African-American Community, History & Entertainment in Maryland

By ROSA PRYOR-TRUSTY

African-American Community, History & Entertainment in Maryland (Remembering the Yesterdays; 1940-1980)
AUTHOR
Rosa Rambling Rose Pryor-Trusty
Xlibris Publishing

Chapters includes 600 pages, 14 chapters of pictures & stories of: beaches, movie theaters, parks, you & your families, neighborhoods, your communities in Maryland; bars, clubs, restaurants, skating rinks, bowling alleys, popular undertakers and funeral homes, organizations, number writers, number backers, hustlers, gangsters, politicians, local and national entertainers, bail bondsmen, radio, TV personalities and newspapers reporters from the era of 1940-1980. You can email me at [e-mail]. For more information, call 410-833-9474.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483612348

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Rosa Rambling Rose Pryor-Trusty.

Library of Congress Control Number:          2013904960

ISBN:          Softcover          978-1-4836-1233-1

                   eBook                978-1-4836-1234-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 05/09/2014

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

553419

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOR BOOK 2

CHAPTERS

1.   Elbow Benders Nightlife in Maryland (Folks who hung out and partied in the Clubs, bars, restaurants and etc.)

2.   At Your Service, Starmaids, Bartenders and Owners and waitress" (People who served your drinks, food in night clubs,bars and restaurants)

3.   The Chitlin’ Circuit Local Entertainers (Musicians, singers and bands that performed locally)

4.   The Flame of Fame National & International Entertainers (Famous singers, musicians, dancers, comedians and groups; Entertainers who performed & received stardom from the venues in Maryland)

5.   You Book It, I Play It, Radio, television, Newspapers & DJ’s (About radio, television, newspapers personalities, entertainment promoters & night clubs DJ’s)

6.   My Home is Your Home, Where Black families lived (Neighborhoods, homes, streets and families and where & how they lived & dressed)

7.   Meeting Call to Order, Historical and well-known organizations in Baltimore (About social events and social organizations well known)

8.   Taking Care of Business (Historical venues & Businesses in Maryland)

9.   The Marquees (Bill Boards, Ads & Posters for movies, concerts, shows, etc.)

10. Landmarks Historical Places in Baltimore (Parks, beaches, movies, markets & sites)

11. The Dignitaries (Politicians, entrepreneurs, Popular Community Folks, & Business Owners)

12. The Word On The Street, (Bails Bondsmen, Baltimore Street Figures, the hustlers, Funeral Homes, Undertakers)

13. In Memory of: Rest in Peace (Special People in the community, who has passed on, but made a positive difference.)

14. Amen Corner Churches & Ministers (After every hallelujah, there’s an amen)

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN?

A QUIZ FOR YOU

• Buck’s Bar was located 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue back in the 60’s. They would have Sunday Breakfast Shows featuring Bill Byrd Trio with Bill Byrd on organ, Arnold Sterling on saxophone and John Polite on drums?

• Silver Rail Lounge was located 1820 E. Federal Street, Baltimore, and Leon Sleepy Hawkins was the Manager?

• Pauline Brooks Salon Simply Elegant Fashions, located 2237 W. North Avenue in Baltimore?

• Clarence Shad Brown, Sr. & Jr. Bail Bonds, located 1506 Pennsylvania Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite #1?

• B. Morton Express Moving & Hauling, office was located 2470 Druid Hill Avenue and residence was 3501 Grantley Road?

• Arlington S. Phillips Funeral Home, located 1721-27 N. Monroe Street?

• Time Printers, located 2239 N. Fulton Avenue in Baltimore, Proprietors, Francis J. Maddox & J. Albert Maddox?

• The West-End Musical Lounge, 2701 W. Fairmount Avenue. James E. Grant was Proprietor?

• Morton & Dyett Funeral Home, 1701 Laurens Street in the early 60’s?

• Jockey Club, 278 S. Hilton Street (Near Frederick Avenue. Phil and Peggy Hudson, Proprietors and Harold Hudson were the Business Manager?

• The Millionaire Club, 1029 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore. Robert Taylor was Proprietor?

