African American gospel 45s from downstate Illinois are few and far between but every once in a while a new one turns up. This obscure single was released in early 1976 by the Jordan Aires, a group from Springfield, Illinois.
The Jordan Aires were performing in the capital city as early as 1967. The members of the group are unknown except for the two vocalists listed on the record: Reverend Doffie Allison and Nathan Williams.
The single was recorded at the Smoke Signal Sound Studio in Carbondale (which was later moved to nearby Makanda) and released on the studio's label, Smokey Soul. The Jordan Aires performed in the Carbondale area in July 1976 along with the Family-Aires of Carbondale and the Jones Singers from Springfield.
"They That Wait (On The Lord)" b/w "I Found Joy (In A Christian Way)"
(Smokey Soul SS 01276)
Rev Dr. Doffie Lee Allison Sr. passed away in 2012. According to his obituary, he was born in Glendora, Mississippi. He moved to Illinois by the mid-1960's, attended Lincoln Land Community College and worked for the Springfield Mass Transit District as a bus driver for many years. There is no mention of the Jordan Aires however the memorial states, "In 1979, Rev. Allison organized the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Pastor and worked diligently until the time of his death."
If anyone has any more information about the Jordan Aires, please get in touch and we will add it to this story. ( downstatesounds@gmail.com )
For more examples of African American gospel from downstate Illinois, including two other groups from Springfield, listen to our old radio show from 2020: SHOW #41
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