Jackson Advocate

Tim Gale Returns To Show Business
New York - Tim Gale, former head of the booking agency bearing his name that was instrumental in the rise to fame of many top artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Della Reese, has reactivated the firm and started a search for new talent to groom for the bigtime.

When he closed the Gale agency four years ago to join the executive staff of General Artists Corp., from which he recently resigned, Gale, a veteran in show business could look back upon a career that started when he first worked for the late bandleader Chick Webb as road manager. He then joined his brother, Moe, in the operation of the firm and also became associated with his late father in the operation of the world-famous Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.

At a time back in the early thirties when Negro artists found the going tough, no matter how great their ability to sing, dance or play an instrument, the Gale agency became a haven for them. Under Tim's guidance they were steered into the better type of engagements such as radio, movies, niteclubs and plush hotel work.

Never one to play up a performer's race, Gale insisted that they be sold strictly on their artistic merits. He recalls the many times he had to get on the phone and talk tough to a southern cop or official who had threatened to arrest one of his acts on trumped-up charges.

Another first set by the firm were the touring big shows that Tim created in 1948. Before then it was unheard of to send more than one or two acts out in a package. But he experimented with a revue headed by Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan and eight other performers on the bill. The packed auditoriums opened wide the eyes of promoters and today this type of show business has become common practice.

When he resigned from GAC several months ago Tim's mind was set on taking a year's vacation. But talking with several bigtime acts that started with him years ago, he was persuaded to return and play an active role in the business by those performers who told him they would renew their association with him once their present contracts expire with other agencies. Another factor in his decision was the realization that many new acts need grooming, something most agencies neglect to do today, instead preferring to make a fast buck and junk the performer when his or her hit record grows stale and they are no longer in demand.

Other top acts that the Gale Agency helped to develop into star attractions in the past include Roy Hamilton, Illinois Jacquet, Buddy Johnson, Al Hibbler, Larry Darnell, Clyde Inez Gray and the teenagers joining are: Katie B. Thomas, Fannie Thompson, Lula Washington, Mamie Wells, Mary Wilson, Diana Coleman. Gloria Baldwin, Hattie Bradfield, Mattie Pearl Friday, Armie Jones, Gloria Perkins, Belinda Robinson, Linda Joyce Thompson, Minnie Faye Dixon, Clara Thomas, Barbara Ann Jones, Delbra Jean Turner. Gloria Jean Lee, Barbara Greenfield, Carolyn Miller, Lee Ester Cameron, Gloria Jean Walton, Gerry Jones, Sandra Faye Brown, Martha Gean Brookins and Brenda Walker.