TBGB with Philadelphia gospel legend Mary Wiley James

On Thursday, July 12, TBGB’s Bob Marovich had a chance to visit with Mary Wiley James and members of her family in Decatur, Georgia.

Ms. James was a member of the Velvet-aires, a sought-after arranger for artists such as the Ward Singers and the Davis Sisters, and a backup vocalist for Cameo-Parkway teen singers such as Dee Dee Sharp (“Mashed Potato Time”) and Bobby Rydell (“Wild One”) back in the day.

She recently composed a theme song for Bob Marovich’s radio show, “Gospel Memories.”  Hmmm…could it be that “Gospel Memories” is the only radio show on WLUW to have its own original theme song?  How cool is that!

Mary Wiley James and Bob Marovich pose with the Living Legends Award James received from Rev. Joe Williams and the African American Museum in Philadelphia.