Bernard Smith & Jokers Wild

The Jokers Wild were originally an all-white Richmond, VA band formed by some Tucker High School friends in late 1964, as an off-shoot from The Regents. Members originally included Buzz Montsinger (saxophone, and relative of Chip Wood from The Greater Experience), Randy Moss (lead guitar), Wayne Leake (bass) and Greg Duncan (trumpet). They were managed initially by John Richardson and his partner, promoters who went by the name of “The Society of Richmond Orgies”, and then later by Charlie Bradshaw. The band name was extended when their manager introduced black vocalist Bernard Smith to the band a couple of years later. Wayne Leake moved on early in the set up to play with the Soul Senders who had a regional hit with "I'm Hurt" backing Little Tommy. Paul Thomasson and Steve Bassett also appeared in the line up at one point. The final Jokers Wild profile included Herbie Atkinson who replaced Wayne, Larry Hamilton (drums), Howard Awad (trumpet) and Walter Sheely (Hammond B-3), and of course Bernard Smith. Starting as an all-white band, Jokers Wild didn't sit well in certain social circles in 1966, losing them some country-club gigs and debutante parties. But leader Howard Awad was tenacious in booking the band and their popularity grew. Early in 1968, producer Martin Gary recorded the group at Edgewood, a 4-track studio in Washington. But nobody successfully marketed the record and the standard pressing (500 copies) saw few sales. "Gotta Be a Reason" is incredibly tight, with a near rumba rhythm carrying Bernard's suave vocal. It's a soul sound that seems headed for Virginia Beach, while sounding classy enough for the Riviera. -Brent Hosier (Style Weekly)