PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC -- The Original Spontanes & James Bates @ Carolina R&B Reunion!

In Loving Memory of James Bates, Ron Ownbey, John Alexander, Monk Ghantt, Jim Monroe, Barry McCoig & Ernie Hawkins. We will miss you, brothers. Band reunion show. This song, Play That Funky Music, features The Original Spontanes lead singer James Bates (Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame). Additional vocalists included Ron Ownbey, Monk Ghantt, Marti Wetzell Sell & Mike Black; Monk Ghantt has also been inducted into the CBMA Hall of Fame. Band members for this song included: Mike Black, bass; Bruce Flynn, drums; Ernie Hawkins & Randy Whitesides, keyboards; Jim Monroe & Doug Burns, trumpets; Tyrone Jefferson, trombone; John Alexander, alto sax; Eddie Blair, tenor sax & Ed Crotts, baritone sax. Five former bands that were widely popular in the Southeast U.S. during the 1960s and '70s participated in this memorable two night show. Performing bands included The Original Spontanes, The Counts, Image, The Fabulous Flares and Gaston. A number of the reunion musicians had not performed together in over 40 years.