By Chico Leverett (205.188.201.147 - 205.188.201.147) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 12:08 am:

I've got a lot of songs, that's been in the Can for quite some time. Should I take them out, dust them off, and give them to "MY GUYS" to Record?? I wonder, if there is any interest.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 01:08 am:

Chico,
How old are the songs in the can? How many original Satintones are there?

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 03:42 am:

Ralph,
Robert Bateman lives in Detroit, Sonny Sanders is in Chicago and Vernon Williams is in Detroit.
Graham

By John Lester (213.1.135.202 - 213.1.135.202) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 05:17 am:

AMAZING........on my player at the moment......I can't beleive this, it's uncanny...an amazing co-incidence

I'm the Solid Sender, don't you wanna dance with me (solid sender, solid, solid sender). Chico is Raynoma singing on that one????

Chico.....tell us about the Satintones and their rumoured album "The Satintones Sing"....

Ritchie.....quickly, a picture needs loading....!!!

By John Lester (213.1.135.202 - 213.1.135.202) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 05:28 am:

Chico......can you tell us which songs you sung lead on with the Satintones songs or even solo

Was it Sonny Sanders with the really deep voice?

I think it is amazing that you are here.....I know there are many guys here who will be honoured to see your name here on this site...an original Motown pioneer...wow!

I bet you have some stories to tell.....well, the floor is all yours......

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 07:07 am:

From my archives, with the greatest of pleasure - the Satintones:

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.166.56 - 213.122.166.56) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 08:22 am:

A big welcome to the forum Chico.

One of these days we will get around to a webisode of the pioneers of the Detroit Sound.

That is a must.

David

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 01:33 pm:

Well it seems to me then, that it is time for the Satintones to head back to the studio. Sonny Sanders produced me with The Sunliners so many years ago and I'm certainly aware of his talent.

By John Lester (213.1.133.84 - 213.1.133.84) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 07:50 pm:

Chico....can you start with a group member introduction please and then floor is then YOURS!!!

Thanks Ritchie for posting the piccie....

By Chico Leverett (172.141.135.25 - 172.141.135.25) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 10:22 pm:

Well Folks I'm just glad to share some things with so many wonderful people. The Original members of the Satintones were. James Ellis {lead & 2nd Tenor}, Sonny Sanders[1st Tenor], Robert Bateman,[Bass]& myself {Baritone & sometimes sharing the Lead]. The Rayber Voices, did the Background voices on my first & Only single "Solid Sender"/backed with "I'll Never Love Again" on The Tamala Lable. In the Rayber Voices at the Time were Raynoma Lyles, Brian Holland, Sonny Sanders, & Robert Bateman. I Love them all. Whereever they may be GOD BLESS THEM.
As for the Satintones whereabouts, I'm living in Ga. but I commute to "The Motor City" about once a month. Robert Bateman is in Detroit, working with Barrett Strong, at The GrapeVine Studio{Barrett's}, Sonny Sanders is in Chicago, and James Ellis is in Lansing Mich. Vernon Williams[who replaced me in The Satintones, resides in Detroit.] I'm in touch with them all. I'm trying to see if they want to TRY IT "ONE MO TIME"
NIKKI GUSTAFSON[DO WOP LADY]>>{My Sis}made me aware of all of you wonderful people at this Web site and I'm so glad that she did. She has a wonderful Web Site of her on there in The Big Apple, which is very nice. She and Wa Wa Wa OOh are doing a wonderful job. The web Site is "Welcome 1" CHECK IT OUT, WHEN YOU GET THE TIME. I'VE GOT TO CHECK OUT NOW, BUT I'LL BE BACK."GOD BLESS YOU ALL" Take Care & PEACE.
"THE SOLID SENDER">>>a.k.a. Chico Leverett

By Chico Leverett (172.141.135.25 - 172.141.135.25) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 10:26 pm:

Ralph,
I've never stopped writing, subsequently, some of the songs go back as far as 1961 and right on up to this date. Stay tuned, I'm sure you'll be hearing some of them REAL SOON.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17 - 12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 10:28 pm:

"Motor City" by the Satintones has got to be one of the best Detroit-topic songs ever. My favorite!

By nikki (24.46.200.124 - 24.46.200.124) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 01:07 am:

Hey Chico!

So glad you FINALLY came aboard! I've sure talked enough about you and the guyz on this forum (under various threads)! I knew they'd all LOVE ya! There's no-one like the Solid Sender himself - king of the Motor City (now transplanted to Georgia!!) Anyway, welcome aboard! This is one of my favorite places - lots of knowledgeable and nice folks here! For those of you who don't know - "Wawawaooh" (Jim Dunn) is my "better" half and half "owner" of our website, Harmony Haven, where we feature many Detroit groups, especially the great Satintones! The picture above on this forum and many others (some one-of-a-kind ones) are on our site courtesy of Chico, Jim Ellis, and Vern Williams - all dear friends & super people! If you haven't been by, come visit "us" at Harmony Haven at:

http://www.harmonytrain.com

And for some pics of Chico & the guys during our visit in 1998, check out:

http://members.aol.com/NikkisNook/index.html

You'll also find various members of the Diablos, Royal Holidays, and Joe Weaver.

