used radio to reach broader audiences. Today, the Fairfield Four are best known from their appearance on the soundtrack and on screen in the Coen Brothers 2000 film, O Brother Where Art Thou. They are multiple Grammy winners with albums including Standing in the Safety Zone (1992), I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray (1997), Wreckin’ the House (1998), The Fairfield Four and Friends Live from Mountain Stage (2000) and by their bass singer Isaac Freeman with the Bluebloods, Beautiful Stars (2003).
The current members of the Fairfield Four are Joe Thompson, Levert Allison, Larrice Byrd, Sr. and Bobbye Sherrell. These four soulful voices combine into a rich harmony that’s “as soothing as a cool breeze on a hot summer day.”
Admission for the concert is $10 at the door. MU students with ID will be admitted free of charge.
The YMCF is supported in part by student activity fees.