Cleveland, 1966-72
Bobby Wade was a big voiced soul singer who specialized in the ballad style. He grew up in western Pennsylvania and recorded a 45 at Marjon records in 1966, about the time he graduated from high school. He moved to Cleveland in 1966 and hooked up with the Way Out team for a 45 that was issued on the WO subsidiary Big Jim label. The uptempo side was "Flame In My Heart" but the side that stands out is the beautiful ballad "Can't You Hear Me Calling", one of Way Out's best productions.
Over the next few years he performed at Cleveland clubs and returned to Way Out in 1969/70 to record "Four Walls and One Window". Way Out issued that coupled with the 1967 recording of "Can't You...". This 45 was picked up the King subsidiary Deluxe (now run out of Nashville) and had some moderate airplay and sales. He cut a follow up at Way Out which went straight to Deluxe, "Blind Over You". Another excellent ballad, but this does not seem to have been as successful.
Bobby Wade had one more release on Way Out, "I'm In Love With You", also recorded by Verna and Rob on Way Out. The flip was "Down Here On The Ground" which was written by outside songwriters. These recordings were cut back in 1969/70 and released probably in the hopes of reviving his career. They didn't, and Bobby moved to Las Vegas a couple years later and has performed with a version of the Imperials (without Little Anthony)
Discography
You Don't Understand Me / They Call It Stormy Monday (Marjon 508)
Flame In My Heart / Can't You Hear Me Calling (Big Jim) 1967
Four Walls and One Window / Can't You Hear Me Calling (Way Out 2001/2, Deluxe 121) 1969
Blind Over You / Funny How Time Slips Away (Deluxe 128) 1970
I'm In Love With You / Down Here On The Ground (Way Out 102/3) 1971