Willie Banks & The Messengers
When the story of Gospel Music is written, at least a chapter will be about Willie Banks And the Messengers. Born in Raymond, Mississippi, more than half a century ago, Willie started singing gospel with his mother - Mrs. Vinnie Christioan- Banks- at the age of five. Since then he has gone on to sing with The Flying Clouds, The S.C. Violionaires, The Trumpets of Joy, Sister Edna Gallmon cook, and The Jackson Southernaires.
In 1968 he formed his own group - "Willie Banks and The Southernaires". They were signed to the Peacock-Songbird label. Shortly after signing they released their first recording, entitled "Heaven Must Be A Beautiful Place".
It was in 1972 that formed Willie Banks and The Messengers. They were signed to the HSE Record Label of Nashville, Tennessee, and released four albums entitled "God's Goodness", For The Wrong I've Done", "Mother Why", abd "Still In Charge". In 1979 they received a Grammy nomination for Traditional Male Group of The Year. All of the forementioned albums were mainstays on the Billboard Magazine Top Forty Spiritual Charts.
Like most who had labored hard in the vineyard, Willie Banks looked forward to the day that he would come off the road and spend the majority of his time with his family in Raymond. All of his plans dramatically changed when on July 6, 1981 - 19 miles west of Atlanta, Georgia - the van that carried the band left the road and plunged fifty feet down an embankment. This tragic accident took the life of one of his musicians,and nearly took Willie's. After having been thrown from the van, he laid in the high bushes for what seemed like days, waiting for someone to find him. He couldn't move because his legs and arms were broken. He couldn't call out for help because he was drifting in and out of consciousness; and all but a few of his teeth had been knocked out. The only thing that he could do was call on the Lord. Willie made a vow to the Lord that if his life was spared he would sing God's praises as long as his tongue would move. Thank God, for he heard Willie's prayer.
In 1988, Wille and The Messengers signed with Malaco Records of Jackson, Mississippi and released their first album shortly thereafter, entitled "Just Look At The Blessings". This album received extensive airplay throughout the country. The blessings didn't stop there, as in 1990 Malaco released their second album, "Masterpiece". This album immediately took up where the first one left off with extensive airplay in every market.
Willie Banks died on February 1,1993. The Messengers continue to sing praises unto God, for they know that "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not God's word". Their latest release on Malaco, "Pressing Toward th Mark" is testamentary. For they have decided not to dwell "on those things which are behind, but to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ".
Group members are: Willie Mitchell, James Williams, Clincy Bell, Charles Blakely, Cecil Kirby and Greg Flowers.
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