Harry Douglas and the Deep River Boys, students of Hampton Institute, signed with Bluebird Records in 1940. Their first record was “Nothing But You.” By the next year they had recorded seven records, including, “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” with Fats Waller.
They once toured with Richmond, Virginia native, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and even performed on TV as far back as 1940. Later they appeared on the Kate Smith Show, and The Milton Berle Show. They had a Pop hit in 1948, “Recess in Heaven.”
We've only just begun - much more to come.
Our Legends in Movies
Ella Fitzgerald
Gary US Bonds
Pearl Bailey
Virginia's Music Soul
Remember
When radio station WRAP hosted the Hampton Roads Music Awards at the Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia, one of the memorable highlights was a spontaneous rendition of Ruth Brown performing, "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean."
Recognize the Influence
The song performed here in this episode of Sanford & Son was written by Newport News' own singer/songwriter, Jean Lang.
Ella Fitzgerald