of the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind when the group was originally formed, but was too young to join the group when they began touring. In 1983, the group (billed as Clarence Fountain and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama) was cast in the theatrical production The Gospel at Colonus, an African-American musical version of Sophocles' tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus. In the play, the Blind Boys collectively played the part of blinded Oedipus. The cast included Morgan Freeman as well as members of The Soul Stirrers. The Gospel at Colonus won an Obie for Best Musical in 1984 and the production moved to Broadway in 1988. The play's success led to the Blind Boys' exposure to a wider mainstream audience and marked a turning point for the group. In 1990, vocalist and percussionist Ricky McKinnie was invited by Fountain to join the Blind Boys. McKinnie had actually met the Blind Boys when he was about five years old. McKinnie's mother, Sarah McKinnie Shivers, was a singer who would often cross paths with the Blind Boys while she was on tour. McKinnie lost his sight due to glaucoma at age 23, but had been playing drums for over a decade prior. The Blind Boys released Deep River in 1992, which was nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards. The album was produced by Booker T. Jones, and featured a version of Bob Dylan's "I Believe In You." In 1993, they appeared as musical guests on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. In 1994, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded a National Heritage Fellowship to Clarence Fountain and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. The award was presented to the Blind Boys by First Lady Hillary Clinton. In 1995, the Blind Boys became the first artists to be signed to the new House of Blues gospel label, for which they recorded their first live album I Brought Him with Me. The album featured appearances from blues singers Koko Taylor and Solomon Burke. In December 1996, the group appeared in the Christmas episode of TV series Beverly Hills, 90210 titled "Gift Wrapped". The Blind Boys continued experimenting with contemporary popular music on their 1997 release Holding On, also released on the House of Blues label. The album contained elements of funk and reggae. 2000s The Blind Boys of Alabama enjoyed further exposure and success in the