Had the below message sent in via our support feature via new member @Bill Futterer

Jerry Butler acetate "It's A Parade"

My name is Bill Futterer...I just joined your site...love it.

I arrived at your site after finding Jerry Butler acetate "It's A Parade" by Google. I will try to attach it.

You will note my name in pen on the left side of the label, and my nickname "Futt" at the bottom of the label.

I worked for Curtis Mayfield beginning in August of 1968, doing radio promotion in the Carolinas. The first song I promoted was 
Fool for You, followed by This is my Country and then some Five Stairsteps songs.

I was present at the recording session. Later, when it was decided it would not be released, Curtis gave me the acetate. It was protected and stored in a footlocker under my bed in Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina. The acetate, along with nearly 1,000 vinyl 45's and several masters by local groups I produced in North Carolina, was stolen from my room in early 1969.

I have been looking for it since then.

I will be happy to pay to get the acetate back, although the actual acetate is not important to me...though it would be nice to have it. I once introduced Jerry (in 1998) at a private concert at the Rock and Roll HOF in Cleveland. I mentioned It's A Parade to him. He remembered it when I sang the first few bars..."When my baby smiles...it's not just a..."

I would like an mp3 of the song, please. Actually, I would very much like to return it to Jerry for his keeping or for a donation in Jerry's name to the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. I would credit you for it.

I have no idea how it ended up in your group's possession...I can't imagine the trail it has taken for 54 years! I hope you will at least get me an mp3.

I look forward to hearing from you. If you are interested in any Curtom history plus my experiences with Jerry, Curtis, Eddie Thomas. Donnie Hathaway and others, let me know ... happy to help.

 

Thanks!

Bill Futterer

 

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I think the topic mentioned is this one , 

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/forums/topic/143180-unreleased-jerry-butler/

or perhaps it's this old refosoul topics

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/forums/topic/143215-rs-jerry-butler-its-a-parade-unknown-acetate/

 

anyway

can anyone help with more up to date related info on the acetate or mp3s as requested

 

Bill when you read this, post up a reply as sure there be a few members with questions about your involvement with curtom etc 

 

here's the image from the post

Welcome aboard Bill ...

Anyone who had anything to do with Curtom, is mighty fine with me (& most others on this site). Jerry (& Billy) Butler are also held in very high regard.

You may already know but Curtis's "MOVE ON UP" is a massive soul anthem here in the UK and was a Pop Chart hit in the UK when first released on 45.

About 15 years ago, I worked on the team that put on the Prestatyn Soul Weekender and one year we had Don Gardner on as a live attraction (amongst others). Back in the 70's, he had given up performing himself & was working as a decorator. He was hired by Curtis to do some work & Curtis couldn't believe someone with his musical knowledge had turned his back on the business. So Curtis hired him to be his road manager. Don spent a few years on the road with Curtis and really enjoyed those times.

I got to spend quite a bit of time chatting with Don over that weekend (I took him & another singer up to Liverpool to visit the Beatles museum there). ANYWAY, in passing I asked Don about Curtis and his song writing techniques. Got a fascinating reply and it just emphasised what a great human being Curtis really was.

BTW, we like lots of Curtom acts here; the Impressions of course, Five Stairsteps, Major Lance, June Conquest & Donny Hathaway, Baby Huey, Holly Maxwell, Moses Dillard, Freddie Waters, etc.