" When the story of gospel music is written, at least a chapter will be about Willie Banks and The Messengers. Born in Raymond, Mississippi, more than a half century ago, Willie started singing gospel with his mother at the age of five. Since then, he has gone on to sing with The Flying Clouds, The S. C. Violionaires, The Trumpets of Joy, Sister Edna Gallmon Cook, and The Jackson Southernaires. In 1968, he formed his own group, Willie Banks and The Southernaires.