Casting Call for The Play, "The Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music", SC Beach Music Day book signing, and a lot more about the In-Men Ltd.

above: In-Men Ltd. circa 1968

Casting Call for the play,

“The Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music”
Stage adaptation written by Nora Lott Haynes


Please send head shot and resume to:

Pyramid Worldwide Productions
155 Westridge Drive
Suite 108
McDonough, Georgia 30253

Or call for more information:

678-432-0780

Note: Scenes from Act One are posted at www.heybabydays.com

Hey Baby Days Italiano

Details coming soon on Francesco Calazzo radio show in
Casagiove, Italy featuring the music from Disk One & Two of “The Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music.”

We took a sabbatical from the blog and web site to catch up on some other matters. Hope to start posting again with more regularity.


Book Signing In Columbia, South Carolina May 16

We will be going back to Columbia, South Carolina for the third time for a book signing. We have not had a book signing in some time because we have sold out of new books in their original shrink wrap. The State Museum of South Carolina still has copies and we have been invited to South Carolina’s Beach Music Day on Saturday May 16 and will sign the books that they have left.

Where other “new” books can be found: (Sightings)

In addition to the State Museum, some Barnes & Nobles and Books-A-Million stores may have copies but check with the store before going. For instance, there is one copy available in Opelika, Alabama at the Books-A-Million store on Tiger Town, but none at the BAM at East Chase in Montgomery. There was one at the Barnes & Noble store across from Cumberland Mall in Atlanta but don’t know if any of these books at still available in those stores.

If you know any stores that have copies (in their original shrink wrap) let us know and we will post for those who are still inquiring and want a new copy. We only have used copies available which are available through ABE Books. (www.abebooks.com)


Comments on Book and the In-Men-Ltd.


Received your book as a Christmas present from my younger brother...have been going through it in bits and pieces and really enjoying it...brought back great memories...wanted to share a couple of things with you including a correction or two.

1. I was working for Curtom (Curtis Mayfield/Eddie Thomas) Records in 1968-1970 while I was a student at UNC Chapel Hill. Was a huge In-Men Ltd fan during the time Mickey Combs was singing lead. I was doing radio promotion for Curtom in NC and VA, and went to Chicago to the offices on South Stoney Island Avenue about once a month. Donny Hathaway was doing
some writing for Curtis at the time, and Jerry Butler and Major Lance were frequent office visitors.

Curtis loved Girl Watcher...thought the O'kaysions were black...and particularly like Jay of Jay and the Americans (I assume because he sung falsetto and covered some of Curtis' songs).

I recommended Curtis sign the In-Men...got them on a show together at the Cellar in Charlotte so Curtis could hear them...and the In-Men tore it up that night.

Then, I went with the In-Men into the Copeland Sound Studios...I think in G'boro but may have been Burlington...and they cut their entire set as if performing live. That's where the I'm Gonna Miss You cut came from. They also did their Rascals medley...Does Your Mama Know About Me...Don't Look Back...the Dione Warwick song "Don't Make Me Over," their intro medley
that included "I Thank You"...and assorted others...including "People." I'm guessing when I periodically see references to that...it also came from that session.

I've got a scratched and battered version of the acetate from that
session...but would love to get the digitalized version. Help me with that...glad to pay...can't find that CD anywhere.

You are correct, however, when you note that the recording was as a demo for Curtis.

Incidentally...Curtis provided them with the sheet music to I'm The One Who Loves You...the full orchestration...because that's the one he wanted them to cover. Not sure why it never happened...too bad.

2. When Sonny Long references playing with the Magnificent Men...he is incorrect in the location. It was actually at Marshall University in West Virginia...I went on that trip with them. The In-Men were in their white suits with pink ruffled shirts. Obviously that was before they became Peace Corps.

By the way...the In-Men did Stormy Weather during their set...but that was the only Mag Men song they covered.

Both bands performed well...and although I'm prejudiced...I think if it had been a battle the In-Men would have come out on top. But that close to the Mag Men's home base of Pennsylvania...they were the "big deal" that night.

3. I was a DJ in Rockingham...WAYN...during my high school days. Advertised Coachman & Four club often, as you can imagine. Used to get the groups coming through town for interviews and for promos...Drifters...O'Jays...Maurice Williams...etc. O'Jays did one for me that said "When we're not listening to Bill's Platter Chatter Show, Baby...we're asleep."

Used to interview Curtis a bit (before I went to work for him)...as well as Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff when the Intruders broke onto the scene.4. FYI...later (much later) in my career...I became president of the Cleveland Browns football team...1996-1998...when there was actually no team...my role was to build the new stadium...sell the franchise for the NFL...and get the team successfully back in town.

Former Brown running back Jim Brown became a great friend, and we produced a music video with original music (written by Michael Stanley and Bob Pellander of the Michael Stanley Band in Cleveland). We shot some in Cleveland...some in LA. Used Bobby Womack as lead singer...as well as Gerald Levert (Eddie of O'Jay's son). Also the Dramatics (What you See is What you Get), Ali Williams (later version of Temptations singer), Syretta
Wright (Stevie Wonder's ex-wife), Freda Payne, Lou Rawls, Clarence Clemons (E-Street Band) on sax, plus Drew Carey and a lot of ex Browns. Get me an address and I'll send it to you...without question the best sports team music...won a national Telly award...it's called "Here We Go Again" and has some vintage Browns footage in addition to the production video.

Will think of more and let you know.

Help me get clean version of the In-Men items and any other In-Men stuff you have ... reunion CD???...other.

Thanks.

Great work on the book. Not only informative...but layout TERRIFIC. Very
impressed.

Best regards,

Bill Futterer
Managing Member
Futterer Partners LLC/PSE-3



Bill

What great info ! I have been having a case of "writer's block" for the Hey Baby Days' blog but you have cured that with your email so expect for it to appear tomorrow. The recording that you reference has been made into an incredible medley by Tim Easton which I am sure we can get you a copy.

I had hoped it would have been release. It's top notch. By the way I am sending a copy of this to Sonny Long. Are you aware that they will be appearing at a reunion of the Coachman and Four. I hope to attend. Please continue with any other memories as this is the essence of the blog.

Regards
Greg Haynes


Greg

Not aware of the Coachman reunion, but please let me know when and where. Coincidentally, I just spoke to Wilson Howard about a business matter last week.

Also...go to my company website and click on the link for PSE Broadway. Be sure to let Sonny know about that as well. I think he'll remember me. Tell him I was the skinny kid with glasses who went to Carolina.

Incidentally, he may remember I set up a few old reel-to-reel recorders and taped the In-Men at the Keg in Salisbury...perhaps in summer of 1968...but may have been sooner than that.

I think I recall Sonny playing both guitar and drums, actually, but not sure about that.

As for Broadway, although most of my activities have been in the sports arena...with the Browns, other NFL items, and a great deal of NASCAR-related work...I'm producing my first Broadway musical...have hired Richard Frankel Productions as General Manager and co-Executive Producer...they did Smokey Joe's Cafe and teamed with Mel Brooks on The Producers and Young Frankenstein...

I've secured the underlying rights to the South African apartheid story from Zindzi Mandela...Nelson Mandela's daughter...and we've hired a writer/director and are currently working to retain our composer/lyricist.

I think Sonny...with his enjoyment of music...would get a kick out of that.

Feel free to forward my email address and this correspondence to him. I get to Charlotte periodically...my offices are in Raleigh and Phoenix...so maybe he and I could hook up at some point for lunch.

Meanwhile, I look forward to talking further and joining you at the
Coachman reunion. I've got a lot of friends who would attend...including some business partners of mine from Alabama who attended Pembroke 40 years ago.

Thanks for the email.

Bill Futterer
Managing Member
Futterer Partners LLC/PSE-3

4030 Wake Forest Road
Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27609

Bill,

I don't have all the details of the reunion but hopefully someone will see this posting and fill in the blanks. Thanks for all the detail you provided. As you know, we dedicated a lot of ink in "The Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music" to the In-Men Ltd. and I think you know why. Unless you saw them perform back in the 60s, you might think that they were just another band. We know better. For them not to have really gotten out in the national main stream is best termed in Lucy's words, "The fickle finger of fate."

Regards,

Greg

P.S. I usually have a photo with a posting. If I can find the photo of the In-Men Ltd. in the white suits, I put it on.


Bill,

CDs are coming your way courtesy of Sonny Long. Here's the link to the information about the Coachman & Four reunion. Sounds like a great time with many bands from the golden age.

http://www.beachmusiconline.com/04/coachman-four-reunion/

High Interest in Ray Whitley

Above image: From the "The Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music"
photo courtesy of Gene Lee click on image to enlarge

Many have emailed about Ray Whitley following yesterday's post. One of the greatest composers of the Hey Baby Days, Ray Whitley was responsible for some of the era's greatest songs (some of which were hits in other genres)i.e. provided there is a genre other than Beach Music.

"Dancing Mood" - originally recorded by the Tams, it's a classic in Reggae

"Be Young, Be Foolish Be Happy" (with J.R. Cobb) - a southern anthem

"Hey Girl, Don't Bother Me" - No 1 in England

"What Kind of Fool ( Do You Think I Am )"

"I've Been Hurt" one of the biggest songs of the party ; original Tams' but covered by many

"You Lied To Your Daddy"

"Laugh It Off"
AND MANY MORE...
"Too Much Fooling Around"

Want to comment about the music of Ray Whitley ? "Add a comment" by clicking on the Add A Comment link below, and review the ones posted above.

Pogo The Medallions Madras Madness and the plight of Ray Whitley

above: Nora Marion receives a copy of "Madras and Madness" from Medallion Shawn McElrath to be given to Dad








Swingin' Medallions play in the Swamp for thousands at the Swampfest...while the City of Waycross's patron saint, Pogo, the possum philosopher looks on from the Water Tower. Pogo is credited with such quotes as:

"We Have Met The Enemy and he is us"

"Where ever you go, is where you are"

"We are surrounded by insurmountable opportunity."




I had planned to take my ninety year old father somewhere he had never been and that was to a concert featuring the Swingin’ Medallions in downtown Waycross. However, Saturday morning my father had a bout with dizziness we took him in to be checked out and after running a battery of testes, he seemed to be alright but we decided against the concert. Nora Marion and I went for a couple of hours and came away impressed with how well the band catered to a crowd of several thousand that represented every age group and race. The Medallions had music for everyone and I think they played every song on their latest CD, “,Madras and Madness.” Something that I had never seen the band do was to engage the very young that were attendance at the concert. The band invited on stage with them all the toddlers in attendance. Twenty or so took them up on the invitation and were soon rocking on stage with the band to “Brick House.” I am sure it was an experience the kids will never forget.


The band gave us a CD that we could give to Dad, presented above to Nora Marion by band member, Shawn McElrath. I’ll be interested in getting Dad’s review after he listens but I think he’ll enjoy many of the great cuts on the CD. We were grateful for the great service we got at Satilla Regional in Waycross for my father. A little disappointed that he didn’t get to see the band he had heard about for forty years but judging from the crowd’s reaction to the band, they’ll be back.

We end this posting on a bit of a downer but thought that we should share because maybe we can collectively do something about what you read below:


Hello to all, my name is Tom

I came across your blog through a google search for a man that I met recently. I'm involved with a ministry that brings food for the flesh and food for the soul through the word and music. At a homeless shelter in Gainesville, Ga I met this man playing guitar and singing to the other residents there. Through conversation I learned two things about him (other than being homeless). First he is very nearly totally deaf, and that his name is Ray Whitley; besides being an artist in his own right is author of many hits for such greats a the Tams, Billy Joe Royal, Tommy Roe, The Swing Medallions etc. Just thought you guys would want to know . I wish I knew how to post on your blog.

Peace
Tom


Note: I have responded to Tom and will be in touch with him over the few days. Hopefully, we will come up with some ideas that will help Ray. Ray Whitley gave us some of the greatest songs of our youth. Maybe we can give something back to Ray.

Come Go With Me To Long Island and the Dell-Vikings

Greg & Nora with the Dell-Vikings

helpful hint: aways have a pocket comb available if you're to going to have your picture made with a famous band












Smooth... that's about the best way I can describe the Dell-Vikings. Nora and I saw them live in person this past Saturday night and even got our photos made with one of the most famous vocal groups of the Doo Wop era. Nora's first cousin, Kay Ullman of Sands Point, NY was honored for her tremendous contributions to the school district and we attended the gala which featured a performance by the masters of Doo Wop... HOWEVER, they did end their show with a Beach Music classic, "Higher & Higher" Jackie Wilson style. My guess is the Dell Vikings could have covered many more artists very well like the Drifters, Clovers, etc but why cover others when you have your own great hits including "Whispering Bells", "Come Go with Me", "The Jitterbug" and others. Like many groups from the bygone days, you wonder how many of the current Dell Vikings were original but most of the guys on the stage looked pretty authentic to me.. .

On Friday night, we saw "Jersey Boys" on Broadway. It's great and a must see for those who love the music of the 60s. I have now figured out why Buddy Buie didn't make any money when he had a show with the Four Seasons back in the 60s. He said they charged a lot and even with a big crowd, he said he did not do well. If the story in the play is true, the had to charge a lot so they could get out of hock for all the band leader's gambling debts. That sounds like something that could have easily happened back in the Hey Baby Days. The play inspired me to take another step in trying to get the play written by Nora Marion based on the book produced. We may have found a possibility. Stay tuned but read a few of the opening scenes from the play by clicking on the link below:

http://www.heybabydays.com/HBD_Play_Vol_1.pdf

Medallion Sax man Johnny Cox was a helleva player

1968 Swingin' Medallion lineup: Front Row, Johnny Cox, saxophone; Jimbo Doares, guitar; and Joe Morris, drums; Back Row: Hack Bartley, saxophone; Grainger Hines, saxophone; John McElrath, keyboards; Charlie Webber, trumpet; and Carroll Bledsoe, trumpet






Medallions Johnny Cox and Hack Bartley at Medallion reunion in 1987




Medallions Perrin Gleaton, Johnny Cox and Freddy Pugh share memories in 2007


He was one helleva sax player! In a band known for horns, he stood out and now he joins Medallion band mates Steve Caldwell and Charlie Webber in the greatest horn section of them all! Johnny Cox died this past weekend in South Carolina. He had been suffering from lung cancer but his memory will be with us always. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him perform. It was in the Jacksonville Beach Coliseum, a venue long gone but forever etched in the memories of those who loved to see the bands of the Hey Baby Days in action. “Shotgun, git ‘em for they run “ “What Does It Take (To win your love)” “Hot Cha” Johnny was another Jr. Walker but don’t take what I say as gospel. Ask those who saw him perform. Yes! In a band where the “S” in Swingin’ stood for Saxophone, John Cox was nonpareil.


One of the stories that should have been in the book:

One of the mainstays of any Swingin’ Medallion shows is their presentation of Jr. Walker’s “Shotgun.” You know how it goes. The riveting song begins with a Medallion sax player playing the role of Jr. Walker. He blows the horn so hard that about halfway through, he doubles over on the floor, apparently passed out. Bandleader John McElrath asks “Is There a Doctor in The House?” Concern runs rampant as band members gather around trying to see if Jr. is going to make it. In the era of non-political correctness, there was always a Nurse Goodbody available to resuscitate the sprawling Junior. It seemed to always work because Jr. is so revived that he starts blowing the saxophone lying on his back and continues as he is pulled up off the floor by two band mates and held upside down still blowing the sax. It’s a Medallion trademark. It started way back with Brent Fortson and Freddy Pugh and continues today with Shawn McElrath. But Johnny Cox may be the only one of the Medallion sax players to ever be dropped during “Shotgun.” He was not just dropped to the stage but off the entire stage. It occurred at the Riverside Woman’s Club in Jacksonville, Florida. Johnny was smiling when he told me the story but I bet he wasn’t at the time as he missed several jobs as a result of the fall.

He apparently made a great recovery as he came back and continued to blow that horn from every angle with a great amount of passion and acumen.

Another ticket has been issued for “The Party to End All Parties” May Johnny Cox rest in peace.
Memorial Sevices:


Johnny Cox, original member of the Swingin' Medallions, who passed away
Saturday afternoon at 4:15pm at MUSC in Charleston. His body will be
cremated and there will be two memorial (celebration) services; one at Ocean
Drive Beach, and one in Johnny's hometown of Woodruff.

