The Graduates

A variety band that worked the nightclub circuits during the late 60’s and early 70’s. Their sound ranged from R&B, rock n roll, pop, garage rock, funk and into psychedelic influences.

The picture, ca. 1969, from the left to right: Randy Allen, Drums, Gene Golden, Hammond B3 and Vocals, Charlie Schrader, Tenor Sax and Vocals, Jimmy Mullins, Guitar and Vocals. caption by Chip Curley.

History[edit | edit source]

They performed in a variety of venues including the Voo Doo Room and Captain Table in Nashville’s Printers Alley. They also traveled the Southeastern US working military reservations during the Vietnam War during the late 1960s and early ‘70s.

Chip Curley on his NashLinks website remarked that "they released the single “7th Generation Breakthrough” which would turn out to be their only release. It was produced by Jerry Tuttle and released by Monument Records." Discogs records two Lps released in 1969 and 1970 and a single 7" with the Rising Sons label, not Monument, and production credits given to Jerry Tuttle. Their records remain popular in England where they are regularly traded.

Prior to the Graduates, Gene Golden played in a rock n roll combo the Squires in the early 60s. After the Graduates in 1972 he formed an R&B group The Turning Point, which would later become the backing band for Kenny Rogers.