byronwoods

Byron Woods

Interview 6 October 2004

So far as I know you have been involved in music since you were about 19 or 20. Tell me about years 0 to 19! Where you from, your family – were they in music? – what you did growing up and what part music played. Who did you listen to growing up.

Your pretty much my age and I’m a big fan of 60’s and 70’s chicago music – was that what you were into and remember too. What names inspired. Though you were a big Detroit fan I understand.

I loved music as a child growing up to the sounds of Motown and the sounds of Chicago of course. My late Mom Angie Woods and my step mom Mable Woods were singers in female vocal groups back in their day. My step mom is still singing today in her church choir at 82 yrs. young! So the music bug was there through my parents. Some of my musical influences was The Four Tops, Temps, The Dells, The Impressions, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, The Marvelettes, The Spinners, Etc.

Then you sang vocals for a couple of bands. Tell me about the initial period when you were trying to break it, and how did you do.

I started with my first group in 1969. We were called The Vandells, four guys, L.C. Baggett, Carl Nolan, William Sumlar and my sister Karen Woods-Norris. We would jam to the sounds of The Young Hearts, Smokey and The Miracles, and Brenda and The Tabulations. Our first gig was a union party at my Daddy's job.

Did you cut any material in those days or was it principally live stuff. You then did the clubs. What kind of stuff were you doing and where were you playing and how was it. Honing your craft but hard work? Were you doing anything as a main job.

I would say The Celestrials which consisted of Pamala (Tashee) Batchman, Johnny Foster, Katrinia Foster and myself was the real kickoff into this industry. We won 4th place in a talent show in 1972 and the winner would receive a contract with a major record label, 20th Century Records. The Brighter Side Of Darkness were the winners. They when on to record the hit single "Love Jones". Ironically, Pamela brother The Late great Terry Batchman played Bass on that record. Clarence Johnson was the producer. We cut a few things but they were never released. After that group broke up, I started another groove with Heet/Brandi in 1974. This group was along the lines of The Friends Of Distinction, The Fifth Dimension. We also recorded a few grooves but nothing was ever released, however we played a lot of clubs. I also had several jobs as a Doorman, Making Candy bars, Toothpaste, packing and delivery etc.

Tell me about Onstage. How long did this last. You had a few singles. How did they do. And what brought the group to an end and made you go back to being solo. Are you better on your own?

I joined Onstage as their lead singer in 1979. Brandi was starting to fade and we finally broke up in 1981. Onstage had several Lead singers in the band. We were a self-contained band and these cats could play! We also had a sexy lady in the group, Lead singer Marsha Miller. Onstage was together for ten years 1979-1989. We had four singles released; "Who You Really Are/Hooked On Your Love" (Soc. Records (1983) "She's a Lady Of The Night" (Jesay Records (1984), "I'll Give my best/Why" (Omnibus Records (1986) and "Alibi/Come On Thru," Omnibus Records (1987) The band also played for The Staple Singers and Gene Chandler, etc.
The band went as far as we could go, we just needed that big bite...It never happened. The direction of the band went somewhere else. I decided to do some solo things and formed another group, Vocalpoynt. Former Onstage musicians are still playing with other groups, Larry Kimpel (Bass, Lead vocals) has played with Anita Baker, George Duke, Boney James, Natalie Cole, and he's currently with Frankie Beverly. Jorge Evans(Guitar) currently with Bobby Caldwell, and Brian Culbertson. Mike Logan (Keyboards, Vocals) with Ramsey Lewis, Phil Perry, Kurt Whalum, Will Downing, Steve Cole and Brian Culbertson. Mike Logan also produced my new CD "in The Land Of Smooth," on Expansion Records. He also produced The New Lost Generation and Bradley Young. I have more control now as a solo artist.

You then signed to Ardent in the Uk. How did that come about. The Uk was pretty good to you back then, I guess that was some 15 years ago! Did you ever come over?

Marshall Titus, Vocalist/Producer and former member with Brandi was signed to Ardent/Zing Records in the UK and he introduce me to Paul Mooney, CEO at the label. I sent him a demo and final mixes of my music and he liked what he heard and signed me to the label. The company opened the door for me in the UK with three singles, "I've Been In Love", "You Don't Even Know", and "Look To Me For Love". Vocalpoynt is doing the backgrounds on all of the recordings. The UK has always been good to me for 14 years now. I am very happy with the response we are receiving with "In The Land Of Smooth" I love the UK and I look forward to performing there soon! Back in the days of Ardent My Dad and Mom were ILL, so I wasn't able to make that trip to promote it. Paul Mooney did all he could to make it happen. This was such a groove to see your name on the charts with the singers that you admire: The Whispers, Mica Paris, Teddy Pendergrass. I thank Paul Mooney and Mike Ward for opening the doors in the UK for Onstage and my solo groove.

But you had other projects too at home. Tell me about some of those things.

I was involved in several projects in the US. I was doing lead vocals and arrangements on Corky McClerklin, "Searching For The Soul", various projects with VP doing background vocals for Phil Perry and Vesta. I have been working as a lead singer of four in the Bradley Young Orchestra for the past 12 years. We do a lot of corporate work and weddings. I arranged vocals for his debut CD titled "Midnight Rhapsody", on Omnibus Records. Bradley is an excellent Piano player and he has one slamin' orchestra. Mike (Onstage) Logan produced the CD. We have opened for Roberta Flack, Barry Manilow, The Late Neil Carter, Chubby Checker, Ben E. King, Mary (Supremes) Wilson and others. Pam Bradley, Amedee Jones, Nanette Frank are the other singers. We also use vocalists Kym Franklin and Emanuel Barr. It's a blessing to be working steady!

