By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 03:35 pm:

Along with the likes of other notable women of Motown such as Billie Jean Brown, Faye Hale, Georgia Ward, Raye Singleton we must not forget to include Fran Hurd. I forget what capacity she first came to the company under but she would eventually take over the complex task of sorting and catalouging tapes into some system that would work in keeping track of the ever growing volume of work emerging from the studio.

As I mentioned in another thread, Fran was born for the job. Quiet, precise, deeply convicted to her Christian faith Fran was the quintessential librarian. Those of us that tried to show our manners ALWAYS stood up when Fran entered the room. She commanded that kind of chivalrous respect. She had the library down cold. The numbering codes she developted enabled her to retrieve a paricular tape and song in a moments notice, via her computerized carousels. I used to like to go in there just to bask in the calm of the place. It was kind of a haven from the rest of the day to day chaos of Motown.
Without a doubt, Fran was amazing.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 03:47 pm:

I'll tell you a little Fran Hurd story that I have always held close to me.

I had been away from Motown for several years and was living in California. I would visit L.A. often because Russ was still running the Engineering Department and Fred and Pete from the band days were down there.

One of my visits was spur of the moment and no one other than Russ knew I would arrive at Motown's L.A. studio that particuar morning. When I got there and greeted Russ he told me Fran was in the tape library and I should go suprise her since she had no idea I was coming. I had not seen Fran in at least seven years.

I approached and opened the Library door. Across the room was Fran on her knees, with her back to me arranging something on a shelf. Just as I opened the door she very casually said " I'll be right with you Ralph ". All of a sudden she just kind of froze and then whirrled to face me. The look on her face still chokes me up to this day as she leapt to her feet and ran to my arms laughing and hugging me. What a mystery. She had no idea of my visit that day and it had been years since we last saw one another, but that morning she just seemed to know it was me standing behind her. I'll never forget that one gang.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 05:42 pm:

Wow, what a great moment. She missed you Ralph. Where is she now?

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 07:02 pm:

Sis,
After that magic moment I once again lost track of Fran. I know she had gotten married but I can't remember her married name. She seemed very happy and I was so happy to have had the chance for the brief visit with her.

By John Lester (213.123.152.158) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 06:28 am:

Ralph......I guess she couldn't get you out of her mind.

You seem to have that effect on all the ladies!!

hehe