#926 (7/20/19)

SPOTLIGHT ON J.C. GINYARD -
PART THREE (THE DU DROPPERS)

"Can't Do Sixty No More"/ "Chain Me Baby" The Du-Droppers on Red Robin 108 released in 1952

"I Wanna Know"/ "Laughing Blues" The Du Droppers on RCA Victor 20-5229 released in 1953

"Come On And Love Me Baby"/ "Go Back" The Du-Droppers on Red Robin 116 released in 1953

"Somebody Work On My Baby's Mind"/ "Whatever You're Doin'" The Du Droppers on RCA Victor 20-5425 released in 1953

"Dead Broke"/ "Speed King" The Du Droppers on Groove G-001 released in 1953

(Includes Audio For Twenty Songs)

[Above photo provided by Ferdie Gonzalez.]

Above Left: The Du Droppers (Bottom-Top) Willie Ray, J.C. Ginyard, Bob Kornegay, and Harvey Ray. Above Right: Clipping from The Gazette (Montreal, Canada) dated 6/26/61. As The Du Droppers broke up in the fall of 1955, not sure who was actually in this 1961 version of the group. However, the picture is the original group.

Above Left: 1953 Clipping for "I Wanna Know". Above Middle: Clipping from The Billboard dated 5/30/53 for "I Found Out". Above Right: Apollo clipping from New York Age dated 11/7/53.

Above Left: September 1953 clipping from Cleveland Call And Post. (Clipping provided by Richard Koloda.) Above Right: Clipping from Democrat And Chronicle (Rochester, NY) dated 2/22/54.

Above Left: Clipping from Honolulu Star Bulletin dated 5/25/54. Above Right: Clipping from Honolulu Star Bulletin dated 5/5/54.

Above: PITTSBURGH COURIER - January 9, 1954
I Hear You!—The Du-Droppers sing for Sara Lou Harris, model and half of the radio show, "Sara Lou and Buddy Bowser," of Radio Station WLIB in New York. The boys have just recorded new sides for Victor Records. Their version of "I Wanna Know" was a smash hit in the rhythm and blues field. Sara is one of the stars of the new radio show "Ruby Valentine," soon to be heard around the nation. Left to right: Willie Ray, J.C. Ginyard, Harvey Ray, Bob Carnegie [sic], and Sara Lou.

EXTRA AUDIO #1 (Windows Media Player) — SUNNY GALE WITH THE DU DROPPERS:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

ABOVE: Two photos of Sunny Gale displaying her "sunny" disposition. Inscription on left photo is "To Bud With The Best Always Sunny Gale". Note the RCA Victor microphone.

ABOVE: Clipping from The Billboard dated 11/28/53.

ABOVE LEFT: RCA Victor 20-5543 label image. The record was recorded on November 5, 1953 and released later that month. Per Disco-File, additional vocalists on these two sides include Ray Charles, Edwin Lindstrom, Eugene Lowell, Eugene Steck, and Stephen Steck Jr. ABOVE RIGHT: RCA Victor 20-5677 label image. This side was recorded on November 5, 1953 and the record released in March 1954. Strange they did not credit The Du Droppers on the label as the group was with RCA Victor at the time of release. There is no vocal group on the flip side. The Cash Box Review (12/5/53): SUNNY GALE AND THE DU DROPPERS — RCA VICTOR 20-5543.... Mama's Gone Goodbye (B+) A good oldie gets treated to a reading by a top pop artist and a top r&b group and the results are tops. Their rhythmic arrangement should garner plenty of loot. The Note In The Bottle (C+) Joe Reisman's ork sets up a soft backing for the group's warm fashioning of a pretty melody. Lyrics are in religious vein. (NOTE: A rating of B+ was considered "excellent" and C+ was "good".) The Billboard Review (3/20/54): SUNNY GALE — RCA VICTOR 20-5677.... Don't Cry, Mama (73) A neat, lilting ditty gets a bouncy reading from the thrush and a vocal group. Her many fans will like it. (NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good".) LISTEN: 1. "The Note In The Bottle" - Sunny Gale And The Du Droppers - RCA Victor 20-5543 - 1953. 2. "Mama's Gone, Goodbye" - Sunny Gale And The Du Droppers - RCA Victor 20-5543 - 1953. 3. "Don't Cry Mama" - Sunny Gale And Male Quartet (The Du Droppers) - RCA Victor 20-5677 - 1954. ALL THREE SIDES played in sequence.

