Wayne Berry

Wayne Berry was in L.A. in the mid to late 60's, attempting to put together a singer/songwriter deal. A&M signed him for some demos, at least one of which was released, but evidently that deal didn't last. He hung out with a few songwriters and attempted some collaborations, the one of note being with the post-We The People (2) and pre-Cowboy (2) Tommy Talton. They shopped a few songs and had songs cut, but nothing ever came of that. Berry ran into a bunch of people in L.A. (Notably George S. Clinton) and formed Timber, who released two albums, the first, Part of What You Hear, on Kapp (co-produced by Joni Mitchell's ace producer Henry Lewy) and Bring America Home on Elektra (produced by ex-Don & the Goodtimes and Touch guru Don Galucci). Neither album went anywhere, though Berry's touch as songwriter led to the solo contract with RCA. This album, Home At Last, received praise among critics but fell flat on its face commercially. Even with airplay, no one bought it outside of Colorado (thanks to massive airplay of Snowbound on at least one Colorado radio station), which was typical of the era in the music industry. Breaking unknowns seemed a crap shoot in those days and, having worked with many of the promo and A&R people during those times, it was no wonder. He did have his option for a second album picked up and test pressings exist. One made it into the hands of a critic for either Phonograph Record or BAM and he raved but, alas, the record was not released. Berry formed another band with George S. Clinton that went by the name of Volunteers (2). The band released one eponymous album in 1976. Berry is reportedly in Nashville and is in the ministry, in some capacity.