How I Got Over: Clara Ward and the World-Famous Ward Singers [Paperback]

Willa Ward-Royster (Author), Toni Rose (Author), Horace Clarence Boyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2000

In 1931, Gertrude Murphy Ward was pressing clothes in a Philadelphia dry cleaning establishment when a voice said to her, 'Go sing my Gospel and help save dying and lost men and women'. With her two daughters, Clara and Willa, she went on to found the group that became the world-famous Ward Singers. By 1970, it took fifty police officers to control the crowds that greeted the Ward Singers at one of their concerts. Lavishly illustrated with photographs from the author's collection, this book chronicles the world-famous Ward Singers' story from rural Anderson, South Carolina, to the streets of North Philadelphia and beyond. Told by Clara Ward's older sister, Willa, with the assistance of musician and writer Toni Rose, the Wards' story ranges over the joys and frustrations, triumphs and agonies of what it means to be simultaneously a family, an entertainment business enterprise, and a group with a mission to spread God's word. Like many other gospel singers, the Wards grew up in poverty. Willa remembers living in twenty-four different homes before she was nineteen. This was especially true after Gertrude quit her job to sing for goodwill offerings. By the time of Clara's death in 1973, however, the group was performing all over the world. They appeared on television with Dinah Shore, Steve Allen, Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson, and many others and recorded the first million-seller hit by a gospel group, 'Surely God Is Able'. From Ma Hannah, matriarch of the Murphy family, to Marion Williams, Mahalia Jackson, and C. L. Franklin, "How I Got Over" brings to life an unforgettable group of people, some famous, some unknown, as they are vividly recollected by a woman who was there. In her telling of heart-warming family scenes, childhood escapades, triumphant performances, Willa Ward-Royster re-creates a career and a way of life that will remain in the reader's memory. Author note: Willa Ward-Royster performed with the Clara Ward Singers as a solo artist and as head of several of her own groups. Though semi-retired, she still appears in combination with such former Ward Singers as Frances Steadman, Kitty Parham, and Esther Ford and performs in area suppler clubs, nursing homes, and senior centers. Toni Rose is a freelance writer and musician. She has worked with many bands and groups as a vocalist and drummer. She sculpts and writes poetry and was co-owner of High Fashion Designs: Ben-Toni Label.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is the story not only of a talented singing group but also of an extended family who mirror the black American experience in the 20th century. Ward-Royster relates the rise of her family's world-renowned gospel group, formed by her mother and headlined by her sister, and the story makes for exceptionally absorbing reading. Her tone is matter-of-fact, nonjudgmental, and often humorous, but she does not shy away from bold facts. With complete candor, she relates her life's events as well as experiences with prejudice, poverty, and abuse. She is open about her mother's domineering personality and its impact upon both her and her sister. However, she generously acknowledges all things positive, including many kindnesses received through the years, giving a healthy balance overall. The book contains details on everything from successful performances on the stage of the Apollo, major TV variety shows, and international tours to top sales of hit recordings and friendships with such luminaries as Mahalia Jackson. For readers who enjoy gospel music, American autobiography, and human-interest stories this is highly recomended reading.?Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, N.J.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"The poignant memoir of a group of women who dominated gospel music in the United States for decades, this story of an ambitious and sometimes greedy and vain mother exploiting her sweet , talented daughter could be a classic tragedy or a really bad movie script. However, the 'other' daughter, Willa Ward-Royster, is a fair and articulate witness, providing historical detail about road trips, concerts, recording sessions, and celebrity sightings ... Readers will be grateful to the author for a courageous and genuinely gracious book." --The Bloomsbury Review "This is the story not only of a talented singing group but also of an extended family who mirror the black American experience in the 20th century... The book contains details on everything from successful performances on the stage of the Apollo, major TV variety shows, and international tours to top sales of hit recordings and friendships with such luminaries as Mahalia Jackson. For readers who enjoy gospel music, American autobiography, and human-interest stories this is highly recommended reading." --Library Journal

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Product Details

• Paperback: 263 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (April 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566394902
• ISBN-13: 978-1566394901
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,205,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars God is Love and Love is For Everyone, February 21, 2003

By 

Tony Steele (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Got Over: Clara Ward and the World-Famous Ward Singers (Paperback)

The original Ward Singers are three strong, Black women who show the true integrity, fortitude, and legacy that belies the woman of color in America. For the understanding of my people I thank God that Willa Ward-Royster had the fortitude to persevere and complete this book. The Ward Singers fought, clawed, and starved to pave the way for our current gospel calvacade of stars today. Mama Gertrude was a fundamentalist steamroller who did wonders with the simple understandings that she grew up with. Clara was a prolific song writer/arranger and a tireless singer/work-aholic who had to work at fever pitch throughout her life to make even a small step away from that fundamentalist prison that she was born victim. Despite the slights from her own mother, Willarene remained selflessly loyal to the memory of her sister. As a sister Willa does protect the reader from much of Clara's activities and stories that do not directly intersect her performances. (You have to get those stories verbally from her contemporaries!) Clara should be proud that she liberated a generation. To deny her sexuality would be tantamount to denying her race. Look at her lyrics and her speeches: Clara still remains a Psalmist and a Prophet.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars clara ward, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How I Got Over: Clara Ward and the World-Famous Ward Singers (Hardcover)

i was pleased that a book has finally been written about the ward singers. clara ward and the ward singers contributed much to the gospel sound. they were a major force in gospel music during the 1950's. this book is very reveals a lot of private information about clara ward and the ward family. mother ward was obviously in desperate need of psychaitric counseling. the book is very interesting and sure keeps you turning the page. It was very shocking to me to learn of clara's sexuality and alcoholism, but none the less she was a great performer. I do wish that willa had included better photographs of clara ward, because the ones that are in the book are not the most attractive. Also, I think the book is a little overpriced.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars High Heels And Tambourines, December 17, 2002

By 

B R Jones (Bartlesville, Ok United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Got Over: Clara Ward and the World-Famous Ward Singers (Hardcover)

Yes! Finally after looking for Highways and Hedges to no avail, I found How I Got Over! Never got to meet the lady, but was deeply moved and influenced by her. Met Gertrude, however and one of the Ward Singers. I'm afraid what Willa says about Gert is true and not bias!

Nonetheless, my questions were answered as to why I always sensed a sadness in Clara's incredible delivery. My heart broke for her, and I understand what I'd been told and what I read about the alcoholism!!!! Yes, she was the greatest gospel singer ever, and lives on in my heart, memory and music.