59-543: Ashford & Simpson were an American husband-and-wife songwriting, production and recording duo composed of Nickolas Ashford (May 4, 1942 – August 22, 2011) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946). Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina , and Simpson in the Bronx , New York City . Ashford's family relocated to Ypsilanti, Michigan , where he became a member of Christ Temple Baptist Church. While there, he sang with
118-460: A Maybe "). Ashford & Simpson's career as recording artists began in the early 1960s as part of the gospel group the Followers, with whom they recorded the album Gospel Meeting (on Forum Circle), later issued as Meetin' The Followers (on Roulette Records ). The LP contains their vocals and also four Ashford compositions. In 1964, they recorded "I'll Find You", as "Valerie & Nick". That
177-428: A face-to-face confrontation between the victim and the perpetrator, including homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. According to CrimeGrade.org, Fairfield County is listed as D+ on an A-F grading scale. This means that the rate of crime is higher than the average US county. Fairfield County is in the 29th percentile for safety, meaning 71% of counties are safer and 29% of counties are more dangerous. Based on
236-427: A family was $ 40,849. Males had a median income of $ 39,837 versus $ 28,695 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,877. About 15.8% of families and 22.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 29.7% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over. At the 2000 census , there were 23,454 people, 8,774 households, and 6,387 families living in the county. The population density
295-600: A group called the Hammond Singers (named after the founding minister, James Hammond). Later, Ashford attended and graduated from Willow Run High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before pursuing his professional career, when he would ultimately meet his wife, Valerie Simpson. They met at Harlem 's White Rock Baptist Church in 1964. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined an aspiring solo artist and former member of The Ikettes , Joshie Jo Armstead , at
354-600: A guest performance at a party at Tribeca Rooftop, New York, to celebrate Virgin Atlantic 's birthday party. They also made their first appearance in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2009, and performed eight shows in four days at Blue Note Tokyo. At President Barack Obama 's 2009 inauguration, Ashford and Simpson rewrote their song, "Solid", as "Solid as Barack". They dedicated it to him at his inaugural festivities. Ashford died at
413-507: A restaurant and live entertainment venue , Sugar Bar in New York City, with an open mic on Thursday nights, where performers included Queen Latifah , Vickie Natale and Felicia Collins . Ashford & Simpson recorded the album Been Found with poet Maya Angelou in 1996. Around that time, they were also featured disc jockeys on New York radio station WRKS . On August 16, 2006, Playbill Online reported that they were writing
472-644: A second duet with Roberta Flack and an instrumental version of " Ain't No Mountain High Enough ". In 2014, Simpson made a guest appearance on the title track to Kindred the Family Soul 's album A Couple Friends . In May 2014, Simpson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music . Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson had two daughters, Nicole (born 1975) and Asia (born 1987). Nicole graduated from Wesleyan University in 1997. In 1969, Ashford and Simpson won three BMI Awards for
531-510: A successful writing and producing team and the other as singers and performers themselves. They started their career in the mid-1960s, writing for artists such as the 5th Dimension (" California Soul "), Aretha Franklin ("Cry Like a Baby"), and Ray Charles (" Let's Go Get Stoned "). Their work with Charles brought them to the attention of Motown chief Berry Gordy . Upon joining the Motown staff in 1966, Ashford & Simpson were paired with
590-565: A way for Terrell's family to have additional income, as she was battling an ultimately fatal brain tumor. Though Louvain Demps, singer of the Andantes , has stated that she saw Terrell recording the album, Simpson is quoted as saying, in a book written by Terrell's sister Ludie Montgomery, what they saw was her singing the guide tracks for the album, which were later replaced by Tammi's own vocals. Ashford & Simpson wrote and produced almost all
649-555: Is estimated they appeared on 20,000 recordings. The Andantes provided back-up singing on Motown singles starting in 1962. The group was most prominently used on all of the Four Tops' Holland–Dozier–Holland -produced hits, including " Baby I Need Your Loving ", " I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) ", " Reach Out I'll Be There ", and more. Motown began to use the Andantes as either substitute or additional background vocalists on certain recordings by its girl groups beginning with
