An award-winning gospel group out of Canton, Mississippi who pioneered mixing traditional gospel with modern R&B and urban elements, the Canton Spirituals were formed in 1943 by Harvey Watkins, Sr., along with Reverend I.S. Watkins, Claude "Bubba" Nichols, Warren G. Ward, Isaac Bolton, Eddie Jackson, Theo Thompson, and Roscoe Lucious. Following the senior Watkins' death in 1994, the group has been led by his son, Harvey Watkins, Jr. The group released some 20 albums between 1978 and 2013, and have also earned Stellar, Dove, Soul Train, GMWA Excellence, and Urban Network Awards along the way for their contributions to modern and contemporary gospel. ~ Steve Leggett