• Jones’ Cocktail Lounge, 1724 W. Lanvale Street. Theophilus Jones, Proprietor?

• Bill Dotson’s on Furnace Branch Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Frank Reddish was the owner. Eddie Morrison from WSID Radio was the Master of Ceremony and Dave Ross Organ Trio was performing every Thursday-Sunday in the mid-1960?

• Well’s Lounge, at The Bridge on Popular Grove in Baltimore. The owner was Nance Wells?

THANKS AND APPRECIATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

"AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, HISTORY &

ENTERTAIMENT IN MARYLAND"

(Remembering the Yesterdays, 1940-1980)

The author, Rosa Rambling Rose Pryor-Trusty extends her sincerest appreciation and heart-warming thanks to the folks in the Maryland community.

As I worked on my second book, I offer heartfelt gratitude to my soul mate, my friend, companion, lover and my darling husband, William Shorty Trusty. I thank him for his love, support and his patience. Again while I worked on this book day and night for years. I also thank my friend, mentor and journalist extraordinaire, the late James Biddy Wood, a very special friend and mentor who passed away in 2012 for helping me to edit the pages of this book; to ensure that the words from my pen were correct. I am dedicating chapter 4 in his memory. A Special thanks to my friend & publisher of the Baltimore Times, Joy Bramble, who is responsible for my gift in writing over 28 years ago and folks in my community, friends, fans and readers of my columns, Rambling Rose for purchasing my first book, African American Entertainment in Baltimore and have encouraged me to do this second book.

Thanks, also to Viola Griffin, who worked with me, helping me to organize and research information and a special appreciation to my friend, Juanita Little, for her support and editing pages of my book.

African American Entertainment in Baltimore inspired me to write this second book. Thanks to many who shared their archives with me; Afro-American Newspapers; the late Chico Johnson, Jim Dorsey, The Center for Cultural Education, Inc., Clinton Shorty Buise and Albert Queen, Walter Rohoblt, Veronica Jackson, Jean S. Fugett Sr., the Mitchell Family, Mildred Battle, John Murphy III, Calvin Lee Tolbert and Everett Marshburn, Shirley Richardson, Arndrea Hoyle, Leona M. Holly; all who shared their stories and pictures with me from their old albums. Special thanks goes to Roxanna; btco.net/ghosts website, Robert F Diggs. Sr., the Afro-American Newspaper, Ellen Tavares Dutton, Milt Hinton and David G. Berger, Inventory of African American Historical and Cultural Resources, Baltimore City; Irvin and Stephen Kunkel & family, jazzateria.com/roots/ewaters, websites; the Henderson Collection and credits to Peale Museum, Baltimore City Life Museum, Charles Trusty, I. Henry Phillips, Calvin Lee Tolbert, Fred H.S. & Sons, Dr. Louise Johnson; mdhsimager.mdhs.org/Images/Mellon website; religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/daddy_grace.html website; and Nathaniel Jones. The Count Magazine of Sophisticated Living, No.4, Vol.1; National Convention Souvenir Journal from October 1966; www.btco.net/Buildings/coliseum/html; African-American History in Historic Prince George’s County,www.kilduffs.com, www.norvapics.com/profile.htm; Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://www.soulofamerica.com/., The Fullwood Foundation, Inc.: Washington Post, Los Angeles Times; www.singers.com/blackvocalgroups.html.

INTRODUCTION

"AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, HISTORY &

ENTERTAINMENT IN MARYLAND"

(Remembering the Yesterdays) 1940-1980

Twenty-five years ago, I did some research and found out there were no

documentations in any one book on the black entertainment, entertainers,

businesses or the community at large. No recorded information photos or information in which how African-American lived ; where they lived; or how they became legends and just everyday people who should be legends from our own community in Maryland in one book. Until I wrote my first book, African American Entertainment in Baltimore in 2003, there was no written history of our famous Pennsylvania Avenue in one book. Now I realize there isn’t any significant written history of the community, people, place, organization, streets, parks, restaurants, musicians, restaurants, clubs, pool rooms, beaches, homes and neighborhoods in the small corridors of Baltimore, Maryland where African Americans work, played, grew-up, partied, or had their businesses in the era of 1940’s thru 1980’s either.

