Blackhawk grad and Gospel Hall of Famer collaborate on album – The Times

At the age of 89, Jimmy Carter believes the time is right to release his first solo album.

"I've always wanted to do one, though I knew it would be a challenge," said Carter, who asthe eldestmember of the esteemed Blind Boys of Alabama, has sung for threepresidents, won fiveGrammy Awards and collaborated with musical legends like Peter Gabriel and Willie Nelson.

Carter's new and roots-y gospel album, "Blind Faith," cameout Sept. 21, bearingthe considerable imprint of South Beaver Township songwriter Ron Pullman, who wrote all ninesongs.

"Jimmy gave me full creative freedom in that regard," Pullman, a Blackhawk graduate, said."I spent a lot time trying to understand what Jimmy wanted; thefeel and message, andthe overall sound."

Pullman originals like "After The Storm," "Love to Pray"and the "Blind Faith" title track find Carter singing witha weathered-many-hardshipsrawness and upliftingpositivity.

Instrumentation rangesfrom country-western fiddle and dobro, to New Orleans piano, to Spanish flamenco guitar andblues harmonica.

On bluesy closing track "Why Me," Carter suddenly breaks away from singing, talking conversationally to listeners as he admits he's askedGod why he was the only one of six siblings born blind. As a listener, it stops you in your tracks you mean after eight straight faith-filled songs, Carter is now questioning his divine destiny?

But then Carter explains, in thelargely improvised passage,how he came to understand he was born blind to beput on hisamazing journey that has inspired countless people.

"It hasn't been easy, but God has been faithful," he says in the song.

Carter joined the Blind Boys of Alabama in 1982, helpingthe groupemergefrom Southern church concert circuitto globallyrecognized stature. Carter technically was there at the group's onset in 1939, one of thekids at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind who would sing for fun. A few of the older kids there forgeda gospel group that began playing church engagements in the Deep South. Carter was too young to join them on the road.

The Blind Boyspersevered through an unparalleled eightdecades to become one of the most recognized and decorated gospel music groups.

As the band's bio states, "Its almost unbelievable that a group of blind, African-American singers, who started out touring during a time of whites-only bathrooms, restaurants and hotels, went on to win five GrammyAwards, a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and to perform at the White House for three different presidents (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.)"

Musical stalwartslike Mavis Staples, Ben Harper and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver enlisted the Blind Boys' vocal talents. The group toured internationally, playing a2011 headlining show at the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh.

Well aware of the Blind Boys' prodigious talents and stellar reputation, Pullman hired the group to sing on one of his solo songs,Crossing The Threshold, in a Columbus, Ohio, recording session on June 5 (his birthday)2017.

"That was to be the first song on my first gospel record that I was writing," Pullman said.

Jimmy Hoyson, of The Vault recordingstudio on Neville Island, did the producing,havingworked with the Blind Boys on their Grammy-winning 2001 traditional Southern gospel recordSpirit of the Century.

Pullman had collaboratedwith rock stars before, co-writing withDenny Laineof The Moody Blues and the Paul McCartney-ledWings, and writing for Lenny Zakatek, lead vocalist for The Alan Parsons Project ("I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You.")

"I initially asked The Blind Boys to sing on another song that was to be on my soft-rock record, but they turned me down, citing they dont sing on love songs," Pullman said.

"Theirmanager, Charles Driebe, later wrote me and said,'Please dont be discouraged because we have refused to sing on other peoples songs, the likes of Elton John and Jimmy Buffett.'"

Driebe said the Blind Boys would consider singing on othergospel songs.

Pullman stayed in touch with the group, mainlyCarter, the longest-tenured member who called him in 2020 saying he was readyto record asolo album.

"I liked his material, he liked my voice, and the rest is history," Carter said in a phone interview.

Their"Blind Faith" sessions would include guest vocals from the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, and the choir at the now-namedAlabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, whichCarter and theBlind Boys of Alabama founders attended.

With "Blind Faith"out now on major platforms, Carter and Pullman will focus on promotion, hoping to score TV or radio interviews. Carter, who recalls a trip to Pittsburgh's Hill District to try Willie Stargell's chicken restaurant, says he hopes to appear on KDKA-AM because he's listened to it often.

"We'd also really like to do some nice-end tour dates sprinkled here and there," Pullman,who made a guest appearance this summer at the Tribute to The Music of Elton John show at Beaver's Linn Park,said.

"The knowledge I have gained from these experiences is that every good and perfect gift is from above," Pullman said.I think of my gift of songwriting as a vessel, being used by the Lord to promote His message of peace."

For Carter, a new album is the latest chapter of a musical journey begun 80 years ago.

"I have always wanted to help people. I love people," Carter said. "I hope this project will energize people and change lives. Where there is light, there is hope; and where there is hope, there is a chance."

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Scott Tady is thelocal Entertainment Reporterfor The Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He's easy to reach at stady@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @scotttady

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Blackhawk grad and Gospel Hall of Famer collaborate on album - The Times