"GROUP HARMONY:
ECHOES OF THE RHYTHM AND BLUES ERA"
By
Todd Baptista
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by
Todd R. Baptista Copyright 2000 - All Rights Reserved
No
part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, with the exception of brief passages in
a review setting,
without prior permission of the author.
Library
of Congress Control Number: 00-093474 International Standard Book Number:
0-9706852-0-3
The
book is $24.95 plus $2 for US postage of $4 for
int'l postage via check or money order. No credit cards accepted at this
time.
You can order directly from:
TRB
ENTERPRISES P.O. Box 50962 New Bedford, Ma. 02745-0033
or e-mail trbent@gis.net
Printed by: Hamilton Printing Co., Portsmouth, RI
The
old cliche about writers hating the process but loving to have written is
partially true. In retrospect, writing a book is easy. It's figuring out what
one wants to do with a couple of floppies and a stack of photographs that evokes
tension. Exploring the publishing house route, shopping the literary agents,
talking to the so-called experts, the edits, and finally, the waiting, was what
sent my wife and me into our roles as publishers, distributors, and even concert
promoters, to go along with full-time health care providers.
When
I put the finishing touches on my first book in the winter of 1996, 1 vowed
never to undertake a project of such magnitude again. After all, it had
encompassed seven years of my life. In between filling prescriptions and
counseling patients, I filled my days and nights with interviews, countless
hours pouring over old magazines, journals, and histories, and putting it all
together at the keyboard. During the process, Kristen and our dogs endured
a lot of nights waiting up for me, or falling asleep alone. No, the albatross
was sufficiently freed from my neck, and I had no plans to do it again.
The
researcher in me won out in early 1997. The task at hand was the Cardinals, and
my goal was simply to create a magazine article similar to my previous book
chapters. The exchanges that followed between Ernie Warren, Jack Johnson, and me
were what truly inspired this companion volume.
In
this entire process, there's nothing as enjoyable as forming these friendships.
In building the chapters, a degree of trust and a bond with the artists evolve
which go beyond the casual. In my first book, I wrote that "faces now went
with the names I had memorized from the music books years before. I was amazed
that in these faces, I saw everyday people, just like me." But it seems
that only Kristen remembered how hard it could be. Sometimes the story behind
the rhythm and the blues doesn't fit in a glossy 8 by 10. Poverty, conflict,
substance abuse problems, and the mortality of the subject can tarnish the
image, scratch the frame, or even crack it, Images are one thing; human beings
are another. Just as in everyday life, the ability to accept the mediocre along
with the great has allowed me to experience the world of my childhood heroes and
some idyllic, transcendent moments.
The
Tulimieri's generous and unexpected in-home book launching party brought
together a house full of entertainers and still evokes the sweetest, heartfelt
memories, shooting pool with Dicey in my basement, sharing Japanese food with
Richie Davis on vacation, Dad and I joining the Harptones in their backstage
unity circle, quiet walks and long talks with Gerald Gregory and delivering a
eulogy at his funeral, What a therapeutic exercise it can be to take a step back
and ponder the wonders experienced on the path I've chosen.
Stars
were meant to shine, and writing royalty checks, finding a home for a veteran
vocalist with a working group, and bringing the Willows back to the concert
stage are among my most rewarding achievements. Performers offering back,
"I love the way you told our story." The memories and emotions that
accompany such events are what this is all about for me. Some things money
cannot buy, replace, or impact.
Within
the couple of hundred pages that follow are the chronicles of ten additional
rhythm and blues vocal groups and a lifetime of musical memories. If you've
bought this book for the names inside and the faces on the cover, I need not
explain the process that put them there. It is still their story that must be
told, and its impact is best experienced through their words, as much as
possible.
Once
again, then, I offer this work on a select few of the pioneers: the heroes of my
youth, the men and women behind the reference books, the names on the labels,
the faces in the faded black and white glossies. Nearly half a century has
passed since their voices first sprang to life from within the grooves of the
old 78s and 45s. To me those sounds are as vibrant and exciting as ever. I offer
this work with love and in tribute to them, in appreciation of the trust, faith,
patience, and encouragement they've given to me, and the wonderful, enduring
memories their music has brought into my life.
My
special thanks to the always encouraging network of supporters and friends whose
contagious enthusiasm and invaluable assistance were essential: Richard and
Eunice Tulimieri, Tony and Claudette Lindo, Bill Clark, Claire Lineberry,
Charlie Homer and Karen Caplan, Philip Groia, Eric LeBlanc, Mike "Belair"
Bollea, George Denham, Ed Bowen, George Lavatelli, Ferdie Gonzalez, Bob Medina,
Teddy Scott, Richie Davis, Willie Winfield, my e-mail friends and supporters on
the internet, Tony Fournier, Nikki Gustafson & Jim Dunn, all those who took
the time to write and express their interest and support of these efforts, and
especially Ronnie Italiano and the United In Group Harmony Association who have
made it possible for the pioneers to be seen, heard, and honored once again. For
their inspiration and support over the years, my memories of Robert Braz, Jim
Lofgren, Bill Horton, Raymond Edwards, Alphonso Howell, and Gerald Gregory will
always be vivid and comforting.
The
chronicles of these artists could not have been written without the patient and
diligent assistance of the performers themselves. For their trust and help I am
especially grateful.
Fred
Barksdale, Hayward "Chuck" Carbo, Arthur Crier, Richard Davis, Willie
Davis, Thomas "Pete" Fox, Kenneth Hamilton, George "Sonny"
Hatchett,
Donald "Jack' Johnson, Randy Jones, Lillian Leach Boyd, Earl Lewis, Richard
Lewis, Marlowe
Murray, Thermon
Ruth, Teddy Scott, Bill Shelton, Alvin Springer, Leander L. Tarver, Ernest
Warren,
John Wilson, Willie Winfield,
Todd's original book Group Harmony: Behind The Rhythm and The Blues is a companion book featuring the Spaniels, Dubs, Silhouettes, El Dorados, Teenchords, G-Clefs, Solitaires, Willows, Bop Chods and Harptones. It is now out of print but there is a good chance that it will be reprinted. Check this website for further news.
The latest
book is $24.95 plus $2 for US postage of $4 for
int'l postage via check or money order. No credit cards accepted at this
time.
You can order directly from:
TRB
ENTERPRISES P.O. Box 50962 New Bedford, Ma. 02745-0033
or e-mail trbent@gis.net
Printed by: Hamilton Printing Co., Portsmouth, RI
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