BIRMINGHAM RECORD COLLECTORS
DEDICATED TO THE COLLECTING OF MUSIC, ITS PRESERVATION AND LASTING FRIENDSHIP
MONTHLY MEETING THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 11th, 2019 – 2:00 PM
HOMEWOOD LIBRARY – 1721 OXMOOR ROAD 35209
NEXT MEETING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 2019 THE SECOND SUNDAY

THIS MONTH’S MEETING
We’re down to the final days before our annual Record/CD show. We have some final plans to make so we will be going over our final preparations at the meeting this Sunday. Volunteers are needed at the door during the show to sell the tickets. We will also need help at the end of the show for cleanup. And there’s plenty in between, so please consider volunteering.

Doors open at 11:00 AM Friday, August 16th for BRC members only. I do want to ask all dealers and members who plan on getting there Friday morning to please wait until 11:00 to begin searching, buying, and selling. There is so much going on that morning and with people just walking in while the dealers are setting up it complicates everything as to who belongs there and who doesn’t. It isn’t fair to have someone just walk in and act like they belong while those who do belong have paid to join the club and have the right to be there. Please refrain from being inside the rooms until 11:00 AM Friday unless you are a dealer setting up. Thank you.

BRC MUSIC HALL OF FAME
This year BRC will induct our 19th class into our Music Hall of Fame. This year’s inductee, Razzmatazz is well known around the Birmingham area as one of the best dance bands around. Razzmatazz has been playing in the area since 1987 and shows no signs of quitting any time soon. If you get a chance to hear them play then you’ll know why they have the reputation as a great band. If you have seen them you already know why. We will have an the induction later this year for the guys. More info on that will be coming when all plans are finalized. The induction will be held where they are currently playing and have been playing since 2014, ‘Bar 31’ in Vestavia.

Here is the bio for the group. Congratulations Razzmatazz and thanks for providing the music for over 30 years.

It all started in 1987 when Henry Lovoy, Chuck Bradley and Roy Alexander had formed a band called Music Alley and were playing at Hogan’s Hideaway in downtown Birmingham. They decided to add a keyboard player and move on playing as Razzmatazz. So with the addition of Philip Stratton on keyboards their goal was to become the best dance band around. They were four friends who were musicians providing the people all kinds of music to dance to and have a good time in a friendly atmosphere.

Their first job as Razzmatazz was to play at the ‘Moonraker Lounge’ located in the old Parliament House Hotel in downtown Birmingham. From there they relocated to Oh Henry’s on 20th Street, the ‘Old Rockefeller’. Soon afterward they had a big gig at the Ramada Inn Airport’s, ‘Yesterday’s’, beginning there in April 1988 and staying there until 1994.

During that time the group would have a change of members with Philip Stratton leaving and, coming in from Atlanta, Dennis Nunnelly replacing him. Nunnelly would soon leave and be replaced by Jim Holfine. Roger House would join the band on bass replacing Roy Alexander. During their time at ‘Yesterday’s’ the group would go to Nashville in 1991 to be on the TNN TV show, ‘Be A Star’. Although not really a Country/Western band, which is what the show highlighted, Razzmatazz would win the daily competition and go on to win the weekly competition. At the end of the contest, the guys would come in fourth in the entire competition. This would be quite an accomplishment. Those TV shows were played many times in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. This is known because a fan of the band saw the program in Puerto Rico and watched Razzmatazz.

A few more changes would occur in the bands lineup. Gene Flippo would replace Jim Holfine on keyboards and after being together for eighteen years, Henry Lovoy and Chuck Bradley would part. Chuck would head to Detroit. He would be replaced by Randy Harris taking over guitar and vocals.

The band would consist of Henry Lovoy, Greg Brown, Dwight Anderson and Gene Flippo when Razzmatazz was offered a spot on Highway 280 at the new ‘King of Clubs’. This didn’t work out as they wanted so they moved back to downtown Birmingham to ‘A J’ on Southside. Leaving ‘A J’ the band split up for a short period but in 1995 they were back together in Hueytown, AL at ‘Ira’s’ which changed its name to ‘Hard Luck Cafe’. Ownership would change three times but Razzmatazz stayed put. But a new offer in 1997 from Ramada Inn would come and the band, with a change at keyboards would move on. Ralph King would now take over on keyboards.

Razzmatazz would play there for a year and then Tommy Hogan would offer the guys a spot at ‘Hogan’s Irish Pub & Grill’ on Highway 280. Ralph King would leave and Mike Webber would take over on keyboards. Mike had been in bands such as ‘So But So What’ and ‘Revolver’. So with Randy Harris, Greg Brown, Mike Webber, Dwight Anderson and Henry Lovoy the band began a long time relationship at ‘Hogan’s’. In 2009 Randy Harris passed away. Greg Brown would move from bass to lead guitar and that would bring in C. J. Sciandra as bass player. Razzmatazz played at ‘Hogan’s’ for over fifteen years. Only one band would have a longer tenure at one place than this. That would be Bob Cain and His Cain Breakers being at ‘The Cain Break’ for just over eighteen years.

The band would eventually move on to ‘Back 9’ where Kenny Webber, Mike’s brother, would take over the bass for C. J. Sciandra at this time. Current band members Henry Lovoy, Mike Webber, Kenny Webber and Greg Brown would make the move in 2014 to ‘Bar 31’ which is where as of this time the band still remains. They are one of the top attractions around the Birmingham area with transportation lax town car services and the dance floor full on the nights they play.

All the band members have paid their dues over time playing in many bands from a young age. For example, here is today’s lineup and their past experiences.

Henry Lovoy: The Counts, The Rockin’ Rebellions, Chair, The Distortions, The All-American Band, and Music Alley
Greg Brown: Fresh Air, K D Ryser, Texas Radio as well as being with Hank Williams Jr. and Chubby Checker.
Mike Webber: So But So What, Revolver, Exhibit A, Firestarter and The Mersey Band
Kenny Webber: So But So What, Revolver, Exhibit A, Firestarter, Cover Girls and Southern Crossroads.

To honor all previous members they are listed here:
Dwight Anderson
Jim Holfine
Roger House
Gene Flippo
C.J. Sciandra
Ralph King
Chuck Bradley (deceased)
Roy Alexander (deceased)
Philip Stratton (deceased)
Randy Harris (deceased)

BRC RADIO

Don’t forget to check out all the new internet radio shows the club has on its website. Go to http://www.birminghamrecord.com/brc/ and click on ‘RADIO’. New shows added weekly.

HAVE YOU HEARD THIS ONE?
‘My Sweet Lord’
The Chiffons (1975)

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD THIS HIT?
‘Back Up Train’
Al Green & The Soul Mates (# 41 1967)

See ya at the Record/CD show August 16,17, 18,

Charlie