The Pattersonaires

The Pattersonaires in a promotional photograph. (Photograph by Larwence Jasud. Courtesy of the High Water Archive)

Founded in 1953 by Willie Gordon, the group is named after the Reverend Charles Patterson. The group’s early history is focused around Gordon’s need for a special group to perform at a Men’s Day church program shortly after forming some base choirs for his church: the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis. This early era was also bolstered by Gordon’s secondary job, where he would regularly play on radio broadcasts for the Reverand W. Herbert Brewster. The Pattersonaires would regularly appear, and many of the group’s songs were also penned by Rev. Brewster.

Stylistically, the group began by singing in the more traditional four-part harmonies, but quickly decided to move away from this format. This would lead them to a three-part singing style that would grow extremely popular as the next few decades would progress. On top of this new style, the group would also be amongst the first to feature a lead-singer, most often done by Willie and Roy Neal. It should also be noted that these two are the only members of the group that have had extensive performing careers before joining the group, that being with the Gospel Writer Junior Boys, who are related to another High Water gospel group: the Gospel Writers.

The Pattersonaires were highly popular throughout Memphis, often being heavily in demand for larger church events and other programs.

Image Gallery:

The Pattersonaires at a church event. (Photograph unknown. Courtesy of the High Water Archives)

The Pattersonaires at a promotional photoshoot. (Photograph by Lawrence Jasud. Courtesy of the High Water Archives)