Watkins Park in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

John Robert Lee Bradley

“Mr. Baptist”

— 1919-2007 —

John Robert Lee Bradley Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 12, 2022

1. John Robert Lee Bradley Marker

Inscription. Born in Memphis, Tennessee to John and Lela Ellis Bradley on October 5, 1919, John Robert Lee Bradley was known as "Mr. Baptist". A protégé of Luci E. Campbell, the National Baptist Convention's, U. S. A., Inc., Music Director and pioneering gospel songwriter, J. Robert Bradley began singing at the age of 12 in Memphis. Campbell introduced the young singer to the National Baptist Convention and made him the lead singer in her newly organized Good Will Singers Quartet that toured nationally. His Memphis pastor and songwriter the Rev. W. Herbert Brewster nurtured Bradley. Known for his rich baritone voice, he received voice lessons from Charles Faulkner Bryan, head of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute's (now Tennessee Technological University) music division. Assisted by Campbell and Baptist leader and pastor Dr. A. M. Townsend, Bradley studied voice with the Wagnerian singer, Edythe Walker in New York, where he made his Carnegie Hall debut.

In 1955 he made his Royal Albert Hall debut in London with the British royal family in attendance. Bradley also studied at London's Trinity College and sang for BBC

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radio. The renowned singer recorded his first gospel single for the Apollo label in 1950 and went on to record for Decca. Later he recorded for Nashboro and Spirit Feel/Shanachie. After the 1963 demise of Lucie Campbell, Bradley succeeded her as director of music for the National Baptist Convention, U. S. A., Inc. A favorite singer of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he was knighted in Liberia by President William Tolbert in 1975. Mahalia Jackson noted. "Nobody need mess with Amazing Grace' after Bradley...” A member of Spruce Street Baptist Church, Sir J. Robert Bradley died on May 3, 2007. He was eulogized at Spruce Street and buried next to his mother in Greenwood Cemetery on May 7. 2007.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 254.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 36° 9.465′ N, 86° 48.249′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Watkins Park. It is on Spruce Street, on the right when

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 11, 2022

2. John Robert Lee Bradley Marker

traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 Spruce St, Nashville TN 37203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Spruce Street Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); Nashville Porter and Ale Brewery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blue Triangle YWCA (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pearl High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); William Edmondson (approx. 0.4 miles away); Coach Cornelius Ridley (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Fisk Jubliee Singers (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Alfred Stieglitz Collection at Fisk University (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 11, 2022

3. John Robert Lee Bradley Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 453 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 12, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.