Arizona Drane 

Biography

Dranes was born in Sherman, Texas. Born blind, Dranes attended the Texas Institute for Deaf, Dumb and Blind Colored Youth in Austin from 1896 to 1912.
She was believed to be of both African-American and Mexican descent,[1] but recent research by Michael Corcoran for the book/ CD "He Is My Story: the Sanctified Soul of Arizona Dranes" (Tompkins Square) disproves Mexican heritage.

Her correct last name is "Drane", as listed in the official enrollment record for the 1896-1897 school year at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Her name was spelled "Drane" at school, though she was billed as "Dranes" later in life. Because both parents were illiterate, the surname was written down as it was pronounced. Corcoran's research found a probable cousin named "Doran," which would be pronounced "Drane" in the black southern dialect of the time.
 

Career

After graduating from the Texas Institute, she returned to Sherman for ten years. Around 1922, Dranes joined the Church of God in Christ Church in Wichita Falls. She soon became a favored singer-pianist of the founder, Bishop Charles Mason and was well utilized in the COGIC circles. She incorporated a syncopated, ragtime style in her gospel accompaniment and soon established the songs "I Shall Wear A Crown," "My Soul's a Witness for the Lord," and "Lamb's Blood Has Washed Me Clean" as COGIC standards.

Dranes introduced piano accompaniment to Holiness music, which had previously been largely a cappella, and accompanied herself in the barrelhouse and ragtime styles popular at the time. She began recording in 1926 with Okeh Records, first as a solo artist and later with choirs and various other artists and groups.

Although she last recorded in 1928, she continued touring through the 1940s. Later gospel artists, such as Roberta Martin and Clara Ward, were heavily influenced by her piano playing; Dranes' nasal singing style also had an impact on artists such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Arizona Dranes (1926-1929)                                   MP3 Downloads
 

He Is My Story - Arizona Dranes and Choir            MP3 Downloads​
 

Crucifixion  - Arizona Dranes                                ​ MP3 Downloads

Bye And Bye - Arizona Dranes                               ​​MP3 Downloads​
 

It's All Right Now  - Arizona Dranes                       ​MP3 Downloads​
 

Crucifixion  - Arizona Dranes                                 ​MP3 Downloads
  It's All Right Now 
I Shall Wear A Crown - Arizona Dranes                 ​MP3 Downloads​
 

I'm Going Home On The Morning Train  - Arizona Dranes
                                                                               ​ MP3 Downloads​
 

John Said He Saw A Number  - Arizona Dranes    ​MP3 Downloads