The Electrifying Crown Seekers Gospel Singers is a down-home, country-tinged gospel group from Marrero, LA.

 

The group was founded in 1965 by James Williams, Sr., The Electrifying Crown Seekers anchored a vibrant, under-the-radar gospel music community in the heart of the birthplace of jazz – “Naw’lins” (New Orleans).

 

Originally from Liberty, Mississippi and trained in Jimmy Reed-style blues guitar, James Williams is now the only original member of the 49-year-old Crown Seekers, currently backed by members of his large musical family and their community. Two of Williams’ sons, 19 years apart, have played drums for the Crown Seekers. “My father used to run me out of the house when I was trying to play the guitar,” remembers Williams. “When I got good? He used to brag on me so much and bring his friends around to hear me play. So when both of my sons started banging on pots, I got ‘em drums, I never ran my kids out. I always defended them and their noise. And they got good!” 46-year-old Brent Williams, a resident of Austin TX, left the band years ago for the military & a corporate career, handing over duties to now 26-year-old Keith Williams. When Keith can’t make the service, their 16-year-old nephew Lee Murphy, Jr. mans the Crown Seekers’ drum kit.

 

Dedicated to preserving the raw quartet style of singing made famous by The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Blind Boys of Alabama, the Crown Seekers and the New Orleans quartet community fostered a nascent local circuit that, by 2004, supported close to 50 regular acts. Read more...