What gospel quartet claims to be the first quartet to sell a million records?

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I've read of a couple of claims but did not see documentation for either.

Sego Brothers and Naomi claimed to have sold a million copies of the single recording of "Sorry I Never Knew You." It seems most unlikely since the song on the Songs of Faith label only got as high as #50 on the Billboard country music charts in February 1964. It remained on the top 100 chart for one week.

I also recall the Goodmans claiming in the 70s to have sold a million records but don't recall if they were referring to one album or total album sales.

In SGM, only Bill Gaither and his related acts use Soundscan which provides an accurate count of sales of CDs and DVDs.

The Blackwood Brothers

I would also say that it was the Blackwood Brothers. It was right after their appearance on the Godfrey Show.

I also think Red Foley was the first artist to sell a million gospel records.

Rereading John's question, I guess he is referring to total sales rather than a specific single or album as I first thought.

The Blackwoods do claim to be the first group to sell a million records. I think they were referring to total sales of all records. They also claimed to have sold 20 million records in total.

Blackwoods certainly sold a lot considering how easy it is to find their recordings at flea markets.

None of your answers are what I was looking for. Keep trying.

How about the Chuckwagon Gang who were on Columbia records for so many years. One site said a 1955 album called "I'll Shout and Sing" got a Gold record. I don't think that means you sold a million albums but sold albums totalling $1 million in sales. In any case, they could have sold a million records before the Blackwoods if it is possible to determine that. A Blackwood site says they were the first gospel quartet to sell a million but maybe the Gang is not considered a quartet.

The Stamps All-Star Qt.

Would it be one of the old African-American quartets like the Golden Gate Quartet or the Fairfield Four? Or maybe the Blind Boys of Alabama? :huh:

This question proved to be a little more difficult than I imagined.

Some other historical facts about the quartet in question from the liner notes of one of their albums (and we all know liner notes are 100% accurate): :whistling:

First gospel quartet ever to be featured on a regular basis on a 55 station radio network.
First gospel quartet ever to appear on television by virtue of appearing on the South's first television broadcast.
First gospel quartet to publish sheet music.
First gospel quartet to sell over 1,000,000 records
Co-sponsons with the Rangers Quartet of the world's first all night gospel singing convert held in Atlanta's municipal auditorium.

Sounds like something Wally Fowler and his Oak Ridge Quartet would have come up with....

That does seem rather "Wally-like", doesn't it?

However, it wasn't the Oaks. . .

I'll guess the Homeland Harmony Quartet.

Joe, you're right!

I guess going back thru all the monthly articles of yours that I have saved.........
paid off. They seemed like the most likely quartet, based on your hints. :D