The Warrenton Echoes are Warren County, North Carolina’s premier African American gospel quartet. Since the group’s inception in 1957, the Echoes have served as a training ground for North Carolina gospel talent. In the group’s 60-year history, the Echoes have seen many personnel changes, but the mission of the group has remained constant. To “meet the need of the people,” is their creed.
Over the years, the Warrenton Echoes have traveled the gospel circuit around the upland South, bringing their harmonies to communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland as well as parts of Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. The group delivers their music to communities through church services, celebrations and quartet contests.
However, the Echoes roots are planted firmly in Warren County, North Carolina. The Echoes current, multi-generational lineup is anchored by original members Roy “June” Foster and James Carter. Previs Foster, June’s son and Echoes member emphasizes their commitment to Warren County. The Echoes sound, “really came from traveling to community churches, to the homes and families in the communities of Warren County.”
The group remains a pillar of the Warren County’s African American community, providing deep knowledge of scripture, close harmonies, and support for families in need. And over their six decades performing, the Warrenton Echoes have grown to be an integral component of Warren County culture.
Produced by Joseph O’Connell, with Evan Hatch and Joy Salyers.
Underwritten by Resourceful Communities and the North Carolina Folklife Institute.
Interview with and performance recordings of Warrenton Echoes by Mike Taylor (NC Folk, 2009).
Visit the Warrenton Echoes artist page
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I live in Philadelphia PA,but I call Kittrell North Carolina my home also. I remember back in the sixties going down south and I would go to church with my grandmother Eltenner (Ms Teena) Foster. The choir would sing those ole gospel songs and I would learn the songs and come back home and teach my friends. Then there were these guys ways hanging around this tree near the church and they would be singing and I would just stand there mesmerized. I know one of the singers was Luther Lennon Foster my cousin-he could sang yes I said sang….. He had a singing mother Aunt Lessie Foster. She would sing during the devotions. I enjoyed their singing. Then I met Roy Foster wow that brother sang too. He was a cousin too . I had some singing cousins all over Kittrell. I remember the Echoes – man they would turn the place out… I miss hearing them sing along with others down there. I had a cousin that played piano and sang too -we called her “Puddin” I remember learning so many songs down there and I still sing them around the house. Some of them are singing in the “Heavenly Choir” now,but their voices will never be forgotten. So sing on cousins sing on . And I cant forget Malone on that guitar neither and I think his son plays now too.
This is just me Judy Harris Walston, just reminiscing about that good ole singing that hails from Kittrell North Carolina. You know these are also some Black History Facts fron NC.
Thank you
I remember these guys. grew up in park town. I’ve always loved this group. if the warren echoes was at the program. you knew it was going to be a treat.