Blackpoolsoul

This what we have so far During his high school years, Charles O. Johnson developed a reputation for being a high achiever. He was extraordinarily articulate, always well-informed and academically gifted. As a matter of fact, he graduated valedictorian of his high school class. He is remembered by old school mates as having such polished social graces that he could relate across racial lines in ways that some could not. In his early adolescent years, he would sit out on his front porch on Highway 481 and listen to WCBS of New York and WLAC of Nashville, TN. That is where he got the radio bug. These far-away stations were the first to put songs on the air that catered to the black audience. The announcers were often black professionals who always seemed to enjoy their work. Our Founder In an Enfield, NC grocery store, a young bagger decided there had to be mjore to life than bagging groceries. Some people dream of making a name in LA or Detroit or New York, not Charles O. Johnson. He dreamed of making a difference in Nash, Edgecome, and Wilson counties. He became a homegrown phenomenon in his own time. Charles' idea was simply to get his foot in the door of radio. His first step with radio was as a janitor. Eventually, he got an announcer's position with a station in Scotland Neck, NC. To further his career, he moved on to station WCEC-WFMA locally (Rocky Mount). Club 810 became synonymous with Charles O. Johnson, the radio personality. It gave him and identity apart from everyone else locally and allowed him to reach the black audience in a way that had not been done. The program included Charles' unmatched commentary and exceptional music from black artists from everywhere in the country. He began to sponsor acts in local shows as well as hgih notoriety acts. He had gained credibility with such artists as Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Joe Tex, and others. Charles' growth did not stop there. He also became a manager of a group known as Mel & Tim that he had booked in local clubs. He produced a song titled "Starting All Over Again." This song became a hit record for Mel & Tim (later released by Hall & Oates). They went on to produce another hit record titled "Backfield in Motion." In 1988, Charles realized a dream he had for many years. Charles got the opportunity to arrange a purchase of stations WRSV 92.1 FM and WEED 1390 AM. Both of them operated under the same roof. Charles had been with these stations for a number of years and saw an opportunity to become an owner and general manager. Under his tutelage, both radio stations have grown in listenership. https://members.tripod.com/sdeej_99/founder/ And a nice photo him at the radio station https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=cOWO-ahOKlwC&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=wrsv+North+Carolina+charles+johnson&source=bl&ots=_rI0jfFfut&sig=ACfU3U0dhootBkmxnqCzBmXQtDWT2YsdVg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj5j4a50r_oAhWBY8AKHYuOAMIQ6AEwBXoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=wrsv North Carolina charles johnson&f=false

That is spot on (as usual you are so good) and Chuck is helping me prepare a bio (hopefully), this link lead me to his son, let's hope he some info on the Saints, unless it's been covered here before 😃, don't you wish he has all his father's memorabilia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRSV From a Janitor to all this, the paths. the paths

This is Charles and I waiting for his son to come back with more info as he passed a few years ago

Nice and the correct Andre Montell credit......at last, thanks

Hunting around and I am with Karl on this so far (brilliant that you lead me down this route), I found this article which mentions the Production (J.A.J.) on The Charles Brandy, Andre Motell (pictured) and makes sense as they are clearly the writers as in Tammy Wayne (Ansler/Andre Montell) and Kurtis Scott I do wonder though how the RSD reissue ? managed to be so far out on the credit A. Merrill ? https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=KBIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=J.A.J.+Productions+mgm&source=bl&ots=3StDp0T0sS&sig=ACfU3U3NcxPXKky9jxi45HAjKgXq5eB3xA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwnI6SzrzoAhXRiVwKHeDzBdMQ6AEwG3oECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=J.A.J. Productions mgm&f=false I wonder if this was him who has sadly passed away last year https://www.royalfhmiami.com/obituary/6438638 https://www.facebook.com/1157345677662180/posts/sad-to-hear-that-mr-andre-montell-passed-away-he-is-a-music-legend-who-has-worke/2489121961151205/ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yTshAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1262&lpg=PA1262&dq=ansler+montell+andre&source=bl&ots=R5_3EtEIMS&sig=ACfU3U2uCcAIHUPqjcVhLA4zJy90psTWUA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiwloKN07zoAhXLgVwKHfsCAsQQ6AEwBnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=ansler montell andre&f=false

There was Charles Johnson, "Rocky Mount" who somehow connected (somehow) to Mel And Tim (you are really testing me now) and that's were I thought the connection was and both these sides were release on Grapevine G2K 45-148 2004

Did Charles Johnson own the Hitman label and Wigwam (Saints)

See what you have now done 😃 Cal Brandon.....I have no idea !!!!

Thanks so far for help in this jigsaw, thought would add this to the mix, B side played I think 2 label variations (one said "Too" and this one "To". Anyone got a sound file ?

You beat me to it thanks, Blue Magoos, Magicians Etc.

I think he is on FB and has this release https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/williecollins Willie Collins Music ?

Thanks from one of Yorkshire's best, cheers Dave Question from Mr Welding's piece "which appears to have never been issued". I believe it was on both styrene and vinyl (issue) ? which sort of makes that a strange quote ? And who was Art Polhemus ?

That's what I thought but would like to know who was involved as I cannot find out (yet)

Karl are you up on the credits I mentioned

Wow I thought it was a boot ? thanks

Will ask Dave, wondered where I had I heard it....The Palais, thanks

An issue, never seen one 😃 ask Mick, please, if that was one of the ones he found in his garage (down the back of some shelving !!!)

I am sorry if this has been covered before, please direct me if I missed the thread. There were and still are lovers of this soul / disco tune and I always wondered who was doing vocals The you tube video has a comment saying Bootsy Collins ? have I been away from the scene that long that I missed it ? Also as I was trying to research I also came across an article about Thom Bridwell, who sadly passed in 2018 Thom Bridwell was born and raised in Harlem, though his parents are both originally from Greenville. He is a graduate of the High School of Music and Art, the Manhattan School of Music and the Julliard School of Music. He is a former faculty member of the City College of New York, Harlem School of Arts, and New York School for Commercial Music. Thom has conducted six Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals and has served as the musical director for the world famous Cotton Club. He has worked on recordings for artists including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, the Stylistics, and the Manhattans, and assisted Quincy Jones in creating the dance music for The Wiz. Thom also toured with the Chambers Brothers and Mandrill, among others, and produced the song, "Help is On the Way," by the Whatnauts on his own record label, Harlem International Records. Any help in my search for answers would be appreciated, thanks

Rare thing on Demo only (I think) Is the the other scan (issue) a boot ? Phil Enthucol ? has been selling these (and lots of other boots ?) I never managed to find out who Charles is / was I see Robert Banks arranged and think that the writers may be Johnny Northern, Andre Montell and JR Bailey ? Any more info please to rest my tiny mind

I don't do face book but perhaps someone could ask them if they were involved 2150 Elliott Hwy Bishopville, South Carolina 29010 Phone+1 803-428-3358

This company ? owner of Stardust Underground Records Inc. P.O. Box 752, Station A, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1K 5C4

I am still convinced as Chalky said it's a boot as it makes no sense (to me anyway) to cover up Chuck as The Nomads The labels similar have a phone number on them (unless I missed one) and this just looks like the name Ripete was copied from another single and used on the label (not difficult to do as we know from all the other bootlegs that have appeared)

Can you direct me to the label please, I think it was someone using it to deceive, like Chalky implied, It might have even been done in the UK.

I do a lot of research, but who would cover it up as The Nomads for the Carolina beach/shag music scene ?

Phyllis also had another "hit" on the scene and "with" Sonny