The Whispers Are Back And Are On The Billboard Charts!
THE WHISPERS ARE “THANKFUL” TO BE BACK ON CHARTS
After 40 Years and Over 10 Million Album Sales,
The Legendary Group’s First Inspirational CD “Thankful” is A Smash Hit
The legendary R&B group, The Whispers, are back and their fans have shown their appreciation in a big way. The veteran group’s first CD of new material in a decade, Thankful (Kingdom Records), has debuted at #3 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart, #34 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart, #19 on the Independent Album sales chart and #10 on the Billboard Top Christian Album sales chart.
“This has been a great journey to work with The Whispers to deliver a wonderful project along with producers Fred Hammond and Magic,” says Kingdom Records CEO Joan Sullivan. “The guys captured what was in their hearts for God and we are pleased at the success of the project and its’ debut on the charts. We are still excited that the Whispers chose Kingdom Records in this season of their lives to help fulfill their vision of making gospel music for God’s glory.”
The smooth first radio single “For Thou Art with Me” is winning over gospel and Urban AC radio programmers. Michael Tee at WXST in Charleston says, “It’s Gospel meets Quiet Storm” while Skip Dillard at New York’s WBLS says, “It’s a really nice song. I could see it in gospel and R&B rotation.” The Whispers and Fred Hammond produced the 10-song CD of original music. “Working with The Whispers was truly a dream come true,” Hammond says. “I grew up listening to The Whispers and patterned a large part of my personal vocal style after, who have now become affectionately known as, uncles Scottie and Walter.”
“We’ve been wanting to do this for ten years. God has been really, really good to the Whispers,” says The Whispers’ founding member Nick Caldwell. “He was looking out for us even when we were ignoring Him. He allowed us to live long enough to do this inspirational CD that we want to use to inspire people to get closer to God.”
With 50 R&B chart singles, The Whispers are one of the most successful vocal groups in soul music history. Twin brothers Wallace and Walter Scott (aka “Scotty”) formed the group in 1963 with Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson and Gordon Harmon (replaced by Leaveil Degree in 1973). They sang on the street corners of the Watts area of Los Angeles before they earned their first record deal in 1964. The label chief named them The Whispers because of their smooth sound. Since then the group has enjoyed a string of hits that has maintained their position as one of urban music’s top concert draws.
Among their dance-oriented hits are the #1 Billboard R&B chart singles “And the Beat Goes On” and “Rock Steady.” Other rhythmic hits include “It’s A Love Thing” and “Keep on Loving Me.” The group has also laid down their share of classic slow jams such as “Lady”, “Just Gets Better with Time”, “In the Mood” and “Say Yes.” The Grammy and American Music Award nominated ensemble has earned seven gold or platinum singles or albums, a 2002 NAACP Image Award and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.