He even traveled from Austin to meet people who’d known Phillips.

“The music – I just thought ‘I’ve never heard anything like this before.’ Or since.”Ĭorcoran became obsessed. “That’s where the mystery started with me,” explained Corcoran. He first heard Washington Phillips in 1999, and instantly wanted to learn more about him. “And I think his introspective style of songwriting was totally unique for the time,” said music journalist Michael Corcoran, former critic for the Austin American-Statesman. But at that time, we had no appreciation for the artistic ability.” He would go around to the churches - sometimes they would let him preach,” remembered Nealy. “ didn’t have a church of his own and he was not recognized by any of the key denominations. But his passions were religion and music. To get by, Phillips sold herbal remedies and ribbon cane syrup from his cart. “And he would play the music to let people know that he was coming.” “He would come on into Teague with his donkeys and his wagon and his music,” Nealy said. As a child, she remembers being transfixed by Phillips. “He would just play the music up and down the backroads of the Simsboro community,” recalled Teague resident Doris Nealy. You’re probably thinking: ‘surely this guy’s some sort of legend?’ Turns out, he lived a pretty humble life. Washington Phillips has been called “ Gospel’s great disappearing act.” His music is described as “ ethereal, elysian, toothsome.” Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Trevor Young has the story. The new collection is called “Washington Phillips and his Manzarene Dreams,” and is up for a Grammy award on Sunday. And that digging inspired an Atlanta-based record label to remaster and re-release his music. One Texas music journalist made it his mission to learn the truth about Phillips’ life. But for the most part, Phillips is unknown to mainstream listeners. A handful of dedicated audiophiles have pored over his music. The east Texas musician recorded only 18 songs at a makeshift studio in Dallas in the late 1920s. Gospel artist Washington Phillips has been shrouded in mystery for decades.