'Just Call My Name'

Most people know me for my singing on records, commercials, movies and live performances but there's many facets to my musical life. Coming from a self-contained band you learn a lot about being a musician, producer, singer, songwriter, etc. Well back in 1984 Denzil 'Broadway' Miller and myself decided to do a collaboration. We had been friends and mutually respected each others talents but had never written a song together. We got together and came up with 2 songs. We had the music and the melody but not the lyrics.

Even though I also write lyrics I decided to let another friend of mine by the name of Ken Curry do the lyrics. Ken & I had written another song together called 'On and On' which he did the lyrics on and I did the music. I recorded 'On & On' as a duet with Sherri Payne.

Well 'Just Call My Name' was the song that Denzil, Ken and I came up with. Denzil and I recorded the demo on one of those 4-track Teac Cassette players. Some of you may remember them, others are like 'are you kidding me?'

Russell Simmons had just started Def Jam records and Denzil and Russell were good friends. Denzil presented this song to Russell for a new artist by the name of Alyson Williams. I was flown to New York to do the backgrounds, so the 4-part harmony that you hear on this song is me singing all of the parts. Again, with the type of harmonies that SWITCH does on their records and live shows, the harmonies on 'Just Call My Name' has become normal for me thanks to being part of such a wonderful talented band.

We recorded this song back in 1984 and then the song just sat. Years were going by before the public would hear this song. I was working with Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire fame on the Temptations, 'Treat Her Like A Lady' album. I was singing backgrounds for the record and had submitted some songs for the album. One of the songs I submitted was 'Just Call My Name' because I didn't think this record was going to come out and I didn't want this song to get buried.  Al liked the song for the Temptations and also liked a song called 'Runnin' that Zane Giles, Tony Haynes and myself had written.

Just about this time I got a call that Alyson Williams record was coming out and the single was "Just Call My Name". I had to let Al McKay know that this song was no longer available and I didn't think that it was coming out because it had been so long. The song 'Runnin' was recorded by the Temptations and was the 1st song that opened up that album.

'Just Call My Name' came out and now it was 1989, 5 YEARS LATER from the time we recorded the song. Usually within 5 years songs change and I was a little worried that maybe this song was going to be dated. Shows you that if you have a good melody and lyric, they will always stay the test of time. 'Just Call My Name' became a top-ten hit. It climbed to #3 on the R & B charts and Alyson Williams is best known for singing this song.

You can watch the video they shot for this song above. Alyson did a great job singing this song. Denzil, Ken and I had fun writing this song and we were glad to be another part of musical history.  So when you need a friend 'Just Call My Name'

Until Next Time - Phillip