Mickey Gynn began his career with his hometown club, Peterborough United, where he scored 39 goals from 188 appearances in all competitions, before joining First Division club Coventry City for a fee of £60,000.He spent ten years and accumulated almost 300 appearances at the club, with whom he won the FA Cup in 1987. Mickey then moved on to Stoke City in August 1993 where he played in 29 matches in the 1993–94 season before retiring.He became a postman in the Coventry area, and works as a match statistician for the Press Association.In 2005, Gynn held his testimonial match at Coventry City’s former ground of Highfield Road, the penultimate game played there before its demolition.

Soulful Football Update: 23rd November 2021

Desire “Love toll” / “I’ve never turn my back on you” (Red Robin Records)  1977
Again the killer tune on this rare 45 is the flip side.This is my type of soul.Wonderful midtempo floater, with the female group Desire, sounding just so good.I never tire of playing this 45, it always sounds so fresh.A year I always cherish, 1977 the year I left school and started my soul collection,with records like this gem. Sadly their only release, on this Disco label.Would love to know why they never did anything else. Desert Island Disc for me !!

Essence “I’ll give you the sunshine” / “ Deep in my eyes” (Tac Town Records) 1983 A superb midtempo tune from 1983. Hard to believe it is on the A side, of this super rare solid center 45. Totally brilliant tune, with classy vocals. Flip it over and it is a very in demand 45 for the French & German collectors, who are more into the frantic soul tunes that came out in 1983. Well worth tracking down, as I was told that 500 copies were pressed at the time of the records release !!

When your father hands you a pair of drumsticks at the age of four, chances are you’ll wind up a drummer. Paul Tillman Smith’s father, George Smith (Kansas City Smitty) played drums during the big band era with many well-known bands including Count Basie, Trummer Young and the Harlem Aces. He was also a mentor to singer Pearl Bailey‘s husband drummer Louie Bellson. 

Was born 9/29/1960 and I started singing in church in the choir around the age of 10.  I also played drums, clarinet and saxophone in school.  I served 5 years in the United States Air Force.  I am the father of 2 amazing daughters.   I started singing professionally in 2011 in local venues in Nashville. 

Despite never having a major national hit record, the late great Ortheia Barnes-Kennerly is one of Detroit, MI’s most beloved singers. She started singing in church, made some solo singles, and toured with Motown artists, though she never signed with the label. Barnes has enjoyed a full career, but unlike J.J. Barnes, her older brother, it hasn’t been scrutinized much, and a chronological discography of her work does not exist.