Blackwood Gospel San Antonio Express-News -January 29, 2004            While the Blackwood name is revered in Southern gospel circles, the original family band, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, formed in 1934 in Choctaw County, Miss., was a group whose impact has been felt far and wide.            For example, a young Elvis Presley reportedly auditioned for the group in the early '50s and didn't get the gig. The Blackwoods had an influential radio show in the '40s, landed a recording contract via Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, became the first gospel group to sell a million records, survived the loss of two members in a 1954 airplane crash, pioneered bus travel for touring groups and racked up practically every award in secular and spiritual music.            The last original Blackwood brother, Cecil, who joined the group after the fatal plane crash, died in 2002. Now Cecil's son, Mark Blackwood, is at the helm of the Blackwood Gospel Quartet.            As a quartet, the Blackwood group concentrates on the type of hand-clapping, traditional gospel music that made the original family group a hit. The quartet also is staffed with talented folks who have released albums on their own. The Blackwoods have been nominated for a Grammy award for the CD "Always Hear the Harmony: The Gospel Sessions," which features the quartet working with Engelbert Humperdink, the Jordanaires and the Light Crust Doughboys. Back to the "Take Note" Main Page HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: CHECK ON THIS FINE PRINTING COMPANY: Promotional Products, Discount Labels, Post-it Notes, Rubber Stamps, etc.