Presentations

(CUH-102) Under The Streetlamp: Tales from the Doo Wop Era – Part 2

Presented by Charlie & Pamela Horner

Whether or not you attended Part 1, you’ll love Part 2!!! All NEW stories about the history of doo wop music from its roots through the Golden Age of the 1950’s. Learn the actual stories behind vocal groups like the Clovers, Chords, Platters, Heartbeats, Shep & Limelites and Lee Andrews & the Hearts. Hear about these as well as some of the lesser known but still fascinating artists like the Prisonaires. Follow Hank Ballard and the Midnighters through the series of Annie records. Recall again the days when groups harmonized on the corner to tunes like “A Thousand Miles away,” “Sh-Boom,” and “Long Lonely Nights”.

Doo wop music historians Charlie & Pam Horner continue their journey through the doo wop era with more tales from under the streetlamp. As usual there’ll be captivating stories, photos from the Classic Urban Harmony Archives of records, photographs, sheet music and memorabilia, and plenty of music clips for you to sing along to.

(CUH-104) Doo Wop Groups of New Jersey – Part 1

Presented by Charlie & Pamela Horner

The Garden State produced some of the finer groups of the 1950’s and early 1960’s but is rarely given credit. Join us to explore New Jersey’s history of harmony, as we examine the stories of the Coleman Brothers, Rivals, Rivieras, Duprees, Plurals, Del-Larks, Four Lovers (Four Seasons), Vibranaires, Ronnie & the Hi-Lites and many more.

(CUH-106) Doo Wop Groups of New Jersey

Presented by Charlie & Pamela Horner

A combination of CUH-104 and CUH-105, this presentation gives an overview of New Jersey Doo Wop groups while covering the major groups like the Monotones, Shirelles, Duprees, Rivieras and the roots of the Four Seasons. This is a great introductory talk for those exploring the music in the Garden State.

(CUH-108) Doo Wop Groups and the New Jersey Shore

Presented by Charlie & Pamela Horner

The resort cities of the New Jersey Shore have provided the perfect environment for R&B and doo wop vocal groups to thrive throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. We explore the entertainment scenes of Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park and other shore towns in relationship to the vocal harmony group that sang there.

(CUH-110) West Side Harmony: Asbury Park’s Vocal Group Legacy

Presented by Charlie & Pamela Horner

Long before Springsteen, Bon Jovi and Southside Johnny, Asbury Park NJ was producing great entertainers. Many came from across the tracks in the predominately African American section along Springwood Avenue. We’ll explore the musical heritage of West Side vocal groups, including such talented R&B vocalists as the Vibranaires, Ray Dots, V-Eights, Darchaes, Shondells, Broadways, Lenny Welch’s Markeys and many more.

(CUH-112) Crossing Jordan: How African American Spirituals Changed the World

Presented by Charlie & Pamela Horner

In 1871, the Fisk University Jubilee Singers left Nashville on a series of tours to raise funds for their impoverished school. They battled prejudice and oppression, as well as the hardships of the road. Often with no rest or money, they faced hunger, exhaustion and serious illness. But through perseverance they sang their way into the hearts of a nation and the world. By the time they returned seven years later, they’d raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for their school. They’d toured the United States and much of Europe, singing for audiences of presidents and royalty, as well as the common people. This 90-minute multimedia presentation will cover the development and evolution of African American Spirituals from slavery times through the middle of the 20th Century, including a brief analysis of the importance of Spirituals during slavery, including their use in communication, secret meanings to the lyrics, etc. The presentation includes a history of the Fisk Jubilee Singers’ tours of the U.S. and Europe in the 1800’s and performances for President Grant, Mark Twain and Queen Victoria. It also covers notable Jubilee and Gospel groups from the 1800’s through the 1950’s like the Norfolk Jubilee singers, Golden Gate Quartet, Swan Silvertones and Soul Stirrers. Finally, the talk details the influence of Spirituals on our American musical heritage. It includes photos of Jubilee singers, their songbooks and memorabilia, and sound and video clips of spirituals.