Fear of a Blank Planet

Artist Guide » Gospel » Traditional Gospel » CLARENCE ROGERS: I Stayed Away (from The Lord Too Long)

Portfolio of a Singer/Musician

I am Clarence Rogers, and I started in music playing the piano at the early age of eleven. Inspired to play by my first cousin, Robert T. McGregor, four years later I was playing nightclubs. After hearing me play in several talent shows at East Highland High School where I attended, in Sylacauga, AL, Mr. J.M. Larkin, the school music and band director offered me a position to join his R&B band called "Snappy 7". We played such clubs as The Elks and the American Legion in Talladega, AL, where many Talladega college students would congregate. I also became a member of another band in my hometown of Sylacauga, called the Shandaleer's, which was later changed to Stanley Ford and The Shandaleer's. With this group I played at many nightclubs and events in Alabama. We were the house band for Supper Club 2728 in Birmingham, AL for more than 6 weeks where another renowned artist Clarence Carter (Slip Away, Patches) known as Clarence and Calvin back then, also performed. I played with these two groups (â€œSnappy 7â€ and the Shandaleerâ€™s) until moving to Oregon in 1966. I sat in on many jam sessions at places around Portland such as The Cotton Club, Up and Downstairs, The Turquoise Room, Geneva's, Viewpoint, Fred's Place and gigs in Washington State. In 1968 I would form my own group called the Chandaleer's, which was one of the first, if not the first live band to open at Chet's Lounge, which was located on SW 4th Ave. The members included Myrtle Warren, Pat Nelson, Penny Fonteno, Ray Nelson, Big Bob Traylor and Leroy Smith. In 1970 I became the organist for a group called AfterGlow, out of California. With this group I toured many cities in California, even playing the nation's largest air force base, Vanderberg Air force Base in Santa Maria, CA. We were also the house band for the Palm Garden Nightclub located on SE 30th and Powell Blvd in Portland, Oregon. Around 1971 I co-founded the group called Rated-X which was derived from my original group, The Chandaleer's. The members of Rated-X were Ronnie and Donnie Miller, Elbert Gunner, Norman Sylvester, Penny Fonteno, Big Bob Traylor, and Leroy Smith, with Pat Nelson and Myrtle Warren as backup singers and dancers. Some of the places we (Rated-X) performed were Shags's Arena grand opening and we also became Shags's first house band. Others included The Texas Playhouse, Jewella's, Ratskella's Tavern at Mt.Hood, OR and Sunset High School. While with this group I released a 45 (record) called "What You Gonna Do About It", an original written and arranged by me. This single was on the Vanco label and received many requests and lots of airplays on the radio station KQIV. We also did guest appearances on KATU-TV show, called "The Third World", hosted by the late George Page. We added two new members to the group (James Johnson and James Busby) and changed our name to Black Silk. After doing a few gigs with the additional members the group broke up and I put my nightclub and recording careers on hold, playing occasionally for local functions, still writing and arranging songs for my own gratification. In 1995 I re-started my recording career, when joined by my wife, Margaret, to release a gospel recording titled "In My Father's House" in 1996. Later that year I released an Easy Listening/Jazz CD titled "REVIVE!" on our ClaMar record label. By the grace of God I have completed my latest CD project titled "I Stayed Away (From The Lord Too Long)" which was released on August 23rd, 2003. This gospel CD with 12 soul jerking, foot stomping, Holy Ghost inspired tunes, was released on the new record label, ClaMar. I have also been successful at trying my hand as video-director for the title song on my Album ("I Stayed Away"), released in August 2004 on DVD and VHS. I was privileged to be one of many participants to perform at "Melodies from Heaven" concerts, sponsored by KKSL Radio Station, in Portland, Oregon. I truly hope someday to do a fourth album and maybe more musical videos. In the meantime, God willing, I will continue to experiment with new sounds, and hopefully write and sing more Inspirational songs.

FOR INFORMATION AND CONTACT:

C & M RECORDS
PO BOX 86806
PORTLAND, OR 97286
503-516-4555
EMAIL (Crogrs55@comcast.net)

Track List:
1. Paid My Dues
2. Lord We Praise You
3. It's Time
4. Mercy and Grace
5. Run to the Cross
6. Devil Your Time Is Short
7. I Stayed Away (from the Lord Too Long)
8. Holy Ghost, Helper
9. What Joy, What Peace
10. Shake It Off
11. The USA (featuring Margaret Rogers)
12. Finale'

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