Odessa, Texas/June 20, 2022-On Saturday, June 18th a special event was held at the Blackshear Auditorium located at 501 South Dixie called “Remembering the Velvets” Odessa’s own 1960’s Doo-Wop recording artists.
(Charles Norman III, Producer-The Velvets Endeavor-Event)
The group was comprised of young Blackshear High School students: Mark Prince, William Solomon, Clarence Rigsby and Robert Thursby, and were led by Blackshear High School English Teacher, Virgil Johnson.
(Charles Norman III, Producer-The Velvets Endeavor-Event)
In 1960, Roy Orbison heard The Velvets and signed them to Monument Records. The groups big hit song was titled “TONIGHT (COULD BE THE NIGHT)
A special video was shown during the event of the history of The Velvets.
(Robert Thursby, Last Remaining Member of “The Velvets”)
Odessa Mayor, Javier Joven and Odessa City Councilman, Mark Matta read a special proclamation recognizing Odessa’s own “The Velvets”
(Javier Joven, Mayor-City of Odessa, Texas)
(Chris E. Walker, President/CEO-Black Chamber of Commerce Permian Basin)
A reception was held with Blackshear High School and Blackshear Jr. High alumni along with invited guests, city and Ector County ISD representatives and community in honor of “The Velvets” followed by a special presentation of a Texas Historical Marker outside of the Blackshear Auditorium.
(Song: “Living Blackshear”)
For DRB Media Communications Digital News
