In 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in Talladega, Alabama, history was made. The Blind Boys of Alabama sang together for the first time. The Blind Boys of Alabama is a five-time Grammy Award winning gospel group. After seven decades of touring, countless prestigious appearances, and a successful discography, the Blind Boys of Alabama have created their own solid musical history.
Band with a Mission
Formed over 70 years ago at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, known today as the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB), the Blind Boys of Alabama have a self-proclaimed goal: to share their spirituality and uplift audiences. The gospel group has also been a source of inspiration for those with disabilities.
In the words of one of the group’s members, Ricky McKinnie, “Our disability doesn’t have to be a handicap. It’s not about what you can’t do. It’s about what you do. And what we do is sing good gospel music.”
Now these amazingly gifted gentlemen are bringing their gifts and voices to Merrimack Hall, and you do not want to miss the show. If you’re one of those people who is impressed by stats and/or award, prepare to be dazzled because I’m about to break it down for you. And Our Valley Events is giving away tickets to their Huntsville show! Details below.

Awards
- Winners of 4 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards (2003, 2006, 2 Awards in 2009)
- Winners of 5 GRAMMY Awards (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009)
- Honored with the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees (2003)
- In May 2005, Dan Rather presented The Blind Boys of Alabama with The American Foundation for the Blind’s distinguished Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award [spacer size=”0″]
Famous Performances
- Invited to play for 3 U.S. Presidential Administrations at the White House: President Clinton in 1994, President Bush in 2002 and President Obama in 2010.
- Featured performance on the 2005 GRAMMYtelecast
Wanna get THIS close? Enter to win tickets to see the Boys at Merrimack below! - Performed on Amnesty International’s 50th Anniversary song “Toast To Freedom”, released May 2012
- Appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, accompanied by Lou Reed
- Performed at The White House in February 2010 for In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement, along with Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, The Freedom Singers, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams and the Howard University Choir.
Ticket Giveaway
Event Information
Dates and Times:
Thursday, September 27: 7:30pm
Friday, September 28: 7:30pm
Location: Merrimack Hall
Cost: Main floor seats: $45 Adults/$42 Seniors; Graduated seats $40 Adults/$37 Seniors
Purchase Tickets: Click here or call (256) 534-6455
Find the Blind Boys of Alabama on Facebook here
Follow them on Twitter here

Guest blogger for We Are Huntsville. Are you interested in writing a post for our site? Email katelyn@wearehuntsville.com.
I would love to see The Blind Boys of Alabama!!!
I was absolutely thrilled when my then-fiance and now husband introduced me to the Blind Boys of Alabama as a musical group. We saw them just about a year ago in Knoxville at Worship in the City. As Jimmy made his way through the crowd, I was able to REALLY meet him! I sure would love to win a pair of tickets and surprise my husband with them for our 1 year anniversary!
Absolute favorite album is the one they did with Ben Harper. We listened to that album every Sunday morning for almost a year!
They look so inspiring…would love to see them live!!
I hope to see this group next week. Love good gospel music!