And you were writing and working background and stuff. Who did you write for and perform with.

I wrote a few tunes for Diana Ross in the early 80's. She held on to the material for over a year and never recorded it. One day I will dust the cobwebs off and record them myself. Ted Mills former lead singer with Blue Magic recorded one of my songs but it was never released. I wrote some nice grooves with the late Garry Glenn. I am currently writing material with the members of VP and my writing partner Vanessa (Cerah) Ledbetter. I enjoy writing, producing and arranging vocals.

Phil Perry has a great voice? I think somewhere along the way you’ve worked with Gene Chandler too?

Phil Perry was the first big artist to use my group as a unit for background vocals. Vesta was the next artist. VP which consists of Dianne Madison, Dan Porter, Mae Koen and myself had a lot of fun working with these artists. The ladies have been singing background with Aretha Franklin on and off since 1997. Phil is such a wonderful vocalist and man he can arrange some vocals! Mike Logan was working as a MD (Music Director) for Phil and he was looking for some B.G. Vocals. We got the call and a piece of history was made. Vesta has such a cool groove and will keep you laughing. The lady can sing the steam off the windows!

Tell me about Garry Glen

Garry Glenn was a real good friend of mine. We met in 1977 around the time he was writing for Al Hudson (Lost Inside of you) and Eddie Kendricks (Intimate Friend), Earth, Wind and Fire (Takin' It To The Sky). I let him check out some music I had recorded with Brandi and he express interest in producing and writing some songs for the group. He wrote a couple of things but we never recorded them. We stayed in touch and when I went out to California in 1981 to visit my daughter Ayoka we got together and wrote some grooves, along with Fred Brady. Garry went on to write some grooves for Anita Baker (Rapture) and while he was on the road with her in Chicago, I let him check out some new releases with Onstage. We had an instrumental of the track "You Don't Even Know." Garry fell in love with the groove and asked if he could write some lyrics to the tune. I introduced him to Mike Logan and again history was made! Garry when on to record the song on his debut album for Motown and Gerald Allbright recorded it on his "Just Between Us", with Billy Griffin on Lead vocals. I released my version on Ardent/Zing in 1991. Garry was a great songwriter/producer/singer and he could slam some keyboards too! Garry passed on in 1991 but he left a legacy of music. I am proud to present some of the music we wrote from the vaults on my new CD.

And Vocalpoynt.

Vocalpoynt- We started out as a merger from Sweet Music and Brandi. The original members were Mae Koen, Dianne Madison, Ron Henley and myself. Ron left VP in 1990 to sing backgrounds with his brother and sister for Smokey Robinson. In 1992 the group took a sabbatical for two years. Dan Porter joined the group in 1994. We have been grooving' ever since and in 1997 we released a Christmas CD titled 'Tis The Season," on Street Factory Records, based out of Chicago, IL. We are currently working on our debut CD of Jazz and R&B grooves scheduled for release in 2005. By the way, 2005 will mark our 20th anniversary as VP.

I’m kinda leading up to the Expansion CD, but it started some 5 or 6 years ago didn’t it. How have things panned out over the last few years. What the plan was with (the revived) Omnibus, and what happened. And how it grew into the current set on Expansion. 'You Are Here Tonight' and 'Work Of Art' were from Omnibus. How far did it go towards on album. What about I’ve been in love. Tell me about the rest of the album, what you set out to achieve. Do you have a team of people that you regularly work with.

I released an EP on Omnibus records titled "His Name Is..Byron Woods in the US in June of 1998. The EP was dedicated to my Mom Angie Woods who passed away on 3/20/98. Two songs "Work Of Art", and "You Are Here Tonight" are included on the new CD. The UK hit "I've Been In Love" is also included. The new CD is a concept groove dedicated musically to some of the groups and solo singers I grew up and become to know later in life. Andreas Hellingh, my international manager was very instrumental in securing the label deal with Expansion Records. I have a great team of writers and producers: Jimmie Hudson, Vanessa (Cerah) Ledbetter, Howard Simmons, Versara Morgan, and VP, to name a few.

Pleased with the reaction so far.

Mike, I have been pleased with the reaction so far. Thanks for asking.

And how did you linlk up with Ralph for the Expansion album.

Mr. Soul of Amsterdam, Andreas Hellingh was the major link to Ralph Tee at Expansion Records. Andreas let Ralph hear the grooves and he liked what he heard and they signed me to the label.

What else is happening. Are you performing, and over here. What do you know about the UK scene.

I would say being able to have some control of what is going on with your product and to stay focus. Naturally, having the proper distribution in the UK as well as the US is a major factor, radio play and "Live" work is essential to sales. I plan to visit the UK for some "Live" work next year. I also plan to do some "Live" grooves in the US as well. I've never been to the UK but I look forward to checking it out.

And who else do you listen too right now.

I like a mixed bag of grooves, George Duke, Wil Downing, Lenny Kravitz, Angela Johnson, Frayne, Trina Broissard, Lalah Hathaway, Incognito, Brenda Russell, and Maysa. I still enjoy the old school too!

Anything else you’d like to add

Enjoy what you're doing in life...Stay Positive, Stay Focus.
The Creator is always watching and helping you to for fill your goals, know what they are and make them happen for you.
Thank you for the interview...
Peace,
Byron Woods

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