by Dick Grant, with acknowledgements to John Morris, Charles Young, Dennis Deiprato and Praguefrank, Thieu Van De Vorst
SESSIONS
Fall 1958 WHRV Radio Station, Ann Arbor, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/rh gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], Cranford Nix [banjo], Robert “Bobby“ Stiltner [bass]. Producer: Red Ellis) [Starday purchased Masters in April 1959]
001 ST-2899 YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM GOD Starday SEP-105/SLP-165 BACM
CD D 388
002 ST-2900 DOWN AT THE CROSS SEP-105/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
003 ST-2901 FUTURE IN HIS HANDS SEP-105/ BACM CD D 388
004 ST-2902 WITHOUT ME SEP-105/BACM CD D 388
ca June 1959 Red Ellis Studio, Ypsilanti, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/rh gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], Doyle Newkirk [banjo], Virgil Shouser [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis)
005 ST-2982 A PLACE UPON THE MOUNTAIN SEP-110/ BACM CD D 388
002 ST-2900 DOWN AT THE CROSS SEP-105/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
003 ST-2901 FUTURE IN HIS HANDS SEP-105/ BACM CD D 388
004 ST-2902 WITHOUT ME SEP-105/BACM CD D 388
ca June 1959 Red Ellis Studio, Ypsilanti, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/rh gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], Doyle Newkirk [banjo], Virgil Shouser [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis)
005 ST-2982 A PLACE UPON THE MOUNTAIN SEP-110/ BACM CD D 388
006 ST-2983 I HEARD THE CRY FROM THE CROSS SEP-110/SLP-165 BACM
CD D 388
007 ST-2984 THE SWEETEST DREAM SEP-110/ BACM CD D 388008 ST-2985 THE LITTLE ADOPTED GIRL SEP-110
ca November 1959 Red Ellis Studio, Ypsilanti, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/rh gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], George Woody [banjo], Bobby Stiltner [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis) [Starday received masters on November 17]
009 ST-3117 RANK STRANGERS TO ME SEP-120 SEP-140/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
010 ST-3118 BACKSLIDER SEP-120/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
011 ST-3119 I SAW THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN SEP-120 SEP-128/SLP-116 SLP-10-358 NLP-2003 BACM CD D 388
012 ST-3120 THERE AIN’T NO GRAVE GONNA HOLD MY BODY DOWN SEP-120/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
STARDAY SEP-128 GOSPEL SONGS By ALL STAR ARTISTS (1960); STARDAY SLP-116 OLD TIME RELIGION, COUNTRY STYLE (1961); NASHVILLE NLP-2003 OLD TIME RELIGION (April 1964, rev. 9th May 1964 and 23rd May 1964); STARDAY SLP-10-358 WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOSPEL AND SACRED MUSIC (1966)
ca February 1960 Red Ellis Studio, Ypsilanti, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/rh gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], George Woody [banjo], Virgil Shouse or Bobby Stiltner [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis)
013 ST-3173 THESE MEN OF GOD SEP-124 SEP-168/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
014 ST-3174 THE EAST BOUND TRAIN SEP-124/SLP-170 NLP-2019 BACM CD D 388
015 ST-3175 THE DRUNKEN RIVER SEP-124 BACM CD D 388
016 ST-3176 GOING TO MEET JESUS SEP-124/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
STARDAY SEP-168 GOSPEL SONGS BY ALL STAR ARTISTS (1961); STARDAY SLP-170 ALL ABOARD! FOR THE RAILROAD SPECIAL (1962); NASHVILLE NLP-2019 BIG TRAIN EXPRESS (1965)
ca March 1960 Red Ellis Studio, Ypsilanti, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/rh gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], George Woody [banjo], Virgil Shouse or Bobby Stiltner [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis)
017 ST-3233 OPEN WINDOW SEP-132/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
018 ST-3234 A ROSE FROM MOTHER’S WREATH SEP-132/SLP-168 BACM CD D 388
019 ST-3235 SINNERS DREAM SEP-132/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
