The Blind Boys Of Alabama’s Ricky McKinnie On His Musical Journey

About Ricky McKinnie

Ricky McKinnie, the leader of the Blind Boys of Alabama, was born and raised in Atlanta, where he got his start singing in the church alongside his mother. Not long after that, while still in his teens, he embarked on a career as a singer and a drummer, often performing with a band called the Soul Searchers. Around the age of 20, he began to lose his eyesight, but as Ricky says, he never lost his vision. After playing with the Blind Boys of Alabama from time to time, he became an official member of the group in 1989, and since then, in various roles, he’s helped lead the band through years of success, fame, and Grammy Awards. Now the group is the subject of a fascinating new book called Spirit of the Century: Our Own Story.

What Ricky McKinnie Talks About In This Episode

• Why the Blind Boys have endured for so long
• Their hit version of "Amazing Grace"
• What he’s learned over decades as a blind musician
• The song that always gets the crowd out of their seats
  
• Being born and raised in Atlanta
• Growing up and singing with his mother
• Pursuing a career as a drummer
• On the new book Spirit of the Century: Our Own Story
  
• How his aunt and mother loved to cook

Quotes From Ricky McKinnie

"We have to be able to communicate with one another. I like to have the guys that are on each side of me sing close to me, close enough that I can reach over and tap them on the leg, but nevertheless, if I say something and the audience can relate to what I just said, what's from the heart reaches the heart. And that's what we try to do." - Ricky McKinnie

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road.Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Ricky McKinnie on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or everywhere podcasts are available.


Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.