Since 1934 the Blackwood family has been a household name in the Gospel music world. The Blackwoods have performed with artists such as Johnny and June Carter Cash, Porter Wagoner, Charley Pride, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, The Bill Gaither Homecoming Videos, etc. The late Elvis Presley often told his friends and audiences that he admired the harmony of The Blackwood Brothers above all other singing groups. They have won 8 Grammys, 27 dove awards and 5 American Music awards, and have sold over 60 million records. The Blackwood family has been inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame (Listed under F: FAVORITE GOSPEL SONGS AND SPIRITUALS, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet), the GMA Gospel Music Hall Of Fame , the SGMA Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame , and the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame . The Blackwood family is heard singing on the radio towards the beginning of the new movie "Walk The Line" about Johnny Cash when Johnny (actor-Joaquin Phoenix) was in Memphis. The Blackwood family, Johnny Cash and the Cash family established a wonderful friendship that led to appearing together through the years on both recordings and live performances. The Blackwood Quartet-- and The Blackwood Singers-- were among Elvis Presley's favorite musical groups, which led to The Blackwood family and Elvis forming an enduring friendship that would also last a lifetime. The Blackwood family has a long list of wonderful enduring friendships and has performed with many well-known artists over the years. The Blackwood Quartet-- gospel group features the only two living Blackwood brothers singing together. The Blackwoods-- also feature the group, The Blackwood Singers--.
The Blackwoods were innovators who created the first customized tour bus to make travel more spacious and comfortable for entertainers. Elvis saw their bus and went straight out and had one made for him. A replica of the bus can be seen at the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
The Blackwoods-- perform at their breakfast show , Tuesday through Sunday at the Black Bear Jamboree in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
“MC - Baritone†- Ron Blackwood
Ron Blackwood, of Memphis, Tennessee, the “Patriarch of the Blackwood family,†is the oldest son of RW Blackwood, Sr. Ron not only co-owns the Blackwood Quartet-- with his wife, Shelley, he also sings baritone for the Blackwood Quartet--, and keeps the show moving with contagious energy and exciting MC work. Most would agree that he is the driving force behind The Blackwoods--. He and Shelley enjoy living in the Smoky Mountains where he loves walking his dogs and spending time with his three youngest sons, (see Shelley’s bio below). He is also very proud of his four adult children: Neal, Ronda, Alicia, and Ron Jr. who have given him 7 beautiful grandchildren.
“Alto†- Shelley Layne Blackwood
Shelley Layne Blackwood, the wife of Ron Blackwood, is also a native Texan. Shelley began singing with the Blackwood family after enjoying a successful broadcasting career as both a National News Anchor and Dallas, Texas morning radio personality. She has worked with such outlets at BBC, CNN, FOX, TBN, USA, and MORE! Her mellow, Alto voice fills in the harmony of the Blackwood Singers--. She and Ron are raising their three sons, Nathan, Noah, and Nicolas in the Beautiful Smoky Mountains, where she is now completing her Bachelor of Science degree at Carson-Newman College. Living victoriously with lung disease, Shelley uses her talent to inspire others as a spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
“Lead Singer†- R.W. Blackwood, JR.
R.W. Blackwood, JR., raised in Memphis, has devoted his life to upholding the Blackwood family’s musical heritage. R.W. sings Lead for both the Blackwood Singers-- and Blackwood Quartet--, and co-owns the mixed group, Blackwood Singers-- with his wife, Donna. R.W. began singing at the age of 11, traveling with the Blackwood Brothers after the death of his father. As a member of the Hall of Fame inducted Blackwood Brothers Quartet--, he has performed along side legends like Elvis Presley, Roy Rogers, and many others. Bill Gaither has welcomed R.W. and his family to be a part of his very popular Homecoming videos many times. He has also made numerous appearances on TBN, Daystar & other Broadcast outlets.
“Soprano†- Donna Blackwood
Donna Blackwood, of Houston, Texas, is the wife of R.W. Blackwood, Jr. Donna studied voice at the prestigious Houston Conservatory of Music. Her incredible vocal range and beautiful Soprano voice make it easy to see why she has been nominated many times as the top female vocalist in Gospel Music. Performing with the group she co-owns with her husband, the Blackwood Singers--, Donna made popular the hit songs, He was There All the Time and Through it All. She and R.W. have two adult children, Andrea (who performed with her parents for years and is seen on TBN and many of the Gaither videos) and Robbie (one of the TOP drummers in Branson, MO), and 8 beautiful grandchildren.
“Bass†- Paul Hyde
Paul Hyde is originally from Meriden, Connecticut, now resides in Morristown, Tennessee. His powerful Bass voice provides the foundation for the harmony of both the Blackwood Quartet-- and Blackwood Singers--. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Paul enjoys singing full-time with the Blackwoods, one of the few professional singing groups that can afford him precious time with his wife, Freda and daughters Leslie, Hannah, and Maddy.
“Tenor†- John Rulapaugh
John Rulapaugh, of LaPlata, Maryland, tops off the harmony of the Blackwood Quartet-- with a driving Tenor voice. Many say this Super-Tenor is “the best in the business!†The newest addition to the Blackwoods, John decided to leave behind full time road life traveling with other Gospel groups, like Palmetto State Quartet and the Dove Brothers, to spend time with his beautiful wife, Jennifer, and their little girl, Jaydon. Now calling East Tennessee home, John and Jennifer also own Vacation Valley Cabin Rentals in Sevierville.