Frank Williams

Frank Williams

Franklin “Frank” Delano Williams, a gospel music vocalist, musician, recording artist and record company executive, was born to Leon “Pop” and Amanda Williams on June 27, 1947, in Smithville, Mississippi. He began his quartet singing career as a preteen, joining the Southern Gospel Singers and becoming one of the earliest members of the Williams Brothers, the family quartet Pop organized in 1960. By 1964, Frank had exited the Williams Brothers to join his brother, Huey Paul Williams, in the Jackson Southernaires. Founded in the 1940s in Jackson, Mississippi, the Jackson Southernaires started out as a local group. Anchored by the combined talents of Frank and Huey and vocalist Willie Banks, the quartet scored a record deal in 1963 with Song Bird, a subsidiary of Peacock Records. Between 1963 and 1974, the group waxed several hits for Song Bird, though none were bigger than 1968’s mournful Too Late, led by Huey. In 1973, the quartet was popular enough to host its own television program called Gospel Unlimited. The Jackson Southernaires signed with Malaco Records in 1975 and released a string of albums over the following 20-plus years. In 1979, Frank became head of the label’s gospel division. His 1985 signing of the Williams Brothers brought the rest of the family aboard. Frank even reunited with the group for its 1986 Malaco album, Hand in Hand. In addition to being an accomplished vocalist, Frank was a gifted musician. A guitarist, he accompanied Malaco artists such as the Angelic Gospel Singers, Louise “Candy” Davis, the Evereadys, the Gospel Keynotes and the world-famous Pilgrim Jubilees and Soul Stirrers. His work was not limited to the quartet community. Williams was among the lead singers on the Florida Mass Choir’s 1987 Malaco release, Let the Holy Ghost Lead You. Possibly buoyed by the success of the Florida Mass Choir, Frank was determined to gather the best voices in Mississippi into a mass choir. With the support of Malaco and music director David R. Curry Jr., Frank’s dream was made manifest as the Mississippi Mass Choir. The choir’s debut recording in 1988 hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and set a gospel industry record for most consecutive weeks on the albums chart (45). On March 22, 1993, Frank was at the airport in Savannah, Georgia, returning home from a gospel program, when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 45 years old, cut down in his prime. He was buried at Garden Memorial Park in Jackson, Mississippi.

  • Title: Frank Williams
  • Popularity: 0.001
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1947-06-27
  • Place of Birth: Smithville, Mississippi
  • Homepage: https://www.mississippimasschoir.org/frank-williams-sr
  • Also Known As: Franklin Delano Williams
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Frank Williams Movies

  • 1993
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    Mississippi Mass Choir: It Remains to Be Seen

    Mississippi Mass Choir: It Remains to Be Seen

    10 1993 HD

    Join the acclaimed Mississippi Mass Choir for this roof-raising performance as the Grammy-nominated collective sings selections from its 1993...

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  • 1992
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    The Jackson Southernaires: Live & Anointed

    The Jackson Southernaires: Live & Anointed

    1 1992 HD

    Recorded in the Southernaires' beloved hometown, this live performance from Jackson Municipal Auditorium in Mississippi features gospel legend Frank...

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  • 2006
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    Gospel Visions ll

    Gospel Visions ll

    1 2006 HD

    This DVD feature tracks by the Mississippi Mass Choir, Dallas/Ft. Worth Mass Choir, Bishop Jeff Banks, Rev. Clay Evans, Rev. James Moore, Canton...

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  • 1991
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    The Mississippi Mass Choir: God Gets The Glory

    The Mississippi Mass Choir: God Gets The Glory

    6 1991 HD

    The Mississippi Mass Choir's second album, God Gets The Glory, was recorded live at the Mississippi Coliseum on December 8, 1990. The album debuted...

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  • 1988
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    The Mississippi Mass Choir Live!

    The Mississippi Mass Choir Live!

    7 1988 HD

    The Mississippi Mass Choir was one of the most influential gospel groups of the late '80s and '90s. Under the musical direction of David R. Curry,...

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  • 1988
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    The Mississippi Mass Choir

    The Mississippi Mass Choir

    9 1988 HD

    From church choir stands to the Billboard Charts, Mississippi Mass Choir has inspired millions with their powerful gospel music. Formed in 1988 by...

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  • 1970
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    The Mississippi Mass Choir

    The Mississippi Mass Choir

    9 1970 HD

    From church choir stands to the Billboard Charts, Mississippi Mass Choir has inspired millions with their powerful gospel music. Formed in 1988 by...

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