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Jimmie Raye
Jimmie wanted to make a change from Tuff. He met Sticks Evans at the Broadway Recording Studios during a session. Sticks was also arranging music and working gigs with major entertainers. I told him that I was signed with Tuff, but I was looking for a new label. He agreed to work on arrangements for four of my songs "Philly Dog Around The World," "I Just Can't Take No More," "You Must Be Losing Your Mind," and "For The Sake Of Love." After Sticks finished the arrangements he hand picked the singers and the musicians for the recording session. Bernard Purdie played drums. Sticks had Nicolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson do all of the background vocals. The room was filled with veteran studio players.
Sticks also introduced Jimmie to Alexander Axelrod an entertainment attorney. He assisted in breaking the contract with Tuff. After the release from Tuff, Jimmie searched for a new recording deal. While Jimmie searched for a record deal, he decided to release "Philadelphia Dawg" on KKC label. Kim began booking shows at concert halls in NYC. I met Don Gardner at Smalls Paradise. Jimmie met Don a few times, but Kim decided to use King Curtis as the band for the major concerts at Rockland Palace and The Manhatten Center. Jimmie released "Philly Dog Around The World." The dance beat was stronger and more pronounced.
The Jimmie Raye Show was performing at the Purple Manor Club on 125th Street when a film producer came by to see the show. The producer contacted Jimmie to appear on stage in the movie singing his original song "I Just Can't Take No More." Axelrod contacted John Levy to manage Jimmie. He signed a management contract and gave publishing rights of "I Just Can't Take No More" to John's Jodax Publishing house. He respected John Levy's resume. John is a major concern in the entertainment industry. He trusted him. The day scheduled for the filming of "Round Trip" we arrived at The Purple Manor early afternoon. Kim had gone to the Apollo Theatre to meet with our friend from Buffalo, NY Darrell Banks. Darrell's record "Open The Door To Your Heart" was a major hit. Jimmie and Darell did shows at Johnny's Ellicott Grill in Buffalo. The grill was a place to get paid and improve your talent. The night of the film taping the entire block that the Purple Manor was in was lit up. There were lights everywhere. Jimmie remembers coming out on stage to thundering round of hand clapping and yelling. Then the place began to rock. It was a very good show.
Jimmie met Jack Lewis when he was performing in Miami. That night Jack, Juggy Murray from Sue Records and a few other record company executives came to the show. They all went to the Eden Roc Hotel for the after party. Jimmie was impressed with all of the dignitaries. Jack worked with CBS. At the time, he was very happy with the success of Barbara Streisand's "People." He also produced Jazz artists for several different record companies. He gave Jimmie his card and told him to call him when he returned to NYC. John was seeking a major record deal for Jimmie. He took Jimmie to meet with Ed ("For Your Love") Townsend who was A&R for Mercury Records. Jimmie enjoyed meeting Ed, his song was on Jimmie's stage list to sing. At that time he felt that things were not moving fast enough, so Jimmie gave Jack a call. Jack agreed to meet with him. Jack brought Monte Kay to the meeting. Monte and John Levy were the two power houses in management. The meeting went well. Monte came down to The Purple Manor to see the show. He really enjoyed the show. Jimmie met with both management companies trying to sign a major record deal.
Jimmie contacted a friend in Pittsburg. Al Gee, a DJ who had many New York City contacts. He directed Jimmie to meet with Matt Parson who was working at Scepter Records in production and promotion. Matt got Jimmie a deal with the label. Pete Garrison released "You Must Be Losing Your Mind" b/w "For The Sake Of Love." After a few weeks the Garrison record was well distributed down the east coast.
Matt and Jimmie decided to do a promotional tour. When they returned to NYC they decided to put together a "Mr. Soul Spectacular" tour starring Jimmie Raye featuring The Witches and the Warlock. Jimmie chose the most experienced musicians, who had worked the road, for the band. The success of Dionne Warwick's "Alfie" stopped promotion of "You Must Be Losing Your Mind." Matt had to go back to NYC to help with "Alfie." He introduced Jimmie to Pete Tyler who was a very experienced road manager. The show performed in over 100 cities. Jimmie recalls that when the show was in Richmond, Virginia, Dyke and the Blazers also were there on the same night. After the show Jimmie went over to visit with his old friends. Dyke, Jazzmo, and Hockaday were very happy to see Jimmie. They talked about "Funky Broadway," their hit. Jimmie made the comment about them traveling in a old Linclon pulling a uhaul trailer in comparision to his limo and air conditioned bus. "You guys are number one, you need more comfort out here." Jimmie joked with them. The show was performing in Opelika, Alabama with Major Lance when Otis Redding contacted Matt to use the Witches for background vocals for a recording session. Matt agreed to do it, but the schedule was too hectic for the girls to do it.
Jimmie was in Miami and bumped into some old friends who told him that they saw "Round Trip" in NYC. The movie release date had slipped Jimmie's mind. The next week he went back to NYC. The only place the movie was playing was in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Jimmie went with some friends to New Hope to see the movie. We all enjoyed the movie especially The Purple Manor club scenes. Jimmie was on the road working when the movie premiered in NYC. He missed the opening. That same week Jimmie met with John Levy to tell him about the movie. John was a bit upset that Jimmie didn't inform him that he was going to do the movie. The problem was that Jimmie trusted Kim's opinion and signed on. Jimmie asked for a release from the Manager's contract from John. They parted as friends.
Jimmie was now concerned about the current recording contract with Scepter Records. He met with a publishing firm, who is now EMI, to make an independent deal. He signed two songs that he wanted them to produce to their publishing house. "That'll Get It" and "It's Written All Over Your Face." The production was released on Moonshot Records, a division of Calla Records. Randy Irwin was the producer and he arranged for the Shirelles to do the background vocals. The record company decided to promote the record in Miami. Nick (with the solid kick) of WAME radio station, met with Jimmie to talk about a promotion plan. Clck to continue.
