The Du Droppers
| The Du Droppers | |
|---|---|
From left to right: Bob Kornegay, Harvey Ray, Willie Ray (bottom), and Caleb "J.C" Ginyard
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Dixieaires |
| Origin | Harlem, New York, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1952 - 1956 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Past members |
Caleb "J.C." Ginyard Willie Ray Harvey Ray Eddie Hashaw Bob Kornegay Prentice Moreland Joe Van Loan Robert Bowers |
The Du Droppers were an American doo-wop group formed in Harlem, New York, in 1952. Members of the band were experienced gospel singers in ensembles dated to the 1940s, and were one of the oldest groups to record during the era. Among the Du Droppers' most enduring songs are "I Wanna Know" and "I Found Out (What You Do When You Go Round There)", which both reached number three on the Billboard R&B charts in 1953.
The original members of the Du Droppers included Caleb "J.C." Ginyard (lead vocals), Willie Ray (tenor, baritone), Harvey Ray (tenor, baritone), and Eddie Hashaw (bass). Group members were on average 40 years old, and much more experienced than many of their contemporaries, as all boasted varying levels of past activity in other vocal groups. Ginyard had the most commercial successful and longevity in the music industry, having already scored a Top 10 national hit in 1942 with the song "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" as a member of the Jubalaires. In addition, the Ray brothers performed in the church ensemble Southwest Jubilee Singers, and Hashaw occasionally teamed up with Ginyard. After Ginyard's latest group the Dixieaires disbanded in 1950, he maintained a solo career before he began practicing with the Ray brothers and Hashaw in his basement apartment and officially formed the Du Droppers in 1952.
Paul Kapp, who also managed the Delta Rhythm Boys, became the group's manager, while Charlie Newsome was the road manager. Within months of the Du Droppers' conception, Newsome arranged an audition with record producer Bobby Robinson of Red Robin Records. Since the label was known to record mainly teen groups, signing the Du Droppers was a departure for Robinson. In September 1952, the group had their debut single "Can't Do Sixty No More", Ginyard's response to the Dominoes' song "Sixty Minute Man", released on Red Robin. Although it failed to chart, "Can't Do Sixty No More" was well received in Canadian markets, where the group first began touring. Soon after, Hashaw departed the Du Droppers, and was replaced by Bob Kornegay, formerly of Julian Dash's orchestra.
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