The Jamies

The Jamies were an American singing group, led by Tom and Serena Jameson, based in New York City.

Career

The group's 1958 single for Epic Records, "Summertime, Summertime," reached #26 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[1]

Both "Summertime" and its b-side, "Searching for You," are often described as doo-wop, because of their time period and their a cappella harmonies. However, both songs may also be described as pop versions of Sacred Harp styles, as the group started as church singers.

Several singles (many written or co-written by members Jameson and Feller) followed "Summertime, Summertime"; none of these were hits. In 1962, they re-released "Summertime, Summertime" and hit again, this time peaking at #38.^[1]

The song's fame far eclipsed the band's; The Fortunes, the Doodletown Pipers, Hobby Horse, Jan and Dean, The Legendary Masked Surfers, and Sha Na Na all covered the tune, and it was used in commercials for Buick, Ken-L Ration Burger Time Dog Food and Applebee's.^[2] It was also featured in the 1978 film Fingers.

Tom Jameson died from cancer on July 19, 2009, at the age of 72.

Members

Note:This list has every member of the Jamies

• Thomas Earl "Tom" Jameson
• Serena Jameson (Thomas Jameson's sister, who sang lead vocals)
• Jeannie Roy
• Arthur Blair
• Sherman Feller (Group manager, later became more famous as the public address announcer for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.) He did not co-write "Summertime, Summertime" as is commonly thought, but took co-writing credit, half of the songwriting royalties, and the publishing rights as was common practice by managers at the time. (See external links below.) Tom Jameson was the sole writer/arranger of "Summertime, Summertime."

Singles

• "Summertime, Summertime" b/w "Searching for You" (Epic Records, 1958 single 9281 mono; 5-9281 stereo)
• "Snow Train" b/w "When the Sun Goes Down" (Epic, 1958)
• "Don't Darken My Door" b/w "Evening Star" (United Artists, 1959)
• "Summertime, Summertime" reissue (1962)

References

External links

• Tom Jameson obituary (Web Archive)
• Todd Baptista article: http://www.toddbaptista.com/the%20jamies.html