The Messengers Combo

A rock combo that played nightclubs and college parties in the late 60s, mostly '66-'69.

History

After the Skipper Hunt Combo stopped touring in the early 60s, band members Skip Hunt and Gayle Whitfield joined Leon Martin & the Clefs which involved packed touring schedules and 6 nights a week club residencies as a house band. As Leon Martin tired of the demanding schedule, having been performing since the mid 50s, Skip Hunt and Gayle Whitfield formed The Messengers combo with drummer Jim Wolfe and Sam Pugh.

While they played numerous events at colleges and as the house band at various venues, The Messengers also played the Hadley Park music series organized by Don Q. Pullen. In 1969, they shared a bill with local soul legend Jimmy Church, who was fresh off the road with Jackie Wilson.

After the Messengers, Sam Pugh and Gayle Whitfield would later be involved with the group Past Present & Future, formed by local R&B legends James Nixon and Sweet Charles Sherrell and featuring Wade Conklin, Ted Hughes, and Thomas Smith. James Nixon had previously played with King James & the Sceptres, the King Kasuals, and the Imperial Seven.

James Wolfe went on to as a session drummer, playing on numerous country albums in the 70s and 80s.

Skipper Hunt was drafted into the military for the Vietnam War and upon return moved to South Carolina where he continued to make music, perform, and run clubs.

Members

Skipper Hunt - guitar

Gayle Whitfield - sax

Sam Pugh - bass

Jim Wolfe - drums

Dan Sherry - vocals (credited during the Hadley Park performance)

External references

https://www.discogs.com/artist/2333426-Jim-Wolfe-2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Charles_Sherrell

https://www.discogs.com/artist/3226460-Past-Present-Future

https://musicrow.com/2018/03/nashville-rb-mainstay-james-nixon-laid-to-rest/