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#1732782512114708-599: Is home to the Lake Wateree State Recreation Area . As of the 2020 census , there were 20,948 people, 9,191 households, and 5,921 families residing in the county. At the 2010 census , there were 23,956 people, 9,419 households, and 6,578 families living in the county. The population density was 34.9 inhabitants per square mile (13.5 inhabitants/km ). There were 11,681 housing units at an average density of 17.0 units per square mile (6.6 units/km ). The racial makeup of
767-461: Is still standing. Several years before the Revolution, Richard Winn from Virginia moved to what is now called Fairfield County. His lands covered the present site of Winnsboro, and as early as 1777 the settlement was known as "Winnsborough". The village was laid out and chartered in 1785 upon petition of Richard Winn, John Winn and John Vanderhorst. John Richard, and Minor Winn all served in
826-516: The 2020 census , its population was 20,948. Its county seat is Winnsboro . Fairfield County is part of the Columbia , SC Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is alleged that the county name originated from a statement made by General Cornwallis when he declared "How Fair These Fields" during the British occupation of the area in 1780–81. The house Cornwallis stayed in during the occupation
885-530: The Ian Levine 's Motorcity Records project in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Andantes were signed to the label and once again provided a service in recording backing vocals to former Motown artists. By this time, Pat Lewis had joined Jackie Hicks, Barrow and Demps (from 1989 to 1992). Levine also recorded several songs with the Andantes, issuing a new single "Lightning Never Strikes Twice", which featured Demps on lead vocals. Most other songs recorded by
944-910: The Motown record label during the 1960s. Composed of Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps, the group sang background vocals on numerous Motown recordings, including songs by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas , the Temptations , Stevie Wonder , the Four Tops , Jimmy Ruffin , Edwin Starr , the Supremes , the Marvelettes , Marvin Gaye and the Isley Brothers , among others. It
1003-561: The Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. They are also recipients of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation 's Pioneer Award, ASCAP Founders Award, and the Grammy Trustee Award . Rolling Stone ranked them No. 19 on its list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time. Nick Ashford was also an occasional actor, having appeared as Reverend Oates in the 1991 movie New Jack City . The duo essentially had two careers: one as
1062-555: The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021. Ashford and Simpson were nominated for three Grammy Awards. In 2019, they received the Grammy Trustees Award . Listed below are solo recordings made by Valerie Simpson. Listed below are solo recordings made by Nick Ashford. Fairfield County, South Carolina Fairfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina . As of
1121-730: The County led to the early development of quarrying. Winnsboro blue granite, "The Silk of the Trade," is used worldwide in buildings and monuments. The county was home to the Carolinas–Virginia Tube Reactor during the 1960s. In 1984 the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station was built here. The county owns the Fairfield County Airport , in operation since 1975. The Ridgeway gold mine , east of Ridgeway ,
1180-845: The Dynamic Superiors ("Shoe, Shoe Shine"), Blinky Williams ("I Wouldn't Change the Man He Is"), and the Supremes with the Four Tops (original duets, plus the production of a hit cover of Phil Spector 's "River Deep-Mountain High"). Other artists with whom Ashford & Simpson had hits were Teddy Pendergrass ("Is It Still Good to Ya"), the Brothers Johnson ("Ride-O-Rocket"), Stephanie Mills ("Keep Away Girls"), Ace Spectrum ("Don't Send Nobody Else') and Chaka Khan , both on her own (" I'm Every Woman " and "Clouds"), and with Rufus ("Keep It Comin'" and " Ain't Nothin' But
1239-800: The Fairfield County Community Health Needs Assessment Report conducted in March 2018, the median household income for Fairfield County is $ 36,004 which is considerably lower than the state median at $ 46,898. Of the county's 22,653 residents, 23% live in poverty. Fairfield County's rate of Children in Poverty is 32%, which is greater than the South Carolina average of 23% and far exceeds the top performing states at 12%. The Andantes The Andantes were an American female session group for
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#17327825121141298-581: The Funk Brothers also had when providing instrumentation. Seven of these singles that they provided background vocals for would go on to chart at the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 popular music chart. The Andantes appeared on many singles for Brenda Holloway. These include: The Andantes appeared as backing vocalists on 16 singles for the Four Tops. These releases include: They appeared as backing vocalists on seven singles for
1357-592: The Marvelettes recordings in 1965, Martha & the Vandellas in 1966, and major part of the Supremes recordings between 1968–1969 although Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong continued to record. In 1963, the Andantes, with the Marvelettes, released the single " Too Hurt to Cry, Too Much in Love to Say Goodbye " b/w "Come on Home" as credited to the Darnells . In 1964 they released a single of their own called " (Like A) Nightmare " b/w "If You Were Mine", though none of
1416-590: The Pips ("Didn't You Know You'd Have to Cry Sometime", and after Motown they wrote and produced for this group "Landlord", "Bourgie, Bourgie", and "Taste of Bitter Love"), Smokey Robinson & the Miracles ("Who's Gonna Take the Blame"), Syreeta Wright ("I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You"), the Marvelettes ("Destination: Anywhere"), Martha Reeves and the Vandellas ("Tear It On Down" and "It Ain't Like That"),
1475-471: The Real Thing ", and " Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) ." Ashford and Simpson wrote many other hit songs, including Chaka Khan 's " I'm Every Woman " (1978) and "Is It Still Good to Ya?", originally recorded by the duo in 1978 and covered by Teddy Pendergrass in 1980. As performers, Ashford & Simpson's best-known duets are " Solid " (1984) and " Found a Cure " (1979). The duo was inducted into
1534-685: The Revolutionary War. Richard was a General and he is said to have fought in more battles than any patriot in South Carolina. Fairfield County has numerous churches, some of which have existed for over 200 years. Perhaps the most famous church, built in 1788, is the Old Brick Church , where the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Synod of the Carolinas was organized in 1803. A note penciled on
1593-568: The Scepter/Wand label, where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good") and Maxine Brown ("One Step at a Time"), as well as The Shirelles , The Guess Who , and Chuck Jackson . Another of the trio's songs, " Let's Go Get Stoned ", gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. That same year, Ashford and Simpson joined Motown , where their best-known songs included " Ain't No Mountain High Enough ", " You're All I Need to Get By ", " Ain't Nothing Like
1652-795: The Supremes. These releases include: They appeared as backing vocalists on twelve singles for Martha & the Vandellas. These releases include: They appeared as backing vocalists on 15 singles for the Marvelettes. These releases include: They appeared as backing vocalists on seven recordings for the Temptations. They appeared as backing vocalists on (at least) 15 singles for Marvin Gaye. These releases include: They also appeared as backing vocalists on these following recordings and singles for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell: The Andantes have also appeared as backing vocalists on numerous Stevie Wonder recordings, including: The Andantes also appear on several notable recordings produced and/or released by record companies outside of Motown, including: As part of
1711-587: The actual Andantes sang lead on either track (future Marvelette Ann Bogan performed the lead vocals). The Andantes are also featured on some records that were not produced by Motown Records, the most prominent example being Jackie Wilson's " (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher " ( Pat Lewis substitutes for Louvain Demps on this track). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, The Andantes were signed to Motorcity Records , recording songs on their own, as well as once again serving as backing vocalists to fellow former Motown artists. During this time, Lewis had joined
1770-407: The age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 42.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 32,022 and the median income for
1829-428: The age of 18 living with them, 47.90% were married couples living together, 20.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.12. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under
Ashford & Simpson - Misplaced Pages Continue
1888-468: The age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 30,376, and the median income for a family was $ 35,943. Males had a median income of $ 29,033 versus $ 21,197 for females. The per capita income for
1947-462: The age of 69 in a New York City hospital on August 22, 2011, four days before Valerie Simpson's 65th birthday, of complications from throat cancer . His publicist , Liz Rosenberg, said that he had undergone radiation therapy to treat his illness. Simpson released a new solo album in June 2012, called Dinosaurs Are Coming Back Again , which also features the last recorded performance of Nina Simone ,
2006-550: The band's debut album Child Is Father to the Man in 1968. After concentrating on working with other artists, Simpson was the featured soloist on the songs " Bridge Over Troubled Water " and " What's Going On " on the Quincy Jones albums Gula Matari in 1970, and its follow-up, Smackwater Jack . Simpson subsequently recorded two solo LPs for Motown : Exposed in 1971, and, the following year, Valerie Simpson , which included
2065-491: The county was $ 14,911. About 17.20% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 24.10% of those age 65 or over. In 2022, the GDP of Fairfield County was $ 1.4 billion (about $ 67,980 per capita). In chained 2017 dollars , the real GDP was $ 1.1 billion (about $ 54,254 per capita). Between 2022-2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2.9-5.7%. Some of
