The Shields Brothers Gospel Singers
Formed in 1928, Cleveland, OH, United States
“In Post-World War I Era in Cleveland, a popular destination for African American migrants from the South, gospel music became increasingly popular. This growing popularity was due in no small measure to the business acumen of people like Claude Shields Sr., quartet singer, and owner of the Shields Brothers Cleaners on Cedar Avenue.
Since the 1920s, Cleveland’s gospel quartet artists have not hesitated to support the recording of the music, public programs, and publications about the gospel’s influence on other styles of American music, including Rock and Roll.”
Members
Lee R. Crosby (lead vocals, tenor vocals), Arthur Beasley (lead vocals), Arthur Turner (baritone vocals), Claude Shields Sr. (bass vocals)
Claude Shields Sr. owned and operated a dry cleaning company for over forty years under the name of the Shields Brothers Cleaners.
The Shields Brothers Senior’s last performance (the 1970s). The Shields Brothers were frequent guest singers on gospel radio and traveled across the country on the Gospel Quartet circuit. They were known for their sweet harmonious voices and sang consistently for 70 years.
Pictured here in the 1940s with a trophy won in a competition for enunciation, appearance, stage performance, and harmony, The Jubilee Four were a group of two sets of brothers and a neighbor, who began singing together in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1930s.
The group sang together until three of the members were drafted to serve in World War II. The members included Clifford Phelps, William Phelps, Eugene Ross, Johnny Shields, and Claude Shields Jr. They were later renamed The Shields Brothers.
Claude Shields Jr.
Claude Shields Jr. (1997)
Claude Shields Jr. received awards at Cleveland State University (2005).
The Gospel Music Historical Society presents a Black Tie Awards Gala; Saturday, November 2, 2019, at the Doubletree by Hilton in Beachwood, Ohio. See GMHS members for tickets and voting ballots.
DALE RICARDO SHIELDS
Activist-Artist-Historian
Dale Shields holds a legendary and award-winning resume as an artist and educator, historian, and activist in the arts. His professional work as an actor, director, and stage manager spans Broadway, off-Broadway, television, and film and includes acting credits on “Anyone Can Whistle,” “The Cosby Show” and “Saturday Night Live.”
As an educator, Shields has taught workshops and classes for several programs and institutions across Ohio and the United States, garnering him prestigious awards that include the 2017 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award®, the 2017 AUDELCO/“VIV” Special Achievement Award, The Actors Fund 2020 and 2021 ENCORE AWARD, 2015 Tony Award® nomination for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award and the 20222 Legend Award (Ohio University). He is the 2021 winner of the Paul Robeson Award, presented (jointly) by the Actors Equity Association and the Actors Equity Foundation.
“Dale Ricardo Shields, BFA ’75, MFA ’95, whose marks on the world and the lives of others place each in a league of its own. Shields holds a legendary and award-winning resume as an artist and educator, historian, and activist in the arts. His professional work as an actor, director, and stage manager spans Broadway, off-Broadway, television, and film and includes acting credits on “Anyone Can Whistle,” “The Cosby Show” and “Saturday Night Live.” As an educator, Shields has taught workshops and classes for several programs and institutions across Ohio and the United States, garnering him prestigious awards that include the 2017 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award®, the 2017 AUDELCO/“VIV” Special Achievement Award, The Actors Fund 2020 and 2021 ENCORE AWARD, and a 2015 Tony Award® nomination for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Shields’ drive to preserve the history of African American and Black actors includes the creation of the Facebook website Black Theatre/African American Voices and IForColor.org.”
© 2022 Ohio University
Shields’ drive to preserve the history of African American and Black actors includes the creation of the Facebook website Black Theatre/African American Voices and IForColor.org.
@ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED – Iforcolor.org/Dale Shields
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