THE BULLOCK BROTHERS

gospel
Boston, Massachusetts

For seventy-five years the Bullock Brothers have been performing soul-stirring gospel music, spreading the good news in the area and throughout New England, making it one of the area’s longest-lived gospel groups. The Bullock Brothers formed in 1950 by brothers George, Robert, James, Clifton, Richard, and Walter, Jr., continuing a tradition of gospel singing passed on to them by their father, “Singing Walter,” who was a noted performer on the Revival Circuit in the 1930s and 40s in their home state of North Carolina. 

The roots of the Bullock Brother’s style reach back to the “jubilee” gospel choirs that emerged in the 1870s at African American colleges like Fisk University. Early jubilee singers were noted for their close harmonies and formal arrangements of spirituals; jubilee “quartets” employed four-part harmony—even when there were more than four singers. In the early 20th century, gospel quartets embraced a more expressive style, reflecting the spirit-filled services of the Holiness church. Although they have added musical accompaniment—most notably, a hard-driving rhythm section—the Bullock Brother’s continue the vocal traditions that characterize the “golden age” of jubilee quartet singing in the 1930s and ’40s. The Bullock Brothers’s singing style and repertoire are in the tradition of the unaccompanied quartet, but they have added guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion to accompany their vocals. 

The Bullock Brothers are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, and they remain a family ensemble of fathers and sons. “We've been on a gospel music journey for 75 years and it's not over yet!” as George Bullock Jr. proclaims. Currently creating the powerful atmosphere is George Bullock, Jr. and Jonathan Bullock on lead vocals; James Bullock, Jodie Bullock, and Julius Hood providing additional vocals; with Eulin Bullock on keyboards; William Bullock on bass guitar; and Deandre Bullock on drums. 

They have also expanded their ministry and religious mission, creating the Bullock Brothers and Sons Ministry, leading their own sermons and traveling to worship services all over the region to fulfill the needs of communities who could not be served by a singing ministry alone. The Bullock Brothers have performed at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, Portland First Night, and at countless churches, gospel events, and festivals throughout the country. 

Artist website and social media:

bullockbrothers.org
facebook.com/bullockbros.org
YouTube Channel

Videos: