Our Monthly Club Meeting will be this Sunday, July 13th at the Homewood Public Library. 2:00 PM
*******Next club meeting will be August 10, 2008, the second Sunday********

2008 BRC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Premiers…..”Are You Alright”, “Oogsy Moo” & “Locomotive”

The Rockin’ Rebellions……”Anyway The Wind Blows”, “Would You Like To Go Somewhere With Me Sometime” & “By My Side”.

Ben Saxon…….Founding Member of BRC

Be sure to be in attendance at the record show on Sunday, August 17th for our 8th BRC Music Hall Of Fame induction. The program begins at 2:00 but drop by early to get pictures and autographs of the inductees. A special treat this year will be having the Premiers perform for us. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of Birmingham’s best bands play some great music.
A few months back, discussions were underway to induct BRC members into our Hall Of Fame to highlight members’ contributions over the years. We all felt that Ben Saxon should be our first due to his many contributions to BRC and for his input in helping found our club some 27 years ago. This was to be a surprise for Ben. Unfortunately Ben's untimely passing has made his induction bittersweet for us, but we feel that it is definitely past due.

We are putting a wrap on all preparations for our upcoming record show. At the July meeting we need help putting address labels on the postcards that are mailed out. Drop by and lend a hand. Also, there will be fliers and signs for you to take and use for advertising. We need volunteers during the show to help at the door and in the kitchen. Sign up sheets will be at the July & August meetings. The Friday before the show we need volunteers to help get things ready and provide any help the dealers might need as they set up.

Curtis Lee
Continuing our look at the early career of artists before they had a hit we will check out Curtis Lee who is known for his hit “Pretty Little Angel Eyes” on the Dunes label. This song was produced by Phil Spector. Listening to this song, your first impression might be that it is a group that consists of all black singers and you would almost be correct. The backing group is the Halos who are best known for the song “Nag”. But the lead singer, Curtis Lee is white. Curtis had one other minor hit on Dunes called “Under the Moon Of Love”, also produced by Spector. Shortly after this Spector left and Curtis had no more hits.

The flip side of “Pretty Little Angel Eyes”, “Gee I Wish You Were Here” also had that black group sound. The Halos also backed Curtis on this song. Another song that has some differences of opinion as to whether or not it is the same Curtis Lee is the song “I’m Sorry”. It is on the Dunes label but I haven’t been able to find definitive information that it was Curtis. It has the same doo wop sound as “Gee I Wish You Were Here”. If anyone has more info about this controversy please let me know.

But let’s take a look at Curtis’ early recordings. They were done around 1959. The first, “Pure Love”, was on the Warrior label out of Hollywood, CA. If you get a chance to listen to this one you need to do so. The first time I heard the song I thought it was an early Ricky Nelson release. Not only does he sound like Ricky, the song has a definite Nelson sound and feel. Shortly after “Pure Love”, he recorded on a Louisiana label named Hot. These songs also have the same “teen idol” sound as “Pure Love”. After this Curtis signed with Dunes, his sound changed and the rest is history.

There are hundreds of stories about singers that started with one sound and then made their name doing another. We will take a look at another one of these next time. Ever heard of Jamie & Jane? Just who was Jamie? Stay tuned.

PRETTY LITTLE ANGEL EYES: http://youtube.com/watch?v=d5VoXgnrYVg (youtube)

UNDER THE MOON OF LOVE: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gRln0twMVzI (youtube)

GEE HOW I WISH YOU WERE HERE: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mZ3xa8I42I8 (youtube)

UPCOMING RECORD SHOW:
July 20th. Atlanta. Marriott Century Center Located at I-85 & Clairmont Rd exit 91.

UPCOMING CONCERTS:
Doo Wop Live: Saturday, July 12th. Alys Stephens Center, UAB. 2:30 PM & 7:00 PM. Drifters featuring Charlie Thomas, Gene “Duke Of Earl” Chandler, Carl Gardner’s Coasters, Bobby “Tossin’ & Turnin’” Lewis & Kid Kyle, 13 year old Doo Wop singer. Tickets range from $100 - $300.

See ya,

Charlie