Biography
Observers compared the siblings so closely to the Staple Singers that audiences at their first shows supplied the phrase that became the group’s name. A gospel-soul family act from Mississippi, the Staples Jr. Singers remained regionally known for decades before wider attention arrived. Their initial recordings comprised two singles and the 1975 album When Do We Get Paid, released on the small gospel imprint Brenda and distinguished by raw emotional force and forceful, gritty vocals. David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label rediscovered the set and reissued it in 2022, prompting a reunion and the deeply soulful follow-up Searching.
The Brown children of Aberdeen, Mississippi, began performing together in 1967. Within a few years the core lineup consisted of vocalists Edward Brown, Annie Brown, and Cleveland Brown, guitarist-vocalist A.R.C. Brown, and bassist Ronnell Brown. Steeped in traditional Southern gospel, the siblings first sang in church before appearing at schools and private events. After touring the South and Midwest they adopted the name Staples Jr. Singers to honor their chief influence and made their recording debut in 1974 with the Brenda 7-inch “Waiting for the Trumpet to Sound” b/w “We Got a Race to Run,” originals written respectively by Edward and Annie. The following year Brenda issued the full-length When Do We Get Paid. Recorded in a single day with drummer Corl Walker, the album moved from exuberant soul to hypnotic blues and featured the contemplative title track, an appeal for equality. Limited distribution prompted the Browns to sell copies at shows and from their home. A second single appeared on the Praise label in 1979.
Although no second album materialized at the time, the Browns kept performing and also recorded with outfits such as the Caldwell Singers, featuring Annie Brown (later known as Annie Brown Caldwell), and the Sensational Brown Brothers. Ronnell Brown passed away in 2011. In 2019 Luaka Bop placed “We Got a Race to Run” on the compilation The Time for Peace Is Now, which led to the 2022 reissue of When Do We Get Paid. Edward, Annie, Cleveland, and A.R.C., joined by additional family members, revived the Staples Jr. Singers for several live appearances tied to the re-release. Buoyed by renewed interest from classic-soul and gospel listeners, the group entered the Message Center studio in West Point, Mississippi, in October 2023 to cut a long-delayed second album. Edward Brown and Annie Brown Caldwell sang lead, A.R.C. Brown handled guitar and vocals, Troy Brown supplied backing vocals, and Gary Brown and Jaylin Brown played bass and drums. Luaka Bop released the resulting Searching, a potent reminder of 1970s soul, funk, and gospel, in June 2024.
The Brown children of Aberdeen, Mississippi, began performing together in 1967. Within a few years the core lineup consisted of vocalists Edward Brown, Annie Brown, and Cleveland Brown, guitarist-vocalist A.R.C. Brown, and bassist Ronnell Brown. Steeped in traditional Southern gospel, the siblings first sang in church before appearing at schools and private events. After touring the South and Midwest they adopted the name Staples Jr. Singers to honor their chief influence and made their recording debut in 1974 with the Brenda 7-inch “Waiting for the Trumpet to Sound” b/w “We Got a Race to Run,” originals written respectively by Edward and Annie. The following year Brenda issued the full-length When Do We Get Paid. Recorded in a single day with drummer Corl Walker, the album moved from exuberant soul to hypnotic blues and featured the contemplative title track, an appeal for equality. Limited distribution prompted the Browns to sell copies at shows and from their home. A second single appeared on the Praise label in 1979.
Although no second album materialized at the time, the Browns kept performing and also recorded with outfits such as the Caldwell Singers, featuring Annie Brown (later known as Annie Brown Caldwell), and the Sensational Brown Brothers. Ronnell Brown passed away in 2011. In 2019 Luaka Bop placed “We Got a Race to Run” on the compilation The Time for Peace Is Now, which led to the 2022 reissue of When Do We Get Paid. Edward, Annie, Cleveland, and A.R.C., joined by additional family members, revived the Staples Jr. Singers for several live appearances tied to the re-release. Buoyed by renewed interest from classic-soul and gospel listeners, the group entered the Message Center studio in West Point, Mississippi, in October 2023 to cut a long-delayed second album. Edward Brown and Annie Brown Caldwell sang lead, A.R.C. Brown handled guitar and vocals, Troy Brown supplied backing vocals, and Gary Brown and Jaylin Brown played bass and drums. Luaka Bop released the resulting Searching, a potent reminder of 1970s soul, funk, and gospel, in June 2024.