🎵 “ARE YOU SERIOUS?” — THE MR. WONDERFUL BAND 🎵 Louisville, Kentucky
🎵 “ARE YOU SERIOUS?” — THE MR. WONDERFUL BAND 🎵 Louisville, Kentucky
“Are You Serious?” represents another piece of Louisville music history from Ronald C. Lewis, better known throughout the Louisville music community as “Mr. Wonderful,” and The Mr. Wonderful Production Band.
Ron Lewis grew up in Louisville’s West End and began his musical journey in the 1960s as a member of the Dynamic Imperials. Following his service in the United States Navy, Lewis returned home and formed The Unhooked Generation Show Band, which became part of Louisville’s powerful live soul and R&B scene.
The group shared stages with and opened for major national artists including The Gap Band, Cameo, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Rufus Thomas, Johnny Taylor, Millie Jackson, One Way and Three Dog Night. Their journey even included performing on the U.S.O. circuit in support of American troops under the direction of legendary entertainer Bob Hope.
In 1980, Ron Lewis expanded his musical vision into songwriting and publishing by establishing Mr. Wonderful’s Music. In 1984, he founded Mr. Wonderful Productions, which included the Wonderful record label and continued his commitment to producing, preserving and promoting Louisville music.
Following the passing of beloved members Chris Hale, Linda Blakely and Ervin Garr, former members of The Unhooked Generation Show Band regrouped as The Mr. Wonderful Production Band, continuing the musical legacy with performances spanning soul, R&B, funk, rock and other styles.
The Mr. Wonderful Production Band: Danny Elliot Edwin “Butch” O’Bannon Izzy Sutton Charles “Tiny” Conley Angelo P. Lovely Saul Wright Ron Lewis
Ron Lewis also continued documenting Louisville’s musical heritage through The Soulful Sounds of Derby Town, celebrating generations of musicians and performers who helped create the city’s sound.
His contributions have been preserved for future generations through the Ronald C. Lewis Collection (SC 126) at Indiana University Bloomington’s Archives of African American Music and Culture, containing recordings, photographs, concert materials, advertisements and other documentation chronicling his career as a musician, producer and record-label owner.
🎚️ Restored & Remastered by Toi A. Lewis — Faderz Up Productions 🎬 Video Production by Faderz Up Productions
It is an honor for me to help restore, preserve and introduce another piece of Louisville’s musical history to a new generation. Working with Mr. Ron Lewis and the Mr. Wonderful Band is more than another project for Faderz Up Productions—it’s an opportunity to make sure the music and the people who helped build Louisville’s sound are remembered.
Special thanks to Mr. Ron Lewis (“Mr. Wonderful”) for trusting Toi A. Lewis / Faderz Up Productions with this piece of his musical legacy.
Preserving the past. Restoring the sound. Carrying the legacy forward.
🎙️ Song: Are You Serious? 🎸 Artist: The Mr. Wonderful Band 🎼 Ron Lewis / Mr. Wonderful ✍🏽 Publishing: RonMisterWondersMusic — BMI 🎚️ Recorded at: TNT Studios — Louisville, Kentucky
This isn’t simply another recording. It represents another chapter of Louisville music history and the musicians who helped build the Soulful Sounds of Derby Town.
Louisville made. Louisville history. The Mr. Wonderful legacy continues.
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