Season Two: Episode 02:
Finding Musical Talent on the Chitlin' Circuit
Today we continue telling the story of Shelley’s life in the world of music as he reflects on his days traveling the south on what was known as the Chitlin' Circuit.
As a talent agent for Shelby Singleton Productions, Shelley traveled the Chitlin Circuit searching for talent that played in small towns throughout the South. He would then take the talent to big cities to cut records and get exposure.
He discovered Clarence Junior Lewis, who went by the stage name “CL Blast”
Shelley discovered Willie Hightower and Johnny Adams. He managed The Dynamic Soul Machine and helped launch the career of JV Jenkins, who performed a moving rendition of Peace in the Valley at the inauguration of Birmingham’s first black mayor, Richard Arrington.
Listen in as Shelley shares music, insights, and inside stories about his life on the “Chitlin' Circuit.”
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The influence of the music played in Chitlin Circuit and its culture played a pivotal role in integrating the Black and White races and was pertinent to the civil rights movement.
In the summer of 1949, Billboard renamed its African-American music bestseller list from 'Race Records' to Rhythm and Blues Records.
- excerpt from Chitlin' Circuit: Blues Culture and American Culture by Richard K. You
Chitlin Circuit
Chitlin Circuit
Shelley Stewart Lifetime Achievement Award
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