And YES Chico is an awesome writer! A very multi-talented gentleman at that! WELCOME ABOARD CHICO!!!

In harmony,

Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com

By Ralph Terrana (Ralph) (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 01:55 am:

Hey Chico,
Do it all again pal. I'll buy the first record. If you ever talk to Sonny, tell him Ralph (keyboards ) from The Sunliners sends his best wishes. Working with that dude in the studio was mind blowing!!

By jim ellis (12.245.221.132 - 12.245.221.132) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 02:46 am:

THE DOOWOPLADY ASKED ME TO SAY A THING OR TOO,I'M JIM ELLIS OF THE SATINTONES,BERRY CALLED US THE SATIN-TONES (SMILE) just cause we wanted to be paid !at any rate glad to see so much activity on the web regarding us old guys,who can still jam !chico my mentor,song writer,friend,for over 40 years has been in the forefront of our music and glue for our togetherness.what a pal! every time i go to chicago i see or at least call sonny,just say hi,we also keep in touch on the webb.talked to vernon last week he is doing fine.have not seen robert for some time,i know he's doing great also.
keep up the faith in our music and maby......

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 04:10 am:

Jim,
Welcome to the forum. Good to have guys like you showing up.I'm sure you have a few stories to tell the forum members.I'm sure they would like to hear them.

By John Lester (213.1.133.122 - 213.1.133.122) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 04:56 am:

I am absolutely knocked out here....2 Satintones in one week..a Dalton Boy....

This is breathtaking stuff...

Nikki....thanks for loaning the guys to us!!

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.36.203 - 213.122.36.203) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 07:50 am:

Hi Jim

Another big welcome to the forum.

Next time you see Sonny Sanders please mention SoulfulDetroit. We'd love to see him on here.

David

By Chico Leverett (205.188.200.43 - 205.188.200.43) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 10:14 pm:

Jazzy Gem[Jas.Ellis]I called you today, didn't get an answer. WZUP? Called Sonny also, he wasn't in either. Left msg that I would return call later. Wanted to have a Conference Call. I'll be in the Motor City on the 18th of July for the Detroit Ledgends Show, to check out Mack Rice, Emanuel Laskey, Cash McCall & the Rest. [Larry Dixon] Gonna call you and Sonny Later. Hello to the rest of you guys[Ralph, John,David, Fury13 & NIKKI, NIKKI,NIKKI[Do Wop Lady>>SisTA] I love you all.Gotta Run, But I shall return:Fo Sho."The Georgia Kid>>a.k.a. The Solid Sender>a.k.a.Chico Leverett. Take Care & God Bless. p.s.Thanks for the kind words, Mr. Ellis

By CHICO LEVERETT (205.188.200.43 - 205.188.200.43) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 10:17 pm:

Where,How & Do I need a PASSWORD??? WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT??? CAN ANYONE HELP ME???

By M.McLeanTech (64.236.243.243 - 64.236.243.243) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 10:31 pm:

It sounds like Chico tried to post a picture.

What is your difficulty, Chico?

Mike McLean

By nikki (24.46.200.124 - 24.46.200.124) on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 05:01 pm:

From what I hear from Chico in his latest emails, he will be at that awesome Detroit Legends show this weekend! I also understand from Jay (Johnson/Diablos/4 Sonics) that he'll be there too, possibly doing some back-up for Gino Washington and/or Nathaniel Mayer. Boy do I wish I could be in Detroit this weekend!! Logistics and personal issues keep me from not being able to be there to support this show & my good Detroit soulful friends, Chico & Jay! So for any of you attending please be on the look-out for these two fine gentleman and introduce yourselves to them!

In harmony,

Nikki

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17 - 12.2.196.17) on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 05:08 pm:

I visited with Jay Johnson this past week. A very nice, genuine guy with a lot of incredibly interesting stories about the old days.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 05:10 pm:

I wish I could be there too. Sadly a small matter will prevent my attending. It's called the Atlantic ocean.

By nikki (24.46.200.124 - 24.46.200.124) on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 11:06 pm:

Fury13 - what is your real name? Are you the person writing the book on early Detroit groups? We spoke to Jay a few days ago who mentioned someone coming by for permission to use one of his rare photos for the book - was that you??? Just curious. Anyway, the more publications, CDs, and music of all sorts done about early Detroit artists - the better! Well deserved! Wish to see some movies about them too!!!

In harmony,

Nikki

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17 - 12.2.196.17) on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 12:17 am:

Nikki, that's me... I'm the co-author on that book.

By dowoplady (24.46.200.124 - 24.46.200.124) on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 01:30 am:

Hi again Fury13. What is your REAL name? It's nice to connect a forum ID with a real name, at least a first name (or last name), if not both! Thanx. Nikki

By Fury13 (12.2.196.14 - 12.2.196.14) on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 04:21 pm:

My name is S.R. Boland. I'm involved in music/event publicity in the Detroit area. My co-author on the book project is Marilyn Bond.