I am putting together a radio show about Herschel Dwellingham, who was in Boston during the 60s and early 70s. He was a writer, arranger & drummer of many of my favorite Boston soul records (including his biggest, 'Young Girl' by Frank Lynch, and 'Black Eyed Girl' by Billy Thompson).

He had a label then called 'My Records'. They had 3 45s that I know of:

Frank Lynch - Young Girl

Maurice - What I Got I Got

The Valiants - ?

It is the third one that I am currently trying to track down. Anyone have any information? I found a Valiants record in Ref-o-soul, called "Tell Me What Your Gonna Do". But the label wasn't listed, and I am not sure if it is on My, or a different Valiants.

I am in contact with Herschel, so I plan to ask him during our interview tomorrow, but my show is this weekend, so I am trying all avenues to prepare.

Thanks in advance!

-pj

I am putting together a radio show about Herschel Dwellingham, who was in Boston during the 60s and early 70s. He was a writer, arranger & drummer of many of my favorite Boston soul records (including his biggest, 'Young Girl' by Frank Lynch, and 'Black Eyed Girl' by Billy Thompson).

He had a label then called 'My Records'. They had 3 45s that I know of:

Frank Lynch - Young Girl

Maurice - What I Got I Got

The Valiants - ?

It is the third one that I am currently trying to track down. Anyone have any information? I found a Valiants record in Ref-o-soul, called "Tell Me What Your Gonna Do". But the label wasn't listed, and I am not sure if it is on My, or a different Valiants.

I am in contact with Herschel, so I plan to ask him during our interview tomorrow, but my show is this weekend, so I am trying all avenues to prepare.

Thanks in advance!

-pj

Sounds interesting.

He also arranged quite a few tracks in New York and New Jersey areas. I often wondered if he was related to Doris Duke. She co-wrote a song that he arranged once and I thought it might not be a coincidence.

Best regards,

Sounds interesting.

He also arranged quite a few tracks in New York and New Jersey areas. I often wondered if he was related to Doris Duke. She co-wrote a song that he arranged once and I thought it might not be a coincidence.

Best regards,

Yes, he is a very interesting guy. Here are the liner notes from a CD comp he put out that tells about his whole career. I am using it to prepare for the interview:

Helva Liner Notes

in 1961, Herschel E. Dwellingham started his career as a

drummer in the city of Bogalusa, Louisiana, playing with

the Rhythm Aces, led by Henry Sims, and a group of older

musicians which included Robert Hodge, his high school band

leader, who taught him how to write music. That was the beginning

of his musical life.

In 1962, Herschel went to Ron & Ric Records in New Orleans

with some songs he had written with lyricist Charles Lucas.

Joe Ruffino liked what he heard and asked Herschel to come

to the famous Cosmo Recording Studio, where all the New Orleans

hits of the '50s and '60s were recorded. Herschel was fortunate in

getting some arrangement-writing tips from Dr. John, who was

working at the time for Ron & Ric Records.

One month later, Herschel was listening to WBOK Radio and heard

his first song released on Ron Records, "Come On And Tell Her", with

Benny Freeman. Of the 30 songs Ruffino signed, 10 singles were

eventually released by various artists.

After he graduated from high school in 1963, Herschel went to

Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, after Quincy Jones

inspired him to attend. In 1964, He sent for Alva Jackson, and they

were married in Boston. They had 3 children, twins Herschel and Erschel,

and Christopher, born 5 years after the twins.

While in Boston, Herschel and Alva started a record label called My Records;

Herschel produced and Alva managed their artists. Their first release

, "Young Girl", sung by Frank Lynch, became a nationwide hit.

After the release of "Young Girl", Lynch was killed by a policeman in

Boston City Hospital, after he had been brought there due to a

domestic incident. His death was ruled a justifiable homicide.

My Records was distributed by radio personality and store owner,

Skippy White, who also owned Mass Record Distributors.

Other artists on My Records include the Valiants, and Maurice Rice.

Before he moved his family from Boston for New York in 1973,

Herschel played drums on the hit jazz album "Sweetnighters" with

Weather Report. He has been credited with creating the first hip-hop

beats on that album, which has been sampled countless times.