020 ST-3236 PRAYER OF SALVATION SEP-132/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
STARDAY SLP-168 TRAGIC SONGS OF DEATH AND SORROW (1962)
ca July 1960 Red Ellis Studio, Ypsilanti, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/rh gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], George Woody [banjo], Virgil Shouse or Bobby Stiltner [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis)
021 ST-3372 THERE’S A HIGHER POWER SEP-138 SEP-140/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
022 ST-3373 I’VE WON MY CROWN SEP-138/ BACM CD D 388
023 ST-3374 DO YOU KNOW OR WON’T YOU CARE SEP-138
024 ST-3375 MODERNIZE CHURCHES SEP-138
ca 1960 unknown,MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. Gospel Harmony Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], Agee Ellis [alto vcl], George Woody [banjo], Bob Stiltner or Virgil Shouse [bass], James Bryant [fiddle])
025 NO DEPRESSION IN HEAVEN Happy Hearts 113/ BACM CD D 388
026 THAT BEAUTIFUL HOME Happy Hearts 113/Old Homestead OHCS-322 BACM CD D 388
027 BIRTHDAY OF JESUS Happy Hearts 114
028 JOY TO THE WORLD Happy Hearts 114
ca October 1960 unknown, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis w. The Gospel Harmony Valley Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], George Woody [banjo], Bob Stiltner or Virgil Shouse [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis)
029 ST-4478 HOLY GHOST BUILDING SEP-148/SLP-165 BACM CD D 388
030 ST-4479 SOMEONE WILL LOVE ME IN HEAVEN SEP-148/ BACM CD D 388
031 ST-4480 COMING OF THE LORD SEP-148 BACM CD D 388
032 ST-4481 WITHIN ME SEP-148/ BACM CD D 388
ca November 1960 unknown, MI - Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis and w. The Gospel Harmony Valley Boys (Red Ellis [vcl/gt], Jimmie Williams [vcl/mandolin], George Woody [banjo], Bob Stiltner or Virgil Shouse [bass], James Bryant [fiddle]. Producer: Red Ellis)
033 ST-4557 THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS SEP-156
034 ST-4558 ZAACHEUS SEP-156/ BACM CD D 388
035 ST-4559 GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS SEP-156
036 ST-4560 GOD’S EVERLASTING LOVE SEP-156/ BACM CD D 388
1971 Jessup Recording Studios, 3150 Francis St., Jackson, MI – Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis (Producer: Tommy Crank)
037 UNCONCERNED Jessup MB-107
038 OLD FASHIONED CHURCH Jessup MB-107
039 CHILD OF GOD Jessup MB-107
040 FIVE SMOOTH STONES Jessup MB-107
041 ORPHAN BOY Jessup MB-107
042 JERICO Jessup MB-107
043 HIGH ON THE CROSS Jessup MB-107
044 HAVE I DONE MY BEST Jessup MB-107
045 MY LIFE'S BEEN CHANGED Jessup MB-107
046 THREE CROSSES Jessup MB-107
047 BANKRUPT HEAVEN Jessup MB-107
048 I TELL MY FEET Jessup MB-107
1975 Jessup Recording Studios, 3150 Francis St., Jackson, MI – Jimmy Williams (Jimmy Williams [ld vcl/gt/mandolin], Dan Blankenship [gt/banjo], Virgil Williams [tenor vcl/banjo], Sonny Nelso/Phyllis Williams [bass], Steve Waylon [fiddle])
049 PILOT Jessup MB-132
050 THAT'S WHY I LOVE HIM SO Jessup MB-132
051 MAMA'S FADED BIBLE Jessup MB-132
052 ON MY WAY BACK HOME Jessup MB-132
053 GOD'S BOAT Jessup MB-132
054 I KNOW SHE WILL WEAR A CROWN Jessup MB-132
055 PROPHETS OF GOD Jessup MB-132
056 SUMMER'S GONE Jessup MB-132
057 SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT Jessup MB-132
058 THEY SAY THAT GOD IS DEAD? Jessup MB-132
059 MOTHER'S GRAVE Jessup MB-132
060 ZACCHAEUS Jessup MB-132
1976 Jessup Recording Studios, 3150 Francis St., Jackson, MI – Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis (Jimmy Willliams [vcl-3/mandolin], Red Ellis [vcl-2/recitation-4/rh gt], Virgil Williams [hmny vcl-1/banjo-6], Gene Saylor [banjo], Lynn Hall [bass], Phyllis Williams [bass-5], Virgil Shouse [fiddle])
061 LITTLE DAVID'S HARP Jessup MB-154
062 ALL YOUR LOVE -1 Jessup MB-154
063 SO HIGH Jessup MB-154
064 I'LL TELL YOU THE REASON -3 Jessup MB-154
065 LIKE HIS LOVE -1-3-6 Jessup MB-154
066 RUN DEVIL RUN –instr.- Jessup MB-154
067 STOP -2-4 Jessup MB-154
068 SING YOUR SONG JIMMY Jessup MB-154
