‘‘Their ability to promote harmony through gospel music emanates from their popular live appearances.’’ –Brooklyn Academy of Music
... NEW YORK CITY - 2004 / Bio--The Singing Conquerors, New York City's FIRST and ONLY bluegrass gospel band, plays an authentic style of grassroots music, which blends Anglo and African-American musical traditions. The group's diversified appeal has brought bluegrass music to places it has never been and traditional gospel music to places it is seldom heard. They perform for a wide variety of audiences while making bluegrass fans out of city folk!
... ‘‘And if you like the kind of music that opens up pores on your neck and sends chills down your spine, you'll come back again and again for their shows.’’ –ƒrom CD liner notes by Ron Thomason, founder of Dry Branch Fire Squad (legendary bluegrass band)
The Singing Conquerors was founded in 1992 by Diane McKoy (vocals and washboard) while receiving pivotal support from her co-founder, Russell Scholl (guitar, vocals, and band leader). Diane & Russell first began performing in churches in the New York City area and by 1993, the duo began expanding and embellishing their sound with additional musicians/singers. Today, the Singing Conquerors is comprised of 6 people: fiddle/mandolin player, banjo player, upright bassist, acoustic guitarist, and two female vocalists who prefer to concentrate more on singing than playing instruments. The singing voices blend to create a powerful old time, bluegrass gospel sound.
The nucleus of the Singing Conquerors consists of bluegrass diva, Jen Larson; gospel music legend, Diane McKoy; and bluegrass songbird /musicologist, Russell Scholl!
Among their performance engagements, the Singing Conquerors performed at The White House in Washington, D.C., Good Morning America (drivetime) TV Show, Bobby Jones Gospel TV Show, Dr. Ralph Stanley (the reigning patriach of bluegrass music) Annual Bluegrass Festival, CBGB'S, Cowgirl Hall of Fame, High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival, and innumerable churches, schools, museums, nightclubs, live radio shows, and festivals.
Their CD, THE GLORYLAND WAY, has been released as the Singing Conquerors continue their mission of promoting harmony among people through gospel music!!!
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"The SINGING CONQUERORS have certainly created a masterpiece of bluegrass gospel music that is a must for any serious music collection." –Bluegrass Unlimited
