Robert "Goodie" Whitfield

Most of the fans of soul and funk music know Robert Whitfield more as "Goodie". He used the name "Goodie" when collaborated with the famous funk group called Gap Band. He was born and raised in Dallas,Tx. He developed a love for music at an early age and became interested in the saxophone, flute, piano and guitar. He studied music composition, theory and saxophone from Jr. High through his college years. His earliest influences were gospel, jazz, 70’s R&B and funk. Although Jazz was Goodie’s true beginnings where he developed a keen sense of artistry, stage presence and entertaining, today he is known for his talents as a vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer.

How many people really know that Robert Whitfield released a single before he collaborated with the Gap Band ?

Robert Whitfield with his fantastic voice released a single entitled "Keep on dancing to the music / I write songs" on Monterey Records. Both songs were written by himself. It seems to me that he was a great songwriter.

Produced and arranged by Jack Daugherty.

Produced and arranged by Jack Daugherty.



I want to note that Jack Daugherty had released an album under the name The Jack Daugherty Orchestra called "Carmel by the sea" on the same label in 1976.

Later Robert collaborated with the Gap Band. He appeared as a backing vocalist on the Gap Band album called "The Gap Band II" in 1979 on Mercury Records. Next year he appeared again with the Gap Band as keyboardist on the album called "Gap Band III" on Mercury Records. The same year he collaborated with the group Yarbrough & Peoples on the album "The two of us". On this album he appeared on keyboards and backing vocals.
In 1982 he released the debut album entitled "Call me Goodie" on Total Experience Records. I think that he was  influenced by his collaboration with the Gap Band, because most of the songs which were included on the album were funky. However some songs are great such as "L.A" and "You and I".

This album was recorded at Total Experience Recording Studios, Hollywood. The musicians were Alisa Peoples on keyboards, Calvin Yarbrough, Louis Cabaza on Synthesizer, Ronnie Kaufman, Melvin Webb, David Fine and David Crockett on drums, Melvin Webb on percussion, Fred Jenkins, Lonnie Simmons, Mike McKinney, Jimi Macon and Glenn Nightingale on guitar, Dionne Oliver, Robert Wilson and Victor "Widetrack" Hill on bass. Background vocals by Charlie Wilson, Alisa Peoples, Calvin Yarbrough, Maxine Waters, Julia Waters, Rudy Taylor, Pat Peterson, Temple McKinney, Troy Peoples, Ronnie Kaufman and Val Young.

Horn arrangements by Malvin "Dino" Vice and Benjamin Wright. Produced by Lonnie Simmons.

My favorite songs are "L.A" and "You and I".

The same year he participated as a keyboardist on the Gap Band album entitled "Gap Band IV" on Mercury Records.
In 1985 he released the second and the last album entitled "I wanna be your man" on Total Experience Records. The same year for one more time he collaborated with the group Yarbrough & Peoples. After this album I lost him. I have never seen him since.

Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full