The Jamies

The Jamies were an American singing group, led by Tom and Serena Jameson.

The group's 1958 single for Epic Records, "Summertime, Summertime", hit #26 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. [http://wc06.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gnfuxqugldje~T5 Billboard Singles] , Allmusic.com]

Both "Summertime" and its flip side, "Searching for You", are often described as doo-wop, because of their time period and their a-capella harmonies (with a harpsichord backing on "Summertime"). However, both songs may also be described as pop versions of Sacred Harp styles; the group started as church singers.

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

The song's fame far eclipsed the band's; The Fortunes, The Doodletown Pipers, Hobby Horse, Jan & Dean, The Legendary Masked Surfers, Mungo Jerry, and Sha Na Na would all cover the tune, and it was used in commercials for Buick and Applebee's. [ [http://wc06.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gnfuxqugldje~T1 The Jamies Biography] at Allmusic.com] . It was also prominently featured in the 1978 motion picture " Fingers".

Members

"Note:This list has every member of the Jamies"
*Thomas "Tom" Earl Jameson
*Serena Jameson (Thomas Jameson's sister, who sang lead vocals)
*Jeannie Roy
*Arthur Blair
*Sherman Feller (Feller, who co-wrote "Summertime, Summertime" with Tom Jameson, later became more famous as the public address announcer for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.)

ingles

*"Summertime, Summertime" b/w "Searching for You" (Epic Records single 9281 mono)
*"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