The Prisonaires

Description by OLDIES.com:

The history of rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues is filled with inspiring characters. But no story in popular music is more poignant and more triumphant than that of Johnny Bragg and his all-convict singing group, the Prisonaires.

Bragg's claim to glory lies not in the twenty-two tracks he cut with his group, but in his authorship of the hit "Just Walkin' in the Rain," recorded by '50s pop legend Johnnie Ray. "Just Walkin'" was one of the bestselling singles of the decade.

At the center of a remarkable cast of characters is Bragg, whose faith and persistence testify eloquently to the power of the human spirit. Bragg is alive and well today in his mid-'70s. He still possesses the sweet tenor voice that made him an extraordinary artist fifty years ago.

In telling this story, music historian Jay Warner gives us a unique insight into the politics and society of the pre-Civil Rights era South, introduces us to a host of extraordinary human beings, and celebrates a great American singing group.