Memphis, TN --- Billy Adams of Sun Records: A Tribute to One of the Best Drummers in the Whole World

Billy Adams 

David Fullerton 

I grew up in Memphis, TN in the Whitehaven community --- home to Elvis Presley.   

On my street there was more talent than you could shake a stick at. That is no lie. 

For example, I use to walk down to the Billy Adams house to hang out with his kids.

Of course, none of us young kids, who had visited the Adams home, thought anything about the fact that Billy had played Drums for everybody that was somebody in the music business --- including Elvis. Nor did we know he recorded for Sun Records. 

Besides, it was not like he bragged about his accomplishments, nor did he keep all his awards on the wall.  

I will say one thing for sure: he was a humble man to say the least and he was far more concerned with being a daddy and husband. 

In fact, I only got to know him for three short years. Then, he passed away. But before he passed, he set me straight about the music business.

The things he said were deeper than a wishing well, which got my head down out of the clouds about seeking fame and fortune first instead of loving what I do and doing what I love no matter what the powers that be say otherwise.

Equally important, Billy taught me about working behind the scenes. Like booking major bands and managing major recording artist, such as their day-to-day activities on an international scale --- and all this from the comfort of his humble home.

He let me look though his massive rolodex and hear how he placed important phone calls to all the major music moguls in the business. I was learning from one of the best at an early age.

Believe it or not I had to get a few Ph.D. classes under my belt before I knew as much as ole Billy ever did.

Anyway, I miss this man and so do thousands of others. 

I just want to pay tribute to a special man in my life who made a difference in shaping and developing my world view about the music business. 

Please take notice of the four leaf clover I picked from Billy's front yard on the day he passed away. The clover is next to Billy's obituary notice that I have posted with this note. I have kept this clover all these years to remind me of a good friend and where I come from. 

It's a memory I will always cherish. 

Peace & Love 

                                                                             

Marcus Reed --- Singer, Songwriter, Producer, and Recording Artist

From the Right: Marcus Reed, Tony Reed, And David Fullerton

Marcus Reed is one of the most talented vocalist I have ever known.  

In fact, the gospel music riffs he learned at a tender young age are easily recognizable. That is because he attended a good church whereby his devoted Momma raised him, three bothers, and a sister righteously. 

The Name of that church is The Full Gospel Tabernacle where the Reverend Al Green pastors.

Al Green was Marcus' first mentor.  

How did I come to know all this you ask?

Well --- I met Marcus and his brother Tony (T-Bone) at Al Greens church when Marcus was 15 years old.

My Daddy had told me that Al Green was seeking a male vocalist to help form a new gospel music group. The following Sunday, I went over to Pastor Greens church, which  was only a few blocks away from my home.

On that same day, I heard Marcus singing with the Church Choir --- the song was "Walk Around" done with all the flair of a young Michael Jackson. 

Next thing I know --- me, Marcus, and Tony were singing together from then on out. 

It was great, especially since we lived on opposite ends of the street from each other.  

I also discovered a school Marcus had been attending and decided to go there too. The name of this school is Watkins Overton High School of Performing Arts. Both me and Marcus graduated from Overton.

The school was famous for its vocal music program. This CAPA program was headed by Dr. Lulah Hedgeman, who was a Walt Disney award wining vocal instructor. 

So you see, I do know Marcus' history, but do not expect all the facts to be straight because they do not all come from his point of view --- and that is alright as far as I am concerned.

In fact, this is just another way of picking on Marcus the way I use to do. You see --- me and Tony use to really lay into Marcus about his dance moves being off-step, when we knew each step was perfectly fine.

However, we thought Marcus would become self-conscious and screw up if he were under a lot of pressure. He did screw up and at the expense of our laughter. After a while, Marcus overlooked us and became a better man.  

Of course --- one does not become better without dedication.

Marcus and I got up at 4 AM to get ready to catch a 5 AM public transit bus that took us across town to Overton, a one hour trip each way. 

Between school and home, we spent at least five hours each day singing and rehearsing for various events and Tony joined in with us as a vocalist and dance instructor.       

Now this is what you call dedication to creativity. 

In addition, we always surrounded ourselves with famous people from all over the world. Some of these famous people graduated from Overton the same as us, like Wendy Moten, Elise Neal, Kevin Paige, and Orlando Draper. 

Today, Marcus is rather happy with his life. For example, he has been gigging with BIg City, a band from out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has also released a rap song “Mr. July” with Jacob Ladda in 2010. At first, the song appears to be a mere day-at-the-park summer song.

There is no talk of drugs, no over the top hutchie-momma clothing styles, hip-thrusting dance moves, or women acting like pure gangster hoes as most people might expect when compared to other songs in the same gentry of music.

One might come to this single conclusion: this is a thrilling summer-time classic despite it’s extremely mild and well behaved production; perhaps reaching a predestined turning point that will move people away from listening to those traditional hip-hop and rap artist whose predicaments are coined by a thuggish lifestyle.

In which case, Ladda and Reed provide an overhaul of rap and hip-hop, as we have never known it before or since.  And for many people, this might be one of the most refreshing changes to the gentry in over 20 years.

It is a wait and see turn of events, as Ladda and Reed are gearing up to drop the next few mixes for themselves and other artist.

I for one look forward to this and hope you enjoy it too.  

Jacob Ladda (feat. Marcus Reed) - Mr. July from Jacob Ladda on Vimeo.