Ink Spots "set the world on fire" with paramount concert

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

November 13, 2007

The Ink Spots have been called living legends of American music -- one of the most influential vocal groups of all time and among the most imitated entertainers in show business, with a six-decade history and more than 80 hits to their credit. Over the years their unique style, sound, and elegant stage presence have delighted audiences worldwide.

The group’s familiar distinctive arrangements and close harmonies remain their stock in trade, as will be seen when current members Harold Winley (bass singer/narrator), Sonny Hatchett (second lead), Grant Kitchings (lead tenor), and Morris Dow (baritone/guitar) bring favorites like “If I Didn’t Care” and “I Don’t Want to Set The World On Fire” to The Paramount on Sunday, November 25 for a special 4 pm concert. This performance is sponsored by Grace and Gene Carpenter.

The Ink Spots' story begins in 1932 Indianapolis, when four young men -- Deek Watson, Charles Fuqua, Orville "Hoppy" Jones, and Jerry Daniels -- formed the first version of the group. The quartet performed as the Riff Brothers and the Percolating Puppies before settling on the Ink Spots name.

Their search for a recording contract landed them in New York City, where they met up with singer Bill Kenny, who replaced Daniels as the group's lead tenor in 1936. Three years later, The Ink Spots had their first million-selling record with "If I Didn't Care.” The song, which would be their biggest hit, ultimately sold 19 million copies.

The Ink Spots introduced a number of firsts that had a direct impact on the development of rhythm and blues in the 1940s and rock and roll in the 1950s -- a soaring lead tenor and revolutionary talking bass parts among them.  No less importantly, The Ink Spots were one of the first black groups to cross the racial barrier in radio and live performances.

The group broke attendance records wherever they played, performing with Glenn Miller’s Orchestra, Lucky Millinder’s Band, Jack Benny, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, and countless others. Their film appearances included The Great American Broadcast (1941) and Abbott and Costello’s 1942 romp Pardon My Sarong. A 1944 radio poll voted the Ink Spots the second favorite singing unit -- behind Fred Waring’s Glee Club, and ahead of greats like The Andrews Sisters.

The hits -- “I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire,” “To Each His Own,” “My Prayer,” “I'll Never Smile Again,” “A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening,” “Java Jive,” “Maybe,” “Into Each Life Some Rain May Fall,” “We Three,” “It's A Sin To Tell A Lie,” “Don't Get Around Much Anymore,” “Prisoner of Love,” and many more -- continued throughout the 1940s. While the frequency of hits slowed in the mid 1950s, The Ink Spots' influence was heard in the many doo-wop vocal groups formed during this period, and carried over to many groups which would come along later, like the Temptations.

The Ink Spots' musical impact on American music history has been recognized formally by induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame (1987), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1989), and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame (1997). As said by soul singer and founding member of the Impressions Jerry Butler, The Ink Spots are “the heavyweight champions of quartet singing.”

Tickets for The Ink Spots on November 25 are $30.50, $33.50, $36.50, and $41.50. Half-price student rush seats and group discounts are available.

Tickets are currently on sale online and through The Paramount's Box Office at 434.979.1933.

For more about The Ink Spots, please visit www.theinkspots.com.