I ran across a couple of photos taken long ago. One was from 1968 and the other from around 1993. The Soulmasters were a group (usually 10 pieces) that was started by Doug Hyler and Wayne Womble in 1965. I joined on keyboard in 1967 when Wayne Womble left. Thanks for the break Wayne. I never understood why he left. Not many outside Danville, VA noticed the difference from one blond haired, skinny keyboard player to another blond haired, skinny keyboard player When I joined they already had recorded a regional hit "I'll Be Waiting Here" and the flipside "You Took Away The Sunshine". If I remember correctly Dennis Sheppard (trumpet) wrote the former while Doug Hyler (sax) penned the latter. We had all played in 4 and 5 piece groups with a sax player if lucky. To play with 5 piece horn sections was both powerful and mind blowing to me. This was what was missing to me in earlier groups. Traveling the south in that big blue bus with the lemon on the side ( the lemon was well deserved by this monster) was an experience both good and bad for me. The music, crowds, dance halls, and general good times were great. The looks, threats in restaurants, and Klan billboards not so much. We were, after all, an integrated group. We never thought of it other than being an asset to have so many diverse wonderful styles. Many musicians came and went over those 5 years. Some are still playing today. Others gave it up for their version of the "American Dream". Then there is the other group of folks that realized they could have both. This was an important era for the people involved in this group but for some it was their "15 minutes" of fame and they got kinda stuck in the past. We all know people like this.I was more than happy to play a small part.
Well, that's it for now. I hope others will write about their musical "Soul Experiences" from the 60's. I know I would love to read more about this era. Maybe, just maybe, some Ex-Soulmasters will contribute.
2 comments:
I am so amazed that I found this website! I am the only child of Dennis Shepherd who played the Trumpet for the Soulmasters. This brought back so many good memories of my dad. RIP Daddy 1945-2004
I remember the Soul Masters very well. I also remember those times very well. (the 60"s). There were several other bands in Danville at that time, but the Soul Masters always won the battle of the bands. Being a teenager in Danville in the 60's was great? Coke Plant YWCA, and 360 Drive dances were outstanding. I left for the Army in September 1967 so I do not know much about the Soul Masters after that. But John Irby took me to the bus station when I left for the army, as John and I had been friends for many years prior. The color difference did not mean much to me back then (as I was white and John was black) and most of the kids I knew back then the color difference did not mean that much. It has been over 40 years and seems like only yesterday when I heard their song "I"ll be Waiting Here", I still remember the words. To all the members of the Soul Masters----THANKS FOR A GREAT TEENAGE TIME.
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