Side 1 and 2: Interview with James Payne on 1983-02-21. Abstract for Payne: [00:00-30:37] James Payne discusses working with quartet trainer Gilbert Porterfield, the process Porterfield used to cultivate harmonies, and his methods of arranging music – 0:22. Payne mentions that Porterfield grew up in Bessemer, Alabama, singing with members of the Kings of Harmony – 4:30. Payne and Abbott discuss singing groups that impressed Porterfield, particularly the Birmingham Blue Jays – 5:54. Payne recalls training several groups himself, including the Daughters of Israel and Payne's own group, the Soproco Singers – 11:50. He describes Sam Tophia's training style in comparison to Porterfield's – 14:50. Payne details the contest they won as the New Orleans Chosen Four, which awarded them the Soproco contract – 16:38. He describes the break-up of the Soproco Singers in detail – 26:28. Payne mentions that the Soproco company paid the group a small salary, but they eventually made enough with their singing and didn't need it – 30:04. [00:00-30:38] On LA081Abbott_Side2 Payne describes his involvement with the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi – 0:00. He mentions the formation of the New Orleans Chosen Five with Gilbert Porterfield – 2:55. Payne recalls his time singing with the Soproco Singers on WWL and receiving hundreds of letters and telegrams from fans – 7:45. Payne talks about Paul Exkano's involvement with the Alabama Blind Boys – 10:30. He shares a tragic story about the death of one member of the Alabama Blind Boys – 13:45. For the remainder of the interview, Payne and Abbott discuss various singers and groups – 18:50.