Ain't No Grave: The Life and Legacy of Brother Claude Ely

Brother Claude Ely’s voice rang out of Appalachian hollers with a fire and fervor that would influence Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and countless others. Ain’t No Grave tells his story in vivid detail, pairing a richly illustrated biography with rare, electrifying recordings of Pentecostal worship services and a sermon delivered by Ely himself.

Based on over 1,000 interviews conducted in the Appalachian Mountains, Ain’t No Grave is a 360-page biography by Ely’s great-nephew, Macel Ely II, Ph.D. It traces the life of Brother Claude Ely, Pentecostal Holiness preacher, gospel songwriter, and King Records artist whose “There Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold My Body Down)” became a cornerstone of American sacred music.

The book features 290 sepia photographs and a companion audio collection of worship services from Kentucky and Virginia, culminating in Ely’s fiery 1977 sermon, “Lingering Could Be Your Doom.”

Brother Claude Ely, known as the “Gospel Ranger,” was the first Pentecostal Holiness recording artist signed to a major label. His music blurred the line between sacred and secular, fueling the energy of early rock & roll. Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and many others drew inspiration from Ely’s passionate sound.

What’s Included

• 360-page illustrated biography (PDF) authored by Macel Ely II
• 290 historic photographs documenting Appalachian worship and daily life
• 10 audio tracks recorded ca. 1977–2010
• View the complete tracklist here: [Insert hosted PDF link]
• Rare audio recordings of Pentecostal worship and sermons, newly remastered

Praise & Reviews

“...Holiness preachers such as Brother Claude Ely rave on like renegade rockabilly cats... Even the wildest rockabilly rarely reached the unhinged delirium of ‘There Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down’.”

— Washington Post

“It’s sanctified singing like Ely’s that we hear echoes of in Elvis, Little Richard, James Brown, and Jerry Lee Lewis. But not a one of them ever burned on record the way Ely burns.”

— New York Times