As a professional promoter, journalist, entertainment columnist/journalist

and the founder of a scholarship foundation for young children, I felt the story had to be told before all of our history completely dies. I’ve always believe to give some of the flowers to the people who lived their lives with such pride while they still can smell them. I believe that the children, grandchildren and yes, the great grand children should have positive remembrances of our life without shame.

This book "African American Community, History & Entertainment in Maryland" (Remembering the Yesterdays, 1940-1980)" is the part II and extension of my first book, African American Entertainment In Baltimore. There were so much more to tell about the Afro-American Communities, not just in Baltimore city of one street, (Pennsylvania Avenue), but in the many different corridors of Maryland such as Cherry Hill, Popular Grove, Sandtown, Mount Winans, Fairfield, Annapolis, Eastern Shore, East, West and South Baltimore areas, so I felt it was important to do more research to do this book.

I got most of my photos and images from friends, associates, people who reads my columns Rambling Rose and just people in the community who have lived, worked, worshiped, partied or hung out in the era of 1940’s thru 1980’s. Many, I took myself.

I learned from interviewing so many people in Baltimore, Maryland and receiving letters and calls from people all over the country in reference to my last book, saying that they were very happy to know there will be some additional documentation of the history of ordinary people. They were hungry for more history. Also, this book is a part two about them, their fathers, mother, children, grandparents, great-grandparents, their aunts and uncles, friends and buddies; these are people they can relate or connect to from their hometown. It doesn’t matter what their lifestyle is now or before. Of cause many have passed away, or maybe they left to live in another town, state or country; but, because so many people still live in Maryland and want to remember and not forget the good old days. Thru these pictures, I will tell their stories.

Baltimore and its surrounding corridors definitely open the doors for the Black folks and the communities to band together and support each other in their businesses, neighborhoods, entertainment, social, schools and raising their children.

"In this book, one of Baltimore’s most popular Entertainment Columnist,

Rambling Rose (Rosa Pryor-Trusty) has again gathered a breathtaking collage of frozen moments that capture the essence of Baltimore’s entertainment scene at its liveliest. She has piece together a history that demonstrates the passion, the pain, the pleasure, and the perseverance of people who love, create, and dominate our music, entertainment, and businesses all over the world. Mrs. Pryor-Trusty collection of original snapshots was lovingly donated by people who share her vision and passion. They are a testimony of the old community and people who which to share freely and with love to the world community. It speaks also of The Overcome" and the progress achieved by determination.

Designed as a photographic diary that illuminates Baltimore’s African-

American arts, work, business, entertainment, family history, "African-

American Community, History & Entertainment in Maryland" (Remembering the Yesterdays, 1940-1980) celebrates a time in our past that enforced expectations of excellence and captured the highest quality of people. This composition sings a harmony, a melody in time when African-American men and women loved and respected the code of ethics. It was a time when men, women and children dressed to the nines and stepped out in full fashion; when there was a time when there was always something to do; a time when Black families lived in the same neighborhoods and helped each other; a time when Baltimore’s Figures (the hustlers, gamblers, number writers, the boosters) were respected because they used their way of life to support their families without hurting others; a time when Baltimore’s adhering to the code of ethics developed by the Pennsylvania Avenue Strip, Cherry Hill, Sandtown and other corridors of Maryland. It was a time when there was always something to do; a time when the music was so grand and the lyrics of a song cause you to fall in love and start a family; a time when going to a party was in a basement with blue lights, food, dancing and conversation; a time when one could enjoy fifteen minutes of fame; a life of pride; a time when African Americans headlined the marquees right in their own neighborhoods and reveled in the love and support of their community. Most of all it was a time when we all believed it took a village to raise a child. Flip the pages and enjoy the memories and embrace the history of a friend, relative, an acquaintance or of people in general whose past, present, and future come to life. Enjoy the pleasure of a Baltimore that knew how to swing before we could drink out of any water fountain. Turn the pages, smile and laugh; shed a tear for the moments; embrace the history that will never be forgotten.

Pryor-Trusty present this book to you with love, passion, memories and most of all for those who cared about the positive nature of people of color who has passed on, moved to