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From left: Walter "Bo" Washington Harold "Scotty" Scott and Deljuan
"Del" Calvin of The Temprees. (Courtesy photo of the artist)
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MEMPHIS MUSIC TRIO'S "THE TEMPREES" ARE CELEBRATING THEIR 50 YEARS ANNIVERSARY AND SUPPORTING ST. JUDE CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM
Their pay-per-view destiny would begin very soon, for this talent trio and opportunity would knock very loudly as the music and the recording journey begins again on January 9, 2021 on a Worldwide Pay-Per-View available in over 190 Countries live on 5 Stars Music Group Concert Series, Power By SimulTV! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Childhood Cancer Research. Brought to You By Rjai's and Ladivee's Production
Since The Temprees began singing together in junior high school using the echo in the boys bathroom to give their Young Voices a unique sound, snapping fingers kept the beat while singing a cappella the song they had learned.
They soon started to sing at the school talent show where they became really good at singing and performing for the youthful audiences. Choreographed dancing routines and wearing matching clothes made them look great.
After finding a band they practice every day they began to sing in clubs their popularity was growing with each performance. They had acquired a large following from the age of 14 years old to 19 years old. The Temprees Deljuan Del Calvin Jasper Jabo Philips, and Harold Scotty Scott attracted the attention of Stax Records for performing a gig at the Showcase club in Memphis Tennessee.
Joe Bridges who would become The Temprees manager and Tom Nixon who became the producer Dave Porter a Stax Records performers songwriter accompanied Mr Bridges and Mr Nixon. Temprees were offered a recording contract with We Produce records, a subsidiary of Stax Records. In 1970 they recorded two songs, "My Baby Love" and "I'm For You, "You For Me".
These songs were promoted at many radio stations performed for audiences, including TV performances and interviews across the United States. They were liked and highly played in Memphis, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Chicago Baton Rouge Baltimore Detroit and many many more cities across the country.
The Temprees quickly return to Memphis and recorded a highly acclaimed LoveMen album released in 1972, This album also introduced a massive hit song worldwide dedicated to the one I love a fortune opportunity presented itself the summer of 1972 when a local Memphis and good friend guitar artist Larry Lee who was also backup singer for Jimi Hendrix had a conversation with Deljuan Calvin at the Showcase Club. He said Little Richard is looking for an act to open for him in Las Vegas Nevada. Richards was performing with Lou Rawls at a club named Loser, located at Union Avenue and Cleveland Street.
Del explained to Richard the recent conversation with Larry Lee.
Richard agreed to hire The Temprees and their band The Wildcats, who were recent graduates of Melrose High School in Memphis. The Temprees popularity continued to grow, making new fans and friends as they toured performing in Las Vegas Nevada at the Hilton International Hotel for three month with Little Richard and red fox another Memphian was performing there too, Elvis Presley.
The Temprees were now establish as one of rhythm and blues newest and notable vocal trios producer Nixon brought on a new member to expand the live performance allowing The Temprees to continue to grow their on stage performance and vocal creativity William Novell Johnson would bring the seasonal group members a new inspiration, spiritually and professionally!
"Love Maze" album by The Temprees was released a year later again validating the Rhythm and blue trios Soulful Balladeers! The third album, The Temprees 3" gave their fans the unusually upbeat single "Come And Get Your Love" in February 2001 The Temprees lost an Original member Jasper "Jabo" Philips. Deljuan "Del" Calvin asked his younger brother Jerry "JC" Calvin to join the group... He bought his A game.
The Temprees now share the Style Choreography, the Songs and the stage with Walter "Bo" Washington! Staying true to their unmistakable sound. They have continued to Dazzle and entertain audiences with memorable performances now for 50 years and they are among Rhythm and Blues Favorite Love Song Singing Trio's.
Dr. Robert L. Jamison, Founder of Alternative Healthcare LA and 5 Stars Music Group Concert Series a Memphis native and resident of Los Angeles CA is supporting St. Jude Childhood Cancer Research Program in honor of his Nephew Dercek Dawson and Children around the world affected by cancer.
Since visiting St Jude Children’s Research Hospital on June17, 2019 Robert Jamison – A 33 Years Healthcare Professional and former fellowship trained Physician Assistant with 20 years experience in Cardiovascular, General, Neurology, and Plastic Surgery – is committed to funding cancer research and raising money through fundraising efforts for St Jude Children's Hospital Childhood Cancer Research Program..
Dr. Jamison is not looking for praise for his humanitarian work, he's doing this to bring the community together and raise awareness for Childhood Cancer Research and preventive measures because St Jude saved his nephew's life and he’s not done yet apparently.
Dr.Jamison's assessment of his nephew Dereck Dawson was life saving. While outside playing with the other Children Jamison noticed his 5 year old nephew stumbling and falling to the ground at least 3' to 4 times all within 10 minutes that's when he knew something was wrong. He started closely assessing Dereck Neurological Behavioral after watching him lose his balance several times in sequences. It's when he took action and recommended that his niece take little dereck to the Hospital for observation that's when the CT exam showed the tumor on Dereck Brain.
He said, “ I am grateful for my medical background which played a significant role in saving my nephew's life . It was Dereck's first experience how St. Jude not only cares for their patients but also their patients’ families. They believe that a financial burden is the last thing a family should face when their focus needs to be on helping a kid get better, and St. Jude makes sure that their patients never pay a dime. It’s an honor for us to be able to help them continue such an important mission.” This is where The Temprees and The Bar-Kays play a significant role in helping us. We all are from Memphis and that's why we are committed to supporting St. Jude Children Hospital. It's a priority, says Robert Jamison. 5 Stars Music Group Concert Series Pay-Per-View (PPV) channel on SimulTV is moving beyond awareness. In collaboration with "The Temprees" and "Bar-Kays" we are determined to lead the charge to diversify childhood cancer research - the inclusion of diverse participants is necessary to ensure reliable, widely applicable results.
