The Shados-M were from Blackstone, Virginia. Drummer Michael Hurley gave me this information about the group:
The original band and the people on the record were Gary Taggart, guitar, me, drums, Gilliam Winn, backup vocals, Eddie Greene, bass, Wayne Goin, rhythm guitar, Neil Owens, organ.
The songs were played on the radio constantly. We were all like 15 except for the guitar player who was maybe 22 at the time. It was a time when bands had long hair and dressed in jeans with holes and that kind of stuff. We wore white tuxedos and that caught a lot of attention at the time.
The name was something we just came up with. It didn’t mean anything we just thought it looked cool. We did some radio shows and people would call in guessing what the name meant. It was funny because they thought of everything from the “M” being for Michael my name to a “W” upside down. We did a few reunions. The last one was probably 10 years ago and we raised over $10,000 in one night for a girl that had a bad accident.
Both songs, “Sweet Love” and “All the Time” both written by Gary Taggart.
Ken Friedman tells me that the Quintet label was a subsidiary of Justice Records of Winston-Salem, which meant the band traveled over 180 miles southwest to Winston-Salem instead of recording in Richmond, an hour’s drive away.
The other 45 on Quintet that I know of is D. Martindale & the Star Fires “Go Jenny”, which is more like amateurish rockabilly than garage.
The Shados-M had another 45 on the Colpar label, “She Loves Me (She Loves Me Not)” / “You Owe Me Nothing” from September 1969, almost three years after their first. Nick Colleran produced that second 45, and again Gary Taggart wrote both songs.
Thank you to Marty for loaning his rare 45, and to Michael Hurley for background on the group.
Does anyone have a photo of the band?
For more on Michael Hurley’s music, check out his site, michaelhurleyband.com
This is very cool,never heard of it before, but it should be noted that this isn’t the Michael Hurley of Holy Modal Rounders fame as I first assumed. No slight to this Michael Hurley intended but it definitely should be clarified…
Obviously I took no offense, thanks. I just found this page a few weeks ago. It’s nice to see something from when I was 15. My new stuff is on my website michaelhurleyband.com. I just released “HAZEL RIVER”. It has variety. Rock, ballads, blues and Latino.
I just love the song “All the Time”. I live rather close to Blackstone, Virginia, and I have always loved this song. Thanks for making it possible for me to listen to it “All the Time”!!!!!!!!!!
As the son of one of the members of the Shados-M, (Wayne Gowin, Rhythm Guitar)I have spent a lifetime with the members of this band on and off the stage.
I was able to be part of the second reunion of the band in the mid 90’s. One thing you immediately recognize about this band was the “sound.” They had very unique and tight harmonies which they carried with them. I remember countless rehearsals with my Father and the musicians involved in the Shados-M. The memories of the reunion are memories I will take with me forever.
They influenced me to learn my instrument (guitar) and challenged me to play as well as they could. They don’t make musicians like this anymore. Anytime there is a “jam” the music would immediately flow. They knew what they were doing, they are my friends, and they are probably the most influential musicians I ever knew in my life.
Most people would tell you they were influence by Elvis, The Beatles, or Booker T & The MGs. I was influenced by the Shados-M.
She Loves Me/You Owe Me Nothing – Did The Shados M cut this as their 2nd 45 release?
Ronnie Salyer in Richmond, Virginia
That was the second 45 yes.
I would like a copy of the 45 or CD
Can anyone help me?
I heard Mike Hurley had some.