Claude Jeter

Claude A. Jeter (October 26, 1914 – January 6, 2009) was an American gospel music singer. Originally a coal miner from Kentucky, Jeter formed the group that would eventually become one of the most popular gospel quartets of the post-war era – the Swan Silvertones. He was also, at one time, a member of the Dixie Hummingbirds.

Early life Jeter was born in Montgomery, Alabama on October 26, 1914. Jeter's father died when he was eight-years-old and he moved to Kentucky with his family, where he later found work in the coal mines in West Virginia as a teenager.

Career Swan Silvertones He formed the Four Harmony Kings in 1938 with his brother and two fellow coal miners, which was later renamed as the Silvertone Singers. After the group was hired by a radio program based in Knoxville, Tennessee that was sponsored by the local Swan Bakery, they were renamed as the Swan Silvertones. a line from his 1959 rendition of the Negro spiritual "Mary Don't You Weep" served as Paul Simon's inspiration to write his 1970 song "Bridge over Troubled Water".

In May 2009, Jerry Lawson (former lead singer of The Persuasions) and singer/songwriter James Power released a tribute to Jeter entitled "The Man in Room 1009". The song pays homage to Jeter's musical contribution and legacy using his final home (Room 1009 at the Daughters of Jacob Nursing Home in the Bronx) as the song's setting.

Discography Albums What Is This (1970) Singing In My Soul (1972) The Little Wooden Church On The Hill (1975) Mary Don't You Weep (1976) The Greatest Hits of Reverend Claude Jeter (1977) Our Greatest Hits (1977) with Evangelist Shirley Caesar Swan Silvertones Featuring Reverend Claude Jeter - Our Greatest Hits (1977) Yesterday And Today (1988) I Thank You Lord (unknown) Inspirations! (unknown) with Shirley Caesar Singles Mary Don't You Weep (unknown) with Shirley Caesar and The Caesar Singers In Memory Of Dr. Martin Luther King / When I've Gone The Last Mile Of The Way (unknown) Only Believe / Christmas In Heaven (unknown)