The Tams

The Tams, still playing to sell out crowds around the world, have recorded 10 albums and have been performing for 38 years. The Tams have also been featured in Goldmine Magazine and in the Top Of The Pops in Europe.
The Tams are:
Kenny Brown
R.L. Smith (Original Member)
Ronnie Robinson
Lester Carr
Wyman Kelly
Dennis Saunders
In front: Robert Lee Smith – original member

The Tams Story:
In 1962 producer Bill Lowery agreed to cut one demo of the Tams, “Untie Me”. To his surprise the record gained much regional success allowing him to negotiate a major recording contract with ABC Records.
In 1963 our first album with ABC records produced a string of hits…”What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am”, which reached #6 on Billboard. “Lied To Your Daddy” and “Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me” (gold in Europe in 1971) #40 USA Billboard, “Laugh It Off”, “I’ve Been Hurt”. In 1968 “Be Young, “Be Foolish, Be Happy” reached #26 in Billboard magazine and were the last hits in the USA. They in 1992 “There Ain’t Nothin’ Like Shaggin” reached #3 on the UK Top 30.
Awards

The Tams have 2 gold records!!
1988 Beach Group of the Decade
1989 Black History Award from Southern Bell
1991 A. S. E. Pioneer Award
1992 Inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame
2001 Inducted into South Carolina R&B Beach Music Hall of Fame
The Tams name
was given to us by a former member of the group, Willie James Rutherford, now deceased, who bought the first outfits for the group, red sweaters and blue tams(o’shanters) and that became our trademark. The Tams travel with a five piece band called “Old School” and and play around 100 dates a year.

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