Music
Press
April 05, 2008
BILLY HARNER WILL SHOWCASE HIS NEW BAND “THE PERKULATORS” AT THE AUCTION HOUSE IN AUDUBON, NJ.
Media Release
AUDUBON, NJ – April 12, 2008 - Billy Harner will be appearing live for the first time with is newly formed band "The Perkulators" at The Auction House music venue on Saturday, April. 12, starting at 8pm.
Photo: Billy Harner with Charlie Gracie
This concert will kick off Billy Harner's 2008 "Then, Now and Forever" east coast tour.
Billy has assembled some of the best musicians in the region to support the tour. Beside "The Perk" belting out lead vocals are Robert Eric - Keyboard and back-up vocal, Chris Stevenson – Lead Guitar and back-up vocal, Ben Poore - Bass Guitar and back-up vocal, Tom Callan – Drums and back-up vocal. Warming up the crowd before "The Perkulators" performance will be local favorites Ashley Jones & Ray Brown.
The Auction House music venue has a brand new state of the art sound system and is located at 100 West Merchant St, Audubon, NJ. The show is being hosted by Russ Edwards. Tickets are $15.00 and can be reserved through the venue web site (http://www.auctionhouseevents.com) and purchased at the door.
Billy Harner's amazing musical career spans 4 decades. Early on he was nicknamed "The Human Perkulator" by the famous Philadelphia DJ "Hy Lit" because of his strong voice and energy-packed stage performances.
The Perk, as all his friends call him, has recorded on several record labels including Kama Sutra of the MGM & Paramount Records empire as well as the famous Cameo Parkway Record Company. Billy Harner was the first white artist signed by Atlantic Records and connected with a hit song: "Message To My Babe". Some of Billy's other hits include: "Sally Sayin' Somethin", "She's Almost You" (written by Joe South), "I Struck It Rich", (written by the award winning songwriting team of Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff), "Homicide Dresser", "Human", "What About The Children" and more.
The Perk still lights up a stage as bright as lightning. Like a combination of the late great James Brown and Mick Jagger, his live performances are nothing short of electrifying and Red Hot. And he's better now than he has ever been. Billy hopes that all of his fans worldwide will enjoy his brand new CD titled "Billy Harner, The Human Perkulator, Then, Now and Forever!" The 14 song CD produced by Millville, NJ songwriters Nelson Trout and Curt Schad on the Shoutback Records label includes brand new versions of his hits as well as a couple of outstanding new songs that Billy wanted to surprise you all with.
Billy's new CD can be purchased at The Auction House merchant booth and can be autographed by the band after the show. It can also be digitally downloaded at the following web sites
www.BillyHarner.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/billyharner
http://www.myspace.com/thehumanperkulator
VENUE ADDRESS:
The Auction House 100 West Merchant St., Audubon, NJ 08106
856-546-7755
http://www.auctionhouseevents.com
http://gloucestercitynews.typepad.com/clearysnotebook/2008/04/billy-harner-wi.html - Gloucester City News - Bill Cleary
Reviews: Billy Harner ~ The Human Perkulator
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 @ 16:11:07 EDT
Artist: Billy Harner
CD: The Human Perkulator
Home: Camden, New Jersey
Style: Blue-eyed Soul
Quote: "I’m listening to it right now, feeling that kind of epiphany I only experience every few decades when I hear that real American music which first woke me up to the possibility of life having meaning."
By Barney Quick
Just about the time I think my knowledge of classic soul music is comprehensive and that I’ve exhausted the mine of old-old-school R&B of its treasures, I find out about the existence of someone like Billy Harner.
I almost didn’t make the discovery. I glanced over his CD cover and checked out his website and then moved on to other items my editor had sent me. His promotional effort is so over-the-top, his copy and graphics so overripe with hyperbole, capital letters and exclamation marks that my reaction was, "This is either unintentionally cheesy or some kind of multilayered camp. Maybe I‘ll come back to it when I‘m better suited to figuring it out."
