PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 18, 2011) – Worldwide fans of the legendary “Sound of Philadelphia†now have equal reason to look to the future as well as the past during this year’s 40th anniversary celebration of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), as the label launches globally its online radio station, TSOPSoulRadio.com.
TSOPSoulRadio.comdelivers instant, round-the-clock access to the enormous catalogue of songs written and produced by KENNETH GAMBLE & LEON HUFF, and their partner, legendary producer, THOM BELL, topped by numerous pop #1 hits, R&B #1 hits, 100 gold and platinum records, Grammy winners and BMI songwriters’ awards honorees, through the timeless recordings of Teddy Pendergrass, the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, the Jacksons, Jerry Butler, the Spinners, the Delfonics, and dozens more. As a direct, digital pipeline to the vaults 24 hours a day, seven days a week, TSOPSoulRadio.com also will be an exclusive resource to an abundance of Gamble & Huff recordings for PIR that have not been available since their original release in the ‘70s on vinyl, cassette and 8-Track. TSOPSoulRadio.com also will be a new go-to portal for previously unreleased material from the vaults, promising to dig deep into the archives for songs, interviews and other recordings from the past 40 years.
TSOPSoulRadio.com also will be available to all android and iPhone mobile devices and tablets by way of a new SHOUTcast internet radio app – entirely new ways of bringing this music to your fingertips.
“TSOPSoulRadio.com takes our historic catalogue further into the 21st century by digitally providing listening access to Sound of Philadelphia audiences to people of all ages and cultures around the world,†says Chuck Gamble, executive vice president of Philadelphia International Records. “Add to that the portability that today’s technology brings to every generation, and it’s never been easier to listen to the great music of Gamble, Huff and Bell at home, on the beach, in the park, at family reunions, in their workspace, or on elevators … anywhere and everywhere there is internet access.â€
Songs Gamble & Huff have written and produced together include the hits “Back Stabbers,” “Love Train,” “For The Love Of Money,” “If You Dont Know Me By Now,” “Cowboys to Girls,” “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “Enjoy Yourself,” “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” “Only the Strong Survive,” “Expressway to Your Heart,” “Me & Mrs. Jones,” and “TSOP” (better known as the “Soul Train” theme). Their songs comprise the most sampled and covered R&B catalogue in the world, by artists such as Jay-Z, Usher, Michael Buble, Mary J. Blige, T.I., 50 Cent, Jaheim and Avant. Gamble, Huff and Bell have recorded and collaborated with a galaxy of stars from the pop, rock, soul and jazz universes, including Michael Jackson and the Jacksons, Elton John, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Aretha Franklin, Billy Paul, the Spinners, the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Dusty Springfield, Jerry Butler, Wilson Pickett, LaBelle, Archie Bell & the Drells, the Soul Survivors, Laura Nyro, the Trammps, McFadden & Whitehead, Phyllis Hyman and Grover Washington Jr.
Beyond playing music and other content from the vaults, programming also will include new interviews with artists and other members of the Philadelphia International Records family. Gamble & Huff will be hosting shows and personally conducting many of the interviews, some of which will be streamed on video from the TSOPSoulRadio.com studios at the TSOP Experience, adjacent to the historic Philadelphia International Records offices on Gamble & Huff Walk, the block of South Broad Street renamed in their honor last year. Additional programming plans include live concerts from the archives; devoting entire days, or day parts, to a particular artist, as well as various specialty shows and customized all-request shows selected by Mr. Gamble, Mr. Huff, members of the extended PIR family, guest DJs and you, the listener. Guest DJs from around the world also are being invited to host. Listeners requests are being accepted by email now at info@tsopsoulradio.com or through Twitter at @tsopsoulradio.
To join the TSOPSoulRadio.com Listeners’ Club and gain exclusive content, the ability to enter contests and other membership offers, sign up at www.tsopsoulradio.com.
“TSOPSoulRadio.com is as much a discovery process for us as it is for listeners young and old,†says Chuck Gamble. “We’re having loads of fun digging through our archives and uncovering the vast amounts of treasures in our vaults. We’re coming up with new content every day, and we can’t wait to share them with ‘people all over the world. We’ve always been proud to let people know that a Gamble & Huff song is played on the radio somewhere in the world every 13.5 minutes. But now, thanks to TSOPSoulRadio.com, a Gamble & Huff song is being played every 13.5 seconds for lovers of the Sound of Philadelphia!â€
ABOUT GAMBLE & HUFF:
A hot independent R&B producing team in the late 1960s, Gamble & Huff co-founded Philadelphia International Records in 1971. Almost from the day PIR first opened, its artists began to dominate the charts. Within two years, Philadelphia International was the second-largest African-American-owned music company in America.
Their songs also have been covered by a myriad of artists including Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Bette Midler, Simply Red, Michael Buble, Johnny Mathis, Lesley Gore, Donny & Marie, Thelma Houston, the Brand New Heavies and recently, Rod Stewart, who sings four Gamble & Huff classics on his 2009 album, Soulbook.
Featured prominently in television programs (“The Apprentice,” “Cold Case”), films (“The Nutty Professor”) and advertising spots (Verizon, Chevrolet, Coors Light, Old Navy, The Gap, Office Max) for more than 30 years, Gamble & Huff’s songs have entered the musical DNA of contemporary culture. In 2005, Gamble & Huff appeared on American Idol in a show devoted entirely to their music.
Gamble & Huff have been the recipients of numerous accolades for their extensive body of work. They are enshrined in five music Halls of Fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the National Academy of Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, the Dance Music Hall of Fame, and the R&B Hall of Fame. They have been honored by National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with the Trustees Award as producers and songwriters, and for their contribution to the entire fabric of popular music.
In 2010, Gamble & Huff were presented honorary doctor of music degrees – their first together – at Berklee College of Music’s Commencement. A few months later, Gamble & Huff became the first people in Philadelphia history to be so honored on Broad Street with the renaming of a historic section of the city’s major artery as Gamble & Huff Walk. In 2012, Gamble, Huff and Bell will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their historic partnership.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
www.tsopsoulradio.com
www.gamble-huffmusic.com
www.twitter.com/tsopsoulradio
www.facebook.com/GambleHuffMusic