In New York, Herschel soon became first-call drummer for many

session contractors, chief among them Phil Medley, famous

for writing "Twist & Shout" and "One In A Million". The experience

was like music school all over again, working with great arrangers

and producers like Bert Keys (Stephanie Mills), Paul Leka Harry Chapin),

Bert De Coteaux (Sister Sledge and the Manhattans) and others

for 20 years of constant studio work.

Herschel and Alva Dwellingham started Helva Records in 1979 as

a family label with their children and August Sims, whom Herschel

had met in Boston while working at the Sugar Shack with his band,

playing behind many famous artists including Stevie Wonder,

Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Supremes and other Motown acts

and Jackie Wilson, for whom Sims was the manager. The first record

on Helva was for Sugar 'n Spice, distributed by West End Records.

Barbara Jean English was distributed by Zakia Records. In 1980,

the Escorts were distributed by Audio Fidelity.

In 1982, Helva took over their own distribution and produced M.J. Wade.

In 1983, Helva produced an album for Sandy Mercer. Other artists

include LaShanda Dupree and Timothy Wilson for H & L.

Thanks PJ,

He's certainly an interesting guy.

I have a feeling I might have had a brief chat with him once. He arranged a track I put out or co-wrote a song or something. Anyway, I hope you have a good interview.

By the way, I'm sure the Doris Duke connection was just a coincidence. Her married name was Willingham. Close but not the same. Sorry for any confusion.

Best regards,

I used to live in eastern Mass but don't remember a Valiants 45. There are probably at least 25 different groups called the Valiants who released 45s. I know a couple people who are very knowledgeable in New England 45s and I'll ask them about it.

Do you or Herschel know anything about the Columbus label that released the Billy Thompson 45? I have two other 45s on Columbus, the Tribe (OK R&B ) and Monday's Mondos (excellent frat garage).

- George

Edited August 26, 200915 yr by George G

I am putting together a radio show about Herschel Dwellingham, who was in Boston during the 60s and early 70s. He was a writer, arranger & drummer of many of my favorite Boston soul records (including his biggest, 'Young Girl' by Frank Lynch, and 'Black Eyed Girl' by Billy Thompson).

He had a label then called 'My Records'. They had 3 45s that I know of:

Frank Lynch - Young Girl

Maurice - What I Got I Got

The Valiants - ?

It is the third one that I am currently trying to track down. Anyone have any information? I found a Valiants record in Ref-o-soul, called "Tell Me What Your Gonna Do". But the label wasn't listed, and I am not sure if it is on My, or a different Valiants.

I am in contact with Herschel, so I plan to ask him during our interview tomorrow, but my show is this weekend, so I am trying all avenues to prepare.

Thanks in advance!

-pj

i interviewed the "tell me whatcha gonna do valiants", they were from Gary, IN and not Boston and did not record on My.

I am putting together a radio show about Herschel Dwellingham, who was in Boston during the 60s and early 70s. He was a writer, arranger & drummer of many of my favorite Boston soul records (including his biggest, 'Young Girl' by Frank Lynch, and 'Black Eyed Girl' by Billy Thompson).

He had a label then called 'My Records'. They had 3 45s that I know of:

Frank Lynch - Young Girl

Maurice - What I Got I Got

The Valiants - ?

It is the third one that I am currently trying to track down. Anyone have any information? I found a Valiants record in Ref-o-soul, called "Tell Me What Your Gonna Do". But the label wasn't listed, and I am not sure if it is on My, or a different Valiants.

I am in contact with Herschel, so I plan to ask him during our interview tomorrow, but my show is this weekend, so I am trying all avenues to prepare.

Thanks in advance!

-pj

Not sure if its the same 'MY' records but I have a track by Merging Traffic "Ain't No Need in me fooling Myself" on the MY label somewhere. It a yellow label if that matches?

Not sure if its the same 'MY' records but I have a track by Merging Traffic "Ain't No Need in me fooling Myself" on the MY label somewhere. It a yellow label if that matches?

that's not the same label