Fortunately, destiny intervened and I put this exquisite gem on my stereo this afternoon. I’m listening to it right now, feeling that kind of epiphany I only experience every few decades when I hear that real American music which first woke me up to the possibility of life having meaning. It feels so right and familiar; it courses through my veins like the soul classics of Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett and O.V. Wright that long ago became embedded in the core of my being.
What other current album in the universe has as its first track the 1967 Darrell Banks masterpiece "Open The Door To Your Heart?" That’s followed by Harner’s own crowning achievement from that year, "Sally Sayin’ Somethin’." (It charted in particular urban markets around the country that summer. I did a little research on the Web and found some sources of information on his career and discography that weren’t quite so breathless.) Several other remakes of the locally popular records he made for various labels appear on the album, along with some new material written by his current band members.
Harner concurrently falls into two categories that date from that era: blue-eyed soul and Northern soul. Blue-eyed soul refers to Caucasian shouters who had the authentic gospel fervor of soul’s pioneers, such as Mitch Ryder and Wayne Cochran. Northern soul is usually a term applied to Black singers, such as Darrell Banks, Tyrone Davis and the stable of Philadelphia artists of the late 60s and early 70s.
That’s what puts Harner in this category. He’s a Philly native, having started his career with "Anymore" on the city’s Lawn label in 1964. The Philly-soul songwriting team Gamble and Huff wrote another of his local hits, "I Struck It Rich" (a dazzling remake of which is included on this album).
If the big break doesn’t come, the music business can be a hard slog. (Ask many another barely-charting soul master, such as Banks, who died in obscurity in 1970.) Harner took a hiatus of many years to run a Camden, New Jersey barbershop. However, another thing that’s true about the music business, and soul music in particular, is that it gets in your blood and you must heed the call to be an agent for its magic. So Harner picked the mantle back up and now he’s filling rooms again and making stunning recordings.
The Human Perkulator contains the aforementioned vintage offerings, but also has some fine recent compositions by Harner’s associates. His enthusiastic friend Nelson Trout has penned "Change of Faith," the inspirational impetus of which is delivered with lyrical effectiveness and which boasts castanets and the big beat which made mid-sixties music so pivotal.
My only regret in having come across the magnificent Billy Harner is that I didn’t understand that when my last box of CDs arrived from my editor arrived, I should have torn into it immediately and put this record on my player. Now I have one further thing to do. I must hunt down the original versions of "Sally Sayin’ Somethin’," "Homicide Dresser," "I Struck It Rich" and "She’s Almost You," whether it’s on vinyl, cassette, CD or MP3.
I understand this world so much better than I did two hours ago.
- Indie-Music.com Barney Quick
Once again, little old me, The Geator, Jerry Blavat, has been asked to comment on one of my favorite performers, namely the cat, Bill-a-fonic-Bill. Known to the record listener as Billy Harner. There are many things I can say concerning his talent, but I wouldn't have the space to sum it all up.
Let me just say this, in a business like ours, where performers come and go, Billy Harner has staying power, and if I may use the much used cliche, he has soul, the soul to last. When I say soul, I mean the ability to be ones self, no matter what one is doing: singing, dancing, talking or just breathing. To do that today is a toughie, but big Bill does it. The Geator, Jerry Blavat.
- Jerry Blavat
October 31, 2007
South Jersey entertainer Billy "The Human Perkulator" Harner -- whose songs "Sally Sayin' Something," "Homicide Dresser" and "She's Almost You" were hits in the 1960s -- will be interviewed by Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays With Morrie," on Albom's radio show between 5 and 7 p.m. today.
The show will air on WJR (AM 760), based in Detroit. You can listen to the show by visiting www.wjr.com.
During the interview, Harner will discuss his new CD, "Billy Harner: Then, Now and Forever," which will be released on Collingswood-based Shoutback Records on Nov. 21. The album will include new versions of his previous hits, as well as new songs including "Break It To My Heart" and "Change of Faith."
