Weldon McDougal was a singer, songwriter, record producer and a record label executive. He also founded the Philadelphia recording group The Larks. He produced "Yes, I'm Ready" for Barbara Mason. As a song writer, along with Guy Hemric and Jerry Styner, he co-wrote "Doing It Right" for The Go! Team which appeared on their Proof of Youth album.
Band membership He is credited as the founder of the Philadelphia group, The Larks.A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul, By John A. Jackson - "I'll Get By" (1942-1962) In 1954, he was singing bass. Along with Calvin Nichols, Mary Archer and the Blalock brothers, Clarence & Bill Blalock, he started a group called The Victors. Not long after the formation, Mary Archer left the group and her replacement was Herman Green. The progress of the Victors was interrupted with McDougal joining the marines at the end of the year. While in still in the marines, he was performing in a group with the same name. He left the service in 1958, and went about reforming The Victors. The only member he could get was Calvin Nichols. He managed to bring other members, Jackie Marshall who was a high tenor. Then Baritone Bill Oxendine joined up. McDougal's wife Cleopatra also joined the group. He changed the name of the group to The Larks after seeing a brand of nails called Lark.Marv Goldberg's Yesterday's Memories Rhythm & Blues Party - The Other, Other Larks By Marv Goldberg, based on an interview with Weldon McDougal One day Weldon ran into Atlantic Records promo man Jerry Ross. His group auditioned for Ross, and the Larks recorded around six tracks. The backing band on the session was called The Manhattans and included keyboardist Ruben Wright, guitarist Johnny Stiles, sax player Harrison Scott and drummer Norman Conners.Marv Goldberg's Yesterday's Memories Rhythm & Blues Party - The Other, Other Larks By Marv Goldberg, based on an interview with Weldon McDougal In 1961, their recording "It's Unbelievable" was released on the Sheryl label.Billboard Magazine, March 20, 1961 - Page 3 R&B RESURGANCE(sic) AN OMEN Long Vigil Is Forecast for Faithful Harbingers of 'Good Music' Return By REN GREVATT It entered the charts at no 78 for the Week Ending 12th March, 1961.Weekly Top 40 - 1961: All Charts, US Hot 40 Singles for the Week Ending 12th March, 1961, NEW THIS WEEK It eventually rose to no 69 on the Billboard pop charts.Motown: The Golden Years, By Bill Dahl - Page 8 Motown '59-72 Jerry Ross arranged for the group to appear on American Bandstand to sing their song.A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul, By John A. Jackson - 1 "I'll Get By (1942-1962) 16
Record label career Around 1964, McDougal had begun work with Chips Distributors.Billboard, October 21, 1967 - Page 4 Executive Turntable It was reported in the May 15, 1965, edition of Billboard that McDougal along with John H. Stiles, Luther Randolph and James Bishop had set up Stilran Music which was located at the offices of Universal Record Distributors.Billboard, May 15, 1965 - Page 53 International News Reports, Music Capitals of the World, Philadelphia In October 1967, he joined Motown Records as their regional promotion man, based in Philadelphia.Billboard, October 21, 1967 - Page 4 Executive Turntable
In 1982, he was the national promotion director for Philly World Records.Billboard, May 1, 1982 - Page 4 executive Turntable, Record Companies
During the 1980s he was guest co-host on the R&B Showcase Radio Show.Tropica, Apr 25, 2004 - "Richard Street Guest Host on R&B Showcase Radio MAA News Article 2004.
Legacy McDougal has a place in history as one of many black record promoters who helped black artists gain recognition in the pop music field both in the US and abroad.Billboard, August 22, 1970 - Page 32 The World of Soul, Soul Spoken Here!, Soul Music, RIP By Joe Jones Of "You Talk Too Much" Fame He played an important part in what came to be known as the Philly Sound.WDKK Radio, October 22, 2010, - Record Producer Weldon Arthur McDougal III Dies He was also something of a photographer and took some rare Motown photographs.CHC Network - Philadelphia Music Community to Stage Joyouse Celebration Remembering Influential ‘Philly Soul’ Producer Weldon A. McDougal IIJoy Ride! The Stars and Stories of Philly's Famous Uptown Theater, By Kimberly C. Roberts - Page 135 The Insiders
Death McDougal died on October 22, 2010, from pancreatic cancer.The Dead Rock Stars Club - 2010 July to December Weldon McDougal III (Weldon Arthur MacDougal III) - Died 10-21-2010 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S
References
External links
Soul Source: Weldon McDougal