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Alabama's Music Achievers
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MUSIC ACHIEVERS
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RONNIE EADES- Tarrant, Alabama
- Member of the Muscle Shoals Horns
- While primarily a studio musician he toured extensively with Elton John in the mid-70s, playing on the famed "Philadelphia Freedom" recording, which also featured John Lennon.
- His saxophone can be heard on the recordings of Joe Cocker, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Delbert McClinton and many others
- Later in the 70s, the Muscle Shoals Horns released three albums of their own compositions which capitalized on the disco dance craze, and toured opening for groups such as Parliament-Funkadelic
MARION EASTERLING - Clanton, Alabama
- Composer of gospel classics, "Lord Lead Me On," "Standing By the River," "Rainbow of Love"
- Penned over 300 gospel tunes during his career.
- In 1938, Easterling was the youngest composer to sign a five year contract with the Stamps-Baxter Publishing Company.
- He has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for his long career as the programmer for the WKLF Radio's gospel show in Clanton, Alabama. The program began in December 1947 and continued for 39 years, during which time, he broadcast over 20,000 shows.
CLEVELAND EATON- Birmingham, Alabama
- A consummate bassist, producer, composer, publisher, arranger and head of his own Birmingham-based record company.
- Toured with the Ike Cole Trio and jazz bands led by Larry Novak, Ramsey Lewis and the legendary Count Basie.
- His recording, "Bama Boogie Woogie" was a big hit in Europe & Australia
BOBBY EDWARDS- Anniston, Alabama
- Co-wrote & recorded the top Country & Pop hit, "You're the Reason"
- One of most recorded songs in Country music for its time.
- The song has been recorded by artists such as Hank Locklin, Joe South, Johnny Tillotson, John Rex Reeves, Narvel Felts, and Sligo Studio Band, and a duet by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty.
"GOOD ROCKIN'" CHARLES EDWARDS- Pratt City, Alabama
- He worked with Big Boy Spires, Otis Smothers and Otis Rush in the Chicago clubs and bars in the early '50's, and also worked with the Louis Myers Band in 1954.
- During 1955, he frequently worked with Jimmy Rogers at the clubs
- Some of his songs were "Five Years in Prison," "Green Country Gal" and "Rockin' at Midnight."
DENNIS EDWARDS- Birmingham, Alabama
- Replaced David Ruffin as lead vocalist of the Temptations in 1968.
- His lead vocals are featured on such songs as "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next to You," "Ball of Confusion" and "Psychedelic Shack," as well as the groundbreaking singles "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and "Masterpiece."
- In 1984, he parted company with the Temptations, and released a major hit single, 'Don't Look No Further'.
- He has fourteen Gold Albums, five Grammy's and seven nominations for the Grammy award.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and was the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
ALICIA ELLIOTT - Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Singing professionally since the age of 9 with a list of artists that include: Pam Tillis, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lari White, Shenandoah, Collin Raye, Joe Diffie, Wade Hayes and Bebe & Cece Winans.
- At 17, recorded debut album, the single, "I'm Diggin' It", went to #4 on Billboard's singles-sales chart
- Composer of some of Gospel music's standards, such as the classic "Do You Know My Jesus?".
- He has written hundreds of songs and was billed as "the Bing Crosby of Gospel Music" due to his smooth, clear voice.
- Served as Director of Music for the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association.
- Inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001
WALTER "BIG CHIEF" ELLIS - Birmingham, Alabama
- His blues piano was rooted in the rolling, hard hitting styles of Birmingham
- Accompanied Tarheel Slim, Brownie McGhee, Jack Dupree and others.
- The songs he was known for were "All Down Blues," "Blues for Moot," "Chief's E-Flat Blues," "Dices Oh Dices," and "Prison Bound."
YALE ELLIS - Birmingham, Alabama
- Started the first half?time football band show in Alabama at Woodlawn High School
- Was one of the originators of the Ala Breve Magazine for the Alabama Music Educators Association.
- He was one of the original organizers of the Alabama Bandmasters Association and later served as President.
- He was Director of the University of Alabama summer music camp for many years and taught music camps at Auburn University.
- Inducted into the Phi Beta MU Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1976.
WILLIAM ELTON- Gadsden, Alabama
- Musician/arranger/composer is credited with conducting such Broadway scores as "Bye Bye Birdie," "Evita," "How To Succeed In Business Without Trying," and "The Wiz."
- Recorded with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand
- Has arranged and played on the Tony Awards for over 15 years.
- Emmy Award for music for Princess Graces's last appearance at "Night of 100 Stars"
ENSLEY JUBILEE SINGERS- Birmingham, Alabama
- Broadcasted a live radio show from 1942 until early 1980, gracing the airwaves with their famous theme song "On Mount Olive's Sacred Brow".
- Brothers James "Nar" Williams, lead; and Rufus Williams, bass; have been with the Ensley Jubilees since the group's formation.
ERIC ESSIX - Birmingham, Alabama
- A graduate of prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston
- In 1991, inducted in to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
- In 1993, recognized as one of Boston Magazine's "Faces to Watch", in the music industry.
- In 1995, named Birmingham Magazine's "Best Jazz Musician."
- He has been the subject of articles or record reviews in other national publications including Billboard, Jazziz, JazzTimes, R&R, Coda and the Gavin and Mac Reports.
JAMES REESE EUROPE- Mobile, Alabama
- Composer/conductor
- Founder of the Clef Club & Tempo Club, which served as early booking agencies and musician unions in New York City.
