Bobby Wayne Soul Station

I originally featured Bobby Wayne on my Dark End Of The Street blog when he released his last album Hit That Thing.

I am pleased to say that he is back with another killer album on Bonedog Records. The album is a mixture of original songs such as East End Avenue, Over and Over etc. The best is a gorgeous Southern soul styled slowie called Right About The Rain. He also covers a few interesting sides Tommy Tate's I'm Taking On Pain, Willie Kendricks's Change Your Ways and Major Harris's Call Me Tomorrow.

Here is the Bonedog press release:

SOUL STATION-The third release by BOBBY WAYNE on BONEDOG RECORDS!Bobby Wayne has been Pittsburgh’s premiere soul singer for the past 30 years. His musical training began in gradeschool, singing in the New Canaan Baptist Church along with future recording artist “Terry Collins”. It was 1963 when Bobby was asked to join four other young men who called themselves The Exceptions. The group included Rodney Mason, James Russell, Sherman McCrae and Floyd Beck. The Vietnam conflict claimed two members a year later and the Exceptions disbanded before they had a chance to record.

At this point Bobby was introduced to Vann Harris & The Village Vanguards, a dynamic six piece band. The lineup included George Green, Larry ‘Butch’ McGee, Eugene Smith, David ‘Sugar’ Cain and Jimmy Norman, featuring Bobby & These Gent’s. Working all of the larger clubs the troupe eventually joined forces with popular WZUM radio D.J’s, Al Gee & Bobby Bennett to produce shows at the Savoy Ballroom every Saturday night. The revue opened for and backed some of the top R&B acts of the time including; The 5 Stairsteps, The Vandykes, Billy Stewart, Erma Franklin, The O’Jays, Mary Wells & Gene Chandler.On fridays they usually performed in Cleveland at the House of Blues opening & backing Jackie Ross, Fontella Bass, Kim Weston & Rudy Ray Moore. Near the end of 1964 Bobby & the Band relocated to Montreal, spending the winter at Rockheads Paradise and the Silver Dollar. As the house band they shared the stage with noteables as The Dells, Darrell Banks and The Artistics.

Back in Pittsburgh the following summer, Bobby was asked to sit in with Darrell Banks at the Hurricane Grill. A friendship developed and Darrell had Bobby open for his show. These shows gave the young singer a valuable lesson in showmanship & lead vocal delivery as Bobby watched from the wings after his opening set.

Bobby & the Vanguards stayed busy on the circuit through 1967. The following year they landed back in Montreal for a year run at the Esquire Showbar. There they shared the bill with among others The Sweet Inspirations, Etta James and Carla Thomas. Eventually the Vanguards drifted apart and Bobby headed back home.In 1969 Bobby went to Los Angeles, hooking up with Rudy Ray Moore and Theodore Toney to record Heart Of A Poor Man & Make Me Yours. Arthur Wright did the arrangements with The Leon Haywood Band providing the backing track. The single was leased by Atlantic Records #2670 and released using Bobby’s given name, Wayne Boykin.Bobby fronted the band ‘On The Corner in 1976 and ‘Takin’ Names in 1977. 1978 & 1979 had Bobby singing with the ‘Rhythm Kings’. An album was recorded, but never released.

Bobby worked with the ‘Marcels’ off and on during the ‘80’s and 90’s.Bonedog Records released ‘Long Hard Road’ in 1999. The CD was received well in Japan & England & a single with the title track was released on the ‘Grapevine 2000’ label in the U.K..For his second Bonedog offering ‘Hit That Thing’. Bobby fronted ‘the Bobby Wayne Band’ a ‘Classic Soul’ Sound.We hope you enjoy Bobbie’s third release,Soul Station, on Bonedog Records.

Get over to CD Baby and give the album a listen!!!