Artists for the Performing Arts Series

In Big Band history, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra is recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands. It could swing with the best of them, and no other band could come close to Tommy’s when it came to playing ballads. Tommy Dorsey, “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing”, was a master at creating warm, sentimental, and always musical moods – at superb dancing and listening tempos. Tommy sustained these moods through the arrangements of the likes of Paul Weston, Axel Stordahl and Sy Oliver, and he showcased singers who could project them brilliantly.

Frank Sinatra’s career blossomed with Dorsey, and, with Sinatra’s vocals, the band became more successful than ever. Frank had often admitted that listening to Tommy helped him develop his phrasing and breathing, along with his musical taste and knowledge.

By late 1946, it was becoming apparent that the band business was having problems. In December 1946, eight top bandleaders announced they were calling it quits – Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Les Brown, Jack Teagarden, Benny Carter, Ina Ray Hutton and Tommy Dorsey. Essentially, this was the official end of the Big Band Era. However, it was Tommy Dorsey who, in the years immediately following, fought the case of the big bands with words and action.

"It’s about time somebody got things going again”, Tommy said at the time. “You can’t expect to have any real interest in dance bands if the bands don’t go around the country and play for the kids.” And so it continues. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, now led by Buddy Morrow, is travelling throughout the country playing “for the kids” (of all ages).

In 1963, while still in high school, J.P. Pennington, Buzz Cornelison and Jimmy Stokley started a band in Richmond, Kentucky. Catching the wave of the sixties, they grew long hair, wore funky clothing and played rock ‘n roll music. They called themselves THE EXILES.

The Dick Clark Caravan Of Stars hit the road in 1965 and picked up THE EXILES to perform on several dates in and around Kentucky. In the late '60s they recorded for Date Records and Columbia Records, and in the early '70s for SSS International, Date, Curb and Wooden Nickel. The band changed musical styles throughout the mid-sixties and, in 1976, changed their base of operations to Lexington, KY. They shortened the name to EXILE. Regional hit records such as "Devil’s Bite" and "Church Street Soul Revival" (written and produced by Tommy James) came easily as the band became a Kentucky tradition.

In 1976 Exile met Mike Chapman. This combination produced the Mixed Emotions album on Warner/Curb, the source of "Kiss You All Over," which remained on the pop music charts for 23 weeks, holding the No. 1 spot for a solid month. "Kiss You All Over" broke onto the charts in July 1978, but didn't reach the top until September. It remained America's favorite record for four weeks, and stayed on the best-seller list for nearly six months. Their follow up single, "You Thrill Me," also from this album, went Top 40 as well. The band hit the road touring with Aerosmith, Heart, Dave Mason, Boston, Seals & Crofts and other hot pop acts of the late seventies.

EXILE switched musical styles again in 1983. Their first country chart single, "High Cost Of Leaving," reached number 27. It was followed by four successive number 1 country singles in 1984: "Woke Up In Love," "I Don't Want To Be A Memory," "Give Me One More Chance" and "Crazy For Your Love." There were six more number 1 country singles by 1987: "She's A Miracle," "Hang On To Your Heart," "I Could Get Used To You," "It'll Be Me," "She's Too Good To Be True" and "I Can't Get Close Enough." In 1985, The Forester Sisters went to number one with an Exile song, "Just In Case." Their string of country hits won them eleven nominations for Vocal and/or Instrumental Group Of The Year from the Academy Of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

It’s fortysomething years now, since J.P. founded the group and Les saw his first EXILE concert. Still, they remember their contributions to the history of the group and their sacrifices for the group’s success. Once again, out of exile, the torch is passed back to singer/songwriter/guitarist, J.P. Pennington and singer/songwriter/guitarist, Les Taylor. The legacy of EXILE lives on!

The Atlantic Rhythm Section has put out 15 albums of excellent original material, and consistently put on entertaining live shows-both of which helped establish a broad if not huge fan base. They had some big hits and have been a major player in the Southern Rock scene.

They've been part of the Southern Rock scene for more than 30 years. Their biggest hits include So Into You, Champagne Jam, Imaginary Lover, and Spooky. But there's so much more...

With 15 albums of outstanding songwriting and performances, The Atlanta Rhythm Section represents all the good things the phrase "classic rock" implies.

The Atlanta Rhythm Section originally came together as the house band at Studio One in the early 1970's. They also started to establish a reputation in the Atlanta area for doing great live shows. They rocked, but they also dabbled with country and blues-all with more of a pop feel than some of their contemporaries.

The band attained a new level of critical acclaim and popular appeal with their A ROCK AND ROLL ALTERNATIVE album released in December 1976. ARS needed a hit record to keep going-and they got it. The first single, Neon Nites, got close to the top 40. It was the next single, So Into You, that proved to be the breakthrough. It rose to number seven on the charts and was a staple of rock radio during the summer of 1977. The album made it to the top 10 on the charts and went gold.

CHAMPAGNE JAM, released in 1978, was the breakthrough album that marked the zenith of music-making, critical support and popular acclaim for ARS. The album proved to be very popular, hitting the top 10 and going gold and then platinum. The song Champagne Jam was released as a single, and the single of I'm Not Gonna Let it Bother Me made it to the top 20. But it was Imaginary Lover that proved to be the band's biggest hit-reaching number seven on the charts. The album hit the top 10 and went platinum.

