The Bandfleetwood  Mac



John Foster – John Foster hails from Oklahoma–the Heart of a nation steeped in a rich musical tradition. John’s gifts attracted the attention of country singer Sammy Kershaw, who saw him performing on stage at a theme park and soon invited him to join the Sammy Kershaw Band. He has also performed with the legendary Beach Boys, who on the recommendation of a mutual friend, challenged him on the spot to sing a few numbers over the phone, and were sufficiently impressed to send him a plane ticket in order to have him take over the high falsetto vocals written and originally performed by Brian Wilson. As a writer, John was on staff for several years with CDB Music Publishing– owned by the great Charlie Daniels, who not only appreciates John’s performing talents, but signed him as a writer in 2000, a time when other publishers were shrinking their staff numbers. His composition “I’m Not Breakin”,co-written with Marc Christian, was recently a top-30 single for Curb recording artist Steve Holy.

Comments:
John is an exceptional songwriter as well as performer!” – Charlie Daniels

Fleetwood Mac was founded by Peter Green in 1967 and was named after Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. After Peter Green left in 1969, Fleetwood and McVie remained as original members, and the band has since featured a cast of brilliant talents. Primarily a British blues band, Fleetwood Mac scored a UK number one with 'Albatross', and had other hits such as the singles 'Oh Well' and 'Man of the World'.All three guitarists left in succession during the early 1970s, to be replaced by guitarists Bob Welch and Bob Weston and vocalist Dave Walker. Official US store of the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. Fans can purchase exclusive merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, mugs and more.

Johns Voice Was A wonderful addition to our Live Act!” – Bruce Johnson, member of the Beach Boys
John Foster is truly a musician’s musician” – John J. R. Robinson, session drummer for Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones and others.

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Jacqi Michaels – Jacqi’s musical journey has been quite diverse and exciting. Starring in Broadway shows such as City of Angels, ShowBoat and Song of Singapore to a recording contract with Atlantic Records to a coveted spot as a back up singer for Barbra Streisand on her Farewell Tour. When she is not in Nashville making awesome music with “World Turning” and her all of her amazing friends, she is travelling the world with her one woman show “Singing From The Soul”, a celebration of the iconic ladies of song. Life is good indeed 🙂

The Bandfleetwood  Mac

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Ralph Graham – Originally from New York, Ralph Graham, has lived in Nashville TN since 1985. Ralph has been involved with music since his early teens playing in bands in the New York area. Initially, having moved to Nashville to pursue a contemporary gospel writing and performing career, the opportunity to hit the road with a friend and New York artist, Billy Falcon, as his keyboardist and background vocalist became available…touring with such artists as Don Henley, Stevie Nicks and Richie Sambora. Featuring his bass playing, and vocals in “World Turning” is shaping up to be the most fun in many years…

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Drew Bourke – Drew Bourke is a drummer / songwriter who moved from Denver to Nashville in 1987. He’s played a song or two with Lee Greenwood, Trisha Yearwood, Sticky Fingers, Tanya Tucker, and Gregg Allman. He performed for two years in Opryland USA’s Rock & Roll Show, has played on television at the Grand Ole Opry, and had one of his songs recorded by country music legend, Charley Pride. “As a kid, I lived in Detroit. I learned to play drums by playing along with records in an unfinished basement. The echo down there made my drums sound incredible, giving each drum time to breathe. Sure, each “hit” was important, but the space between each hit was more important. For me, making something feel good is most important. 60’s and 70’s funk grooves are still my favorite, but I did get caught-up in the 80’s corporate/glam/new wave bands. I love seeing people dance to a beat I’m helping create. I have been blessed to play with some of Nashville’s finest musicians, and World Turning Band is no exception.”

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Gary McGuire – Gary McGuire was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio. He started playing guitar, with his brothers guidance, at the age of 12. He moved to Nashville in 1985 to pursue his career in music while attending Belmont University. After graduating, with a BS degree in Mathematics, he immediately started touring with Charly McClain. He began touring with Sammy Kershaw in 1994 which continued for 22 years. He has performed with country artists including Joe Diffie, Aaron Tippin & Little Texas. Over the past several years he has toured with the “Little River Band”. Being able to perform with this legendary band, which inspired him to play guitar growing up, has been the highlight of his career. He is looking forward to what his future may bring performing with “World Turning”.

