The Drinkard Singers were an American gospel group formed in 1938. The siblings Anne, Nicky, Larry, and Cissy Drinkard began performing under their father Nicholas "Nitch" Drinkard's guidance. Their breakthrough came in October 1951 when they opened for Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Mahalia Jackson at Carnegie Hall. In 1954, they performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, leading to the release of The Newport Spiritual Stars (1957). RCA Records signed them in 1958, making them the first gospel group to sign with a major label, and released their studio album A Joyful Noise (1958). The Drinkard Singers mentored future soul singers Cissy Houston and Judy Clay, as well as Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. The group disbanded in 1962 following key members' departures.
