Spring Break
Musicians recognized 30 years later
Melissa Crowe
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
Roger Boykin and Wendell Sneed know good things come to those who wait.
It's been three decades since the two Dallas musicians showcased their neighborhood's talent in the South Dallas Pop Festival.
The live festival recordings were finally released, and the KERA-TV documentary "South Dallas Pop," airing at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, will tell the story of their first and only festival.
Sneed said he thought the festival had a twofold purpose.
"One, we wanted to demonstrate that we were as good a band as any other, and two, hopefully start something that had never been started before," he said.
With Sneed drumming for Soul Seven and Boykin on guitar for the Marchel Ivery Quintet, the two attempted to demonstrate the high level of South Dallas' music talent.
"We were just trying to get out there and show people that there was some talent here on this side of town," Sneed said. "I don't know if we wanted to be the next Motown; we all had dreams of making it and doing something."
Boykin said his goal was to record the festival and produce a double album or an album with highlights from the event. Unfortunately, the festival didn't gross enough money to pay to release the album.
"After the show and everything was tallied up, we ended up making about $60 and split it four ways," Boykin said.
The tapes were put on a shelf, and the festival turned out to be just one good night of entertainment.
"Most of the people who were even involved forgot about it," Boykin said. "Over 30 years, they just simply forgot."
Wendell said the tapes were always in the back of their minds. After 30 years, they finally had the opportunity to release the tapes when Boykin contacted the Los Angeles label Now Again in 2002.
"It was quite a thrill, and I don't know if you call it a vindication or a redemption, but it certainly made me feel like good things come to those who wait," Boykin said.
The two men wonder how things would be different if they had the support of the radio stations back then. Boykin said he often questioned if he was "on to something." The release of the tapes and KERA's documentary provide closure to his questioning.
"It is nice to have someone appreciate what you thought was good then, and over the years thought maybe it wasn't," Boykin said. "Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. We can be too close to something; we can trip on the curb looking up at the sky."
Since the festival, both artists continued their musical endeavors. Sneed produced the Dallas Museum of Art's "Jazz in the Atrium" Thursday night jazz series.
Boykin directs a rhythm and blues band at Booker T. Washington High School and hosts "Just Jazz" on KKDA-AM, 730.
"Someone once told me you do your best work for the generation that follows," Boykin said. "You can't appreciate the present without appreciating the past."
It's been three decades since the two Dallas musicians showcased their neighborhood's talent in the South Dallas Pop Festival.
The live festival recordings were finally released, and the KERA-TV documentary "South Dallas Pop," airing at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, will tell the story of their first and only festival.
Sneed said he thought the festival had a twofold purpose.
"One, we wanted to demonstrate that we were as good a band as any other, and two, hopefully start something that had never been started before," he said.
With Sneed drumming for Soul Seven and Boykin on guitar for the Marchel Ivery Quintet, the two attempted to demonstrate the high level of South Dallas' music talent.
"We were just trying to get out there and show people that there was some talent here on this side of town," Sneed said. "I don't know if we wanted to be the next Motown; we all had dreams of making it and doing something."
Boykin said his goal was to record the festival and produce a double album or an album with highlights from the event. Unfortunately, the festival didn't gross enough money to pay to release the album.
"After the show and everything was tallied up, we ended up making about $60 and split it four ways," Boykin said.
The tapes were put on a shelf, and the festival turned out to be just one good night of entertainment.
"Most of the people who were even involved forgot about it," Boykin said. "Over 30 years, they just simply forgot."
Wendell said the tapes were always in the back of their minds. After 30 years, they finally had the opportunity to release the tapes when Boykin contacted the Los Angeles label Now Again in 2002.
"It was quite a thrill, and I don't know if you call it a vindication or a redemption, but it certainly made me feel like good things come to those who wait," Boykin said.
The two men wonder how things would be different if they had the support of the radio stations back then. Boykin said he often questioned if he was "on to something." The release of the tapes and KERA's documentary provide closure to his questioning.
"It is nice to have someone appreciate what you thought was good then, and over the years thought maybe it wasn't," Boykin said. "Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. We can be too close to something; we can trip on the curb looking up at the sky."
Since the festival, both artists continued their musical endeavors. Sneed produced the Dallas Museum of Art's "Jazz in the Atrium" Thursday night jazz series.
Boykin directs a rhythm and blues band at Booker T. Washington High School and hosts "Just Jazz" on KKDA-AM, 730.
"Someone once told me you do your best work for the generation that follows," Boykin said. "You can't appreciate the present without appreciating the past."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Anne Bothwell
posted 11/05/08 @ 1:04 PM CST
Hey, thanks for the great story about Roger Boykin and Wendell Sneed! If you'd like to see more about the program, check out the South Dallas Pop tile on artandseek. (Continued…)
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