2124-417: The county was 59.1% black or African American, 38.6% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 18.0% were American , 6.0% were English , 5.4% were Irish , 5.3% were Subsaharan African , and 5.0% were German . Of the 9,419 households, 32.5% had children under
2183-547: The cultivation of short-staple cotton through the upcountry regions of the South. It was the chief commodity crop for this county from the early 19th century through the 1920s. In the antebellum era, most of the intensive labor was accomplished by African-American slaves, many of whose descendants still live in this rural area. After the Civil War, many African Americans initially worked as sharecroppers and tenant farmers. Over time
2242-480: The election held under these circumstances an African-American man, George Barber, was elected to represent Fairfield County in the South Carolina State Senate. In the same election the county elected three people to the South Carolina state house of representatives. Henry Jacob and Henry Johnson, who were African-Americans and L.W. Duvall who was white. This was considered revolutionary at
2301-503: The group as a full-time member. In addition to various awards, the Andantes were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in August 2014. Marlene Barrow died on February 23, 2015, at the age of 73. Pat Lewis died on September 2, 2024, at the age of 76. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Andantes appeared as backing vocalists on many of Motown's recorded singles, as
2360-588: The group at Motorcity had Lewis on lead vocals. Original recordings Cover versions Unreleased tracks Louvain Demps – Better Times Whilst under contract to Motorcity Records, Louvain was given the opportunity to step up to the microphone and record a full album, which was released in 1992 under the title Better Times , which includes original tunes and one cover of the Diana Ross hit " Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) ". Louvain recorded two further tracks with Motorcity which did not appear on
2419-432: The largest employers in the county include BOMAG , Dominion Energy , Element Electronics , Food Lion , the town of Winnsboro , and Universal Protection Service . Fairfield County's violent crime rate is 629, as compared to the South Carolina average of 521 and the top performing states at 62. The measure is the number of violent crimes reported per 100,000 population. Violent crimes are defined as offenses that involve
Ashford & Simpson - Misplaced Pages Continue
2478-490: The release of two albums – So So Satisfied and Send it . This was followed by the hit singles "Send It", "Don't Cost You Nothin'" (1977), "It Seems To Hang On" (1978), "Is It Still Good To Ya" (1978), "Found a Cure" (1979), "Street Corner" (1982), and their biggest hit, " Solid ", released in 1984. In 1978, they were featured as vocalists along with Chaka Khan , on the hit single " Stuff Like That " from Quincy Jones ' Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! album and contributed to
2537-466: The score for a musical based on E. Lynn Harris 's novel Invisible Life . In January 2007, they, along with Tina Turner , Mary J. Blige , Mariah Carey , Sidney Poitier , director Spike Lee , and comedian Chris Rock accompanied Oprah Winfrey when she opened her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. They were given writing credit on Amy Winehouse 's 2007 CD Back to Black for
2596-718: The single " Tears Dry on Their Own ". The track is based on a sample of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1967 Motown hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". They had begun performing their act in small, intimate venues, such as Feinstein's at the Regency in New York and the Rrazz Room in San Francisco, and in January 2009, they released a CD and DVD of their live performances titled The Real Thing . On June 22, 2009, they made
2655-660: The single "Silly, Wasn't I". In 1973, they left Motown after the albums Simpson recorded for the label received poor promotion, and the company refused to release an album of the duo recording a collection of their most famous songs for other artists. In 1974, Ashford and Simpson married after resuming their career as a duo, with the Warner Bros. album Gimme Something Real released in 1973, followed in 1974 by I Wanna Be Selfish . In 1975, Simpson sang backing vocals on Paul Simon 's number-one hit " 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover ", and in 1976 they released Come As You Are . 1977 saw
2714-520: The soil became depleted, but more damaging was infestation in the 20th century by the boll weevil . Together with the mechanization of agriculture, the need for labor was reduced. In the first half of the 20th century through the 1940s, millions of African Americans left the rural South in the Great Migration to northern and midwestern cities for other job opportunities and the chance to escape Jim Crow restrictions. In December 1832, Winnsboro
2773-473: The songs "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "Your Precious Love." Ashford and Simpson were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. They were also recipients of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation 's Pioneer Award in 1999, and ASCAP 's highest honor, the Founders Award, which they received in 1996. Simpson was inducted among the inaugural honorees to
