Category Archives: Gaye

Jerry Ashley & the Dynamics Unlimited

Dynamics Unlimited Rose 45 The Tide RisesDynamics Unlimited Rose 45 Baby Let's Wait

Jerry Ashley & the Dynamics Unlimited Rose 45 Don't Tell Me WhyI’ve tried to find some information about Jerry Ashley and the Dynamics Unlimited, but have turned up empty so far. They recorded for two related Atlanta, Georgia labels, Rose and Gaye.

The Dynamics Unlimited released one 45 of their own on the Rose Records label, the melancholy “The Tide Rises” b/w “Baby Let’s Wait” on Rose 2890. The labels do not list composer credits, but publishing is through Margie Music, BMI. The RCA custom press # U4KM-4910/1 points to a 1967 date.

The band then backed Jerry Ashley for his single on Rose 2091, “Don’t Tell Me Why” / “Come to Me”, two originals by Ashley also published by Margie Music. I’ve yet to hear either song.

Jerry Ashley Gaye 45 Come OnJerry Ashley had another single on Gaye Records 3044 from late ’67 or 1968, an upbeat party record with sing-along vocals, shouts and screams called “Come On”, backed with an instrumental version of the same song. This too was a Jerry Ashley composition for Margie Music and though the PO Box on the label is slightly different, there’s a striking similarity to the Rose label design.

I’d appreciate any additional info about the Dynamics Unlimited, Jerry Ashley or the Rose or Gaye Records labels.

Thank you to Mark Taylor for the scans of the Jerry Ashley 45s on Rose and Gaye.

The Mondels

There’s no denying the power of the Mondells 45 on Gaye, “I Got a Feeling” / “You’ll Never Come Back to Stay”. Both songs have thick distortion on the guitar, nice organ swirls, pounding drums, and good lead and backing vocals.

The code U4KM-5024 denotes an RCA custom pressing from the first half of 1967. The scan I originally posted showed no song writing credits on the label, but as Mike Markesich pointed out in his comment below, that scan was doctored to keep the writer’s name secret until the band could be found. From the scans I now have, Roy Farmer Jr. wrote “I Got a Feeling” and Benny Thomas wrote “You’ll Never Come Back to Stay”. Both sides are published by Margie Music, BMI, and listed as A Gaye Talent Production.

The group itself is still something of a mystery to me. I did find out that the Mondels, like Red Beard & the Pirates, came from the rural hills between Blue Ridge, Georgia (Morganton, Mineral Bluff, Epworth) and Copperhill, Tennessee / McCaysville, GA, about two hours drive north of the studio in Decatur, GA, just east of Atlanta. From the same area came The Blazers, who had a self-produced LP On Fire.

An old auction listing gives a couple names for Red Beard & the Pirates: Randy Queen and “Sea Dog”. The seller also mentioned two members of the Mondels: “Billy Suites (died from auto accident) and Lamar Harper (died a couple of years ago from cancer). Actually the name ‘Tootie’ written on the record is my sister-in-law and she dated Lamar.” I contacted the seller for more info, but I can’t confirm if these names are accurate.

The Mondels is one of the rarest and best 45s on the Gaye label.

Mike Dugo interviewed a member of the Penetrations who have a record on Gaye, “A Different Kind of Man” / “I Got A Girl” but they were from Belton, South Carolina, to the north east of Atlanta.

Thank you to Mike Markesich for the scans and info on the band. Transfers from Teenage Shutdown vol. 13.

Gaye Record Productions discography

Gaye Records Atlanta Sound Recording Studios Lowery Music Billboard July 8. 1967
Billboard July 8. 1967

Johnny Brooks owned the Gaye label, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and named it after his wife. The label started with pop releases, then added soul 45s and consistently strong garage singles by Little Phil & the Night Shadows, the Mondels, the Blades, the Penetrations and Red Beard & the Pirates. Some numbers have a prefix, usually ASR, which refers to Atlanta Sound Recording Studios, also owned by Brooks.

Troy Shondell recorded the Chips Moman song “This Time” for Goldcrest in 1961, released nationally by Liberty. I don’t know who Troy Shundell is, but his version on Gaye (#2010 from circa 1965) is a different recording than the Goldcrest/Liberty issue, and is likely a different singer altogether.

Any help with this discography would be appreciated

114 – Ken Springer – “You’re Faithful Anna” / “Lovely Love” (with picture sleeve)
210 – J.T. Ratcliffe With Shirley & The Swamp Bugs – “The Beatle Bug” / “Bill’s Friend”
212 – George Hughley – “Do The Beatle” / “My Love Is True”
2002 – Bobby & The Belmonts – “Drum Dog” / “He’s Home From College” (1964)
2004 – Beverly Taylor – “Sweeter Than Sugar” / “I Need Someone Like You”
2009 – Ken Springer – “Like A Child” / “Maybe”
2010 – Troy Shundell – “This Time” / “I Catch Myself Crying”
2018 – Frankie And The Play Boys featuring Arnold Sanford – “Two To One” / “Crying Towel”
3019 – The Blades – “I’ll Shead No Tear” (sic) / “Again”
3020 – Joe Dickey – “April In Atlanta” / “Walk With Me (Into Paradise)”
3027 – The Penetrations – “A Different Kind of Man” / “I Got A Girl”
3031 – Little Phil & the Night Shadows – “Sixty Second Swinger” / “In the Air”
3031 – Milford Fagg with the Penetrations – “Do You Still Remember Me” / “Mr. Ivory”
3032 – The Mondels – “You’ll Never Come Back To Stay” / “I Got A Feeling”
3033 – Joe Brown – “It’s All Over” / “Promise Me”
3034 – Ted Ford – “You Don’t Love Me” / “Hold On To the Key”
3041 – C. J. DeLong – “Goodbye Dreams” / “I Don’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore”
3043 – Red Beard & the Pirates – “Go On Leave” / “Don’t Be A Loser”
3044 – Jerry Ashley – “Come On” / “Come On” (instrumental backing track)
3045 – The Blades – “Moving Out” / “I Need You”
3047 – Sheppard Brothers – “Hold Me Closer” / “Mess Up My Mind”
5001 – Johnny Jenkins – “Soul Boo-Ga-Loo” / “Ring-O-Ling”
5002 – Lee Mays & the Zonics – “Writing This Letter” / “Nothing Means Nothing To You”
5005 – Ernie Wheelwright – Begging You Back / “In Your Arms”
5006 – Automations – “World of Make Believe” / “Going Out of My Mind”
6001 – Betty Logan – “A Lot To Learn” / The Logan Sisters – “Flop Mop”

Gaye discography compiled from Georgia Soul with additions and corrections from Mike Markesich, Bob of Dead Wax, Drunken Hobo, George, and Chas Kit.

368 – Paula Grimes – “Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart” / “Fancy Love Words” (George pointed out this is an unrelated NY label)