Today, the group continues to make concert appearances showcasing their hit songs and their still outstanding musical abilities.

"The Tams were formed in Atlanta, GA in 1962. Its members were Joseph Pope and Charles Pope (founders), Horace Key, Floyd Ashton, and Robert Lee Smith. In the beginning, they sang and danced as a way of having fun and to escape their circumstances, hoping to make at least a little money. The group began performing in local night spots for $1.25 each. These small wages only allowed for them to purchase matching Tam O’shanter hats to wear while on stage. From this trademark, the legendary Tams name was born. The Tams hard work, patience and perseverance eventually paid off when they were signed to Arlen records and had their first Billboard hit in 1962, the single “Untie Me”, which was number 12 on the R&B chart. In 1963, ABC Records signed them and their first album produced a Top Ten hit, “What Kind of Fool”. They began playing throughout the country and a string of hits followed. These included “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”, “I’ve Been Hurt” and “Hey Girl”. Since then, they have released over 15 albums and been honored with one Platinum and two Gold records. They have toured and recorded with Jimmy Buffet and performed with such greats as Gladys Knight, Jackie Wilson and many more. They have received the title “Beach Band of the Decade” and have been inducted into the Georgia Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Hall of Fame and the Beach Music Hall of Fame. The Tams are still recording today and have recently released their latest singles “My Main Squeeze” and “This Love Will Last” from their newest CD The Tams Comin’ At Cha’.

"The current members include Charles Pope, his son Li’l Redd, Joe Jones, Robert Arnold and Reginald Preston. Despite the unfortunate passing of “The Legendary Joe Pope”, The Tams have continued to be as popular as ever. Forty two years after the group’s formation, Charles and Li’l Redd continue to lead The Tams toward success. Fans clamor to see Charles Pope – Living Legend, and Li’l Redd – Fastest Feet in the South! And with a new generation of “Little Tams” coming along, Charles puts it best when he says “The Tams will NEVER die” !!"

[From The Tams web site at http://www.thetams.com/page/page/5234516.htm.]

The Marvelettes occupied an esteemed place in the history of American popular music as the group that caused Motown, and most notably Berry Gordy to change the label's focus from single bluesy soul artists (previously Barret Strong's "Money" had been the label's biggest seller) to a smooth orchestrated harmonic sound that transcended the prior racial limits of rhythm and blues. With their first record, "Please, Mr. Postman" hitting the top spot on the charts and selling 3 million records in a crossover market Motown was to concentrate on the Marvelettes, Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, and Martha and the Vandellas and create a new group pop soul sound that totally dominated the music charts until the advent of the Beatles 4 years later.

During their reign at the top of the charts the girls were to turn out over a dozen hits, eight of which went Top Ten. Although the group at times had more than three members, the originators were Wanda Rogers, Gladys Horton, and Katherine Shaffner. In the early years of the group, family ties forced all three to leave the act at various times (although Wanda and Gladys continued to make frequent "guest appearances") but carefully chosen and highly talented replacements kept the act at the top of the charts even with changed personnel. Once again this is a patented mark of Motown's success story - the ability to change personnel in acts like the Supremes, Temptations and the Marvelettes and still keep the act at the top of the charts and in demand for personal appearances.

In fact it is in person where the current lineup really excels. Offering an act that features their big hits interspersed with their versions of some great standards, the girls are still, in the smooth Motown vein, a highly choreographed, polished, very good looking and humorous night club act as well as a major draw.

The Platters first formed during the dawn of the rock and roll era, early part in the 1950's. At the outset, the group included five teenagers; Tony Williams (their legendary first lead singer) along with Zola Taylor, Herb Reed, Paul Robi and David Lynch. Under the direction of their famed manager, Buck Ram, and continuing to this day under the direction of his company, Five Platters, Inc., some of the greatest singers in rock and roll history have passed through this group. The list of hits turned out by the original Platters includes ten songs that qualified for Billboard's list of the 500 greatest rock and roll hits of all time, including three in the top 50. They had had 21 top 10 records, 9 million selling singles, 5 platinum albums and 5 number 1 songs. Their total record sales exceed 200 million, making them one of the top 25 selling artists of all time (source: Billboard Magazine).

It has been nearly 30 years since the last original member left The Platters and still the group remains one of the most popular in rock and roll in history, continuing their popularity by becoming one of the most sought after performing groups in the country. Over the years the greatest of care has been taken to assure that each new member of The Platters carries on the tradition and maintains the skills that were associated with the original group.

The group has appeared all over the world, including President Clinton's inauguration and the coronation of the Queen of England, as well as on a good will exchange tour at the Great Wall for the Chinese government. Additionally they have appeared at such stellar American venues as Foxwoods Hotel and Casino, Westbury Music Fair, Madison Square Garden, The Houston Astrodome, The Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas and Trump Castle in Atlantic City. The group has appeared on such television shows as The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America and Saturday Night Live, and are currently promoting their latest CD, "The Platters Live in Las Vegas."