Sundray Tucker
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Sundray Tucker (born March 23) is an American singer. She is the eldest daughter of Ira Tucker (of the Dixie Hummingbirds) and Louise Tucker. Her sister is Lynda Laurence, formerly of The Supremes and currently of the Former Ladies of The Supremes, and her brother is Ira Tucker Jr.
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[edit] Early career
Sundray also performed under the name Cindy Scott. Her most notable single was the Northern Soul classic 'I Love You Baby', backed with 'In Your Spare Time'. The track has a great stomping beat and sounds very much like a Motown produced Kim Weston styled single.
In 1967 Sundray briefly joined the Three Degrees and performed alongside Fayette Pickney and Helen Scott for touring purposes. It is believed that no recorded songs by the group with Sundray exist.
[edit] Stevie Wonder
Sundray joined her sister Lynda and third member Terri Hendricks on the road as back-up vocalists for Stevie Wonder on a tour to promote 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours' in late 1969. The group were known as The Third Generation, which in turned became Stevie's resident backing group, Wonderlove. Sundray's stay with this group was relatively short-lived as she joined Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights as lead vocalist, replacing departing member Jean Terrell. In 1976 Sundray performed background vocals for Stevie Wonder's criticially acclaimed album, "Songs In The Key of Life", providing backing vocals for several tracks as well as being a featured vocalist on the track 'Ordinary Pain'.
[edit] The Supreme Connection
Throughout her long and illustrious career, Sundray has held a connection to Supremes in one way or another. Starting off in 1962, Sundray left the group The Ordettes and group member Patti Labelle to be replaced by Cindy Birdsong. In turn Cindy would leave the group in 1967 to replace departing Supreme Florence Ballard. In 1970 Sundray was recruited to replace Jean Terrell from Ernie Terrell and The Heavyweights as lead vocalist of the group. Jean, in her turn was replacing diva Diana Ross in the Supremes. In late 1971 Supremes member Cindy Birdsong announced she would be retiring from the group to concentrate on family life and her initial thought as an ideal replacement would be Sundray! Sundray auditioned for the part but due to contractual obligations was unable to replace Cindy in the Supremes, however her sister Lynda Laurence joined Supremes Jean Terrell and Mary Wilson!
1993 Jean Terrell departed the Former Ladies of the Supremes (FLOS) and was replaced by Sundray who quickly established herself as a fan favourite. In summer 1996 Sundray left the FLOS to concentrate on other projects and was subsequently replaced by Freddi Poole.
[edit] Solo Career
As Sandra Kay Tucker - Peacock Records
- Have It Your Way / I've Got A Good Thing
- Nobody Will (unissued)
- Step By Step (unissed)
As Cindy Scott And The Cousins - Benn Lee Records
- What Are You Doing To Me (unissued)
- I Got News (unissed)
- Lazy Lover (unissued)
As Cindy Scott
- I Love You Baby / In Your Spare Time - Veep Records
- I've Been Loving You Too Long / Time Can Change A Love - Veep Records
- The Loving Country / I've Been Loving You Too Long - DWR Records
Duets with Bunny Sigler - Neptune Records
- Sure Didn't Take Long
- We're Only Human
- Conquer The World Together
As Sundray Tucker:
- Do Re Mi (unissued)
- Don't Know How (unissued)
- My Melody (unissued)
- Said What I Said (unissued)
- You Should Rock, You Should Roll (unissued)
- The Last Grand Dance
- Mr Lovin'
- In Love Maybe
- If It Was Me/ Ask Millie - TK Records
- Fancy Dancer (Unissued) - TK Records
- Try My Love / Is It Possible - Grace Note Records
[edit] Former Ladies of the Supremes
In early 1993 Sundray was approached by Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence and was asked to replace departing member Jean Terrell in the Former Ladies of the Supremes. Sundray made her stage debut with Lynda and Scherrie on a tour of Japan in March 1993 and quickly established herself as a fan favourite. The following year Sundray made her recording debut with the group when she appeared on the autumn release of the album 'Supreme Voices'. Sundray had one solo lead track, the beautiful 'I'm A Fool For Love', as well as splitting lead vocal chores with Scherrie and Lynda on a remake of the George Benson classic 'Give Me The Night'. A wonderful re-recording of the Supremes classic 1970 hit 'Up The Ladder To The Roof' is another highlight on this album, as is the studio version of the ladies show-stopper, 'How Do You Keep The Music Playing', a dramatic rendition of the classic tune.
The Following year another album, this time for British producer Steve Weaver was released. Entitled 'Supremely Yours' with liner notes by noted Motown historian Sharon Davis, this album equalled 'Supreme Voices'. Sundray had chance to shine on several shared-lead tracks with Scherrie and Lynda, notably 'Feel Like Making Love', 'Stop To Love' and another 70s Supremes glorious re-make, 'Touch'. Solo leads on the album include 'Stop! I Don't Need No Sympathy', 'Never Can Say Goodbye' and 'Just Like That'.
Whilst with the group Sundray re-recorded her own hit 'I Love You Baby' which was expected for release on the follow-up album to 'Supremely Yours'. Sadly the album project was postponed and ultimately cancelled. In its place the enormous task of re-recording the Supremes songbook was undertaken by the group. It has been reported, but not confirmed, that other tracks were recorded by Sundray whilst with the group that still await the light of day. The tracks include 'Nervous', Hey Love' and 'After All The Good Times'.
[edit] Revival
In 1999 it was announced that independent UK label Driving Wheel Records had signed Sundray Tucker. By this time Sundray had reverted to her earlier stage name of Cindy Scott. Owner/Producer Dave Powner oversaw the creation of a wonderful vibrant album, with Sundray/Cindy soaring through some wonderful songs and really letting her full range and vocal talents stretch and grow. Providing backing vocals was longtime friend and former Persianette Vera Carey. The resulting album released in 2000, 'The Loving Country' was first class and a credit to all concerned.
In summer 2000 Sundray/Cindy made her UK solo stage debut at the Patshull Golf & Country Club outside Wolverhampton in England. The album was recorded and saw limited release in 2002 under the title 'Live and Red Hot'.
In 2004 Cindy's follow-up studio album, 'Return to the Loving Country' was equally strong and contained a rich blend of sounds and styles whilst maintaining the same cohesive style as its predecessor.
