Lee Bell Johnson, Oral History
Title
Lee Bell Johnson, Oral History
Description
Lee Bell Johnson (LBJ) – gospel singer, story teller, performer, born December 7, 1934 in Demopolis, Alabama, Marengo County – recounts her early childhood and introduction to singing at the age of four while living on a plantation. Lee Bell is regularly seen on the gospel circuit in Jefferson County when the singers get together every year for their anniversaries. Lee Bell graces this interview with song. The audio will be a song clip and hopefully encourage you to read her story.
Creator
Lee Bell Johnson
Bob Friedman
Publisher
Birmingham Black Radio Museum
Date
February 19, 2011
Contributor
Mark Usry
Emily Bibb
Format
PDF
JPG
MP3
Language
English
Interviewer
Bob Friedman
Interviewee
Lee Bell Johnson
Location
WJLD radio studios, Birmingham AL
Transcription
Transcription from audio snippet:
Lee Bell Johnson: I Found The Answer.
Bob Friedman: How's it go?
LBJ: (sings) I found the answer
I like to pray
With faith to guide me
Lord knows I found a way
You know the sun is shining
comin' down on me each day
Lord I found the answer
and I like to pray
Said I found the answer
Oh I like to pray
And with faith to guide me
Lord knows I found a way
You know the sun is shining
comin' down on me each day
Lord then I found the answer
And I like to pray
Lee Bell Johnson: I Found The Answer.
Bob Friedman: How's it go?
LBJ: (sings) I found the answer
I like to pray
With faith to guide me
Lord knows I found a way
You know the sun is shining
comin' down on me each day
Lord I found the answer
and I like to pray
Said I found the answer
Oh I like to pray
And with faith to guide me
Lord knows I found a way
You know the sun is shining
comin' down on me each day
Lord then I found the answer
And I like to pray
Duration
Full interview: 29 minutes
Audio snippet: 2 minutes
Audio snippet: 2 minutes
Files
Collection
Citation
Lee Bell Johnson and Bob Friedman, “Lee Bell Johnson, Oral History,” The Birmingham Black Radio Museum, accessed September 7, 2026, https://thebbrm.org/item/101.
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Aaron Killings
She just left my office, wonderful woman. A 30 min meeting turned into 2hrs, just listening to her.