Friday Is Always Coming In Athens! Welcome The Classics IV

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT...

Enjoyed Joe Cocker. Thanks folks. - Jim 2/8/2008

This is a great song. Larry keep the tunes coming.

TC YF JJ 2/8/2008

A WONDERFUL site- Thanks for keeping GOOD MUSIC- Alive. - Big Doc-Bdge, GA 2/8/2008

Greetings to all at FIA!

I've been longing to hear "The Bus' by the late, great Billy

Preston. Any chance you got that in your vaults? Here's to

a soulful 2008! Carlos - Cleveland, OH 1/29/2008

Hey Larry, I just read about Miles and Jimi being friends. How about some Hendrix soon.

Love the website, Joy 1/18/2008

Great to get the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Thanks, Pat M. 12/28/07

A great way to enjoy the history of music and the beautiful sounds of the blues. Robert B. 12/7/2007

Enjoyed your special on the Rolling Stones. I would like to see more on Blues Artist old and young. Keep it Groovin. Robert B. 11/28/2007

Larry, Johnny Guitar Watson really brings back some wasted brain cells! Wore out the grooves in that album the year it came out. Thanks David L. 11/9/07

Watson is the man!!! Your Bro. Young Robert! 11/9/07

OMG, This song (Humble Pie - Thirty Days In The Hole) so reminds me of you Larry and 1972! LOL Andrie - 10/5/07

I love this website, I have to listen to this each and every day. Thank you very much. I will share this with all my

co-workers and friends. Nate 9/30/07

Love this site! I call it "Continuing Music Education"! I know the songs, but I didn't know all the stories behind the people who performed them. Andrie - 9/23/07

Can you dig up Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel by Tavares? Thanks! D. - Cleveland OH 8/17/07

The site is wonderful Larry and the music is just awesome!!! I love visiting It's Friday In Athens!!!! Please keep this going forever!!!! - Dierdra L. - President/CEO, Getan Records, THE LIGHTHOUSE GOSPELETTES!!! Athens, GA 7/29/07

It's Friday? How about "Don't Roll Your Bloodshot Eyes at Me" for a little local flavor? Mark B. 7/27/07

Consider the Manhattans on Friday’s! Frank P. 7/27/07

Larry!!!! You MADE my day with "Build Me Up"! I'm on vacation in Santa Barbara and sent it to my co-workers with the threat that I can now play it anytime I want! Psych! Hello Don M in the bay area and to Betsy! Everyone raves about your site, Larry! It's awesome! Gratefully yours, Scotty 7/20/07

Hey Larry, Before the summer's over we need something from the summer of love for its 40th anniversary. It's for us in the bay area. Don M. 7/13/07

Hey Larry The music is just great.Would also like to hear'The Horse' by Cliff Nobles. Thanks. Double Divine 7/6/07

Hey Larry, Remember those instrumentals that played before the top of the hour on AM Radio? How about "The Horse" by Cliff Nobles or "Soul Finger".

Thanks! Betsy K. 6/30/07

Larry, If I ever need a D.J. Guess what,You The Man!!! Thanx: Corndog 6/22/07

Yes! it's Friday and I'm up here jammin' in Cleveland, OH. How about some Soul Generation - Body & Soul (That's the Way It's Got to Be) Ya'll remember that one? Have a great weekend! losplus 6/22/07

How about Earth, Wind and Fire? Angie G. 6/6/07

Hooray for Friday!! Mary A. 6/1/07

This group (The Four Tops) is great. Thanks VM Jimmy J. - 5/25/07

Thanks for a Friday of Dusty Springfield, The Look of Love. Erica from Red Lobster, thanks for the look. - F.L. 4/5/07

I love this site! Any chance I could hear "Coldest Days Of My Life" by the Chi-Lites? - 4/4/07

I would love to hear "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous

Brothers or "Fats" Domino's "Ain't That a Shame" or

"Blueberry Hill." Thanks, Patrick - 3/30/07

Hey Larry! You are amazing! I have my whole office dancing to these! Just great! Can you do a BeeGees for my boss and slip in Build Me Up Buttercup? I sing it anyway at work, may as well have the music to go along with it (the more to torture my co-workers with! Looking forward to all the Fridays-with-Larry! :) Scotty - 3/30/07

Oh, my goodness, you found "Black Pearl." I nearly fainted this am, when I opened the site. Thank you sooooo much. Blessings P.W. Smith - 3/30/07

Please add "Black Pearl" by The Checkmates...not sure what year, but thinking mid 60's. Thanks sooooooo much.

P. Smith - 3/23/07

This is a great website. My mom always listened to the "Oldies" station here, and I wanted to be just like my Mom, so I started listening to it and I loved it, and this website has some of my favorites. M. Pierce - 3/22/07

Hey, I love the t-shirt. I have had it on

since I got home from Arizona. You did a

good job. That was a great song last Friday (Wang Dang Doodle)

- didn't know it but who ever requested it is someone I

would like to hang with. And then today we had

The Zombies....that took me back to 8th grade and one of

my first boy/girl parties. They were always held in

someone's basement and the lights would go off by 9:00.

