The Dynamics Unlimited released one 45 on the Rose Records label, the melancholy “The Tide Rises” (lyrics taken from the poem by Longfellow) b/w “Baby Let’s Wait” on Rose 2890. Publishing is through Margie Music, BMI. The RCA custom press # U4KM-4910/1 points to a 1967 date.

The band then backed Jerry Ashley for his single on Rose 2091, “Don’t Tell Me Why” / “Come to Me”, two originals by Ashley also published by Margie Music.

I knew nothing about the Dynamics until drummer Bruce Allen contacted me in April, 2024 generously sharing the photos seen here:

My name is Bruce Allen, and I was the drummer for the Warner Robins, GA band known as The Dynamics Unlimited. I was one of the three founding members, along with Stanley Newman and Bob Garrett. About 1965-6 we added a keyboardist, Steve Diehl, and a bass player. At first Dan Ross (dec.) played bass for us, but by the time of our recording of “The Tide Rises”, bass was being played by Ronnie Osborne.

Beginning in about 1966, Steve Diehl’s father, Mr. Carl Diehl of Warner Robins, managed the band and handled all money matters. The band members were paid proportionally after each performance.It was during 1967 and 1968 that we had the promo photos made, played as a studio band for Jerry Ashley on one record, and recorded our version of “The Tide Rises”, and “Baby, Lets Wait”. Many weekends (we were still in high school) were taken up with rehearsals and local performances. During spring and summer breaks we performed further afield at several Officer’s Clubs, Battles of the Bands, and private clubs. Mr. Diehl was a fine gentleman and took great care of the band when we traveled. No one did drugs or even drank much alcohol. It was a fabulous way to spend our later high school years.

Regarding Jerry Ashley, I only recall The Dynamics Unlimited performing as a studio band for him on two or three recordings. I don’t recall performing with him outside of the studio.

I left the band in 1968 after performing a show at Ronnie Barn’s club in Macon GA during late summer, after which I passed out and was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Because the doctor told me that I could not play for at least six months, and because we had bookings, I sold my 1966 Gold Sparkle Ludwig drums with Zildjian cymbals and all of my interest in the band and equipment to Ricky Hughes of Warner Robins, who played drums for the band until the band dissolved in about 1971-72.

I have lost touch with Ronnie and received no reply from what I believe to be his last address in Seneca, SC. All the other band members are deceased. Bob died first in (I believe) Nashville in the 1980s or 90s. Steve Diehl went to serve in Viet Nam about 1971 as a helicopter pilot, was decorated for bravery, and on return to civilian life he drove a heavy rig for (I believe) Hunt Transportation company. He died of a heart attack several years later. I do not know what happened to Steve’s marvelous Hammond B3 organ. Stanley went to work at Robins AFB and died about ten years ago, and Dan Ross was a prominent business man in Warner Robins in the auto industry, and died within the last ten or so years. So, as far as I know, I am the only member of the band that is still living.

I went off to the University of Georgia in Fall of 1968 and got a degree in Chemistry in 1972. I then went to medical school at the Medical College of Georgia, earned an M.D. honors degree in 1976, did a residency there in dermatology, and taught on the faculty until 1983. I entered private practice in Dermatology in Macon, GA in 1983, where I practiced until 1994. I left medicine in 1994 to run two LLC businesses, and in May of 2007, the Prince and the Government of Liechtenstein appointed me as the first diplomatic consul in history for the Principality of Liechtenstein. I still perform that job as a State Department accredited Honorary Consul.

I have continued to play drums and today have three sets of drums (Ludwigs, Gretsch, and Roland Pro Vs). In the 1990’s I played drums with the GEDA Allstars for three years (a band formed by the Economic Development Authority for the State of Georgia). I also had a very successful band in the early 2000’s called Cathead Dooley and we performed tours in Wales during 2003 and 2004. We recorded a CD of all original material called, Yours Truly, Cathead Dooley.

All photos courtesy of Bruce Allen.

Bob Garrett and Ricky Hughes would join Coldwater Army, who recorded a good blues-rock album Peace for Agape in 1971.

This is a 2024 update of a basic post from 2014.