STAX RECORDS LIVING LEGENDS THE BARKAYS WITH LEGENDARY JAMES ALEXANDER FEATURING CHRIS J
Fire, smoke, and vibrant costumes are just part of what’s in store for audiences these days at a typical stage performance by funk and soul pioneers the BAR-KAYS. Spontaneity and excitement have been a trademark of the Memphis-based group ever since its inception in the mid-1960s. Today, the BAR-KAYS have reloaded their high-energy act and are ready to guide whole new generations onto the dance floor with a reinvigorated lineup.
In 2017, after a worldwide search, the BAR-KAYS introduced Memphis singer Chris J. as their new lead singer, replacing longtime front man Larry Dodson, who recently retired. Familiar to audiences nationwide for his appearances on the Wild Out Wednesday competition on BET’s popular “106 and Park” and his recordings for Big Gates Records, including collaborations with Trina and Plies, Chris J. brings a whole new vibe and currency to the BAR-KAYS.
"Chris J is a consummate professional, and we wouldn't give him the keys to the car if he couldn't drive," said former lead singer Larry Dodson and founding bassist James Alexander of the man chosen to help front the eight-man funk machine. Chris J. joins drummer Demario Perry, a veteran of groups like the Dazz Band, as the newest members of this venerable R&B institution. The group also includes Ezra “EZ Roc” Williams on keys, Archie Love and Robert Day on vocals, Angelo Earl on guitar, and Mark Bynum on vocals and keys.
"This opportunity is such a blessing from the OG's Larry Dodson and James Alexander to little old me from North Memphis. But I will definitely make the world proud," said Chris J. on landing the gig. The new, reloaded BAR-KAYS is just the latest manifestation of a band that has reinvented itself several times over its 50-plus year career.
The BAR-KAYS started as a ragtag group of teenagers growing up in the shadow of Memphis’ Stax Records. In 1967, the teens signed on as Stax’s newest band. The same year their potent, dynamic sound carried them to the top of the charts with their party smash “Soul Finger.” Their star was on the rise as the BAR-KAYS soon found themselves backing label superstar Otis Redding on what would be his final worldwide tour. That tour ended in disaster on December 10, 1967 when Redding and four members of the band perished in a plane accident.
Surviving members James Alexander and Ben Cauley reformed the BAR-KAYS, recruiting Larry Dodson of the Stax group the Temprees. Soon the new Bar-kays were the premier house band at Stax, playing on million-sellers for artists such as Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, The Emotions, The Dramatics, Albert King, and, most notably, Isaac Hayes classics like Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses, and the Grammy Award-winning album Shaft.
By the ’70s, the BAR-KAYS had reinvented themselves as one of the premier acts in a genre they helped create, funk. After the demise of Stax in the mid-’70s, the group signed with Mercury Records and recorded a string of hits that remain dance floor staples to this day: “Shake Your Rump to the Funk,” “Attitude,” “Move Your Boogie Body,” “Sexomatic,” “Anticipation,” “Freakshow on the Dance Floor,” “Hit and Run,” “She Talks to Me With Her Body,” “Too Hot to Stop,” and many others.
In the ’80s, Alexander stepped back from the BAR-KAYS to focus on his own promotions company, but the band continued to record and tour, adapting to the synth-heavy R&B sound of the period and working with artists like Sly Stone and Joe Walsh. In the ’90s, Alexander rejoined the band for a series of efforts that took them up the new millennium, including the 1991 album 48 Hours and Best of Barkays on Curb Records, which supplemented their classic hits with new material, including the single “Everybody Wants That Love.”
The BAR-KAYS continued their latest resurgence in the 21st century. They started their own label, as a showcase not just to put out their own music but to spotlight other artists in both R&B and gospel. In 2003, the first BAR-KAYS release on the label, the aptly-titled The Real Thing, was a regional hit behind singles ‘You’re My Joy” and “Glad You’re My Lady.” House Party, featuring the hits “Sho-Nuff” and “Superstar,” followed in 2007 and featured collaborations with fellow Stax alum Shirley Brown and Alexander’s son, noted Atlanta producer Jazze Pha. The BAR-KAYS latest album is Grown Folks, their 29th studio album released in 2013 just ahead of the band’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration in 2014. Produced by Jazze Pha, the album finds the band surprisingly fresh and relevant behind the surprise radio smash title track and “Return of the Mack.” The record also features an all-star roster of guest performers, including George Clinton, Three 6 Mafia, and Eightball and MJG.
With their first half century under their belts, the BAR-KAYS remain one of the hardest working and most honored groups around. The band played President Barack Obama’s second inaugural and were also featured in a nationally-televised White House tribute to Memphis soul. Other TV appearances include “Sinbad’s Summer Jam” on HBO and an episode of TV One’s documentary series “Unsung.” They have been inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and Beale Street Walk of Fame, have been featured in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and have been invited to perform for the troops in Iraq. Their music has been sampled by Will Smith, Cameo, Teddy Riley, and Coolio, among many others. With a career total of 29 albums including 5 gold and 1 platinum, 40 single releases and 20 top ten singles and albums, the BAR-KAYS with the strong support of Johnny Stinson (Stinson Industrial) can expect to add to those figures and expand on their legendary status.
