Mike

Carolina Beach Music Compilation Albums: The Classic Years Details of a new book have just landed here from Rick Simmons Author Notes I have published eight books to date, some with the History Press, some with McFarland, and my current book is also with Arcadia/The History Press. My new book which came out in February, and I thought I'd do so. I drew on interviews I'd done over the years with artists such as Gary Barker of the Catalinas, Archie Bell, Norm Burnett of the Tymes, Joe Clinnard of Cannonball, Clifford Curry, Carl Gardner of the Coasters, Ken Houston of the Band of Oz, Ken Knox of the Chairmen of the Board, Bob Kuban of Bob Kuban and the In-Men, Meadowlark Lemon of the Globetrotters, John McElrath of the Swingin’ Medallions, Bobby Moore Jr. of Bobby Moore and the Rhythm Aces, Deacon John Moore, Rob Parissi of Wild Cherry, Wayne Pittman of the O’Kaysions, Charles Pope of the Tams, Jeff Reid of the Fantastic Shakers, Billy Scott of the Georgia Prophets, G.C. Cameron and Bobbie Smith of the Spinners, Ammon Tharp of Bill Deal and Rhondells, Donnie Trexler of Bob Collins and the Fabulous Five, Sonny Turner of the Platters, Brenton Wood, and others. Release Notes Carolina beach music – those often-soulful songs about the beach, parties, that special love, dancing, or just relaxing in the sun - has long been a mainstay of culture in the Southeast. Yet until the late 1960s, you needed an impressive collection of 45s if you wanted to hear those songs in your home or at a party. But beginning with Atlantic Records’ Beach Beat in 1967, that music slowly became available on albums from Bell, Warner Brothers, Ripete, and other labels. Through interviews and first-hand accounts, Carolina Beach Music Compilation Albums: The Classics, examines the stories behind those classic albums, the people who created them, and the artists and songs who contributed to the phenomenon known as Carolina beach music. Author bio: Dr. Rick Simmons was previously the George K. Anding Endowed Professor and Director of Honors at Louisiana Tech University. Author of more than 130 published works including eight books, his previous books for the History Press include Carolina Beach Music: The Classic Years (2011), Carolina Beach Music from the 60s to the 80s: The New Wave (2013), as well as two books about music for McFarland Publishers: The Carolina Beach Music Encyclopedia (2018) and 40 Hits, 40 Stories: Behind the Top songs of the 1960s and 70s. He currently lives in Pawleys Island, SC, with his wife Sue, and teaches at the Georgetown School of Arts and Sciences. Availability Paperback and Kindle formats https://www.amazon.com/Carolina-Beach-Music-Compilation-Albums/dp/1467157724/

Soul Direction have a new 45 out, details follow... Soul Direction Records are please to announce our next release. Ann Byers – “I’m Not Gonna Cry” / “Your Love Is A Wonderful Thing” – (Soul Direction) SD023 Release Date – 28th March 2025 (Pre Order from 14th March) Not much is known about Ann Byers as a person, but the Northern Soul scene is well-acquainted with her recordings on the Virtue and Academy labels. From her sparse biography, we know she was born in Philadelphia and began singing in church at the age of three. By the time she was 16, she had recorded her first 45 in 1963. She later made radio, TV, and personal appearances around Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. Her television appearances included performances alongside Roy Hamilton, Billy Paul, Bunny Sigler, and The Young Holt Trio, among others. She was also a firm believer in UFOs and had a deep love for ancient history. One of her dreams was to travel to the U.K. on a jet plane, where she hoped to achieve a hit single. Byers briefly entered the U.K. market in 1975 with the Power Exchange release of “This Man Is Rated-X” and “Gotta Get You Back,” both initially released on Virtue in the U.S. Her early recordings were on The Lyric Label under the name Anne Buyers, with the tracks “Was It Worth the Price” and “Natural Feeling,” and later on the Cougar label as Ann Byers with “Where Have You Gone” and “Talk of The Town,” believed to be released around 1964. The tracks Ann Byers recorded for Academy in 1964 and 1965 were written by the composing duo Fred Andrew Smith and Phil Hurtt, with production and arrangement by Leroy Lovett. The two featured tracks in this release, “I’m Not Gonna Cry” and “Your Love Is a Wonderful Thing,” include backing vocals by the group Les Tres Femmes. “Your Love Is a Wonderful Thing” was co-written by Howard Ravitsky and Phil Hurtt, who also wrote the Academy release “I’m Happy Without You,” a much sought-after 45. These two tracks were meant to be Byers’ fourth release on Academy, but unfortunately, the label went out of business in 1967. Byers also had three releases on the Virtue label around 1975-1976, and her name appears in the writing credits of two releases on the low-budget Fox Century Plaza label from Philadelphia, which operated between 1977 and 1980. While it’s uncertain whether it’s the same Ann Byers, it is likely. “I’m Not Gonna Cry” resurfaced in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s from the master tapes and received some airplay from DJ’s in the UK before being released on CD around 2000. It reached the test press stage with another label in the late ‘90s but never saw full production. After conversations with Howard Ravitsky, who wished to see the tracks released as they were meant to be, Soul Direction with the help of Dave Louis helped make this a fitting tribute to Ravitsky’s musical legacy. Recorded at: Sound Plus Studios, Philadelphia, PA. Engineer: Tony Luis Producers: Howard Ravitsky & Phil Hurtt Backing Singers: Les Tres Femmes on “Love Is A Wonderful Thing” Musicians: Guitars: Roland Chambers, Norman Harris Bass Guitar: Win Winfield Drums: Karl Chambers Organ: Pete Dino Horns: Sam Reed Horn Section Images Videos Ann Byers - I'm Not Gonna Cry - (Soul Direction) SD023A Ann Byers & Les Tres Femme - You Love Is A Wonderful Thing - (Soul Direction) SD023B Website for purchase options and more https://soul-direction.co.uk/

News from Daptone Two New 45s - Thee Sacred Souls & Junior Scaife and a new digital releases from Jalen Ngonda, details below... Thee Sacred Souls "My Heart is Drowning" b/w "Stuck in the Mud" The second 45 from Got a Story to Tell offers up two staff favorites. The moody, mid-tempo mover "My Heart is Drowning" opens with a foreboding, echo-drenched drip that lurks behind singer Josh Lane's tale of a forlorn lover who's past mistakes have left him drowning in despair. "Stuck in the Mud" also leans towards an earlier R&B sound but with a subtle tinge of gospel via the call and response vocals that permeate this impeccably heartfelt composition. See all upcoming tour dates at https://theesacredsouls.com. Junior Scaife "Nobody Gets My Love" b/w "Too Much Too Soon" Stream "Nobody Gets My Love" now and pre-order the 45, out March 28th. https://daptone.ffm.to/prs1024.GTQ Junior Scaife returns with two strikingly soulful sides produced and co-written by Penrose staunchman, Anthony Masino. With its vibey groove and infectious background melody "Nobody Gets My Love" marries the visceral rawness of late sixties Detroit sides ala Hestor and Wylie with a relaxed West Coast je ne sais quoi. Jalen Ngonda "Just As Long As We're Together" Penned at his hometown of Wheaton, Maryland, Jalen Ngonda returns with “Just As Long As We’re Together.” Despite the narrators personal battles and onlookers he is comforted by his lover's affection as his worries along with space and time comes to a halt. Available digitally now. See all upcoming tour dates at https://jngonda.com