The Canton Spirituals are an award-winning gospel recording group and are regarded as pioneers in the genre of traditional gospel music. Founded in Canton, Mississippi in 1943, the original Canton Spirituals were Eddie Jackson, Theo Thompson, Roscoe Lucious and founder Harvey Watkins, Sr. (December 5, 1929-November 16, 1994). Today, the group is fronted by Watkins' son, Harvey, Jr., and consists of Billy Voss, David Curry, Merlin Lucious, Alton Hollis and Maurice Morgan.