The two services to be held to celebrate Johnny's life are as follows:

Sunday, March 29, at 3:00pm, memorial services will be held at Lanford
Funeral Home Chapel on Main Street in Johnny's hometown of Woodruff, SC.

Sunday, April 05, at 11:30am, at The Pavilion at Ocean Drive Beach, A
memorial service will be conducted by Rev. Harold Beaver and Richard Carr.
After this service, everyone is invited next door to The O.D. Beach Club for
a celebration of Johnny's Life.

Would you believe there are “More Tempests in the Teapot?”

Would you believe there are “More Tempests in the Teapot?”



Why not? There were eleven dozen bands from South Carolina in the 60s called the Villagers, bands of Nomads on virtually every corner and forget trying to identify the various bands of Checkmates.

And their was another band called the Tempests and the were from Sumter, South Carolina and they played “soul music” according to Warren Moise. Moise, a musician, producer songwriter is associated with some of Beach Music's most well known songs such as "Ocean Boulevard", "Super Summer", "On the Beach", "Carolina Girls" and others. He has promised us a narrative about the band. Additionally we discovered that Warren is now a practicing attorney in Charleston. He is in excellent company of other musicians of the Hey Baby Days who gave up the stage for the courtroom ( which is another type of stage) Here are a few of the musicians from back in the day that have a shingle hanging:

Warren Moise ( Tempests )


http://www.grimcab.com/attorneys.php?id=4

Brent Fortson (Swingin’ Medallions)

http://www.lawyers.com/South-Carolina/Greenville/Law-Office-of-H.-Brent-Fortson,-LLC-2006301-f.html

Carl Ellsworth (Counts)

http://localdirectory.wistv.com/Ellsworth+Carl+A+Atty.9.9160778p.home.html

Sylvan Wells (Nightcrawlers)

Tommy Ratchford (Soul-7/Laymen)

Jim Roark Laymen (aka Suzy Storm & The Laymen) is a Judge


Know others ? we’ll add.

The other Tempests bands from the South “that we know about” are also bands of great renown. The Tempests from Charlotte, North Carolina dangled on the edge of national breakout in the late 60s with their entry, “Would You Believe”. Two Tempests’ cuts can be found on the Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music series. “Love Have Mercy” is on Disk Two that comes with the book and “ A Place Where We Can Go” can be found on Disk Eight.

The Tempests from Augusta had performers who went on to play with other well know Beach Music bands. A tie in with Ronnie Milsap is possible but not confirmed.












No! Joe Walsh was not the lead singer for the James Gang; it was Wilbur Walton Jr. Check the directory of Wilbur Walton & The James Gang above. Now it’s very possible that there was another band called the James Gang with a lead singer by the name of Joe Walsh but I can guarantee you that it was not the same band that recorded the classic, “Georgia Pines.” (Please remember that that at the Hey Baby Days blog, we believe in levity)

As you can see, we need help with our band directories. In some cases these directories serve as a certain 60s band’s bands only legacy. If a band performed “My Girl”, “Midnight Hour”, or any of the greatest hits from The Hey Baby Days, we want to know about them, want them listed among the bands on the Bands page at the site. To the extent that we can get all of the names and instruments etc, we want that as well. (Look at the directory form for the type of information that we are seeking) By reviewing the directories included in this posting, you will notice varying degrees of completeness.

We will be updating and adding directories to the Bands page soon… we have been working on it for some time but we still have a ways to go. For instance, we’ll be adding Wilbur Walton’s latest effort, “Mr. Rosebud” to his listing of releases. We’ll be adding another band of Tempests and hopefully filling in blanks for the two Tempest bands listed above.


If you reading this and know someone who might help in filling in some blanks, please forward this posting along. We also revise, and correct existing directories.

Thanks to all who are supporting the Hey Baby Days

Click on the images to enlarge


We are very gratified to hear almost daily from readers who are enjoying "The Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music." We started the blog because of the many and wonderful emails we were getting about the book. We were posting them on the "Comments From Readers" at the web site, www.heybabydays.com. Then our brilliant site webmaster said, "you should start a blog." And so we did ! The support continues to grow and if it continues, and the information flow continues, a Volume Two may become a reality. As to Volume One, a second printing is very possible. We'll keep you advised and when we get to a certain point in reservations, we'll send a note to China to start the presses.