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The
Casuals were born accidently one spring evening in 1965. Ejected
from a house party in Northwest, DC, Skip and his fellow over
imbibers sought solace under the proverbial street lamp. A passing
car, blasting Billy Stewart's "I Do Love You" prompted then
15-year old Mahoney to pipe the tune a cappella. Stunned by
their hood mate's s sudden burst of raw talent, the fellas (George
Norris, James Morse, Franklin Radcliff and Morris Moore ) quickly
chimed backing vocals. The birth was quick and painless. Several
sessions later, swelling with confidence, the group adopted
the The Casuals as their moniker. The original Casuals included
George Norris (from the original a cappella group on the street
corner), Roger Chapman and Billy Jones (Skip's cousin). Players
stepped forward offering to audition for membership in the backing
band. The dream was taking shape. What followed was many years
of toil, triumph, sweat and tears. Casuals keyboardist, James
Purdie began constructing chords to match lyrics written by
Skip. But it was group roadie, Sonny Jones who unwittingly provided
fodder for the first record by Skip Mahoney and the Casuals
(the name was changed because of another group |
by the name The Casuals). Jones complained of a girlfriend and
her "funny moods." In 1973, finally recording for D.C.
International Records, a local indie in search of the Next Big
Thing, "Your
Funny Moods" b/w "I
Need Your Love" was released. Local radio programmers familiar
with the group, provided air play for both sides of the 45.
It was the B-side "I Need Your Love" which lit up the radio
request lines and gave the group a Washington/Baltimore hit.
An album, also titled Your Funny Moods, sold over 100,000 copies
in it's hometown but did not find a substantial national audience.
Land
of Love is a trademark LP for connoisseurs of falsetto based
sweet soul music of the mid-'70's. It stands the test of time
and represents the best the period offered. Dazzling vocals,
unexpected hooks and a solid false tenor propelled the drop-dead
gorgeous "Bless
My Soul" into the R&B Top 40 for 15 weeks in September '76.
"Wherever
You Go" has its own tale to tell. The song would become
a Boston/Cambridge classic of a 10 year period as DJ Arthur
Kempton played it weekly as a sign off song for his Sunday radio
show. |
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THEN
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Skip
Mahoney and The Casuals disbanded in 1979, but came back together
again to perform on New Year's Eve in 1994 and are still singing
to nostalgic and new audiences with rave review
In 1995, Skip Mahoney and the Casuals released a Greatest Hits
Cassette Tape and then selected hits from the Your Funny Moods
and Land of Love albums were combined into a CD and in 1977
was released as "Skip Mahoney and The Casusals Then and Now".
The CD was retracked and was re-released June, 1999 as "Then,
Now and Forever. Both the tape and CD are available for purchase
on the Casual Store page. |
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FOREVER
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The
years 1999 and 2000 bought additional changes to the group.
After almost 30 years in the business, Billy Jones decided to
end his public career to concentrate on family. That move left
a small void in the group which was soon filled with David Ackers
just in time for the groups 30 year Anniversary celebration
and show. David's voice and singing style that gave the group
a renewed vigor with a familiar sound. In July, 2000 Skip added
a female voice to their and show. Barbara Malone brought the
group a different melodic sound and was accepted by all who
heard her. David and Barbara both sing with Skip in the Mustangs
Band and Show for wedding receptions and fundraisers, etc. The
group's Schedule page will keep you up-to-date on their performances
so that you may EXPERIENCE
THE SKIP MAHONEY AND THE CASUALS SOUND AGAIN AND AGAIN.
The Picture Gallery shows the groups recent perfor-mances. This
site will be constantly changing so come back often. |
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Please sign our Guest book we'd love to hear from our fans and
visit this site often.
Talk
with other Fans in the Casual Lounge!
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