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Singer, guitarist, song writer, record producer and studio engineer Lou Ragland was born in Cleveland, Ohio.  When he was 16 years old, he backed a local singer Kiim Tolliver. Soon he became a leader of Lou Ragland & the Bandmasters, and released a single Never Let Me Go / Party In Lesters on Cleveland based Way Out label in the early 60's.  In 1965, he joined  Billy Ward & the Dominoes as lead singer for a few months. In 1967, I Travel Alone was released on Amy Recods. In 1969 he released a single under the name Volcanic Eruption, and the same year he  came into the SARU Records as Vice President. He produced several records while he was there. The SARU Records label was owned by cousins and their mothers name was Sara & Ruth and that is how SARU Records was named. He released Good For The Gander / We Had True Love and Hot Chocolate album in 1971 on Co-Co Cleveland. Co-Co Cleveland was formed by Lou Ragland, Lymon Moffatt (Aadil Daanish) and  Leonard Jackson. Since You Said You'd Be Mine was recorded at the Agency Recording Studio and many efforts were commenced to get a major label to license the track. As a result of the good works, and the quality of the track, Warner Brothers decided to release Since You Said You'd Be Mine in August 1973. Lou Ragland & Leonard Jackson In 1974, he started a new record label SMH, and released What Should I Do / Understand Each Other. And his The Conveyor album was released on SMH in 1978. In 1979, he formed Great Lakes record label, and he relocated to Las Vegas in 1980. In 1982 he released a great modern soul 45 Didn't I Tell You / This Is The Night For Loving. In 1986, he joined George Holmes' Ink Spots as the guitarist and baritone background singer, and toured with them for a while.  Anthony Gibson was the lead singer there for 10 years. Lou Ragland's World Famous Ink Spots In 1988, he founded the Las Vegas Music Association and he contributed to music industry.  After 80's he continued to release  trackson LV based Casino Recordsl and Great Lakes Records.  His lateset release is the comlilation CD featured 12 songs "Together." Interview with Lou Ragland... - When is your birth date?   My birthday is July 18, 1942 - What did you grow up listening to?   I listen to every type of music, pop.rock country, jazz, Nat King Cole, Johnny Moore, Jackie Wilson, Enchantment and Frankie Lymon. - What is your musical background like?  I write and read music, played clarinet, sax and drums in school.  I play bass and guitar and a little piano now. - Who has been your biggest inspiration in music?   My Biggest inspiration in music is Harvey Fuqua of the Moon Glows. - When did you start as a professional?   I started playing in The Bandmasters when I was 16 years old. - Have you ever had a memory in your career than you can't forget?   I will never forget meeting Wes Montgomery and learning just how he got his sound - Are there artists or producers you would like to collaborate with?   Yes, Smokie Robinson, Harvey Fuqua, Kanya West and Pebo Bryson - Please tell us more about your new release Together.   The songs for the "Together" album all were recorded 20 years ago except for 2, Unchained and The Storm is Passing.  The one guest group performing on the project is a group that I sang with for several years as a substitute lead. Estella and I compiled the album in March just for the trip to Wales England. Most of the songs were recorded as single but never released. - What is The Vegas Tenors?   The Vegas Tenors are 4 of the best voices in Las Vegas, Latif Shadi, Lambus Dean, Lou Ragland and Freddie Empire. We are in the process of creating an album and show for the spring of 2007. - There are so many artists who have failed in the states. Why do you think you've been able to continue to release?  I continue to record and release my music because of the demand from all of my many fans all over the world, they make it possible. - Would you like to say something to your fans? I want my fans to know that I love and appreciate every one of them from the top and bottom of my heart. I know without them there would not be a Lou Ragland and if they are ever in Las Vegas, look me up I will be happy to meet them! Vegas Tenors ( from left to right:Latif Shadi-Lou Ragland-Lambus Dean &Freddie Empire.) Discography Lou Ragland & Bandmasters Way Out 2605 Never let me go / Party at Lesters 1963 Lou Ragland Amy 988 I travel alone / Big wheel 1967 Volcanic Eruption Way Out 2002 Red Robin / I've got something going on 1969 Hot Chocolate Co Co Cleveland 101 Good for the gander / We had true love 1971 Hot Choclate Co Co Cleveland L-1010 (LP) Hot Chocolate Ain't that a groove So dam funky Sexy moods of your mind Messin' with Sly We had true love What you want to do What should I do 1971 Lou Ragland and Hot Chocolate Co-Co Cleveland 103 I can't take it / What the doctor prescribed 1973 Lou Ragland Warner Brothers 7734 Since you said you'd be mine / I didn't mean to leave you 1973 Lou Ragland SMH 71842 What should I do / Understand each other 1974 Lou Ragland SMH 1001 (LP) Understand each other Understand each other What happened to the feeling Since you said you'd be mine Just being you (lovin' you) What should I do? It's got to change The next world Understand each other inst. 1977 Great Lakes Orchestra featuring Lou Ragland Great Lakes Recording Inc. 101 Didn't I tell you / This is the night for loving Lou Ragland and the Great Lakes Orchestra Casino 1101 (Casｓette tape) same Trouble This is the night for loving There will come a time It's got to change Didn't I tell you Let's take a chance on love Stay here with me We've got a good thing going I want to get to know you 1983 Lou Ragland and G.L.O. Casino 102 (LP) Love moods Let me Making love T.K.G. part one T.K.G. part two To love 1985 Lou Ragland Inferno Soul Club (UK) 3 (LP) Ric-Tic Live Revue I wanna spend my life loving you note : the other tracks by another artists Lou Ragland Inferno Soul Club (UK) 4 I travel alone (live) / Didn't I tell you / Since you said you'd be mine note : 3 tracks on 7 inch single The First Light featuring Lou Ragland Spirit 13186 (LP) The prime time gospel He is alive today He is Glory be to the creator Born again Welcome to Heaven If you don't know Thank you father The gift of love 1986 The First Light Spirit 22086 (LP) The prime time gospel /All star album Glory be to the creator Welcome to Heaven He is note : the other tracks by another lead singers 1986 Lou Ragland Casino Romancing you 1988 Lou Ragland Casino 401 In the hours of darkness / same inst 1989 Lou Ragland Casino 20193 (CD) Sings the classics Only you We three Paper doll I don't want to set the world on fire It's a sin to tell a lie My blue Heaven If I didn't care Smoke gets in your eyes What a difference a day makes My prayer When you're smiling Which ever way the wind blows 1994 Lou Ragland The Sound Of Vegas 109 (CD)The Sound Of Vegas (Vol.1) Romancing You note : the other tracks by another lead singers 1995 Lou Ragland Great Lakes Recording Inc. 20196 (CD) Until I met you Until I met you Since I fell for you Never can say goodbye I wrote a picture of you What should I do One step Let's stay together Whenever Never let me go What a wonderful world What happened to the feeling Making love 1996 Lou Ragland/Touch of Silk Great Lakes Recording Inc. 10199 (CD) The classic B.L.T. I'm gonna be loving you Unchained melody It's you Master plan Keep the power in your punch In the jail house Don't listen to the words The game of pleasure The truth Needy not the greedy North Las Vegas theme note : the other tracks by B.B. Richard 1999 Lou Ragland Great Lakes Records no# (CD)Together Together we stand The game of pleasure I'm gibba be loving you The storm is passing over The next time It's you Together forever What will tomorrow bring unchained melody Your love Let me Don't listen to the words 2006 Gallery Contact to: Great Lakes Records Web site P. O. Box 271143 LasVegas, Nevada 89127 USA E-mail :