The Ricky McKinnie Singers

The Ricky McKinnie Singers were organized in 1978, by the four time Grammy award winner Eric Ricky McKinnie of The Blind Boys of Alabama (see www.rickymckinnie.com). Ricky has been featured in magazines such as Modern Drummer and The Drum magazine just to name a few. He was accompanied by his mother Sarah McKinnie-Shivers (former singer for the famous Gene Martin Singers of Atlanta), his brother Willie “Chuck” Shivers and Gloria Meadows all of Atlanta.

In 1982 the group recorded their first album on the Southland music label entitled Here I Am. In 1985 The Ricky McKinnie Singers were on the list to be nominated for a Grammy award for their album I Never Had Love Before. Since then they have recorded two additional albums “Hold On To Gods Unchanging Hand” and “Don’t Give Up”. The group has four additional members; Mary Reid, (singer) Tabitha Thomas, (singer) Michael Wydell, (guitar player) and Econoa Jones (Keyboard) player). This group has excited audiences throughout the southeastern United States with their accapella, contemporary, soul, and traditional sounds. The group has appeared on such shows as The King Fest, The Sweet Auburn Avenue Fest, Six Flags (opening for the Rev. Al Green), Franklin Country Western Music Park (opening for Fats Domino), 1996 Olympics (Beulah AME Church on Auburn Ave.), Taste of Atlanta Fest (CNN Center), and The Georgia Mountain Fair, just to name a few. They were also featured on WSB Radio singing and advertising for Atlanta Alive sponsored by The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Here are a few quotes from some noted artist's:

Paul Beasley of the Original Gospel Keynotes says," If you like singing you'll love the Ricky Mckinney Singers, the music keeps you on your feet with a lively beat".

Jimmy Carter of the Blind Boys of Alabama says. "Mary Reid has one of the best voices that he has heard in a long tme and that Sarah Mckinney can excite a crowd with her dynamic voice and her energetic style. no matter who they are or where they come from".

John "Boot" Carter of the Soul Searchers says "They don't get no better than the Ricky Mckinney Singers".

When you speak of music say it loud and proud, The Ricky Mckinney Singers!

Sarah McKinnie-Shivers can be heard Sundays from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on radio station WYZE 1480 AM on the dial or www.WYZERADIO.COM from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. or from 9:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Sunday nights. Her program is “Words and Music for your Soul.”

The group is currently represented by Quality Sound Management of Atlanta, GA. Email qualitysoundmanagement@yahoo.com. Or phone at 404-371-4029.