Saturday, March 1, 2014

Lighter Shades


The Lighter Shades

Formed in 1970, The Golden Tyme were a vocal group made up of Colorado Springs teens, who performed for hospitals, schools, and variety shows up and down I-25.

As singers went off to college, The Golden Tyme found itself in immediate need of a new generation of performers. With that, a new name for the group - The Lighter Shades.

Members (in order on LP credits):
Dave Williams - lead guitarist, 16 years old
Anne Breeding - 18 years old
Robin Ferguson - bass, 16 years old
Floy Greenville - 18 years old
Bruce Klemm - 17 years old
Don Cook - 20 years old
Cindi Atwood - 18 years old
Teresa Atwood - 15 years old
Steve Klien - guitar, 14 years old
Debbie Cleveland - 16 years old
Jim Davis - guitar, 19 years old

While billing itself as wholesome Christian entertainment, the mostly Church of Christ affiliated group members (from various churches in the area), wanted to appeal to a younger audience. So they began to expand their set list to include secular pop hits.

Either due to audience demand, or just wanting to have a memento for the kids, group director Ron Carter decided to get the teens into the recording studio.

Lighter Shades
Garden Sight and Sound 720504

Listen to samples of "Proud Mary," "Ticket to Ride,"
"One Tin Soldier," and "Reason to Believe"

Side One:
Proud Mary
Some Saturday Morning
Follow Me
Soalin
California Dreamin'
Who'll Stop The Rain

Side Two:
Ticket to Ride
For All We Know
Reason to Believe
One Tin Soldier
Bye Bye Love

Not sure when the group finally disbanded.  Couldn't find anything past 1972.  Hopefully a former member will let me know the rest.

Bala-Sinem Choir



Organized by Mark Romancito, a Fort Lewis College student from the Pueblo of Zuni, the Bala-Sinem Choir serves as the campus Native American choral group. Bala-Sinem is the Hopi word for red people.

Each Fort Lewis College student member makes a contribution of traditional music from their tribes.  The group, which celebrates its 44th year in 2014, performs for social and ceremonial functions throughout the year.

Located two LPs recorded by the group - American Indian Songs and Chants (1973 – Canyon 6110), and the pictured at the top Walk in Beauty My Children (1976 – Canyon 6149).


Also found this 45 single EP, on the San Juan Silver record label.  There is no date on the recording. The name Leroy Watts appears on the record runoff (and is listed songwriter of the four cuts). A quick Internet search finds that Leroy Watts was a local cowboy poet, who also held a trademark on the name San Juan Silver jewelry (1976). He passed away in 2011. Record is narrated by local disc jockey Doug Benton.



Side One:  The Sleeping Ute / Las Animas
Side Two:  The Sand Painter / The Anasazi