069 EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW -1 Jessup MB-154
070 WE'RE GONNA HAVE A TIME -1 Jessup MB-154
071 LEAVE BEHIND -1-3-6 Jessup MB-154
072 WHEN THE TRAIN COMES ALONG -2-3 Jessup MB-154
Jimmie Williams recorded after 1976, incomplete info in albums and singles list
ALBUMS
Starday SLP-165 Holy Cry From The Hills: 16 Mountain Sacred Songs: 16 with 5 String Banjo: Where Will I Shelter My Sheep; You Can't Hide From God; Down At The Cross; Holy Ghost Building; Grandad's Prayer; These Men Of God --Walking In Jerusalem; There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down; A Higher Power; I Heard The Cry From The Cross; Prayer Of Salvation; Rank Stranger; Going To Meet Jesus; Open Window; Sinner's Dream; Backslider – 62 w. Red Ellis
Jessup Michigan Bluegrass MB-107 God Brings Bluegrass Back Together: Unconcerned; Old Fashioned Church; Child Of God; Five Smooth Stones; Orphan Boy; Jerico; High On The Cross; Have I Done My Best; My Life's Been Changed; Three Crosses; Bankrupt Heaven; I Tell My Feet – 71 w. Red Ellis
Jessup Michigan Bluegrass MB-132 Summer’s Gone: Pilot; That's Why I Love Him So; . Mama's Faded Bible; On My Way Back Home; God's Boat; I Know She Will Wear A Crown; Prophets Of God; Summer's Gone; Swing Low Sweet Chariot; They Say That God Is Dead?; Mother's Grave; Zacchaeus - 75
Gospel Grass 1003 Oh Yes, Lord: (tracks unknown) - 76
Jessup Michigan Bluegrass MB-154 Little David's Harp: Little David's Harp; All Your Love; So High; I'll Tell You The Reason; Like His Love; Run Devil Run; Stop; Sing Your Song Jimmy; Everybody Ought To Know; We're Gonna Have A Time; Leave Behind; When The Train Comes Along – 77 w. Red Ellis
Old Homestead OHCD-4309 Gospel Grass:(tracks unknown) - 0-
BACM [UK] CD D 388 Classic Bluegrass Gospel: Sinner's Dream;
Prayer Of Salvation; Open Window; A Rose From Mother's Wreath; These Men Of God; Eastbound Train; The Drunken Driver; Going To Meet Jesus; I Saw The Angels In Heaven; There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down; Rank Stranger; Backslider; Coming Of The Lord; Within Me; Holy Ghost Building; Someone Will Love Me In Heaven; That Beautiful Home; No Depression In Heaven; A Higher Power; I've Won My Crown; A Place Upon A Mountain; I Heard The Cry From The Cross; Sweetest Dream; The Future In His Hands; Without Me; You Can't Hide From God; Down At The Cross; Zaachaeus; God’s Everlasting Love – 12 w. Red Ellis
SINGLES
Starday (1958-61)
(EPs)
SEP-105 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": You Can't Hide From God / Down At The Cross / Future In His Hands / Without Me – 04-59
SEP-110 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": A Place Upon A Mountain / I Heard The Cry (From The Cross) / The Sweetest Dream / The Little Adopted Girl – 59
SEP-120 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": I Saw The Angels In Heaven / There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down / Rank Stranger / Backslider - 60
SEP-124 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": These Men Of God / The Eastbound Train / The Drunken Driver / Going To Meet Jesus - 60
SEP-132 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": Open Window / A Rose From Mothers Wreath / Sinners Dream / Prayer Of Salvation – ca 07-60
SEP-138 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": A Higher Power / I've Won My Crown / Do You Know Or Don't You Care / Modernize Churches – 60
SEP-148 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": Holy Ghost Building / Someone Will Love Me In Heaven / Coming Of The Lord / Within Me - 60
SEP-156 "Jimmie Williams and Red Ellis": The Real Meaning Of Christmas / Zaachaeus / Go Tell It On The Mountain / God's Everlasting Love – 12-60
no label
16 Down The Road; More Pretty Girls Than One; Barbara Allen; John Henry; Four Walls; Foggy River
Gospel Grass
EP 301 jimmie Williams: Oh, Yes Lord; Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down; Bells Of St. Mary's; Haven't Got A Nickle