2832-493: The songs on three 1970s albums for former Supreme Diana Ross , including her first solo album Diana Ross (" Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) ") and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", Surrender (" Remember Me "), and The Boss . All three albums were critically acclaimed with Diana Ross , her 1970 album debut, and The Boss being certified platinum and "Surrender" certified gold. Other Motown artists whom Ashford & Simpson worked with include Gladys Knight &
2891-636: The time and those who had previously been slave owners were extremely angry. Due to how much social spending the Reconstruction government engaged in, by the end of 1870 Fairfield County was one of only two counties in the state that was not in debt. During the presidential election of 1872, there were three companies of U.S. troops stationed in Fairfield County to prevent the Ku Klux Klan from disrupting voting. Granite deposits in
2950-442: The vocal duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell , and they wrote and/or produced all but one of the late-1960s Gaye/Terrell singles, including hits such as the original version of " Ain't No Mountain High Enough ", " Your Precious Love ", " Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing ", and " You're All I Need to Get By ". According to Gaye in the book Divided Soul , Simpson did most of the vocals on the last album he did with Terrell, Easy , as
3009-558: The wall of the Old Brick Church is testimony to a Union soldier's regret at the church's floor boards being taken up to build a crossing over the nearby river for General Sherman's troops during the American Civil War. The early settlers in the mid-18th century brought cotton to the county. It was soon supported as a commodity crop by the labor of enslaved African Americans. Invention of the cotton gin enabled
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#17327825121143068-453: The writing of the soundtrack to The Wiz . The duo appeared as themselves in "Nocturne", a 1986 episode of the popular television series The Equalizer . On his own, Ashford (along with Frank Wilson ) produced the hit " I'm Gonna Make You Love Me ", which Diana Ross & the Supremes recorded in collaboration with the Temptations in 1968. He also appeared in the movie New Jack City (1991), as Reverend Oates, an ordained minister who
3127-480: Was 34 people per square mile (13 people/km ). There were 10,383 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 59.09% Black or African American , 39.58% White , 0.19% Asian , 0.15% Native American , 0.44% from other races , and 0.55% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 8,774 households, out of which 32.40% had children under
3186-413: Was changed into Fairfield County and was occupied by Union troops. The South Carolina state constitution of 1868 was such that those who fought for the confederacy were barred from voting in the 1868 elections. As a result, most eligible voters in Fairfield County were African-American. In 1868 there were 942 whites in the county were eligible to vote and 2,434 African-Americans who were eligible to vote. In
3245-519: Was followed by several obscure singles recorded by Ashford on the Glover, Verve and ABC labels, such as "It Ain't Like That" (not the same song as they would later write for Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), " California Soul ", and " Dead End Kids ", backed by his own version of " Let's Go Get Stoned ". Simpson appeared (with Melba Moore ) as part of the " Blood, Sweat & Tears Soul Chorus" on
3304-538: Was in operation from 1988 to 1999. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 709.87 square miles (1,838.6 km ), of which 686.31 square miles (1,777.5 km ) is land and 23.56 square miles (61.0 km ) (3.32%) is water. The Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. The county has an abundance of deer and wild turkeys, making it an attraction for hunters. It
3363-519: Was incorporated as a town to be governed by an intendant and wardens. The most prominent architectural feature of Fairfield County is the Town Clock in Winnsboro. South Carolina's General Assembly authorized Winnsboro's town fathers to build a market house that "shall not be of greater width than 30 feet (9.1 m)" to allow 30 feet (9.1 m) of wagon travel on either side. The narrow building
3422-542: Was modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia and built on the site of a duck pond. A clock was added in 1837, and the building has since been known as the Town Clock. The County Courthouse, across from the Town Clock, dates back to 1823. Designed by South Carolina architect Robert Mills, the courthouse houses records dating to the mid-18th century. During Reconstruction, the Fairfield District
3481-524: Was part of Nino Brown's entourage. Simpson's brothers were in the record business as well: Ray Simpson replaced Victor Willis in the Village People and their brother Jimmy Simpson produced the group GQ (which had big hits with " Disco Nights (Rock-Freak) " and " I Do Love You" ), and was in great demand as a mixing engineer during the disco era. In latter times, Ashford & Simpson recorded and toured sporadically, and in 1996, they opened
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