From the biography included in this program, it dates to around 1966, when The Wicked Pickett, as Wilson Pickett was known, had a hit with "Land Of A Thousand Dances". The tour was built on that momentum and included Billy Stewart who also had a current hit in his song "Summertime" for Chess Records.
Now, an exciting addition is a very young Sam Moore and David Prater. We all know them as Sam and Dave. They were fresh off an appearance at The Apollo Theatre and had been named "Most Promising Duo for 1965" by Record World Magazine. "Hold On I'm Coming" was climbing the charts and1967's "Soulman" was about to take them into super-stardom. What a thrill to have caught them live around then!
Oh, but there's still more! Autry DeWalt, aka Jr. Walker, and the All-Stars, had just released "How Sweet It Is" on the Soul imprint, a sub-label of Motown Records for their harder edged or jazz influenced rhythm and blues, active from 1964 to 1978. A number of the famed in-house Motown session players known as The Funk Brothers' instrumental sides were released on that Soul imprint. So as a digging hint, check out those Soul label singles - lots of great stuff.
Next there was James Carr, formerly of the gospel group Soul Stirrers. His "You've Got My Mind messed Up" was out as a single (lp of that title to be released soon in 1967) . Now Carr deserves more attention these days. His is a beauty of a voice. So much emotional heft. This was also a fabulous moment to catch Carr performing, as he was about to hit big with "The Dark End of the Street" also released the next year, 1967.
Elsie Mae, known as TV Mama, was part of the tour too. The nick name is perhaps a reference to the Big Joe Turner song? She became part of James Brown's touring band, providing back-up vocals, and some showcased turns, showing off what she had to offer. And that was an amazing presence, strong voice and a whole lot of lovin' (in one of her turns at the mic).
Carlton "King" Coleman was another performer who worked with James Brown. Most people who might be familiar with his voice, would know it from his hit "(Do The) Mashed Potatoes" from 1959. He was a radio DJ in Florida, working for several different stations, building his popularity until he moved on to WWRAL in NYC in the mid 1960s. The man could sing and dance and was generally an all round entertainer.
Al "TNT" Braggs, gets a photo in the program, but no mention on the back cover tour ad. He traveled with Bobby Bland as an opener for Bland for a number of years. Also was in a vocal group, that changed names a few times, always keeping the "Five": The Five Masks, The Five Notes, and The Five Stars.
Chicago gospel quartet, The Kelly Brothers finish out the line-up. They sang secular songs as The King Pins, but appear here as their gospel personas. Their 1966 track on Sue Records, "Crying Days Are Over" dates to this time and gets called out on the back cover ad under their name. If you're trying to snag a copy of that single, well, your crying days are about to begin because that one is spendy!
Hope you enjoyed this little trek through time via a concert program! Hope to do more of this as we find cool stuff to share.
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