Action Unlimited: The Band of Gold - Hardcover

Dewey Pope

9781942613732: Action Unlimited: The Band of Gold

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1942613733 ISBN 13: 9781942613732

Publisher: Acclaim Press, 2017

In the Sixties, when Rock 'n' Roll exploded, there were literally thousands of bands. They dreamed of making it big, but most never got past playing in their garage. Some were good enough to play an occasional gig for pay at a wedding, a VFW hall or even a small local club. Even fewer played for pay regularly, with the prospect that music might become a career rather than a hobby. And then, there were those who were talented enough-and fortunate enough to be heard by the right people-who got the opportunity to take their shot at the big time.

One of those talented and fortunate bands called themselves Action Unlimited. Having made a name for themselves in Richmond, Kentucky, the sextet caught the eyes and ears of associates of Dick Clark's organization, got a spot on the bill of one of Clark's Caravan of Stars shows, and linked up with a manager who had the connections to book them into the best night clubs on the West Coast and Las Vegas.

The drummer of Action Unlimited, Dewey Pope, tells the story of the band's ascent to the upper echelon of rock bands in Action Unlimited: The Band of Gold. Pope shares with readers the band's evolution, their adventures (and misadventures) on the road, their coming-of-age experiences, their brushes with celebrities, and stories about sharing the stage and meeting some of the biggest names in music in the Sixties. Ride along with Action Unlimited in their tour vehicle--a gold-painted funeral hearse--and wax nostalgic as you share in their musical journey that took them to the threshold of stardom--so close that they could taste it--only to be denied entry. Join Dewey and band mates Jon, Kent, Dave, Chuk and Sam and enjoy the story of a Kentucky band that almost made it big.

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From the Inside Flap:

Dewey Pope is the kind of guy you want in your band. He is a classy drummer, classy gentleman and now, a classy writer. With AU: A Band of Gold, he has captured the very essence of “a band on the run”. Different names, or different cities, could be substituted and this would still be the story of so many musicians, their bands and their dreams. The long road trips, broken down vehicles and varieties of sleeping arrangements are described accurately, if not painfully, for those who have experienced them. The thrill of meeting, playing with and getting to know your musical heroes is expressed humbly and graciously. Although he never uses the “L” word, it is the expression of love that develops among bandmates . . . in the lucky bands . . . that is eloquently made clear by this prolific writer.Dewey, if we didn’t both play drums, I would like to be in a band with you. --Jerry Morris (former drummer for Action Unlimited) I’ve known Dewey for years and have heard him talk about this band often having no idea how close these guys came to making it. If it wasn’t for a few unfortunate events, I’m pretty sure they would have been a household name. Being a native of Kentucky as well, it was a very interesting to hear where the band’s journey started. I read the whole book in one setting, very interesting read. -- Kent Slucher (drummer for Luke Bryan) While visiting Dewey’s Winchester home the veteran gave me the grand basement tour. To my surprise he had a music studio! Taken completely aback, I inquired and found that Pope’s instrumental talent extended back decades. When I occasionally fished for nuggets of that artistic past, little by little he opened the curtains to an intriguing history. The story is now completely revealed in his first book, AU: Bank of Gold. Hang on to your seats as you ride the peaks and valleys of the 1960s Kentucky band’s trek from the south to the dynamic, spontaneous California music scene. Filled with stories of gigs from Portland to Las Vegas to Hollywood, the band brushed shoulders with the likes of Billy Preston, the Beach Boys and Count Basie’s Orchestra. The “Band of Gold” rode a wave of success that took them all the way to Columbia Studios for a record deal.Once you start reading this book you won’t put it down! --Rick Lee, Veteran and Author of Tribute to Valor and Courage

About the Author:

Dewey was born in Winchester, KY on September 25, 1946. He attended Hickman Street Elementary for eight years (1952 1960) and graduated from George Rogers High School in 1964. His main emphasis in high school was art and music.

After graduating from high school, he spent the next several years playing in rock bands throughout central Kentucky ultimately joining and going to California with the group Action Unlimited. The group opened for many national acts on Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars prior to leaving for California where they met a Clark representative who eventually took over their management and led the group to a record contract with Cameo Parkway Records released nationally in 1966. AU played up and down the west coast club circuit and Las Vegas throughout 1966 and 67. Some of the highlights during that time was performing as a featured act on a Dick Clark Sponsored tour throughout the Midwest, backing Billy Preston in Oxnard, CA and working with Jimmy O'Neil on a specially sponsored Shindig show for the USO in San Diego, CA.

After the group broke up in 1967, Dewey returned to Kentucky and joined the Army in 1969. He spent the first year stateside and was then assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) from 1970 to 1972. Dewey worked as an Army illustrator and Entertainment Specialist during his tour at SHAPE and played in a thirteen-piece orchestra, which provided the music for several musicals presented by the Entertainment Center on the SHAPE compound.

After returning from his active duty tour in the Army in 1972, Dewey returned to college on the GI Bill and received a BA Degree in Art in 1979. He spent the next several years working as a Graphic Artist, Illustrator and Visual Arts Specialist while at the same time working as a drummer in several local groups throughout central Kentucky. Dewey rejoined the military, going into the Army Reserve in 1981 and eventually to the Kentucky Army National Guard in 1985. He received an appointment to Warrant Officer in 1984 and worked for the next twenty-four years as a Photo Journalist, Illustrator and Visual Information Manager for the Kentucky Guard.

Dewey won an Army Wide Award (Special Achievement - Print Media) from the Second United States Army for a poster he designed for the 350th Birthday of the National Guard in 1986. Dewey produced, directed and edited two, state and national, award winning documentaries for the Kentucky Guard, "The History of the Kentucky National Guard" in 2003 and "Bataan: The Harrodsburg Tankers; A Time for Courage, A Time for Heroes", in 2007. The awards included a Telly Award, several Videographer Awards, an Award of Merit from The American Association For State and Local History, Kentucky Historical Society Awards of Merit, Gold and Platinum AVA Awards and a Medal of Merit from the Order of St. Constantine.

During his time as an army photo journalist in the guard, Dewey had many stories, and photos, published in the Kentucky Guard publication, "The Bluegrass Guard" and in army publications on oversea deployments.Dewey retired in 2008 from the Kentucky Army National Guard and currently applies his time still playing the drums with the very popular group, "Prime Cut" throughout Kentucky, producing art prints and writing his first book, Actions Unlimited: The Band of Gold. Dewey celebrates his fifty-fifth year as a musician (drummer) this year and was recently presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award (ALM) and inducted in the Academy of Local Musicians Hall of Fame.

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