O.V. Redding / Raw Soul Band

Akron, late 1960s - late 1970s

1968 ad

O.V. Redding was the stage name for Thomas Bethune. He was first listed in the papers performing in 1968. A Boston newspaper lists O. V. Redding performing there in the same year, described as the nephew of Otis Redding. It's not confirmed that this is the same person. There is no other mention of the Redding connection in the Ohio papers. It's possible a promoter suggested the name (a merging of Otis Redding and O.V. Wright?).

He is mentioned occasionally in the local papers, peforming with the Raw Soul band. Together they recorded a 45 in 1973, featuring an original song credited to Redding, L. Jones, and S. Lee. The record was produced by Ike Allen, a fairly well known Akron drummer who played in a few jazz and R&B groups over the years.

1970 ad

The Raw Soul band, also listed as the Raw Soul Revue and Raw Soul Express, also played out on their own. The members included Phillip Ingram, the brother of James Ingram, and Eddie Fluellen. They were together from the early 1970s until 1976 when Ingram and Fluellen were recruited to join the new band Switch.

A 1978 newspaper story mentions that Bethune had moved to Los Angeles and was performing there under his real name. The paper also reported that he won $500 on the infamous Gong Show TV show. 

There was a listing for O.V. Redding performing in Akron in 1994.

Discography:
Memories Of You / Burglar - Aquarius no # (Rite 32393/4), 1973