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Beth Dean – Beth Dean is a newcomer to the Nashville music scene from Lexington, Ky. A Classically trained pianist from the age of 4, she immediately began her performance career. After earning her degree in Piano Performance from Eastern Kentucky University, she initially focused her musical talents as the music director at Crossroads Christian Church in Lexington. Ten years later, Beth opened Studio 88, an award winning teaching studio in the Lexington area dedicated to creating future musicians, where she spends most of her time coaching and training pianists and vocalists for the stage. Beth has performed in Lexington and the surrounding area, as a solo act and as lead singer and keyboardist for numerous bands. “One of my most rewarding performances was being asked to play for the Prince of Saudi Arabia at the castle in Versailles during the World Equestrian games.” Beth is also a songwriter, and has a CD entitled “Grow” which she performed with her band in various venues including “The Center” in her hometown of Somerset, Ky. Beth is working on her next album to be released next year and is honored to be playing “Christine” in World Turning and looking forward to future performances!

Comments:

“Beth Dean is the real deal. She is blessed with a strong and unique voice and also happens to be a superb pianist – a devastating combination! I wish there were more like her in our world.” JP Pennington of Exile

Versatility galore!!!”. Just two words I would use to describe Beth Dean’s music. She really can sing just about anything she lends her voice to. She delivers total believability with the vocal control of many of her predecessors. Beth possesses an uncanny ability to cover a wide musical spectrum, ranging from the sultry yet grittier R&B sounds of Bonnie Raitt, to the vocal power and angst of rocker Pat Benatar…and then she can take you to the opposite end of the spectrum with the more tender stylings with the likes of Natalie Cole! Beth Dean owns who she is…a singer songwriter and is a true artist. —Tim Chewning -Solo artist, musician, producer, Nashville TN

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Background information
OriginOlympia, Washington, United States
GenresPop, doo-wop
Years active1958–1983
LabelsDolton Records, Liberty Records
Past membersGary Troxel
Gretchen Christopher
Barbara Ellis

The Bandfleetwood  Machine Shop

The Fleetwoods were an American singing group from Olympia, Washington, United States, whose members were Gary Troxel, Gretchen Christopher, and Barbara Ellis.[1]

The Bandfleetwood  Machine Gun

History[edit]

The band members met as high school students in Olympia, Washington. Their first hit was the self-written 'Come Softly to Me', which was also covered by others.[2] The UK's Frankie Vaughan and The Kaye Sisters had a Top 10 chart hit in the United Kingdom with the song, though The Fleetwoods exceeded them, simultaneously charting in the UK's Top 5.[3][4]

Their second hit, 'Graduation's Here' was co-written by Ellis and Christopher, with Troxel later adding a scat line in counterpoint. That one was followed by 'Mr. Blue,' which, like 'Come Softly To Me', also topped the US pop chart.[1]

The Fleetwoods continued recording into the 1960s. They hit the Top 10 again with a remake of Thomas Wayne's 'Tragedy' in 1961.[1] Though they went on to have a total of eleven hits on the Hot 100, the beginning of the end for the group came when Troxel had to fulfill his obligation to go onto active duty in the United States Navy. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1956. Additionally, the British Invasion of the mid 1960s changed the public's taste. The trio's hits ended in 1963 with Barbara Ellis singing melody on 'Goodnight My Love'. Vic Dana, who was to go on to a successful solo career,[1] replaced Troxel in the group when he was in the service, solely for live performances.[5]

By the late 1970s, Troxel was working in a plywood plant in Washington; Ellis was managing a trailer park in California and Christopher was a housewife and modern jazz dance teacher in Washington at St. Martin's College and at The Evergreen State College. Ellis is now retired from performing. In 1983, Troxel gave his written resignation from The Fleetwoods leaving Christopher as manager with the sole authority to contract for both the original and replacement Fleetwoods. Troxel formed a new Fleetwoods group in the 1980s. His group has been performing regularly since the mid 1980s doing several 'oldies' concerts each year with two performances on the PBS Doo Wop series.[6]

While Christopher trained replacement Fleetwoods she also resumed her solo music career, billing herself as 'Gretchen Christopher of the Fleetwoods.' Both Troxel and Christopher each continue to perform and occasionally release new recordings. A new Fleetwoods version of 'Graduation's Here' appeared on Christopher's autobiographical solo album, Gretchen's Sweet Sixteen (Suite 16) which is one of the 2007 Billboard critics' picks for 10 Best Albums of the Year. It included both the hit arrangement of 'Come Softly To Me' and the a cappella 'Come Softly', with Christopher singing all the parts.

Since their 1988 induction into the Northwest Area Music Association Hall of Fame, and their 2005 induction into the Olympia High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame, The Fleetwoods have been inducted into both the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame of America in 2006.

The November 2007 release of Gretchen's Sweet Sixteen (Suite 16) was launched in Las Vegas with the second Annual Cool Bobby B Doo Wop Convention and Grand Finale Concert, headlined by 'The Fleetwoods starring Gretchen Christopher.' A year later, though all three originals were inducted and invited to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Christopher was the only original member of the Fleetwoods who accepted, attended and performed, dedicating songs to each of her absent partners. Troxel had every intention of attending but decided it was more important to be with his wife, because of her breast cancer treatment.

