Honoring The Past, Shaping The Future
Oct 5, 2012
The band Nantucket was formed in Jacksonville in 1969. The legendary beach music band, known originally as “Stax of Gold” and then as “Nantucket Sleigh ride,” was comprised of Tommy Redd, Larry Uzzell, Mike Uzzell, Eddie Blair, Kenny Soule and Mark Downing. They became a well-known and in demand cover band in North Carolina...
Oct 5, 2012
Fred Foster was born in Rutherford County, and became a legendary label owner when he formed Monument Records in 1958. The first release, “Gotta Travel On,” became a top five record in both the Billboard Hot 100 and Country charts in 1959. Foster and Monument went on to play pivotal roles in the careers of Roy Orbison, Dolly...
Oct 5, 2012
The Shirelles was an African-American girl group who’s singing style and recordings influenced a generation of girl groups. Two of the original members are from North Carolina. Shirley Alston Reeves was born in Henderson and Doris Kenner Jackson born in Goldsboro. Micki Harris and Beverly Lee rounded out the group. They were formed...
Oct 5, 2012
Jodeci got their start in Charlotte on Furious Black Family Gospel Songs, a compilation album. On that album were the DeGrates and the Haileys, two sets of brothers: Cedric and Joel Hailey with Donald and Dalvin DeGrate from Charlotte. After this release, Donald DeGrate, known as “DeVante,” recorded a song in Charlotte that Joel...
Oct 5, 2012
Stonewall Jackson was born in Tabor City. He is best known for his hits during country music’s honky tonk era of the 1950s and early 1960s. Stonewall (that’s his real name—he was named after Confederate General Stonewall Jackson) moved with his mother and two siblings to South Georgia after his father died when Stonewall was...
Oct 5, 2012
Born in Badin, Lou Donaldson is a renowned jazz saxophonist. He spent his early years in the bebop era, influenced heavily by Charlie Parker. Playing alto sax, Lou made his first recordings with the Charlie Singleton Orchestra in 1950. In 1952 he played on recordings by Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk. Donaldson recorded a number of...
