Biography
Despite falling short of the broad national reach attained by contemporaries such as the Ward Singers or the Caravans, the Meditation Singers established themselves as Detroit’s leading female gospel ensemble throughout the 1950s. They became the first Motor City act to abandon a cappella conventions in favor of instrumental support, and their membership later supplied two notable secular pop figures in Della Reese and Laura Lee.
The group took shape in 1947, arising from the celebrated Moments of Meditation choir at Detroit’s New Liberty Baptist Church. Earnestine Rundless, wife of one-time Soul Stirrer E.A. Rundless, functioned as its principal leader.
Invitations from additional congregations for the Moments of Meditation to perform prompted the creation of the Meditation Singers, initially as an octet; however, the large roster rendered crosstown travel unworkable, so the lineup was pared to a quartet featuring Rundless, Reese (who frequently handled lead vocals), alto Marie Waters (Reese’s sister), and soprano Lillian Mitchell.
Recognition spread swiftly, allowing performances throughout the Midwest, and the group captured its first material in early 1953 inside a local record store.
Reese soon exited to pursue pop opportunities and was succeeded by Lee, Rundless’s teenage daughter. Unbeknownst to the Meditations, the recording was licensed to the Deluxe label, after which they secured a contract with Specialty.
Their next session, held in spring 1954, also incorporated co-lead Carrie Williams, tenor Herbert Carson, and pianist Emory Radford. Williams departed after a short tenure to run a beauty salon in Detroit, while Carson later joined the Herman Stevens Singers and other ensembles.
Disappointing sales led Specialty to release the Meditations, who concentrated on touring during the mid-1950s. By the close of the decade they were collaborating regularly with the legendary James Cleveland, whose participation encouraged Specialty to propose a fresh agreement.
A third Specialty session occurred in mid-1959, yet the label soon abandoned the gospel market entirely, so no fourth date took place. The group instead moved to the Hob label and recorded once more with Cleveland before he exited their ranks.
Throughout the 1960s the Meditations appeared on an array of imprints that included SAR, Chess, Checker, Savoy, and Jewel. They maintained a constant touring schedule and, in 1962, became one of the first gospel acts to perform in Las Vegas when they backed Reese at the Flamingo Casino.
The engagement drew the attention of Frank Sinatra, who singled out Lee’s potential for pop stardom. She remained until 1965, then shifted into secular soul music and later scored a hit with “Women’s Love Rights.”
The Meditations persisted without her, continuing to tour regularly until the early 1980s.
The group took shape in 1947, arising from the celebrated Moments of Meditation choir at Detroit’s New Liberty Baptist Church. Earnestine Rundless, wife of one-time Soul Stirrer E.A. Rundless, functioned as its principal leader.
Invitations from additional congregations for the Moments of Meditation to perform prompted the creation of the Meditation Singers, initially as an octet; however, the large roster rendered crosstown travel unworkable, so the lineup was pared to a quartet featuring Rundless, Reese (who frequently handled lead vocals), alto Marie Waters (Reese’s sister), and soprano Lillian Mitchell.
Recognition spread swiftly, allowing performances throughout the Midwest, and the group captured its first material in early 1953 inside a local record store.
Reese soon exited to pursue pop opportunities and was succeeded by Lee, Rundless’s teenage daughter. Unbeknownst to the Meditations, the recording was licensed to the Deluxe label, after which they secured a contract with Specialty.
Their next session, held in spring 1954, also incorporated co-lead Carrie Williams, tenor Herbert Carson, and pianist Emory Radford. Williams departed after a short tenure to run a beauty salon in Detroit, while Carson later joined the Herman Stevens Singers and other ensembles.
Disappointing sales led Specialty to release the Meditations, who concentrated on touring during the mid-1950s. By the close of the decade they were collaborating regularly with the legendary James Cleveland, whose participation encouraged Specialty to propose a fresh agreement.
A third Specialty session occurred in mid-1959, yet the label soon abandoned the gospel market entirely, so no fourth date took place. The group instead moved to the Hob label and recorded once more with Cleveland before he exited their ranks.
Throughout the 1960s the Meditations appeared on an array of imprints that included SAR, Chess, Checker, Savoy, and Jewel. They maintained a constant touring schedule and, in 1962, became one of the first gospel acts to perform in Las Vegas when they backed Reese at the Flamingo Casino.
The engagement drew the attention of Frank Sinatra, who singled out Lee’s potential for pop stardom. She remained until 1965, then shifted into secular soul music and later scored a hit with “Women’s Love Rights.”
The Meditations persisted without her, continuing to tour regularly until the early 1980s.
Albums
