The Sacred Harp Museum has once again done invaluable work in preserving and sharing historical recordings from our tradition. Their latest release—a newly digitized and remastered collection of open reel tapes from Terry Wootten—documents decades of singing in Northeast Alabama, a region deeply tied to Sacred Harp’s living tradition. Spanning from 1962 to 1982, these recordings capture not only the distinctive style of one of Sacred Harp’s most dedicated singing families but also the spirit of a broader singing community that has long been a cornerstone of our tradition.
The Wootten family, well known in Sacred Harp circles and featured in the documentary Sweet is the Day, has been instrumental in keeping this music alive. These recordings, shared from personal collections, preserve the power of their voices and the energy of their singings. The Sacred Harp Museum’s careful digital transfer and remastering ensure that we can now hear these tapes with renewed clarity. Each video includes a timestamped listing of the tunes sung, making this an invaluable resource for singers and researchers alike.
We are grateful to the Sacred Harp Museum for their continued efforts in safeguarding these recordings and making them accessible to the wider community. Whether you are revisiting familiar voices or encountering these singings for the first time, this collection offers a powerful window into a vital era of Sacred Harp singing. You can explore the playlist here: Sacred Harp Museum Wootten Family Recordings (1962–1982).
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