10 July 2012

THE O'NEAL TWiNS - Jesus Dropped The Charges

If you have seen the essential gospel documentary Say Amen Somebody, you already know about these gentlemen.  Large of size, voice and soul. Their albums are hard to find but well worth the search.

"The late Edgar O'Neal and brother, the late Edward Vazon O'Neal Jr., began singing gospel at age 12. In 1969, the O'Neals were voted the "World's Greatest Gospel Duo'' by the National Association of Television and Radio Artists. Their duet "Jesus Dropped the Charges'' won them national acclaim in the movie "Say Amen, Somebody'' — a documentary on gospel music pioneer Willa Mae Ford Smith.

In 2004, the duo were inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin and other gospel figures. The duo recorded nearly two dozen albums, including some for Leon Russell's record label.

During the 1950s, the O'Neal brothers performed in churches around St. Louis. By 1960, they were performing outside the area.They performed nationally at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and the Kennedy Center, and locally at the Fox Theatre, American Theatre, Powell Symphony Hall, Kiel Auditorium and Westport Playhouse."









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