SDC OmniMedia Group Magazine

D-TOWN RECORDS IMPRINT DIVISION

P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Date:  November 20, 2006
Kenneth Howard Smith

LEE ROGERS:  BOSS LOVE: The United Kingdom Collection

A COLLECTION OF MEGA-RARE SIXTIES SOUL FROM DETROIT’S

“VINYL KNIGHTS: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOTOR CITY TRACKS”

In the 1960’s as the white hot smoking Motown Record machine smashed its way across the radio charts, many records were recorded in Detroit during this time with many of these precious gems with the same musicians, fell still born from the presses with the exception of a few artists that managed to hit the trade papers top 100 list. 

One artist failed at fitting the Motown Records mold, was the Prince of Detroit, Lee Rogers (Craton).  Kenneth Howard Smith has penned a filming manuscript about Lee Rogers entitled; “Vinyl Knights: The Other Side of The Motor City Tracks”, the stories of two different music kingdoms that came from the same seed of one Carmen C. Murphy.  However, the gateway to the hits was between a core of musicians that played on every recording in the city.  With the right amount of money, you could get that “magic sound” and Jamie Jameson was one of the main leaders for the Sound of Young America.  Digital downloads are available from cdbaby.com.

On November 8, 1980, Platinum Sound Productions announced to the world that it was re-activating D-Town Records and Billboard Magazine did let everyone know what was going on.  The only reason that Lee Rogers Craton and Kenneth Howard Smith decided to re-activate D-Town, was because, Rogers’ recordings were being ‘bootlegged’ with brand new copies of his records from a company that had closed it’s doors in 1969.  After several attorneys and state-to-state inquiries, it was decided to bring D-Town back to the national music scene.  “It Must Be Love” b/w “Rockin’ Skates” by Lee Rogers on D-Town Records; penned by Linda Lou Kestin pushed its way into the history books.

Michael Anthony Hanks’ legacy as one of Detroit’s most productive songwriters and music publishers that  charted many times; rivaled that of Motown’s Jobete Music Publishing arm.   Sometime back in 1966, the Board of Directors of D-Town Records; consisting of Roosevelt Grier, Roger Brown, Pete Hall and Martha Jean LaQueen; decided to vote Hanks out of D-Town Records and he left with the Fabulous Peps (Undisputed Truth) and his Soul Records label to Motown. 

Legally and Technically, Hanks left all of his works (the manufactured records; as property and legacy to D-Town Records).  He was still entitled to all of his royalties for mechanical manufacturing and any media transfer in the future as the publisher of the most popular songs that drove the company.  As Lee Rogers Craton was the first artist and had a hand in creating one of Detroit’s Icons; and a vice president of D-Town Records, it was obvious to us, that by reactivating the label and re-signing Rogers back to D-Town thus taking control of re-manufacturing rights.

Rogers did arrange with Ms. Stephanie Hanks-Smith, San Diego, CA.  and daughter of Mike Hanks and the executive of The Michael Anthony Hanks- MAH’s Music Publishing Trust, did insist that The Hanks Family could retain all of the rights to the D-Town Records Catalog, as long as they did not include any of Lee Rogers Craton recordings, likeness or imprints with his name; that this property belonged to his son, Anthony (Tony) Craton of Jantony Productions in Detroit.

The MAH’s Music Publishing Trust granted rights to two (2) with possibly six (6) released CD’s worldwide; including “The Magic Of Detroit” and “Dancin’ In D-Town” that contained several performances of Lee Rogers on each CD, and has breached the agreement made by the Hanks Organization in 1979, at the Motown Records Hollywood Offices. 

Because of the breach of contract, SDC OmniMedia Group, the parent company of Platinum Sound Productions, D-Town Records and Keristene Music (BMI), and the remaining partner, Kenneth Howard Smith, announces the release  “Boss Love: The United Kingdom Collection” by Lee Rogers for D-Town Records 26 years re-activation party and for Lee’s Birthday.

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