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af»»I TVcAtTViSwig-TVas-ledofA HEARSE FULL OF HAPPY NOTESLocal Combo Cuts Record, Expects BoomJvs.lloatofree:aliy Lois SmithThe long, sleek black hearse they drive may present a dismal note.But there’s nothing but happy notes coming from the Rooks, the musical combo which uses a 1058 Cadillac hearse to transport musiciansand their heavy equipmentfrom engagement to engagement.Notes for tlie Rooks, the Fabulous Rooks or the Out of Sight Rooks Band—some of the many names they carry— are getting happier all the time.They’re expecting bigger and better things in 1968, MGM is expected to release a Rooks’ recording the first of the year. And this could bring, national fame to the Kanawha County musical group.The recording will feature four selections. Three of them, “The Time Is Now,” “We Got Love (And Things Like That)” and “Why Me”were written by two Charlestonians long associated with the musical world, Ike Joseph and Kay Lowther and arranged by members of the Rooks. The fourth selection, “Don’t Look Back” is originally by the Temptations.The present Rooks band is comparatively new, organized in 1966. But their list of engagements reads like that of professional groups who’ve been in the business for a long time. First performanceswere for the University Club, with Bob Anderson at the South Charleston Recreation Center, St. Albans YMCA and various country clubs in the Charleston area.They broadened their travels through the years to include University of Kentucky, Hampden - Sydney College', Marshall University, VPI, as well as other schools throughout this area, and clubs such as the Jolly Rodger in Virginia Beach, Va.'Hie Rooks have been on stage with many headliners, induing Mary Wells, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge and backed up Arthur Conley. The band has been ajv proached by the Student Government Assn. at Morris Harvey to appear with Dionne Warwick in concert in early spring of 1968.Under constant supervision of their parents and their business manager, these, young men also have done their part in charity work. They have contributed their time and talent to drives for the heart fund, the Rehabilitation Center at Institue, the Charles Keenan fund and for the Donnally Street playground.The band is led by versatile Bruce McHoul, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. McHoul of Charleston. A 1964 graduate of Charleston HighMembers of “The Rooks” pose around their unusual transportationntislk-iSchool, be was band captain in his senior year and was featured in the all-state and all-county bands and choruses. A piano student for eight years, he also plays the organ, trumpet and trombone. He now attends Morris Harvey College.Lead singers of the musical group is Chuck Doby, son of the group’s business manager, Mrs. Juanita B. Doby. of Charleston. His musical career goes back to drum playing days with the Roosevelt Junior High School band, at Belmont High School in Los Angeles, Calif., Chuck was captain of the varsity basketball team. He was graduated from CharlestonaNow that this show is in color, McKinney, I'm afraid we'll need a new commercial announcer. You blush when you fib.High School in 1963 and started singing with the-Rooks in 1966.A 1967 Charleston High School graduate, Tom Stamp plays the bass guitar with the Rooks, which he joined in 1966. He had appeared with other musical groups prior to then. A valuable member, he also repairs and is responsible for the group’s electronic equipment. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Stamp of Bridgeport.The baritone and tenor sax player, Greg TTiaxton, also has made great strides in the musical world. A senior -at Stonewall Jackson High School where he plays with the school band and orchestra, he has been named to the all-county and all-statebands. Son of Mr. and Mrs.General Thaxton of Charleston, he also plays the organ and piano.Steve Beulike has divided his time between the Rooks and Stonewall Jackson High School musical groups. A 1967 SJHS graduate, he was a band officer, served in the orchestra and with the allcounty band and had first chair in bassoon in the all-state orchestra. A freshman at Morris Harvey College, he plays alto and tenor sax with the Rooks. He is the son of Mrs. Betty Jo Meador of Charleston and Ed Bulike of New York City.A performer with musical groups for many years, Randall Wray is on lead guitar for the Rooks; Son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy 0. Wray Jr. of Charleston, he played with several other Charleston groups before joining the Rooks and was outstanding in musical shows i Charleston High School wher he was graduated this yeai He now attends Morris Hai vey College.Two musicians, Bobb Wharton and Joe Barker, ar no longer with the group, bti they were members when th MGM recording was cut.Wharton, son of Mr. anlt; Mrs. James R. Wharton of St Albans, was graduated thi year from St. Albans Higl School where he was aetivi in musical presentations. Hi played drums while appear ing with the Rooks and u now attending a junior col lege in Texas.Barker, son of Mr. and Mrs Forest E. Barker of South Charleston, was trumpet player with the Rooks, A 1966 graduate of South Charleston High School, he also was in the all-county and all-state bands and was in the concert and marching bands at Marshall University. He now attends West Virginia University,Replacing Wharton and Barker in the Rooks were David Shaw on the trumpet and Gordon Cupit on the drums.A 1964 Stonewall Jackson High School graduate, Shaw also served in the all-county band and all-state orchestra. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Shaw, he also attends Morris Harvey College.Cupit was graduated this year from South Charleston High School where he performed with the school band. He passed the national test offered drummers. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Cupit of South Charleston, he now attends West Virginia State College.
Newspaper Details
Gazette Mail
Charleston, West Virginia, US
Sun, Dec 03, 1967
Page 52
Full Page
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USA 07 Mar 2019
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