That song always seem to bring on lots of smooching. I will

not be naming names.... ;)

Thanks again,

Betsy

This is awesome!!! Thanks for the great

site and fabulous music!! WooHoo!! Jen B. - 2/18/07

I could not have picked a better artist. Thanks, Pat M.

Thank you Larry - You have made my day! Betsy K.

Mr. Larry, I really enjoyed Roy Head-Hey Hey. YF

Jim J. - 2/5/07

This always gets my Friday off to a great start! Love it!

Debbie - 1/26/07

Every once in a while my mornings are worth rising for, this has been one of them with Tina Turner.

Thanks Bill S. - 1/19/07

Keep up the good work. JJ - 1/19/07

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2007! I remember at this time in 1969 we were really gettng into Abbey Road! But oh, how I love the sweet soul music of the 60's and 70's as well. Thanks for your work in keeping this music alive. And keep on sending it, Brother! Dennis M. - 12/29/06

Moonchild Diva in Motown - found the site by looking for Billy Stewart! I think you answered my question...who played bass on Billy's recordings? SO THANK YOU for clearing up the mystery! - 12/11/06

Billy Stewart , alright, one of my favorites. Also, Jerry Butler, Major Lance, Willy Tee....

Your friend, Dirk H.

Thanks for Billy Stewart Larry - You have made

my day! Betsy K. - 12/8/07

I look forward to Friday's email. This is great.

Linda L. - 12/8/07

Wow! From your personal E-Mail account. I forward "Its Friday in Athens!!!" on to my friends often. The folks here at work are trying to figure me out. Their 56 year old C.E.O. sits in his office every Friday morning booming out R&B. Though it works for me, its not the type of behavior they expect from someone in my position. BLUES BANKER!

T. Turgeon -

Thanks for Joe T. Luv'd it! Roy Head and the Traits?

Hope you had a good Turkey Day.

T. Turgeon - 11/27/07

I keep waiting for Jackie Wilson and Billy Stewart....I have

decided that like me, you have an older brother or sister

who had you listening to this music as a kid.

Hope all is well your way.

Betsy K. - 11/25/06

How about a little Joe Tex? T. Turgeon

Thanks, "I LOVE IT! Makes my day! M.N. - 9/29/06

WOW WOW WOW AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW OF THE real STYLE OF MUSIC - Atlanta Cooking - 9/23/06

In my time, this is the most fascinating music I have ever heard. **86 - 8/17/06

Keep up the great and extremely important work. We met I believe at Michael Guthrie's house a few weeks ago at the HVARII Reunion. I am a great lover of our R&B and it's great to see someone who truly cares about it. Ole!

T. Turgeon - 8/2/06

Again, the "It's Friday" series is great - I love it

every week and have sent it on to so many folks -

thanks again. Betsy K.

Aretha is my personal favorite so far! Peggy M.

LOVE THIS...I NEED SOMETHNG TO GET ME THROUGH THE DAY !!!! C. Lady - 6/3/07

Great! Perfect! Dance Music I Love It!!! Laine L.

I think you missed your calling as a DJ! Nicki S.

Keep 'em coming!! I really enjoy listening to "my kind of music". Thank you. Mary M.

I like getting your email every Friday, keep it coming!

Carlas A.

DON'T FORGET THE 'QUEEN OF SOUL'........ ARETHA!!!!! YOUR MAKING MY FRIDAYS. RONK

MY FRIENDS REALLY LIKE FRIDAY IN ATHENS! ONE IS SENDING EVERYONE AT THE COURTHOUSE AN EMAIL. Ron H.

THANKS SO MUCH EACH WEEK! Nancy W.

This makes me smile! Ray C.

Great job, keep up the good work. Terry T.

I SAVE UNTIL FRI AFTERNOON, BY 5:00 P.M. I'M REVVVVED!!! RONK - 5/19/06

Thanks for this humanitarian service to get us crunk for district wide planning. Wilson Pickett reminds us to put a “spotlight on Otis Redding y’all”. Yeah,yeah, oh yeah. Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-Faaa! Karl S.

Thanks. What a pleasant surprise to get to work and open this e-mail- glad I started with yours first. Melanie B.

Thanks for the Friday emails Larry!! I really enjoy them.

Kim S.

Thanks for the sound of good music. I really do love my oldies but goodies. E. Luke - 5/19/06

Thanks!!! This is great! Jane B.

Great site! How about some Sam Cooke??? - 5/19/06

Thanks for the music! Steve P.

I love this! Thanks. Dianne M.

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your

Friday emails. Thanks for including me! Betsy K.