EXTRA AUDIO #2 (Windows Media Player) — THE RAVENS ON THE ARGO LABEL:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

Above is the "Ravens" group that recorded this second record on Argo: (L-R) Joe Van Loan (tenor lead), Willie Ray (baritone), Willis Sanders (tenor), and David Bowers (bass). The first record, released in July 1956, had Bob Kornegay in place of David Bowers. The third and fourth records, released in 1957, had Joe, James and Paul Van Loan along with David Bowers. Joe Van Loan also sang with The Ravens on Mercury, The Dixieaires on Harlem, The Bells on Rama, Charlie Fuqua's Ink Spots on Ford, and The Du Droppers on Groove, among others. Willie Ray was a regular member of The Du Droppers. Willis Sanders was lead of The Embers and was with The Marshall Brothers. David Bowers had sang as a regular with The King Odom Four and also was with The Larks on Lloyds.

Above: Argo 5261 label image. This record was recorded in September 1956 and released in December 1956. It is the second of four records that "The Ravens" had on Argo (1956-57). LISTEN: 1. "A Simple Prayer" - The Ravens - Argo 5261 - 1956. 2. "Water Boy" - The Ravens - Argo 5261 - 1956. BOTH SIDES played in sequence.

EXTRA AUDIO #3 (Windows Media Player) — THE VALIANTS ON THE JOY LABEL:

Above Left: Joy 235 label image. The record was released in September 1959. Joy was a New York City label owned by Eddie Joy. Above Right: The Valiants circa 1960. (Seated) Orville Brooks, (Standing L-R) Unidentified, Willie Ray, Unidentified, Joe Van Loan, Unidentified, and Bob Kornegay. The Cash Box Best Bets (1/9/60): THE VALIANTS — JOY 235.... Let Me Go, Lover (B+) A strong revival of the one-time success. Group—with a fine lead—does a standout warble and receives a first-rate rock-a-string backdrop. Members of the team are former leads of other groups: Bob Kornegay, Orville Brooks, Joe Van Loan, and Willie Ray. Eye closely. (NOTE: A rating of B+ was considered "excellent".) LISTEN: "Let Me Go, Lover" - The Valiants - Joy 235 - 1959.

EXTRA AUDIO #4 (Windows Media Player) — BIG BOB KORNEGAY ON THE HERALD LABEL:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

Above And At Right: Clipping from The Billboard dated 2/23/57.

Above Left: Herald H-496 label image. The record was released in February 1957. Above Middle Left: Clipping from February 1957. THE BILLBOARD, March 2, 1957: Last month a story detailed the hassle unfolding over "The Man In The Phone Booth." Both Herald and Flair-X thought they had Bob Kornegay under contract. This week Vik and several other labels also thought they had the cat under wraps. King Records has recorded him under the name of "Big Daddy" recently. To make the situation even more confusing, Savoy is suing the publisher, Kassner, claiming that the song is derived from their tunes, "Now Is The Time" and "Jada".... The Billboard Review Spotlight on... R&B Records (3/9/57): BOB KORNEGAY — HERALD 496.... The Man In The Phone Booth The idea is that the cat, on Side 1, the "Hello Baby" side, calls his chick after being out of circulation for a long time to let her know he's comimg back. On Side 2, the "Hello Mama" side, the call is to his mother. The latter is in a Jolson-ish delivery and has a melodramatic quality that is hard to resist. Both sides are very unusual and give the public something new to get excited about. LISTEN: 1. "The Man In The Phone Booth (Hello Baby)" - Big Bob Kornegay - Herald H-496 - 1957. 2. "The Man In The Phone Booth (Hello Mama)" - Big Bob Kornegay - Herald H-496 - 1957. BOTH SIDES played in sequence.

Above Left: Label image of Red Robin 108 released in September 1952. Eddie Harshaw, the group's original bass, sings on this record. Bob Kornegay had not yet joined the group. Above Right: Clipping from The Cash Box dated 2/7/53.

Above Left: Label image of RCA Victor 20-5229 recorded on February 17,1953 and released in March 1953. Above Right: Clipping from The Cash Box dated 5/23/53. The Cash Box R&B Sleeper Of The Week (3/28/53): THE DU DROPPERS — RCA VICTOR 20-5229.... I Wanna Know/Laughing Blues The Du Droppers come up with an item on the upper lid, "I Wanna Know", that should make big noise for them and the disk. As a team, the group has a fine sound and one that bids fair for great success in the future. Their reading of the rhythmic quick beat employs that religious kick and creates excitement and interest for the zesty piece. The lead reads clearly and with impact against the smooth blend of the balance of the group and the easy backing instrumentally. The under portion, "Laughing Blues", is a solid disk, with perhaps just a shade too much gimmick in the laughing parts of the etching. For quick action, we look to the top end to break.

