GOLDEN-AIRES

Of Cincinnati, Ohio

from l to r: Charles Collier, George Russell, Keith Little, Rev. Leon Hamner, and  Willie Collins

The Goldenaires were originally brought together in 1968 by Jesse Willingham, gathering at his grandmother’s home on Windham Street in Cincinnati. The original members were Jesse Willingham, Booker Frost, Mike Rocker, Thomas Tobey, and Delbert and Chafois “Chappie” Gilliam. At the time of their first recording, for Style Wooten’s Designer label around 1974, the group included key members George Russell, Rev. Leon Hamner, Willie Collins, and Keith Little.

After a one-off 45 for the local ARC label, the group was introduced to Jim Stanton by a member of the Gospel Stirrers after playing a program in Nashville. Jim Stanton ran a recording studio on Church Street in Nashville, and produced records on his Champ label. From about 1976 to 1982 the group recorded four outstanding albums at Champ Studios, two released on Champ and the other two on Su-Ann and HSE, produced by Hoyt Sullivan who worked closely with Stanton. The group toured and performed extensively through those years.

The Goldenaires have been sporadically active from the late 1980’s. They recorded a well-received album, Standing The Test Of Time in 2008, and continue to perform. They have their own My Space Page on the  internet. 

John Glassburner: August 2010

Special thanks to Jesse Willingham, George Russell and Keith Little

for their generosity in providing most of the information

in several phone calls and emails with John Glassburner  

45s:
Golden-Aires of Cincinnati, OH	Come on in my room	Designer # Unknown	1974
	Hush
	Keep walking by faith
	I've come a long way
Goldenaires	Nobody knows	ARC 32909	1975
	I will never stop loving Him	ARC 32910
Golden-Aires	The story of Jesus	Champ 851	1976
	I've come a long way
Albums:
Golden-Aires	I've Come A Long Way	Champ LP 1746	1976
Golden Aires	The Golden Aires' Prayer	Su-Ann LP 1781	1978
Golden Aires of Cincinnati	Thank You Lord	HSE LP 1544	1980
Cincinnati Golden Aires	We That Know Him	Champ LP 1979	1981/82
Original Golden Aires	The Holy Number	Private Press CD	1994
Original Legendary Goldenaires	Standing The Test Of Time	PAES CD 5007	2008