Biography
The Echoaires, a contemporary gospel ensemble based in the small Tennessee community of Moscow just east of Memphis, blend rotating solo turns with four-part vocal harmonies. Joseph Johnson and Charles Houston launched the outfit in 1993, aiming to fuse personal testimony, layered harmony, and inventive chord work in ways that would deeply affect audiences. Their debut album, It's a Miracle, appeared as a self-released project in 1997. Live shows that gained traction in the region led to invitations for the Gospel Music Workshop of America artist showcase in both 1998 and 1999. The follow-up release, Determined to Make It, came out in 2001 as a live recording.
In the ensuing years the group captured vocal competition titles at both regional and national events while sharing stages with the Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams & the Spiritual QC's, LaShun Pace, and J Moss. Lineup shifts occurred repeatedly, among them a renewed commitment to the project after two members died in 2003. A 2008 deal with Memphis-based Ecko Records produced the 2009 album Transformation: Live in Memphis, TN. Ol' Skool, Nu Flava arrived later in 2010. Still fronted by Joseph Johnson, the Echoaires issued their fifth album, Stronger Than Ever, on the same Ecko label in 2016.
In the ensuing years the group captured vocal competition titles at both regional and national events while sharing stages with the Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams & the Spiritual QC's, LaShun Pace, and J Moss. Lineup shifts occurred repeatedly, among them a renewed commitment to the project after two members died in 2003. A 2008 deal with Memphis-based Ecko Records produced the 2009 album Transformation: Live in Memphis, TN. Ol' Skool, Nu Flava arrived later in 2010. Still fronted by Joseph Johnson, the Echoaires issued their fifth album, Stronger Than Ever, on the same Ecko label in 2016.
Albums
Singles
