Ron Henderson Sr. is back on recordings

(Left to right, Reese Palmer, Ron Henderson Sr, Wilbur Stewart (Wes), Johnny Johnson and William Britton.

Ron Henderson Sr was born in 1936. He is a great composer, producer, singer, guitarist and label owner from Charlotte, NC. He appeared strongly on the stage of soul music in the early 70s along with his own band called Choice of Colour. The members of the group were Ron Henderson Sr, Reese Palmer, Wilbur Stewart (Wes),  Johnny Johnson and William Britton.
In 1972 Choice Of Colour released a single entitled "You're twenty-one today / Your love" on APT Records. The label was a subsidiary of ABC Records. ABC Records used this label to release exclusively the singles.

In 1974 Ron along with late Chester Simmons formed a label called Choice Records. The same year Ron released a single entitled "Bad sign" on his own label. This song was written by himself. Produced, arranged and conducted by late Duke Hall. Somewhere here started the collaboration of Ron Henderson and Duke Hall who kept until the mid 80s.
At that time Duke Hall released a single under the name Jesse McFall and The Funk Elegant Orchestra entitled "Thought you ought to know" on Choice Records. Later Ron Sr. changed the name of label to Choice Cut Records but he was co-owner with Duke Hall.

Ron Henderson along with Duke Hall started to work at the studio so as to release an album. In 1976 Ron Henderson & Choice Of Colour released an album on Chelsea Records entilted "Soul Junction". It was recorded at Reflection Sound Studios, Charlotte N.C.

The album was produced by Duke Hall and Wayne Jernigan. It was arranged by Duke Hall. The musicians were Duke Hall on keyboards, Johnny Fowler on guitar, Rob Thorne on drums, Andre McCamey and Mike Suddath on bass. Vocals by Ron Henderson Sr. except for two songs entitled "The real thing" and  "What about love" by Reece Palmer and William Britton respectively.
At the same period Rufus R.Jones released a single entitled "Boogie man" on Ron's label Choice Cut Records. Rufus R. "Freight Train" Jones was an American professional wrestler. His real name was Carey L.Lloyd. This single was released under the name Rufus R.Jones and his Freight Train Funk Band. The song "Boogie man" was written by Ron Henderson Sr and Rufus R.Jones. It was produced by Ron Sr. and Duke Hall.

In 1977 Ron Sr. released a single "Don't take her for granted / The real thing" on Chelsea Records. Both of these songs were included on the album in 1976.

In 1978 Ron Henderson Sr as well as Ron Henderson Jr collaborated with Dottie Pearson. Dottie Pearson released a single entitled "Imagine me / Doing what he wants me to" on a local label of Charlotte called Avanti Records. I have to mention that owner of Reflection Sound Studios and Avanti Records was Wayne Jernigan. At that time Dottie Pearson recorded an album which was never released. All the songs were recorded at Reflection Sound Studios, Charlotte N.C.
After many years, all the songs were included on the CD which was released in 2003 under the name Dottie Pearson - A house made of love.

Ron Henderson Jr. told me: "At that time Dottie Pearson lived with us until the album was finished". Ron Henderson Jr who was guitarist and backing singer on that album, co-wrote with the bassist  Andre McCamey the song "Imagine me".
Dottie Pearson as Dottie Peoples won Stellar and Dove Awards of gospel music. She has been also nominated sometimes for Grammy and Dove Awards of gospel music.

Ron Henderson Jr on stage

Ron Jr. also wrote two more songs entitled "Look around" and "Very strong affection" which were included on the CD.
Ron Henderson Sr. even though he was co-producer and background vocalist, he was also songwriter on the songs "I don't want nobody" and "Doing what he wants me to".

At that time, Ron Sr. recorded many songs but they were never released. All the songs were recorded at Reflection Sound Studios. Some of these unreleased songs were included on the CD entitled "Gemini Lady" which was released in 2006.

At the same time, in 1978 Ron Sr. released a single entitled "I love you more than dancin' / She please me" on Wayne Jernigan's label Avanti Records.

Ron Sr. and Duke Hall followed the current of time, so they recorded a disco song called "I love you more than dancin" that was written and produced by Duke Hall.



When Chelsea Records went bankrupt, the copyrights were returned to Ron Henderson Sr. So he re-released the song "Don't take her for granted" under the name Ron Sr And The R.H.Factor on his own label Choice Cut Records in the early 80s. In fact  Ron Sr And The R.H.Factor were Ron Henderson Sr, and his son Ron Jr.

The flipside was entitled "Mr.Sunshine". This song was written by himself. It was recorded at Reflection Sound Studios and Lamon Sound Charlotte, NC. It was produced by Duke Hall & The Brothers Brae. I want to note that The Brothers Brae were Ron Jr. and the bassist Andre McCamey.
"Mr.Sunshine" was included on the CD "Gemini Lady" under the name "Sunshine".



One of the best moments in the career of Ron Sr. came when he released the single "Gemini lady / Goodbye my love" on his own label in 1983.

"Gemini Lady" was written by Ron Sr himself. This song was written for Jaqueline Henderson that Ron Sr. is still married today.
It was recorded at Reflection Sound Studios and Lamon Sound Charlotte, NC. Produced by Ron Jr. and Andre McCamey as The Brothers Brae.



Nowadays many radio producers and fans of soul music have played and heard respectively the song "Gemini lady". The fans of this song had the opportunity to find it, when it was included on the CD entitled "Gemini lady" on Soul Junction in 2006.

This CD includes apart from "Gemini lady" some tunes that I like. These songs are entitled "Baby I wanna be yours" and "Nobody will ever take your love from me" respectively. The first was written by Duke Hall and the second by the late Pervis Lee Jr. (Tank).
Produced by Duke Hall and Wayne Jernigan. Arranged by Duke Hall.





At that time, in parallel with "Gemini lady", Barry Duke recorded the songs "I'm leaving" and "Gotta find a way". Barry Duke released the single "I'm leaving / Gotta find a way" on Choice Cut Records. I had the pleasure to present Barry Duke and his single almost a year ago.

Ron Henderson Sr.

Ron Henderson Sr and Duke Hall stopped their collaboration and their recordings in the mid 80s. The label Choice Cut Records stopped to release records vinyl in 1987.
In 2000 Grapevine 2000 Records from UK, released a 7incher entitled "Your love / Love is gone". In 2003 Grapevine 2000 Records re-released the single "Gemini lady / Goodbye my love".

In 2009 Soul Junction Records released a 7 incher entitled "Nobody will ever take your love from me / Hooked on your love" which previously had never been released as a single .

Ron Henderson Sr. never stopped to compose music. He continued to write music for other artists. After many years he decided to return on recordings.

For this new step especially two people helped him, his son Ron Jr. and Barry Duke.

Last year Ron Sr. and Barry Duke wrote many songs and started to record. Two of these songs are entitled "You still turn me on" and "I apologize" respectively. The first song was written by Ron Sr himself. Produced by Ron Sr. and Barry Duke. It was recorded at Duknheimers Studio of which Barry Duke is owner.

Barry Duke on saxophone

Enjoy  "You still turn me on". Solo sax by Barry Duke.



The second song was written by Ron Sr, and produced by Ron Sr.and Barry Duke.

Enjoy "I apologize". Solo sax by Barry Duke.



There is another version of "I apologize" that was sung by Ron Jr and was produced by Ron Jr. and Barry Duke.


Note: The above posted tracks are not played in full


# I want to note that I was working this article for over two months.
## I want to thank Ron Henderson Jr. for his help.
### I want to thank my daughter Helen for her help. 

Digital downloading available on itunes