In 2000, Troxel and his wife Jenifer lost Troxel v. Granville, a landmark grandparents' rights case before the Supreme Court of the United States. The court held that under the United States Constitution, non-parents seeking custody or visitation rights of a child against the wishes of the child's parents must prove that the parents are not acting in the best interest of the child in refusing custody or visitation.[7]

In 2008 and 2009, Christopher testified before the Washington State Senate in support of the Truth in Music Advertising Bill. In 2009, it passed both the House and Senate unanimously, and was signed into law by Governor Chris Gregoire. The law provides that a performing group shall not be advertised by the name of a recording group, unless the performing group includes from the hit-making recording group at least one original member who is authorized to use the name. That authorization resides solely with Christopher, according to the performance contract and resignation signed by Troxel.

Discography[edit]

Lindsey Buckingham Of The Band Fleetwood Mac

Singles[edit]

A-SideB-Side
From same album as A-side except where indicated
Release dateLabel + Cat. No.Chart positionsAlbum
US Hot 100CanadaUK
'Come Softly to Me''I Care So Much'February 1959Dolphin 1
Liberty 55188
116Mr. Blue
'Graduation's Here''Oh Lord Let It Be' (from Mr. Blue)April 1959Dolton 33938The Fleetwoods Greatest Hits
'Mr. Blue'July 1959Dolton 511Mr. Blue
'You Mean Everything to Me'84
'Outside My Window''Magic Star' (from Goodnight My Love)January 1960Dolton 1528The Fleetwoods: Gretchen, Gary and Barbara
'Runaround''Truly Do'April 1960Dolton 222325
'The Last One to Know''Dormilona'August 1960Dolton 2796Softly
'Confidential''I Love You So' (from Softly)November 1960Dolton 30Mr. Blue
'Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin')''Little White Cloud That Cried' (from Softly)March 1961Dolton 37 (cancelled)The Fleetwoods Sing The Best Goodies of The Oldies
'Tragedy''Little Miss Sad One'March 1961Dolton 40107Softly
'(He's) The Great Imposter''Poor Little Girl'July 1961Dolton 45307Deep In A Dream
'Billy Old Buddy''Trouble'January 1962Dolton 49Non-LP tracks
'Jimmy Beware''Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin')' (from The Fleetwoods Sing The Best Goodies of The Oldies)March 1962Dolton 54 (cancelled)Goodnight My Love
'Lovers by Night, Strangers by Day''They Tell Me It's Summer' (Non-LP track)July 1962Dolton 6236The Fleetwoods Sing for Lovers By Night
'Sure Is Lonesome Downtown''You Should Have Been There' (Non-LP track)March 1963Dolton 74Goodnight My Love
'Goodnight My Love''Jimmy Beware'April 1963Dolton 7532
'What'll I Do''Baby Bye-O'October 1963Dolton 86Non-LP tracks
'Ruby Red Baby Blue''Lonesome Town'March 1964Dolton 93
'Ska Light, Ska Bright' (Jamaica Ska)'Ten Times Blue'June 1964Dolton 97
'Mr. Sandman''This Is My Prayer (Non Ho l'Età Per Amarti)'July 1964Dolton 98113Before And After
'Before And After (Losing You)''Lonely Is As Lonely Does'December 1964Dolton 302
'Come Softly To Me' (1965 Version)'I'm Not Jimmy'May 1965Dolton 307Non-LP tracks
'Rainbow''Just As I Need You'August 1965Dolton 310
'For Lovin' Me''This Is Where I See Her'January 1966Dolton 315Folk Rock

Albums[edit]

Original albums[edit]

  • Mr. Blue (1959)
  • The Fleetwoods (1960)
  • Softly (1961)
  • Deep In A Dream (1961)
  • The Best Goodies Of The Oldies (1961)
  • For Lovers By Night (1963)
  • Goodnight My Love (1963)
  • Before And After (1965)
  • Folk Rock (1965)

Compilations[edit]

  • The Fleetwoods' Greatest Hits (1962)
  • In A Mellow Mood (1966)
  • The Very Best Of The Fleetwoods (1974)
  • Buried Treasure (1983)
  • Come Softly To Me: The Very Best Of The Fleetwoods (1993)

References[edit]

  1. ^ abcdColin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. p. 143. ISBN1-85227-937-0.
  2. ^DeWitt, Howard A. 'Teen Angst and Soft Rock 'n Roll'. TheFleetwoods.us. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. ^Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 583. ISBN1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 205. ISBN1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^'The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions'. Answers.com. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  6. ^'The Fleetwoods - The Fleetwoods'. Thefleetwoods.us. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  7. ^'Troxel V. Granville'. Supct.law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2015-05-29.

External links[edit]

  • Biography at Allmusic

What Is The Band Fleetwood Mac Doing Today

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