Virginia is rich in music history and influences. Many of the people from this area have impacted music worldwide. This site celebrates and honors a long tradition of musical pioneers; including the artists, musicians, promoters, DJs, personality jocks, songwriters, producers, and other recording industry members, like the owners and staffs of recording studios, radio stations, record shops, and record labels in this area and beyond.
Some are famous, some are infamous, some are almost forgotten, but all have made a major impact on generations of music lovers around the world. With the spirit of Joe Medlin looking on, we dedicate this site to them.
Music Industry Giants Joe Medlin, Billy Eckstine, Richard "Dick" Hawkins
Joe Medlin was the man. His impact in the industry is far reaching--not bad for a Norfolk man. He influenced singers as well as record promoters because in both of those careers he excelled.
Joe had a good solo career as an artist as well as singing with Big Bands and doing Doo Wop. Joe sung with the world renown and highly influential group, The Ravens.
Back in 1948, Joe was recording with the Tab Smith Orchestra:
If I Give You My Love
What More Can A Poor Fellow Do?
Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
I'm Glad For Your Sake
Joe was also singing with the Ravens in the fall of 1948--a busy man.
Other vocalists were paying attention to Mr. Medlin, influential vocalists like Little Jimmy Scott noted Joe Medlin as one of his influences, along with singers like Herb Jeffries, Billy Eckstine, Billie Holiday, and another Hampton Roads singer, Ella Fitzgerald.
Joe Medlin recorded and released such songs as:
I Kneel At Your Throne
After All I've Been To You
You Ran Away With My Heart
Lord Knows I've Tried
Without Your Love
I'm Glad For Your Sake - Joe Medlin And Three Riffs - Atlantic
Medlin also appeared on some big bills with some big acts. For example:
March 27, 1959, the Alan Freed's Easter Show at the Fabian-Fox Theater in Brooklyn. Fats Domino, Jackie Wilson, the Cadillacs, the Impalas, Joe Medlin, Bobby Darin, Fabian, Duane Eddy, Dale Hawkins, the Mellokings, the Skyliners, Thomas Wayne, Larry Williams, Bobby Freeman, Jo Ann Campbell, and Jimmy Clanton.
Later that year --May 22, 1959 the Jocko Rocket Ship Show at the Apollo Theater in New York, with artists including Bo Didley, Jesse Belvin, The Cadillacs, Dave "Baby" Cortez, Bobby Day, The Fiestas, The Heartbeats, The Shirelles and The Spaniels.
Joe worked at various labels as an artist and as producer. Labels which included Decca, Brunswick, and Mercury.
One of the artists Joe Medlin produced, is the enigmatic Debbie Taylor, another artists with roots in the Hampton Roads/Tidewater area. Debbie was over at Shiptown records before she went on to Decca and Arista. Now that's one of those great music connections which reached all over the world from right here.
"Check yourself" (David Porter, Isaac Hayes) / "Wait until I'm gone" (Willa Dean Parker, Henderson Thigpen). Produced by Joe Medlin
Eventually, Joe Medlin transferred his drive, determination, skills, experience, knowledge, and music passion to the record promotion aspect of the business. Stax and Atlantic were beneficiaries of Medlin’s talents. Dave Clark led Joe Medlin into record promotions, breaking the color line, and Joe in turn brought in others, like Al Bell and Charlie Adel. The list of black record promoters got longer and longer and Joe Medlin was a mentor to many of them.
Joe Medlin, missed by many, influenced many more.
Leroy Little, Jr.
VA TRIVIA
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.”
Hope Askew began her music career outside the church. She began singing music at age 15 with high hopes and aspirations. Her gift took her overseas, which eventually led to a CD single release in Germany.
She is once again based in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area where she attends church at Second Calvary in Norfolk, Virginia She has shared the stage with Pastor Andrae Crouch, Marvin Sapp, Ty Tribbett, Fred Hammond, J. Moss, and Donald Lawrence and Tri-City, to name a few.
She has appeared on - Bobby Jones Gospel (Florida) 2007 -- Singsation (Chicago) 2007 - Cover of Gospel USA Magazine - Oct 2007 -
She was an undefeated Apollo Winner (New York), and Coordinator for GAG (Virginia Chapter) Music Awards Ceremony
Hope Askew was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2nd Annual En Sound Music Awards, a category which also featured Ann Nesby and Shirley Murdock.
“When I sing, I make it a point to take my time and effectively minister each lyrical word to ensure the audience understands my message.” --Hope Askew--
