The Legendary Ingramettes Gospel Truth
The Legendary Ingramettes Gospel Truth
The Legendary Ingramettes is a matriarchal gospel group that was formed over 60 years ago by Maggie Ingram. Through the power of faith and family, the Ingramettes have faced the highs and lows of life together as a unit and have shared their message with audiences all over. Read how Almeta Ingram-Miller, daughter of Maggie Ingram, talks about her forceful, family, gospel group, The Legendary Ingramettes:
1. What are your strengths as a gospel group?
The Legendary Ingramettes were founded over 6 decades ago by my mother, Evangelist Maggie Ingram. The creation of the group was an answer from God to her prayers to help keep our family together.
As the years progressed, our family did indeed stay together, but we experienced a divine transformation as well. While we received many invitations to sing in our local community, those opportunities provided a platform for ministry. We became a vessel that God would use to spread a message of faith, hope, and love to everyone that we encountered. Whenever we talk about our strength as a group, it is the message we share through our music that is most important.
One of our greatest strengths lies in the fact that my mother was always willing to share her life experiences with others. Her songs have shared not only our challenges and struggles but also the blessings that enabled us to encourage others – whatever their situation.
We continue to share this message, not only at large venues, but with those in nursing homes, those who are incarcerated, and even those in hospitals, we are strengthened each time we have the opportunity to share the Good News of the Gospel.
2. What do you hope audiences take away from your performances?
It is my hope that people who attend our concerts will be transported on a journey with us, as we share who we are with them. We hope that the message in our songs gives the audience a glimpse of what it is like to experience God’s love for all people.
We share our lives with them through music, so that we can connect with them. Sharing God's love with all humanity is the common thread that runs through every song that we sing. It is the love of God that transforms lives.
When the audience leaves after spending time with the Legendary Ingramettes, they are indeed refreshed and feel a sense of renewed purpose in their lives.
3. Describe what worship looks like to you and how does it tie into your music?
Over the years, we have become an extended family. There are still 2 generations of Ingrams in the group, but we have been joined by in-laws, God-children, and friends who have become family. We don’t all worship at the same church, or in the same way, but we all worship. As African American Christians, worship has always been an integral part of our heritage.
For each of us individually and collectively (as the Legendary Ingramettes) worship breathes life into our ministry. It provides a space where we learn about the tenets of faith. Worship allows every one of us to express our love for God and to experience God’s love for us. Sharing the Gospel through our music transforms the people in our communities and brings about unity that binds people to each other and God; as we meditate on the grace and mercy that a loving God freely gives to us.
Yes, we worship at different churches, but in each setting, whether traditional or contemporary, we seek to connect with God and allow the Gospel Message to shape our lives through His Spirit. This is the foundation of the music that we share with the audience.
4. Do you write any of your songs?
My mother was divinely blessed with the gifts of playing the piano, singing, and composing music at an early age. Ninety-five percent of the music that we have been singing for 6 decades was written and arranged by my mother, my brother Luke, or myself.
We sing about our life experiences, and how God has used us to be active participants in our history. We compose music that is filled with hope and the joy that comes when we celebrate others.
We compose songs that speak life and liberation to those who are incarcerated. We compose songs that speak healing to those who are broken-hearted or in sickness or distress. And with God's help, our music has transcended time and delivered a relevant message to today's audiences.
As the diversity of our audiences has changed, we have been blessed to add songs that have been written by other gifted artists. We have covered songs in our performances that are relevant to the message of faith and hope. Songs such as “Grandma’s Hands” (Bill Withers), “I’ve Endured” (Ola Belle Reed), and “Beulah Land” (Squire Parsons) are included in our repertoire, with special added arrangements.
5. What are some of your musical influences and does that influence show in your music?
Growing up in the segregated South (Florida and Georgia), my musical influences were mainly the male Gospel quartets of what became known as the "Golden Age of Gospel”. This was characterized by the "hard rocking gospel" quartet style that was performed in the 1950s.
The Dixie Hummingbirds, Fairfield Quartet, Sensational Nightingales, The Swan Silvertones, and The Soul Stirrers were just a few of the African American male quartets with whom we got the opportunity to sing while we were still children. These were the groups that influenced my mom, and she trained us in the male quartet style. There are 5 Ingram children, 2 daughters, and 3 sons. My oldest brother was even trained to sing bass. Very few female groups were singing this hard gospel quartet style. I remember when we appeared in Yonkers New York with the Clara Ward Singers. Even as a child, I was blown away! And we have continued in this style of singing.
Once we moved to Richmond, VA in 1961 we were immersed in Southern Gospel from other traditions. The Happy Goodman Singers from Kentucky were one of my favorite groups, as we watched the Huff Cook Gospel Show on our small black and white television on Sunday mornings. The TV show was sponsored by the Huff Cook Burial Insurance Company in Bristol, TN. I loved listening to Vestal Goodman - - holding her handkerchief as she sang (I do that now to pay homage).
Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, I was around at the start of a musical revolution. We were traveling to Nashville, TN in 1963, to record at Nashboro Records, when the local radio station introduced me to songs (both gospel and secular) by artists that I had never heard, I have included the influence of many music genres (jazz, folk music) in my musical compositions for the Legendary Ingramettes.
It has allowed me to stretch my musical creativity while reaching a more diverse audience than we had reached before. I believe that it honors my mom that I have inherited her love for all types of music, and I continue to nurture it.
6. How do you prepare for a show? What is your process of getting ready?
"The family that prays together, stays together". Preparation to share our message of Good News always begins with prayer.
I am always aware of the audience at the venue, and I choose a repertoire that is designed to connect with them. It is important to me that we can share with our audience, by inviting them to have a conversation with us through the songs that we sing. We are blessed to be able to have music in our repertoire that transcends all ages.
Rehearsals are a regular exercise for me. Although my mom was an excellent vocal coach, she had no formal training. The voice muscles must receive proper exercise and care. I rehearse every day, and I encourage the group members to do the same; whether they are vocalists or instrumentalists. This helps us when we come together as a group to rehearse before a concert.
7. What is something that Maggie Ingram taught you that you still hold dear today?
One of her favorite sayings is – “God works for people through people.” That was her way of telling us that we must participate in the miracles that we pray for; and believe that when God answers our prayers, we will be a part of the experience. And that experience will always lead to a greater sense of purpose and meaning in your life. You are forever changed.
Get your tickets today to enjoy the show on Sunday, February 25 at 3pm! Use code TMN241 for a great BOGO deal! This offer is valid through 2/14/24 11:59pm, so get this offer while it's here!
This engagement of Legendary Ingramettes is made possible in part through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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