The Serenaders (6)

The Serenaders (6)  (New Jersey)

Personnel :

Howard Curry

Sidney Barnes

Tim Wilson

George Kerr

Discography :

The Serenaders (6) 

Singles :
1958 - I Wrote A Letter / Never Let Me Go (MGM 12623)
1958 - Dance Darlin' Dance / Give Me A Girl (MGM 12666)
1959 - My Girl Flip-Flop / Gotta Go To School (Rae Cox)
1963 - Adios, My Love / Two Lovers Make One Fool (Riverside 4549)
1963 - If Your Heart Says Yes / I'll Cry Tomorrow (Motown 1046/V.I.P. 25002) 

Unreleased :
1958 - Mom and Pop (MGM)
1958 - Wonder In My Heart  (MGM)
1958 - My Love  (MGM)
1958 - I Wrote A Letter (second version) (MGM)
1963 - Only Mine (Riverside)
1963 - Tears, Nobody and a Smile (Motown/V.I.P)

Sidney Barnes
1961  - Wait  / I'm Satisfied (Gemini 101)

Biography :

Even the most avid Motown fanatics are unaware of the Serenaders, yet the New York-based group cut their final single on Motown's VIP label. Forming in 1956, the central figures were George Kerr, Sidney Barnes (Sidney Barnes first band included members Marvin Gaye & Van Mcoy & were named The Embracers which auditioned for George Goldner of END records), and Timothy "Andre" Wilson, and various other members serenaded in out and out over the years.  They debuted on Chock Full of Hits records with "Never Let Me Go" b/w "I Wrote a Letter" in 1957. When it started to move, MGM records acquired it for mass distribution in 1958. It sold enough locally to get the guys another shot at MGM, but "Dance, Darling Dance" b/w "Give Me a Girl" (1958) never got to first base and the associated ended.

   
The Embracers (Sidney Barnes, Marvin Gaye, Van McCoy)                                                                                              

In 1959, they dropped "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart" on the Cross Country label, but sales were disappointing. The lion's share of the Serenaders' material was written by George Kerr with some collaborations with Sidney Barnes and others. Later in 1959, they moseyed over to Rae-Cox records for one release, "My Girl Flip Flop" b/w "Gotta Go to School," two good well-sung novelty types that failed to register. Members splintered, but the core members stayed in touch, and after many false starts and unfulfilled promises got another chance in 1963 on Riverside records with "Adios My Love" b/w "Two Lovers Make One Fool."

Nelson Lamb, Bobby Jones, Victor Kerr & Howard Curry

They never sold well outside the New York/Jersey/Philly area. What should have been a big break with Motown became a major letdown. Signed by Raynoma Gordy out of Motown's New York office, the Serenaders never got a real shot. Even though they were blessed with George Kerr, a songwriting fool, and the major reason Raynoma signed them in the first place; Sidney Barnes, also a constant writer, with a vocal range from first tenor to bass, and Timothy Wilson, who sounded like Little Anthony.

  
       Sidney Barnes                                                                                  Sidney Barnes                             

Motown finally released the Serenaders' "If Your Heart Says Yes," a Kerr/Barnes composition, on its VIP label in 1964; it possessed loads of charm, and with promotion could have went places, but neglect caused it to flop miserably. You won't find it on any of the many Motown compilations albums, cassettes, or compact disks. Temptations Eddie Kendricks and Elbridge Bryant sang with the Serenaders on the A-side and its flip "I'll Cry Tomorrow." Shortly after that, they broke up. Timothy Wilson married Raynoma's sister Alice; Wilson previously sung with Tiny Tim & the Hits on Roulette records. Sidney Barnes did some solo's and got into producing, as did George Kerr who was more successful. Kerr produced Linda Jones' "Hypnotized," and stellar sides for the Whatnauts, the O'Jays, the Moments, Lonnie Youngblood, and others, in addition to singing with Little Anthony & the Imperials on their New Time recordings.

Songs :

The Serenaders (6)

     
I Wrote A Letter                     Never Let Me Go                 Dance Darlin' Dance

     
      Give Me A Girl                    My Girl Flip-Flop                    Gotta Go To School  

     
      Adios, My Love           Two Lovers Make One Fool              If Your Heart Says Yes

     
I'll Cry Tomorrow       Wonder In My Heart / Mom and Pop            Only Mine


Tears, Nobody and a Smile

Sidney Barnes

  
     Wait                                          I'm Satisfied

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