Episode Details

Welcome back to another episode of pplpod! Today, we dive into the life, career, and enduring legacy of Clara Ward (1924–1973), a trailblazing American gospel singer. As the driving force and leader of the Famous Ward Singers, Clara achieved massive artistic and commercial success throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

In this episode, we explore how Ward revolutionized gospel music by adopting the lead-switching style—a technique previously dominated by male gospel quartets. This innovative approach allowed for spontaneous improvisation and gave virtuoso vocalists like Marion Williams the chance to shine on legendary, million-selling gospel hits such as "Surely, God Is Able," "How I Got Over," and "Packin' Up". In fact, we discuss how their album Surely God Is Able made history as the first gospel group record to exceed 500,000 in sales.

Listeners will get an inside look at the group's monumental milestones, including their 1950 Carnegie Hall appearance alongside gospel pioneer Mahalia Jackson, and Clara’s historical role as the musical director and a performer in Langston Hughes' Broadway play Tambourines to Glory. We also cover her broader cultural impact, from singing with a 100-piece symphony orchestra to touring Vietnam for the U.S.O. in 1968.

But it wasn't all harmony behind the scenes. We break down the controversial management of the group by Clara's mother, Gertrude Ward. Discover how financial disputes and meager pay led to the departure of powerhouse singers like Marion Williams and Henrietta Waddy, who went on to form a rival group, "the Stars of Faith".

Tune in to learn about the triumphs, the behind-the-scenes family drama, and the ultimate legacy of Clara Ward, a 20th-century music icon who was posthumously honored in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and commemorated with a United States Postal Service stamp.