AN INTERVIEW WITH WILLIE COVINGTON Head of IMG INFERNO RECORDS & MUSIC GROUP
A: I began my journey in the music business in 1965 playing as a teenager with the Ink Spots, which was a group of older gentlemen that had a hit record called “If I Didn’t Care” in the early 40s. Of course, I played with these gentlemen when they were in their golden years.
In 1969, I decided I wanted to start my own group doing Rhythm & Blues, so I recorded my first song with the group Raw Soul Express in 1970 called “Hard Way Out”. This is where I caught the fire of the music business because I soon learned that I knew nothing about the music business and it gave me an education. From there I was able to explore other avenues in the music business that helped ground and mold me.
As time went by, the group got very popular and became one of the well-known R&B groups out of Miami. Along the way there were record deals offered. A couple we accepted and some we refused, but as I learned more about the music business I began to explore copyrights and what it means to have your songs copyrighted because in 1976, the copyright laws changed, which meant that an artist can receive their music back from a label after 25 years along with the years that they already had your music.
Fast forward to 1979, I married this young lady and her name is Gwedolyn Barnes which later became Gwen Covington and she really educated me towards business because she has a BS in accounting and a Masters in Business, so that put me on another trail in the industry. Now 1980 we were able to come out with a hit record by the name of “Freebase” and the song went national and gave us an opportunity to be known around the world as the group called Wizzdom. 1983 we were able to come out with an international hit called “After Loving You” by the group Omari. Now the funny thing about this is it was the same members that were in Wizzdom band and Raw Soul Express. Then as the years went by, we were able to solidify a solid foundation in the music industry in the 80s when we were a backup band for the legendary Betty Wright, may she RIP. In 1985, I got another one of the best opportunities in the business to be the drummer for the legend BB King. I was the drummer that played on his 50th Anniversary album where I was able to achieve Grammy status.
Q: Whare your biggest accomplishments in your career, What are you currently up to?
A: My wife and I were able to do entertainment for the 1995 Super Bowl. As time went by, we were able to do so many other major events and began to be part of the Recording Academy
Q: What are currently upto ?
A: To give you a little insight of what’s shaking in Inferno Music Group is we are in productions with different groups that we have. Rielle (R&B), Dalan Brown (R&B), Zeg (Rock), Day 3 (Gospel)
Q: What can the public expect and give us some insight on what is shaking in Inferno MusicGroup?
A: They can expect to hear great music.
Q: When you are not making music how do you spend your time?
A: Learning more about the music business because it is always changing and evolving.
Q: What iss your favorite vacation spot and Why?
A: Miami because it is home and I am relaxed when I am there.
Q: What is a big world problem that you would like to change?
A: Relationships between cultures.
Q: What are you doing to do solve the problem?
A: Communicating with different people.
Q: What is your biggest goal and dream at this point in your life?
A: My biggest goal is to be able to help people and my dream is to accomplish that
:Johnny Torres
johnny@hotondablock.com
Editor in Chief
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