Ethel Caffie-Austin

Ethel Caffie-Austin (born February 11, 1949) is an American gospel musician.[1] She is known as the "First Lady of West Virginia Gospel Music."[2] She is a skilled pianist and teacher and features on a 2-DVD set called Learn to Play Gospel Piano on which she teaches the basics of gospel piano.[3] In 2020, she was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.[4]

Ethel Caffie-Austin
Born (1949-02-11) February 11, 1949
Bluefield, West Virginia
GenresGospel
Occupation(s)Musician
Years active1958–present

Early life

Caffie-Austin was born on February 11, 1949 in Bluefield, West Virginia and raised near Mount Hope, West Virginia. She began playing piano at the age of six and began playing at her father's church at the age of nine. Caffie-Austin is a graduate of West Virginia University Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language Arts.[4]

Caffie-Austin formed The Collegiate Gospel Choir at West Virginia Tech in 1967.[4]

Legacy

Caffie-Austin was the subject of a 1999 documentary film titled "His Eye is on the Sparrow," and a 1997 edition of Goldenseal magazine titled “Hand-Clapping and Hallelujahs: A Visit with Ethel Caffie-Austin.”[4]

Personal life

Caffie-Austin maintained a private relationship with Michael Jackson after meeting him at a convention in the 1990s, but would never publicly discuss her friendship with Jackson due to fear of receiving unwanted attention. Caffie-Austin described Jackson as a "prayer partner" and stated Jackson would always call her when he needed prayed for.[5]

Discography

Albums
Title Details Peak chart

positions

 Sales References
Harry Smith Connection
  • Release Date: 1997
 —
    		[6]
    Gospel Live from Mountain Stage
    • Release date: 1998
    		 — [7]

    See also

    References
    1. "Ethel Caffie Austin Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
    2. "Dr. Ethel Caffie-Austin: West Virginia's "First Lady of Gospel Music"". February 21, 2020.
    3. Caffie-Austin, Ethel (2003). Learn to Play Gospel Piano (DVD). ASIN B000092OM7.
    4. "Ethel Caffie-Austin". West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
    5. "Christian Music History: West Virginia Gospel Musician Ethel Caffie-Austin Describes Friendship with the King of Pop". Christian Music History. June 25, 2014.
    6. "Harry Smith Connection Album Reviews, Songs & More", AllMusic, retrieved June 7, 2023
    7. "Gospel Live from Mountain Stage Album Reviews, Songs & More", AllMusic, retrieved June 7, 2023
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