[1] In 1926, he and his brother Doyle had developed an interest in gospel music, singing at church gatherings, camp meetings, schools and any place they saw the opportunity.
The quartet soon began broadcasting on the larger WJDX in Jackson, moving to Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1939, and Shenandoah, Iowa, in 1940.
On June 12, 1954, the Blackwood Brothers won first place on the CBS radio and TV program Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts Show.
On June 30, 1954, in Clanton, Alabama, the quartet was preparing for concert at the airport for the Chilton County Peach Festival.
In 1956, the re-organized group appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scout Show and won a second time.
After singing with The Blackwood Brothers Quartet for 47 years, James (together with four other veteran gospel singers, Hovie Lister, Jake Hess, J. D. Sumner and Rosie Rozell) formed the Masters V Quartet, the highlight being a joint concert with The Rivertown Boys in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
[7] In 1990, he formed the James Blackwood Quartet with Ken Turner, Brad White and Ray Shelton.
[citation needed] He died of a stroke on February 3, 2002, aged 82 at Methodist Healthcare Central Hospital in Memphis.
His peers in the Gospel Music Association voted him the GMA Dove Award Top Male Vocalist for seven consecutive years.
In 1997, the Memphis and Shelby County Optimists Clubs named him Citizen of the Year, presenting him with plaques and citations from 16 government and civic groups.
In 2001, he was presented with the General Superintendent's Medal of Honor from the Assemblies of God, the highest recognition from that organization.