Watch Out They're Tough, by The Justifiers

Watch Out They're Tough

by The Justifiers

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mqcarpenter The vinyl release is phenomenal quality. I was not sure what to expect but for something that was never released, it is like it was done yesterday. Well done and such a great tribute.

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$2 USD or more
Limited to 300 copies. First 100 orders come with an exclusive bonus 45 related to Bennie's legacy - limit one per order. ***BONUS 45 is now SOLD OUT***
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes unlimited streaming of Watch Out They're Tough via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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	1.	My Love Has Gone 02:07		buy track
	2.	Lonely Boy 02:57		buy track

about

The Justifiers originated in 1962 from the east side of San Antonio, Texas, while students enrolled at St. Phillips Community College. The group was helmed by Bennie Cherry, a trained pianist and tenor singer, along with Archie Satterfield on tenor, Melvin Porter on tenor, and Roger Blackwell on baritone. As Bennie recalls, "I was in one of the student union rooms at St. Phillips and I would sit and play the piano when Roger Blackwell approached me and said, 'I can sing too.'" Inspired by local musicians Spot Barnett (a saxophone jazz giant) and Eastwood Country Club guitarist Curly Mays, the group started crafting original tunes and perfecting their harmonies to perform around town.

In 1964, the group decided to enter a local talent show held by the Carver Community Cultural Center in the East side of San Antonio - the group performed "No Time For You," an original penned by Cherry. In attendance were two record producers - Abe Epstein (a well-known real-estate agent turned label mogul) and Donn Fischer, a vagabond who operated Kim Records. Fischer approached the group with the promise of recording various singles and take the group on a national tour. In 1968, The Justifiers recorded two tracks, "My Love Has Gone" with Bennie on piano & lead and "Lonely Boy" with Archie on lead vocals.

Although promised a European tour by Fischer, the group never received the opportunity as Fischer never showed up to take them to the airport. Bennie also collaborated with Theadius McCall - a folk painter and owner of the youth club "Soulsville USA." Theadius assembled and mentored the "The Primes," another east side collective, and commissioned Cherry to write "Who Do I Turn To" for the group's first single on Lota Soul. Bennie and the Justifiers eventually morphed into "Touch of Silk" in 1980. The Justifiers performed all around San Antonio and were later offered a permanent position with The Flamingos, but only on the condition they moved to Florida. Bennie Cherry and Archie Satterfield accepted the offer and performed with The Flamingos across the country until work slowed down for them in the 90s.

Bennie and Archie continued to perform and write together until Archie's passing in 2008. Today, Cherry continues to write and perform songs with Touch of Silk in Las Vegas. Despite never breaking out of the San Antonio market, Bennie & the Justifiers left a lasting impact on San Antonio's east side music soul scene.

credits

released October 6, 2023

Bennie Cherry - Tenor
Archie Satterfield - Tenor
Melvin Porter - Tenor
Roger Blackwell - Baritone

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about

The Justifiers San Antonio, Texas

A San Antonio-based ensemble from the 1960s, The Justifiers combined soulful harmonies and evocative originals to shape the musical landscape of the city's east side.

Every release undergoes a meticulous coordination process, ensuring collaboration and consensus with all involved parties related to the recording. ... more