James Herndon

Born in Durham, North Carolina, USA. Herndon grew up with gospel singing legend Shirley Caesar in North Carolina before enrolling at Hillside High School. He remained good friends with Caesar, and she soon asked him to join The Caravans as singer and pianist when she joined that group in the late 50s. From 1959-67 he travelled and recorded with The Caravans during a period many consider to be their peak. He composed some of the ensemble’s biggest hits and was the accompanist throughout what many consider to be the trailblazers’ glory years with Caesar, Albertina Walker, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington, Cassietta George, and Josephine Howard. As a part-time diversion he also established his own gospel groups, The Wright Specials, in Detroit, and The Herndon Singers. He worked with Motown Records artist Kim Weston, serving as her band leader, pianist and arranger. More infrequently, he also collaborated with Aretha Franklin. Through the late 60s and early 70s he likewise embarked on his own solo career, releasing a succession of high quality albums for Light Records, the best of which many contend to be Nobody But You.