Artist:Sister Wynona Carr
Song:The Ball Game
Album:Dragnet for Jesus
Though gospel singer Sister Wynona Carr had little success during her career in the 50s, there was renewed interest when Specialty Records released this 1991 comp and Garrison Keillor played The Ball Game on his Prairie Home Companion radio show. She was born Aug. 23, 1923 in Cleveland. She learned to play piano as a child. As a teen, she studied at the Cleveland Music College. After moving to Detroit she formed her own group and went on tour. J.W. Alexander of The Pilgrim Travelers was so impressed with Wynona's talents, he funded a demo and sent it to Specialty Records owner Art Rupe. He signed Wynona and brought her to Los Angeles to record with session pianist Austin McCoy. Wynona's recordings were similar to Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the sense that they were not typical gospel but a mix of gospel, R&B and jazz. Rupe encouraged the comparison but Wynona didn't like it. Among other things, Wynona recorded a gospel reworking of St. James Infirmary Blues (I'm a Pilgrim Traveler) and Good Rockin' Tonight (I Heard the News). Rupe thought Wynona's music was too daring so he was reluctant to promote her. The Ball Game was recorded in 1952. Of course it uses baseball as a metaphor. It was a gospel hit but Rupe could have done more with Wynona. Another problem was Wynona lived in Detroit and had to go to Los Angeles to record. Wynona became frustrated and decided to record secular music in 1954. Just as she was starting to have success, Wynona was stricken by tuberculosis. She left Specialty in 1959. After recording a 1961 album for Frank Sinatra's Reprise label, Wynona tried to continue touring. But the illness was too much and she died on May 11, 1976 at age 52. After Specialty released this 1991 comp, Garrison Keillor played The Ball Game on his Prairie Home Companion radio show. This led to a rediscovery of Sister Wynona Carr. The Ball Game was used in the film 42. This comp is available as a digital download. Here's a video for The Ball Game by Sister Wynona Carr.
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