For more information about the CD, visit www.billyharner.com.
http://www.courierpostonline.com - Bill Cleary
Thursday, December 13, 2007
By FRANK HALPERIN
Courier-Post Staff
Those bracing bass chords hit you first, followed by the piano notes, percolating to a full boil. Then it boils over, with that howling voice, that wail of emotive, blood-sweat-and-tears pleading "SALLY GIRL, CAN'T YOU SEE, WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO ME IS WRONG . . ."
That's right -- that's "Sally Sayin' Something." That's BILLY HARNER, better known as "The Human Perkulator," or simply "Perk."
Harner, who grew up in Pine Hill, is the Rocky Balboa of South Jersey -- he's gone the distance in the fickle world of pop music, with a recording and performing career that now spans over 40 years.
In 1967, "Sally Sayin' Something" was all over South Jersey, all over Philadelphia.
It blasted out of top-pop Philly radio stations like WFIL and WIBG, as well as stations across the country.
Four decades later, "Sally" still hasn't shut up.
Local stations, including WVLT-FM (Cruisin' 92.1) in Vineland and WOGL-FM (98.1) in Philadelphia play it steadily, along with Harner's other songs.
In fact, when WOGL polled listeners for a past "Top 500 Songs of All Time" list, "Sally Sayin' Something" ranked at 20 -- outranking Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," and Otis Redding's "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay" and Martha and the Vandellas' "Heatwave"
Now that's saying something.
Here's something else: "Sally Sayin' Something" wasn't the last word on Billy Harner.
He continues to have something to say.
For the record, Harner's testimony is on his new CD, "The Human Perkulator: Then -- Now -- Forever."
It's filled to the brim with new, robust songs ("Break It To My Heart," "Change of Faith," "Untie Me") that serve as perfect containers for Harner's one-of-a-kind brand of emotive singing.
It also includes brand-new versions of Harner's past hits, including "She's Almost You," "Homicide Dresser" and "What About The Children" -- not to mention "Sally Sayin' Something".
"I couldn't be happier with the results," Harner said.
"I feel fortunate that I was able to hook up with Curt Schad, Nelson Trout and Robert Federici, who made this CD happen," he said.
"They understood what I'm about as an artist, and they have a deep respect for my prior work," Harner said. "With this new CD, they've created the opportunity for me to explore new musical territories, and perform songs that I believe in."
Schad, with his longtime songwriting partner Trout, are co-presidents of Shoutback Records, which released "The Human Perkulator: Then -- Now -- Forever".
They co-wrote "Break It To My Heart," one of the new ballads on the CD, and Schad co-produced all the songs on the CD with local music producer Federici at Polygon Studios in Cherry Hill.
"With this CD, we've been able to showcase the range of Harner's remarkable talent," said Schad, who lives in Collingswood.
"We've preserved the powerful feeling of his past hits, and "The Perk' has rejuvenated them with his new renditions."
Trout, who also wrote "Change of Faith," another powerful ballad on the CD, said that the CD is a sampling of Harner's musical gifts.
"The new songs, like "Break It To My Heart,' "Change of Faith,' "Untie Me' and the others, give listeners a chance to experience his incomparable emotional power," said Trout, who lives in Millville.
"Meanwhile, you also have the new versions of "The Perk's' prior songs, and get to experience them in a fresh, new way," he said.
That incessant organ chord sounds like a Mack truck with squealing brakes. It's off in the distance, then gets louder, louder . . . then -- SMASH! -- a full-organ crash, followed by the victim's coarse voice: "SHE'LL BURN THE SOLE RIGHT OFF OF YOUR FEET, YEAH, AND LEAVE YOUR HEART LYING IN THE STREET, YEAH . . ."
That's "Homicide Dresser," and that's what's now blaring out of the VFW Hall on Wilmer Street in Glassboro.
It's 7 p.m., the night before Thanksgiving, and the "Perky Trot" -- the official CD-release party of Harner's "The Human Perkulator: Then -- Now -- Forever" is just getting started.