I appreciate the link – good stuff! Jon W.

I LIKE IT!!!!!! Thanks and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbara S.

THIS IS GREAT!!!!!! Susan R.

So in your spare time you try to cheer up everyone? Thanks, Lori R.

I love these songs. Thanks. Terri S.

Awesome……Thanks for doing this, we all look forward to it every week. I’ve sent it to everyone I know! Debi D.

I needed this today! Thanks. Susan S.

Good selection for this fabulous Friday!!!!!

Thanks for the Music this morning. I think I could listen to this all day, if people didn't think I was crazy for MOVING in my chair. Have a great weekend. Joyce G.

This is awesome! Thanks, Debi D.

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Classics IV

Stormy

You were the sunshine, baby, whenever you smiled

But I call you Stormy today

All of a sudden that ole rain's fallin' down

And my world is cloudy and gray

You've gone away

Oh Stormy, oh Stormy

Bring back that sunny day

Yesterday's love was like a warm summer breeze

But, like the weather ya changed

Now things are dreary, baby

And it's windy and cold

And I stand alone in the rain

Callin' your name

Oh Stormy, oh Stormy

Bring back that sunny day

[Instrumental break]

Oh Stormy, oh Stormy

Bring back that sunny day

Oh Stormy,

[Fade]

Oh Stormy

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About The Artist

Classics IV was a pop rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965.

The group grew out of a local cover band called The Classics, consisting of Talmadge Branch, Walter Eaton, Burt Norton, and Robert Nix, who went on to play in The Atlanta Rhythm Section and on the first two Lynyrd Skynyrd albums. However, the very first Classics consisted of Walter Eaton on lead guitar, Burt Norton on rhythm guitar, Glen Futch on bass guitar, Bobby Bowen on drums, plus Greg Carrol on saxophone, with a second sax player added at a later date.

The first rehearsal, and most rehearsals afterward, were heard at the Norton residence in the Lakewood section of Jacksonville, Florida, beginning sometime in 1960 or 1961. The band played Ventures covers, instrumental versions of "Misty" and "Summertime", and a rendition of The Tornados "Telstar", as well as "Sherry" by The Four Seasons. Robert Nix and Dennis Yost traded places on drums a few times prior to the Classics IV being formed.

The original Classics IV members were Dennis Yost (vocals & drums), James R. Cobb (guitars), Wally Eaton (guitars) and Joe Wilson (bass). During live shows, Yost would stand in the front of the stage and play drums while singing the lead vocals. Wilson was eventually replaced by Dean Daughtry.

The Classics IV moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1967 and were discovered by Bill Lowery who produced their first national hit in 1968 with "Spooky", a song they recorded in 1967 on the Imperial Records label. Guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie added lyrics to an instrumental called "Spooky", a regional hit for saxophonist Mike Sharpe.

The song made it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the U.S., and #46 in the UK.

Having achieved popularity, the group brought in Kim Venable on drums so that Yost could focus on singing. They changed the band name to Classics IV Featuring Dennis Yost and enjoyed two last top ten hits, "Stormy" (1968, #5) and "Traces" (1969, #2), and a Top Twenty hit, "Everyday With You Girl" (1969, #19).

They changed their name again, to Dennis Yost and the Classics IV, and had one last minor hit, "What Am I Crying For?" (1972, #39) on the MGM South label. Cobb, Daughtry and producer Buddy Buie joined the Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1974.

[edit] Hiatus

Yost continued to perform with Classics IV for the next thirty years with the most recent lineup also including Brian Correll (lead guitar, backing vocals), Don Martin (bass guitar, backing vocals), Perry Williams (keyboards, backing vocals) and Doug Reed( drums).

Following an outdoor concert on September 24, 2005 at Chenay Bay Resort, St. Croix, Virgin Islands at "Kat-Fest", Brian Correll and Don Martin headed for home with the rest of the group stayed on the island for about a week. Martin had some business affairs to attend to and Correll returned to the recording studio to work on some songs that the group had been putting together for a new album to promote a 2006 tour, which would have marked the 40th anniversary of the group.

However, plans for 2006 were soon abandoned after Yost became seriously ill. On July 11, 2006, while recovering at home in a suburb of Cincinnati, Yost fell down a flight of stairs and suffered serious brain trauma. Although Yost subsequently underwent a significant amount of rehabilitation, he is still unable to perform. Since Yost's unique voice is integral to the Classics IV sound, his injury effectively placed the group on hiatus.

To assist Yost and and his wife with their medical bills, a benefit concert was held on March 25, 2007, at Rhino's Live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Many musical entertainers and some surprise guests from the 1950’s through the 70’s performed some of their biggest chart-topping hits in tribute to Dennis Yost, backed by local favorites, The Blue Stone Ivory Band and Classics IV guitarist Brian Correll.

Info courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Stormy

1968