EXTRA AUDIO #5 (Windows Media Player) — THE DU DROPPERS FOUND OUT:

Above Left: RCA Victor 20-5321 label image. The record was recorded on May 8, 1953 and released later that month. Above Middle: Clipping from The Cash Box dated 5/23/53. Above Right: Clipping from The Billboard dated 6/6/53. The Billboard Review (6/6/53): THE DU DROPPERS — RCA VICTOR 20-5321.... I Found Out (82) The group, whose "I Wanna Know" is currently riding high, comes thru with another strong effort. Etching has lots of infectious spirit, a penetrating beat and seems destined for heavy action. Should earn plenty of loot. Little Girl, Little Girl (78) Cute ditty about a gal who tells all in her sleep is chanted in great style by the combo. Another potent slicing. (NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good" and 80-89 "excellent".) LISTEN: 1. "I Found Out" - The Du Droppers - RCA Victor 20-5321 - 1953. 2. "Little Girl, Little Girl" - The Du Droppers - RCA Victor 20-5321 - 1953. BOTH SIDES played in sequence.

Above Left: Label image of Red Robin 116 released in May 1953. It is The Du Droppers' second and last record on Red Robin. Above Right: Label image of RCA Victor 20-5425 recorded on July 28, 1953 and released in August 1953. The Cash Box R&B Sleeper Of The Week (8/29/53): THE DU DROPPERS — RCA VICTOR 20-5425.... Somebody Work On My Baby's Mind/Whatever You're Doin' The Du Droppers, after their third straight hit on the Victor label, come up with a pair that have the earmarks. The top deck, "Somebody Work On My Baby's Mind", is a quick beat bounce blues with a spiritual feel, although the lyrics are definitely not religious. The boys delve into voodoo and magic as they drive out the infectious pulsating item with excitement and expert teamwork. The flip, "Whatever You're Doin'", is another fast moving item with gay lyrics that say nothing but intrigue with what is left unsaid. A lively ditty belted with zest and sure to provide a chuckle. If the listener is not sure of what is happening, perhaps a visit with Kinsey would provide the answer. [NOTE: Alfred Kinsey was a sexologist, who, among other things, founded the Institute For Sex Research in 1947.]

Above Left: Label image of Groove G-0001 released in February 1954. This side was recorded on December 30, 1953 and the flip side, "Speed King", on December 16, 1953. Per Disco-File, the "Speed King" side "includes Mary Williams as a background singer". Above Right: Review clipping from The Cash Box dated 2/20/54. THE CASH BOX, January 23, 1954: RCA Victor Starts Groove, An R&B Label RCA Victor has set up a new Rhythm and Blues outfit to be called Groove. Danny Kessler will be in charge of A&R and Joe Delaney will handle the sales end for this firm. ....RCA Victor will no longer issue R&B records and the entire field will be relinquished to Groove. THE CASH BOX, January 30, 1954: ....The initial release for Groove, RCA Victor's new rhythm and blues label, is scheduled for February 8. Four sides will be issued by Big John Greer and The Du Droppers, who were formerly on the RCA Victor roster. Since R&B records will no longer be released by the parent RCA Victor company, all R&B artists under contract will move over to the Groove label.... THE CASH BOX, February 13, 1954: ....R.C.A.'s R&B label, "Groove," makes its bow this week with two releases. Danny Kessler uses two of his big guns, The Du Droppers and Big John Greer. The Du Droppers disk "Dead Broke" and "Speed King" should get the label off to a good start.... THE CASH BOX, February 27, 1954: ....Danny Kessler, Groove Records A&R chief, out of town visiting with his newly appointed distribs. Danny is promoting his initial release by the Du Droppers and Big John Greer and from all indications Groove has its first hit in the Du Dropper "Dead Broke." The Du Droppers had records released on Red Robin (1952 & 1953), RCA Victor (1953), and Groove (1954 & 1955). NOTE: Most discographical information provided at this website is from Ferdie Gonzalez' Disco-File.

Listen to this week's selections featuring The Du Droppers on Red Robin/RCA Victor/Groove from 1952-1954 using Windows Media Player:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

1. Can't Do Sixty No More           2. Chain Me Baby           3. I Wanna Know           4. Laughing Blues           5. Come On And Love Me Baby           6. Go Back           7. Somebody Work On My Baby's Mind           8. Whatever You're Doin'           9. Dead Broke         10. Speed King             ALL TEN FEATURED SONGS played in sequence.             ALL TWENTY SONGS ON THIS PAGE           played in sequence

           [To download audio files, right-click on song title link and then select "Save link (target) as..."]

Click HERE for SPOTLIGHT ON J.C. GINYARD - PART ONE (THE JUBALAIRES).
Click HERE for SPOTLIGHT ON J.C. GINYARD - PART TWO (THE DIXIAIRES).
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