Harner's outside, talking with Billy Carlucci, of Billy and the Essentials fame -- two local legends who'll both be entertaining the hundreds of guests here tonight.
A tall, striking brunette soon approaches the two Billys.
A groupie? No, it's Patti. Patti Lattanzi, host of "The Patti Lattanzi & The Gang" radio show on WVLT-FM, which features co-host Carlucci and which has featured Harner as a frequent musical guest.
"Every time Billy Harner is on the show, his energy and passion is overwhelming," said Lattanzi, who also will be performing at the party tonight.
"He never holds back during a performance. He puts everything he has into each song, and you're always amazed by his sheer emotional force," she said. "It's staggering."
Meanwhile, Perk-olytes continue steaming toward the hall -- "Hey, Perk!," "Perk, the new songs are great!," "Love you, Perk!"
Jim Welsh, of - FRANK HALPERIN - Courier Post
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
South Jersey entertainer Billy "The Human Perkulator" Harner -- whose songs "Sally Sayin' Something," "Homicide Dresser" and "She's Almost You" were hits in the 1960s -- will be interviewed by Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays With Morrie," on Albom's radio show between 5 and 7 p.m. today.
The show will air on WJR (AM 760), based in Detroit. You can listen to the show by visiting www.wjr.com.
During the interview, Harner will discuss his new CD, "Billy Harner: Then, Now and Forever," which will be released on Collingswood-based Shoutback Records on Nov. 21. The album will include new versions of his previous hits, as well as new songs including "Break It To My Heart" and "Change of Faith."
For more information about the CD, visit www.billyharner.com.
- Courier Post Online
(November 1, 2007) – Mitch Albom of WJR.com talks with Billy Harner, 60's music legend, on his new album.
Please copy and paste this link to listen to the radio interview.
http://www.wjr.com/article.asp?id=505779&spid=6526
- WJR.com
Saturday, 12 January 2008 7:47AM
S. Jersey Barber, Billy Harner, Releases New CD
by KYW’s David Madden
Forty years after he made the pop music charts, a South Jersey barber is still cooking or in his case “percolating”.
“The Human Perkilator”’s (sic) 15 minutes of fame lasted about a year with follow up hits “Homicide Dresser” and “She’s Almost You”; all the while continuing to cut hair at his shop in Westmont, Camden County. And he’s still doing that and entertaining with the occasional personal appearance and a newly recorded CD,”Then, Now and Forever” where he re-tracks his hits.
And he tries his hand at other classics from the likes of Ray Charles and a couple new ones. For Harner, music’s become a family affair:
“My son, Billy Harner, he’s a singer also. He’s even been doing things with me. And my daughter, Debbie Fisher, she’s a manager.”
Not bad for a guy who says he’s “as young as my tongue and a little older than my teeth.”
For more information, go to www.billyharner.com.
- KYW Newsradio David Madden
"The Philly radio stations must be trying to catch up to our local guys over at WVLT-FM and WSNJ-AM.
"This Saturday, KYW-1060 AM radio's Dave Madden will interview Billy Harner, The Human Perkulator, live, throughout the day.
"Billy's new CD, .Then, Now and Forever,' just released on the local record label Shoutback Records will be featured as well as a few stories and songs having to do with Billy's illustrious and very interesting career, which is still in full swing and better now than ever before.
"Thanks so much to WVLT & WSNJ for their support and love of Billy.s music. You guys were the first, especially on Billy's new CD.
"All the hits are on there, as well as a couple of unique surprises.
"Billy would like to especially thank the listeners of WSNJ & WVLT for their help in promoting this CD, right from the get-go.
"You were there. And he/we won't forget it!
"Visit: www.billyharner.com.''
