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In 1971 I toured the USA on a bus with the Moments & the Ponderosa Twins + One. Keith, Kirk, Alvin, Alfred &
lil Rickie. We got standing ovations all over the country I thought this was it, I was riding in limo's with Slyvia &
Joe Robinson, eating steak & shrimp everyday. Little did I know this was gonna be the best I'd ever have it in the Music
business. I was the oldest member of the Shades of Soul backup band and they sent the other 3 members of band
home to go to school, while the Ponderosa Twins where home schooled on the tour bus.
Chuck Brown a Cleveland Bail Bondsman & Frank Keys where managing the Twins then, with Tony Wilson as there dancing
guide.
For 35 years Music was my life. I lived it. performing with various Cleveland Ohio eastside entertainers. In 1970
We formed a garage band called The Shades of Soul with Kenny Redon on guitar, Ernest Cary on bass, Benny Slocum on drums and
Dunn Pearson Jr. on keyboards. We where just 17 or 18 years old touring the country with the Ponderosa Twins + One as there
backup band.
We did shows backing the Ponderosa Twins up on shows with with Al Green, James Brown, Gladys
Knight & the Pips, The Spinners, The Ojays, The Emotoins, The 5 Stairsteps, Bobby Womack, New Birth, The Main Ingredients &
many more.
In 1973 We changed our name to the 9th Street Exit
we added horns Bobby English & Bernard Watts and where like a Tower of Power type band. We had 2 singles out
"Sweet Harmony" & "Never Be the Man My Big Brother Was" & "9th Street". These songs are still being sold in Europe
today for a high price.
One great memory about 9th Street Exit, we had a gig in Sheffield Lake Ohio in 1973 we thought
we where the stuff, but a group came on the show before us called the Power Puff Revue, these guys where female impersonators
they put on a show so entertaining you forgot we even showed up...lol...They even had a female James Brown...OMG....We also
did a show at Kent State with the Isley Brothers when they first busted out with there 3 on 3 LP("Who's that Lady")...These
guys really gave us the business, hear me...lol
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