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1966 chart from Detroit station WCHB...

Here is another from WWRL...

This is a WCHB (Detroit) chart from 1968...

Here is one from New York with a Melvin Davis's disc highlighted... .

I used these WCHB (Detroit) one for a video about The Magictones... hence the highlighted part at the bottom.

Here's another Detroit chart - again used it in the YouTube video as mentioned above. Some great 45s listed:

WCHB - Detroit - September 9th, 1968...

I never saw any references to his ATAC releases in the Detroit newspaper (Michigan Chronicle). I have these dates for his earlier 45s: Correctone 503 - May, 1962 Sonbert 3770 - 1964 Ric-Tic 100 - May, 1964 Creed 1051 - 1965 WIG 9005 - Nov. 1966

I have this one from a Detroit newspaper... just used it in a YouTube video of Emanuel Laskey's interview, hence the highlighted part.

You may be interested in this interview with Emanuel - I've just uploaded it to YouTube...

I've just uploaded a slide show on YouTube with an interview I did with Emanuel back in 1999...

Here's another one... Also recorded by Johnny Gay....

Cyril had a hand in this, and also the flip... .

Hi, David. Hopefully life is good and I'm glad you enjoyed listening to Sam. He was a real character. Hopefully I'll get some more interviews edited in the near future.

Cyril's recording career included 'Hard Times' with The Majestics on the Contour label in the late 1950s, and later with Two Plus Two on Velgo. Here's his obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/las-vegas-nv/cyril-clarke-10525067

I just deleted this video as the audio didn't seem to be fully working - the song tracks played, but the interviews didn't. I've just reloaded it - if anyone finds any issues, please let me know... a

Joe Hunter mentioned 'I'm Too Far Gone - To Turn Around' when I interviewed him, but the label does not credit him as the arranger. Joe said he enjoyed working with Don Robey - it was less stressful than at Motown. Here's another Duke one from Detroit...

Yes... James was closely involved with Johnnie Mae on her early recordings and you sometimes see his name as a co-writer..

But, Ida Bennett, who led on the Bon/Reel Ambassadors' cuts may have been J.P. Bennett (JMM's business partner)' daughter. Ida could be a wife or sister - her voice is certainly powerful on those Bon recordings.

It's easily done, Robb. I'm not sure if there's a family connection between Frank and Sam.

Yes, Sam was one of those old-fashioned hustlers and the interview gives a taste of what he was like.

Below is a message from Elsie (I don't think her email about Tony - her husband and one of The Holidays - ever got to me). I plan to edit my interview with Tony soon and put it on YouTube. We did see the interview it was wonderful. I did sent you an email to tell you Tony passed away on June 17th from Alzheimer’s. It was so sad but I’m doing okay so I will look to see if I can find anything on the Holiday’s to send to you. As always it so nice to hear from you, stay safe and I will keep in touch.

Yes, that's the Sam I interviewed - born in Alabama and moved to Detroit in 1955 (he would have been 19 years old then). I did do an online search for an obit before posting that YouTube video, but nothing popped up. I had assumed Sam had passed away. Here's what that obit' states: Samuel Lewis Motley was born on March 6, 1936 in Autaugaville, Alabama to Mimmie and Clabe Motley. Samuel Lewis Motley accepted Christ at a early age. Samuel Lewis Motley attended the Autaugaville Training School from grades one through twelve. At age 19, he moved to Detroit, Michigan to carry out his passion for music. He was self employed as a body and paint mechanic. He also enjoyed America's favorite pastime , baseball. Samuel was preceded in death by his brothers Robert Motley, WIllie James and Winston; two sisters Mary Ann (Leonard and Selister; and one brother-in-law James. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Angela (Richard) and Marie, two grandchildren, Dean Overton and Damonae Thomas; two siusters Elouise (Formas) Carswell and Bertha Thompson; special friend (girlfriend); and a special stepson Mark Chestnut and three very special nieces and one nephew.

Here's a pic of The Ivies. I had a 45 of theirs on Willow - see below - that the group did for Johnnie Mae Matthews. It's probably the same guy who was in The Ambassadors that recorded for Johnnie Mae on Bon. I'm sure there are other 45s I've seen with Yancie on.

This is not something I am aware of. Where did you get the details from, Robb? Have you confused him with someone else? I don't think Sam could actually play an instrument.