The Charioteers, an American gospel and pop vocal group, were formed in 1930 at Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Initially known as the Harmony Four, they changed their name to The Charioteers after the song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". Their breakthrough came in 1931 when they won the Ohio State Quartet contest and began performing on Cincinnati radio station WLW. In 1935, they signed with Decca Records and later with Columbia Records in 1938. The group gained popularity through radio and live performances, recording with notable singers such as Pearl Bailey and Frank Sinatra. Their hit singles include "So Long" (1940), "On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City" (1946), and "Open the Door, Richard!" (1947). The Charioteers performed in the Broadway hit Hellzapoppin' in 1941. The group disbanded in 1957 after releasing their last recording, "The Candles", for MGM Records. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