- One of the first to popularize "jazz" in America and Europe
- He made his Carnegie Hall debut as a conductor of a 125 piece Clef Club Symphony Orchestra in 1912.
- His groups were the first black bands to make recordings. He recorded as early as 1913.
MARION EVANS - Goodwater, Alabama
- Began career as arranger for the Glenn Miller - Tex Beneke orchestra
- Also arranged for Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Vaughn Monroe
- Arranged over 100 albums for Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Judy Garland, Perry Como, Helen O'Connell, Dick Haymes, and many others.
- Wrote arrangements for 65 Gold Records
- Wrote the closing theme for the Johnny Carson Show.
- Received 2 Grammies for "Blame It On The Bossa Nova" - Eydie Gorme and "Go Away Little Girl" - Steve Lawrence
- Did orchestrations for 11 Broadway Shows
- Cabaret Acts for: Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr., Julius LaRosa, Florence Henderson, Johnny Desmond, Helen O'Connell and others.
EXCELSIOR BAND - Mobile, Alabama
- Band formed in 1883
- Originally, Pop's Excelsior Band had eighteen members. Among those members were people such as, "Cootie" Williams, Leo Battiste, Alex Terez, Ted Collins and the band's founder, John A. Pope who played the B-flat trumpet.
- Best known for its participation in Mardi Gras, plays various music styles including Dixieland, jazz, blues and pop.
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date Of Birth | Date Of Death | Place Of Birth | Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eades, Ronnie | R&B | Baritone Saxophone | Muscle Shoals Horns, Studios | May 9, 1942 | Tarrant City, AL | Muscle Shoals, AL | |
| East Avalon Studios | Country | Studio | Muscle Shoals, AL | ||||
| Easterling, Marion | Gospel | Vocals | Mar.12, 1910 | Dec. 9, 1989 | Clanton, AL | ||
| Eastland, Dedra | Broadway | Vocals | Florence, AL | ||||
| Eaton II, Cleveland J. | Jazz | Bass | Count Basie, Ramsey Lewis | 1940 | Fairfield, AL | ||
| Edwards, Annie Jo | Broadway | Vocals | Birmingham, AL | ||||
| Edwards, Bobby | Country | Vocals, Guitar | Jan. 18, 1926 | Anniston, AL | |||
| Edwards, Charles | Blues | Harmonica | Mar. 4, 1933 | May 18, 1989 | Pratt City, AL | ||
| Edwards, Dave | Jazz | Saxophone | Lawrence Welk, Auburn Knights | Auburn, AL | |||
| Edwards, Dee | R&B | Vocals | Birmingham, AL | ||||
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Edwards, Dennis | R&B, Pop | Vocals | Temptations, Contours | Feb. 3, 1943 | Birmingham, AL | ||
| Edwards, Odessa | Gospel, Spiritual | Vocals | Gospel Harmonettes | ? | February 22, 2004 | Birmingham, AL | Birmingham, AL |
| Edwards, Ruth Denson | Gospel, Sacred Harp | Vocals | Cullman, AL | ||||
| Eilenberg, Robert | Classical | Montgomery Symphony Orch | Montgomery, AL | ||||
| Elliott, Alicia | Country | Vocals | Dec. 25, 1982 | Muscle Shoals, AL | |||
| Ellis, Cliff | R&B | Vocals | the Villagers | Chipley, FL | Auburn, AL | ||
| Ellis, Vesphew Benton "Vep" | Gospel | Vocals, Songwriter | Oral Roberts Dir. of Music | 1917 | Oneonta, AL | ||
| Ellis, Walter Big Chief | Blues | Vocals, Piano | aka Wilbert Thirkield | Nov. 10, 1914 | Dec. 20, 1977 | Birmingham, AL | |
| Ellis, Yale Harvard | Marching Band | Conductor | Band Masters Hall of Fame 1976 | Sept. 14, 1904 | Feb. 3, 1968 | Rising Sun, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL |
| Ellison, John | R&B | Soul Brother Six | Aug. 11, 1941 | Montgomery, AL | |||
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Elton, William Bill | Pop, Broadway | Conductor, Trombone | Dizzy Gillespie | Gadsden, AL | |||
| Emerson, Wild Bill | Country | Songwriter | |||||
| England Brothers | Country, Bluegrass | Vocals | Brother harmony singers | Midway, AL | |||
| Ensley Jubilee Singers | Gospel | Group | Birmingham, AL | ||||
| Essix, Eric | Jazz | Guitar | 1991 AL Jazz Hall of Fame | Dec. 29, 1959 | Birmingham, AL | ||
| Europe, James Reese | Jazz | Band Leader | Fox Trot, Clef Club | Feb. 22, 1881 | May 9, 1919 | Mobile, AL | |
| Evans, Darrell | Gospel | Vocals | Mobile, AL | ||||
| Evans, Jimmy Bebop | Country, Rock, R&B | Drums | Percy Sledge | Oct. 18, 1941 | Tuscumbia, AL | Muscle Shoals, AL | |
| Evans, Leo | Country, Gospel | Songwriter, Publishing | Nov. 24, 1927 | Jasper, AL | |||
| Evans, Marion | Jazz, Big Band | Composer, Arranger | Glenn Miller, Eydie Gorme | 1926 | Goodwater, AL | ||
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Evans, Nate | R&B | Impressions | Mobile, AL | ||||
| Evony, Marion | Birmingham, AL | ||||||
| Excelsior Band | Jazz | Group | 1883 | Mobile, AL | |||
| Ezell, Ralph | Country | Bass | Shenandoah | June 26, 1953 | Union, MS | Muscle Shoals, AL |