The Blind Boys of Alabama formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939. The group toiled for almost 40 years almost exclusively on the black gospel circuit, playing in churches, auditoriums, and even stadiums across the country. Their recorded output, reaching back to 1948 with their hit 'I Can See Everybody?s Mother But Mine' on the Veejay label, is widely recognized as being influential for many gospel, R&B and rock 'n' roll artists. The Blind Boys had their own chance to "cross over" to popular music in the 1950′s, along with their gospel friend and contemporary Sam Cooke, but stayed true to their calling. In the 1960′s, they joined the Civil Rights movement, performing at benefits for Dr. Martin Luther King.
Led by founding member Clarence Fountain, the rest of the group currently consists of Eric McKinney, George Scott, Caleb Butler, Johnny Field, Jimmy Carter, Joey Williams, Donald Dillion and Aubrey Blount.