-- Shoutback Records staff & fans
- Nelson Trout
March 07, 2008
BILLY HARNER “THE GODFATHER OF BLUE EYED SOUL”
Will Make a Personal Appearance at the New Revelations Music & Novelty Shop
MILLVILLE, NJ – March 21, 2008 - Billy Harner will be at New REVELATIONS Music & Novelty Shop to meet, greet, sing a few songs and sign autographs for his fans. This is a Millville Arts District 3rd Friday special event sponsored by New REVELATIONS Music & Novelty Shop on Friday, Mar. 21, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
Billy Harner's amazing musical career spans four decades. Early on he was nicknamed "The Human Perkulator" by the famous Philadelphia DJ "Hy Lit" because of his strong voice and energy-packed stage performances.
The Perk, as all his friends call him, has recorded on several record labels including Kama Sutra of the MGM & Paramount Records empire as well as the famous Cameo Parkway Record Company. Billy Harner was the first white artist signed by Atlantic Records and connected with a hit song: "Message To My Babe".
Some of Billy's other hits include: "Sally Sayin' Somethin", "She's Almost You" (written by Joe South), "I Struck It Rich", (written by the award winning songwriting team of Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff), "Homicide Dresser", "Human", "What About The Children" and more.
The Perk still lights up a stage as bright as lightning. Like a combination of the late great James Brown and Mick Jagger, his live performances are nothing short of electrifying and Red Hot. And he's better now than he has ever been. Billy hopes that all of his fans worldwide will enjoy his brand new CD titled "Billy Harner, The Human Perkulator, Then, Now and Forever!"
The 14 song CD produced by Millville, NJ songwriters Nelson Trout and Curt Schad on the Shoutback Records label includes brand new versions of his hits as well as a couple of outstanding new songs that Billy wanted to surprise you all with.
Billy's new CD can be purchased at the record shop and will be autographed the day of the event. It can also be digitally downloaded at the following web sites,
www.BillyHarner.com
- Bill Cleary - Gloucester City News
Discography
2007 Billy Harner - "The Human Perkulator"
Then - Now - Forever (Full Length CD)
Shoutback Records
2007 Break It To My Heart - - Shoutback Records
2007 Change Of Faith - - Shoutback Records
2007 Unchain My Heart - - Shoutback Records
2007 Open The Door To Your Heart - - Shoutback Records
2007 Untie Me - - Shoutback Records
1976 Alabama Girl - - Neroc
1975 Bending Over Backwards For You - - Neroc
1975 Same Old Song - - Neroc
1974 Two Lonely People - - MIDLAND INT'L
1973 Half A Man - - Omega/Bell
1973 What About The Children - - Omega/Bell
1973 I DON'T MIND DOIN' IT - - ROCK HOUND
1971 Rags To Riches - - Paramount
1970 I Don't Wanna Cry - - Match
1969 These Are Not My People - - 66+6
1969 Something You Got - - 66+6
1969 Human - - Open/OR
1969 Check You Out - - Open/OR
1969 She's Almost You - single - - Open/OR
1969 Fool Me - - Open/OR
1969 I Struck It Rich - - Open/OR
1969 Set Me Free - - Open/OR
1969 She's Almost You - LP - - Open/OR
1969 Later Baby - - Open/OR
1969 I'm So Hurt - - Open/OR
1969 Watch Your Step - - Open/OR
1969 I Got It From Heaven - - Sound Gems
1968 Homicide Dresser - - Kama Sutra
1968 Lavender Room - - Kama Sutra
1968 What About the Music - - Kama Sutra
1968 Please Spare Me This Time - - Kama Sutra
1968 You Gave Me Somebody To Love - - Kama Sutra
1968 Honky Dory - - Kent
1968 Irresistible You - - Kent & OR
1967 Sally's Sayin' Somethin' - - Kama Sutra
1967 Don't Want My Lovin' - - Kama Sutra
1966 A Message to My Baby - - Atlantic
1966 Everything's Hunky Dory - - V-Tone
1966 All In My Mind - - V-Tone
1965 Let's Get in Line - - Cameo/Parkway
1965 All Through the Night - - Cameo/Parkway
1965 All Through The Night - - Parkway
1964 Anymore - - Lawn/Swan
1964 Watcha gonna do - - Lawn/Swan
1964 Coney Island Wild Child - - Lawn/Swan
1964 Feel Good - - Lawn/Swan
Photos
Bio
Billy Harner "The Godfather Of Blue Eyed Soul"
Something very special happened one day at West Jersey Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, Billy Harner was born. This future legend was brought home from the maternity ward to grow up in Pine Hill, New Jersey, a quaint little town nestled in the suburbs of Philadelphia. This small wonder was later to be nick named by the great DJ, Hy Lit, as The Human Perkulator because of his strong voice and energy-packed stage performances, Billy Harner, the Godfather of Blue-Eyed Soul was now alive and kicking. Billy has said many times, I think I started singing on the way out of my mothers womb, but it was his beloved Grandmother who landed little Billy his first pro gig by the age of six at the Avalon Yacht club on the Jersey shore. As would prove to be a regular reaction to Billys shows, the mixed crowd which included the rich and not so rich were blown away and couldnt get enough of the young Billy Harner.
