Motown became the mid-1960's largest independent record company in the world through shrewd planning and execution of a plan by it's founder, Berry Gordy Junior.   The basic formula was friendly competition and a distillation of a ton of creative product by underlings.

When my insurance agent recently renewed my auto insurance, he reminded me that he was once signed as a recording artist to Motown Records.  In the early 60's Motown would sign any and every band, singer, songwriter that they could find to an exclusive contract.  It was as if Berry Gordy didn't want any music made in  Detroit unless it was under his record and publishing company.  My agent got an "audition" at Hitsville USA (Motown's studios) and virtually anyone that auditioned got offered a contract, whether they were talented or not.  I don't know how talented my guy was but I do know he didn't perform or write any songs close to the Pop R&B style that Motown became famous for.

Motown was obligated to release one record a year on any signed recording artists.  If Motown didn't release a record the artist could request out of the contract.   There were a pack of artists that Motown would release only one record a year, to keep the contract active.  But there were hundreds of bands, singers and songwriters that never got any release and "didn't make the cut."

The bench in the lobby of Hitsville became a daily seat for may "signed" artists and songwriters.  They came down and "hung out," trying to get used for a demo, trying to get a tune heard, or even trying to say "Hi" to the main producers or Motown staff members.  "Maybe a conversation would lead to a session or a musical collaboration, maybe..." This is what the mindset was of these Motown "wannabe's."

One of the places on the Motown bench was occupied by Ron Dunbar.  He would make the cut and begin a hit association with the famous HDH writing and producing team.  But his talent, later proved by a Grammy and by gold record awards, wasn't what got him over - it was horse racing.

Wanting in, Ron made it his daily schedule to show up at Motown each day at 4:30 and hang out.  He worked early shift at Chrysler, went home to change clothes and get down to Motown.

Ron had written a tune that he wanted Marvin Gaye to do, called "Your Love Controls Me."  He had talked to Brian Holland (of Motown's famous HDH production team) and Brian had told him he was taking Marvin into session, and to make a presentation if Ron had any tunes for Marvin.  The years of hanging out on the Hitsville lobby bench seemed to be paying off.  Although Brian had said this, there didn't seem to be a circumstance where Ron could actually present the tune.

Wanting to get more on the inside with this powerful producer, Ron mentioned that going to the race track was a regular weekly trip for him.  Brian was interested and told Ron to call him (at the house!) the next Saturday morning and they would go together to the race course.

Come Saturday morning, Ron was sure Brian would call can cancel the outing - he didn't.  As Ron approached the door of Brian's house, he was sure he would be told that "something came up - get with me next week" - but this wasn't said.  Instead Ron got to hear the next Four Tops release ("I can't Help Myself") and tell Brian which mix he thought was the best - it turned out that Ron's favorite mix was the same mix that Brian had picked.

At the race course, Brian picked four winners and walked away four or five hundred dollars richer, making $50 and $100 bets.  Rom made his "usual" $2 bet each race.  The next Monday Ron hung out with Brian as he told everyone how Ron had taken him to the race track.  The next week Eddie Holland joined Ron and Brian in the lounge area, relaxing and dining during the race.  Other music people were there making it a enjoyable outing for all.  Ron had managed to get an inside track to Motown's top songwriting/producing team though horse racing.

From the day of first race, Rom would work closely with HDH, follow along with them as this famous team formed their own record company and would wind up with a Grammy and gold record awards.  For Ron's Bio, go to the article FOUR GOLD/PLATINUM AWARDS, ONE GRAMMY AND CLIMBING.

Copyright © 2002, by Robert Dennis, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Published in Recording Engineer's Quarterly and Alexander magazines with permission

USE OF THIS ARTICLE SUBJECT TO USER AGREEMENT