Marion Williams Avoided Secular Music and Became a Gospel Legend

Gospel singer Marion Williams. Her trademark, a long-lasting high A-flat "whooo," has been adopted by most gospel singers and soul singers like Little Richard and Aretha Franklin. A self- proclaimed "Holy Roller", Williams received the Kennedy Center Honors Award last night in Washington for her lifetime achievement in the arts. When she's not performing, Williams sings traditional gospel at the African-Methodist-Episcopal church in Philadelphia--the first black church formed in America. Her new album is "Can't Keep It To Myself" (Sanachie).

Fresh Air Terry Gross's most pressing question for the blues and gospel group is, Why hasn't she heard of them before? For over twenty years, the real life brothers Sherman and Wendell, along with bandmate Popsy Dixon, have performed soulful, vocal-driven music. Their new album is called In the Spirit.

Ira Tucker will replace founder James Davis as the lead singer of the long-running gospel group. The ensemble inspired the vocal styles of several secular soul and R&B singers. Tucker talks about keeping the faith while on the road.