The singing appearances went on very successfully for about three years until Billy, at the age of nine, saw Gene Crupa live and decided he wanted to be a drummer. And that is what he did. He played drums for various rock bands and also had a stint with the (quite famous at the time), South Jersey String Band. It was at a Battle of the Bands competition when Billy, playing drums for his band, met a kid named Mickey who sang and played guitar for another band in the competition. After the contest Billy tracked down Mickey and said he wanted to be a singer again and they should form a duet. They did, and four months later they were picked up as, Billy and Mickey" by Red Top Records, an enthusiastic label with a reputation for hard work, talent and success. It seemed like Billy and Mickey were on their way! However, after having an exciting ride with Red Top and Mickey, Billy who was still a teenager, set out on his own. He was soon signed to Lawn Records, which is a subsidiary of Swan Records. Swan had a great crop of artists during that time period, including a new band from England The Beatles. But the brazen and confident Billy Harner moved on to be contracted by several more record companies throughout his brilliant and hit strewn career.
These labels included Kama Sutra of the MGM & Paramount Records empire as well the famous Cameo Parkway Record Company. Billy Harner was the first white artist signed by Atlantic Records and connected with a hit song: Message To My Babe . Some of Billys other hits include: Sally Sayin Somethin, Shes Almost You (written by Joe South), I Struck It Rich , (written by the award winning songwriting team of Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff), Homicide Dresser , Human , What About The Children and more. One could write a book, an inspiring, extravagant book about the life and times of Billy The Human Perkulator Harner. For instance, he was the last headliner to perform at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, where Billy and his band barely escaped as the famous landmark crumbled into the sea. The Perk, as his friends affectionately call him, was one of only a few white entertainers to take part in the Martin Luther King Freedom March. He judged a Miss Nude America contest, and being the only clothed person in the hall, felt compelled to at least moon the audience while reading out the winners name. So, he did. And even though he had graciously turned down offers to sign with RCA and incredibly, Motown Records, Billy still managed to tour constantly and cut hit songs. At one point performing live at the Rainbow Room in Wildwood, New Jersey for 93 grueling nights in a row, taking the 94th day off to record yet another record in New York City. Then back on the road.
He refused an invitation to be a guest on the Dating Game TV show because he was married and I could go on and on. There are so many more interesting things to say about The Godfather of Blue-Eyed Soul, who still lights up a stage as bright as lightning. Like a combination of the late great James Brown and Mick Jagger, his live performances are nothing short of electrifying. Red Hot. And hes better now than he has ever been. Billy hopes that all of his fans worldwide will enjoy his brand new CD titled Billy Harner, The Human Perkulator, Then, Now and Forever! The 14 song CD includes brand new versions of his hits as well as a couple of outstanding new songs that Billy wanted to surprise you all with. You see, when Billys family, friends and fans are happy. Billy is happy. Maybe thats why he is always smiling. Enjoy!
Links
