The Carpets

Kansas City, Missouri natives the Carpets came together as a doo wop quintet in 1954. Tenor James Gadson and his baritone sibling Thomas resided directly opposite bass Lonnie Triplett, and once fifteen-year-old tenor Elmer Powell and his tenor cousin Herbert Anthony joined, the original roster stood complete, as detailed in Marv Goldberg’s December 1998 Discoveries profile. After discovering another ensemble already using the name Velvetones, the group switched to the Carpets. By the close of 1955 Lonnie Triplett and Herbert Anthony had stepped away, their places taken by bassist John King and tenor Charley Tillman. Early the next year manager Jimmy Jones, a local radio figure, arranged an audition for Federal Records A&R director Ralph Bass, who promptly signed the act. Featuring James Gadson up front, “Why Do I” reached stores in February 1956 alongside James Brown’s “Please, Please, Please,” yet Federal directed its entire promotional effort toward the latter release. “Lonely Me” appeared that spring and likewise failed to register, prompting the label to drop the Carpets. In 1957 Elmer Powell enlisted in the U.S. Marines, John King departed without notice, and James Gadson launched a solo venture before entering the U.S. Air Force. Four years afterward Gadson resumed civilian life and reassembled the Carpets with brother Thomas, saxophonist Walter Chisolm, guitarist Tom Gadson, bassist Harold Rice, and drummer Harry Wilkins. Ahead of issuing the 1962 single “Any Old Way” on Nat King Cole’s KC imprint, the ensemble adopted the name the Derbys. Following a Florida tour date, James Gadson left to spend roughly a year with the Midnighters. He returned to the R&B Top 40 in 1972 as a solo artist with “I Got to Find My Baby” while also working as a producer and session drummer.