Teller Of Fortune
: The Dootones ©1999JCMarion
Ron Barrett was
an aspiring musician from L.A.'s Fremont High School and knew of the
success that many of the students of that school had met under the
tutelage of record producer and entrepreneur,Dootsie Williams. Soon
with his friend H.B. Barnum, they joined Charles Garner and Marvin
Wilkins and formed a vocal quartet. In early May of 1955, Dootsie
announced the signing of this new group which he christened The
Dootones after his newly successful record label. In June Dootone
#366 was released - "Teller Of Fortune" and "Ay Si Si", using the
flip side perhaps in an attempt to connect with East Los Angeles
growing Latino population (as he did with The Penguins "Hey
Senorita"). The ballad side "Teller" did well in the West and the
group made many appearances throughout Southern California in support
of their record. Soon because of the breakup of The Medallions, The
Dootones took their place behind Vernon Green and became the new
version of The Medallions for the rest of the year. The group soon
called it quits and went their separate ways. Seven years later two
Dootone releases claimed to be by the group. Dootone #470 - "Strange
Love Affair" and "The Day You Said Goodbye", and #471 - "Down The
Road" and "Sailor Boy". These recordings are reputed to be a pairing
of unreleased takes by the original group in 1955 ("Strange Love
Affair" and "Down The Road") and the flip sides recorded in the early
sixties by an uncredited group using the Dootones name. In the
ensuing years H.B. Barnum made a name for himself as a producer and
arranger on the West Coast in a modern rock format. We remember the
Dootones as one more flash of light in the fifties sky, and
especially for their great version of the song "Teller Of
Fortune".