Friday Is Always Coming In Athens! Welcome The Gap Band

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT...

Thank you for this site, I'm french and I have 40 years. I am

a collector of vinyl and American music oldies, soul,

funk. Il are very few in my french cas.Je this site is

fantastic because I found some artist American and that

I discovered the other, bravo and keep this site.

5/20/2008

Hey! I haven't heard this song since I was visiting LLC in the summer of 1972. I was crazy about her... wow! Thanks for sharing this song with the public! MSH 5/19/2008

The words to this song (Expressway to Your Heart) are quite interesting. Larry keep the tunes coming. TC jJ 5/19/2008

First timer for me. I love your terrific format and exciting

info. I feel like I'm back in Athens. ES 5/14/2008

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS----

THIS IS THE BEST!!!! Unknown 5/9/2008

I love it. I am learning about all of these singers and I'm only

16 years old. Unknown 5/8/2008

Hey you,

I LOVE that song by the Casinos this week. I think it's

one of the prettiest "pop" songs ever written and a great

slow dance song. :) I keep getting a flash back of a

girl/boy party in 6th or 7th grade. I remember slow

dancing with someone - maybe Kevin. I can almost see

the room (someone's basement/ rumpus room) and I

know the guy had on a sweater but I can't quite see the

face. I'll keep you posted. Anyway - thanks for playing it

for me. Take care. B. - 4/25/2008

Larry - Thanks so much for Otis!

Can you find "Then You Can Say Goodbye" by

The Casino's? Thanks! Betsy 4/18/2008

Thanks for sharing the one hit wonder. I'm surprised this only

made it to #7 as its played quite often as an oldie.

Keep the sounds coming. JJ 4/13/2008

Lovin the tunes, Larry.See ya in June. Randy R. 3/21/2008

Mr. Larry; Thanks for all you do for us little people.

Sincerely JJ 3/7/2008

Thanks Larry! Nothing like a Dirty Old Woman! Betsy

3/3/2008

This is very cool.My kind of music. Thanks. George S.

2/29/2008

Larry, Does anyone remember the days at Legion Field with

POCO & Pure Prairie League and the music park behind

the pool and all the good times concerts concerts?

Bill M. 2/29/2008

Mr. Green sure does have a smooth voice. I'm surprised he

didn't do even better. JJ 2/18/2008

Hey Larry - Ever heard of "Dirty Old Woman" by

Denise La Salle? You make my Fridays. Betsy

2/15/2008

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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About The Artist

The Gap Band are a U.S. R&B, funk and soul music group who rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s with their heavily-charged dance anthems and their sentimental and ethereal love songs. Comprising brothers Charlie, Ronnie and Robert Wilson, the band first formed as the Greenwood, Archer and Pine Street Band in 1967 in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma and shortened its name to the Gap Band in 1979.

Early years

Growing up with a Pentecostal minister father, the Wilson brothers formed the Greenwood, Archer, and Pine Street Band in 1967, with Tuck Andress (later of Tuck and Patti). The name was chosen to honor the tragic but affirming memory of the streets (Greenwood Ave., Archer St., Pine St.) that formed the African American business district of Tulsa, Oklahoma also called Black Wall Street. The Greenwood district was the site of one of the most violent racially motivated attacks in United States history. The complete destruction of the community was the result of the Tulsa Race Riot.

The band released their first record with Ernie Faust on lead vocals on an indie label in 1974 to little success. At the time, the group had up to twelve musicians, including drummer Roscoe Smith. Condensing to the three brothers and with producer Leon Russell at the helm, the group began to find success in 1978 with songs such as "I'm in Love" and "Shake", the latter becoming a Top 10 R&B hit.

Success

By 1979, the group had changed its name to The Gap Band, and found success with the groundbreaking single "I Don't Believe You Wanna Get Up and Dance (Oops Upside Your Head)". But it was in the 1980s that the group found their biggest success, with songs like "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", "Humpin' ", "Yearning For Your Love", "Outstanding", "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", "I Found My Baby", "Early In the Morning", and "Party Train" further establishing the group as icons. The group found their greatest success in the UK when their 1987 single "Big Fun" reached #4 in the UK chart ("Oops Upside Your Head" had also reached #6 there in 1980).

Four of the band's albums, The Gap Band II, The Gap Band III, The Gap Band IV, and Gap Band V - Jammin, achieved platinum selling status, and four of their singles ("All Of My Love", "Outstanding", "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", and "Early in the Morning") reached the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B charts.

Their success dwindled at the end of 1984, although they have continued to record albums and are constantly on tour. Brother Charlie ventured into a solo career during a break from the group in the mid-1980s, being featured on the 1985 hit with funk group Zapp titled "Computer Love". Wilson's powerful vocals would be credited in part for establishing the careers of Guy's Aaron Hall, Keith Sweat, and R. Kelly. The band reunited in 1996, and issued The Gap Band: Live and Well, a live greatest hits album.

Ever since the 1990s, the Gap Band's most famous hits have been sampled and covered by the likes of Nas, Snoop Dogg, Warren G., Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Notorious B.I.G., Blackstreet, Shaquille O'Neal, Mia X, and Mary J. Blige. "Outstanding" was even sampled for a famous 1990s commercial for malt liquor.Among the musicians they have inspired are R. Kelly, Keith Sweat, Ruff Endz, Guy, Blackstreet, Mint Condition, Jagged Edge, and Aaron Hall. Recently, "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" was featured in the hit videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on funk radio station Bounce FM.

In mid-2005, Charlie released his second solo album, Charlie Last Name, Wilson, which was produced by R. Kelly.

On August 8, 2006, Hip-O Records released Gold, a 2-CD compilation from the Gap Band.

Info courtesy of Wikipedia

Early In The Morning

1982

The Gap Band

Early In The Morning

Oh, Annette, you know I loved you till you left me

Oh, Annette, you know I cared till you were gone

I was young and foolish, I didnt know what I was doin

I didnt know I lost you till youre gone

Oh, Annette, you know I loved you till you were gone

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

Gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

Now I gotta get up early every morning

Cause the early bird always catches the worm

Now I gotta get up every morning

Gotta make up for the lesson Ive learned

Gotta find me a lover that wont run for cover

Gotta find me a lover that wont run the mother

Cause I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

I was young and foolish, I didnt know what I was doin

I didnt know I lost you till youre gone

She had a pretty face that drove men wild

I even wanted her to have my child

Early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

So I gotta get up early in the morning

To find me another lover

(Team say it)

Gotta find me another lover

(Ladies just sing it one time, sing ladies)

Gotta find me an