The Original Villagers were a Rhythm & Blues (beach) band formed in 1965 by Jim Woods of Union, South Carolina. The group added members from the nearby town of Whitmire 18 miles from Union. They usually traveled with eight members consisting of four rhythm section performers and the remainder being horn players and/or singers. All of the horn players were expected to either sing lead or back-up and ,of course, put on a show (dance routines) like many of the rhythm and blues bands were doing in those days. The group recorded 2 forty-five recordings but never released an album. Known for their dynamic horn section and show, the group performed for fraternity and soroity parties at every major college and university in the southeast plus many private parties and coastal clubs. They were often the group seen fronting and providing the music for THE PLATTERS, THE SHOWMEN, and THE RADIANTS and others when they toured the south in those days.
Villagers on YouTube
