Bonus Episode | Bobbie Smith Update, Pt. 1

Thank you for listening and sharing your enthusiasm about One Record these last six months. It’s been very personally fulfilling but it’s the next six months that are of concern. That’s why I’ve decided I need to suspend production of One Record. I’m sure it goes without saying but I simply can’t ask older folks to literally risk their lives by meeting with me to talk about records. I just wanted to formally let everyone know that’s why there won’t be new episodes for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, let’s do whatever we can to protect each other, especially those susceptible groups which includes all of our heroes from the 1950s and ’60s. Let’s stay home, practice social distancing, disrupt our routines however we need to, and just look out for each other. Thank you again. Let’s stay in touch, and I’ll see you somewhere down the line. Mike Dutkewychhttps://onerecordproject.com

For most of his fans, Gino Washington’s music is defined by the upbeat and exuberant rock ‘n’ roll classics he cut as a black teenager in Detroit with an all-white band from the suburbs that was even younger than he was. But the real Gino Washington story begins just after that, in the aftermath of 1964’s chart-topping “Gino is a Coward”, when a Vietnam draft notice came and took it all away. Produced by Mike Dutkewych. Mastered by David Jerkovich. Interview conducted by Mike Dutkewych & Jeff Meier, February 13, 2020.

The Volumes scored a hit with their very first record, “I Love You” in 1962. The teens were barely out of high school and about to embark on a decade-long recording career that would take them from harmony-heavy doo-wop to prim and polished northern soul. Founder and lead vocalist Eddie Union takes us through the highs and lows of becoming an overnight sensation and navigating the treacherous music business of the 1960s. Produced by Mike Dutkewych. Mastered by David Jerkovich. Interview conducted by Mike Dutkewych & Eric Silvenis, January 15, 2020.

The response to our interview with the long lost Bobbie Smith was tremendous, and in this bonus episode we’ll hear from one listener who has an exciting opportunity for the dynamic Dream Girl. Produced by Mike Dutkewych. Mastered by David Jerkovich. Interviews conducted by Mike Dutkewych.

The list of artists with both Fortune Records and Motown on their discographies is exceptionally short, and of those there is certainly no vocalist as rousing and powerful as Gino Parks. But despite his natural talent, his music career was relatively brief and without the success or accolades it deserved. On this episode, Gino takes us through his auspicious beginnings with Andre Williams, his happenstance first session at Motown, and the late ’50s/early ’60s nightclub scene in Detroit. Produced by Mike Dutkewych. Mastered by David Jerkovich. Interview conducted by Mike Dutkewych & Michael Hurtt, September 27 and November 29, 2019.

Before the Marvelettes, the Vandellas, and the Supremes, it was Bobbie Smith & the Dream Girls who were onstage and on rotation in Detroit. The group’s lead voice and star-power belonged to a teenager named Elma Holman, soon known from the 20 Grand to the Apollo Theatre as Bobbie Smith. The Dream Girls cut nine singles between 1959 and 1962. Bobbie did two more on her own—most notably 1964’s magnificent “Miss Stronghearted”. Then she left the business and never returned. On this episode, the spirited singer graces us with a rare interview wherein she speaks candidly about her career, her family, and her complicated relationship with the tremendous music she made all those years ago. Produced by Mike Dutkewych. Mastered by David Jerkovich. Interview conducted by Mike Dutkewych, July 26, 2019.

On this inaugural episode we interview 83-year-old soul singer Willie Jones about his early years on the Chitlin’ Circuit, his influence on an entire generation of Motown stars, the making of his 1959 record “Fast Choo Choo”, and staying out of trouble on Hastings Street in Detroit. Produced by Mike Dutkewych. Mastered by David Jerkovich. Interview conducted by Mike Dutkewych & Adam Stanfel, June 30, 2019.