music: "You're
Good Enough For Me" - Spyder Turner (MGM 13617a)
Clay McMurray as an independent producer who
used Tera Shirma often. He was selling insurance
during the day and producing records at night.
In fact, I first met Norman Whitfield through
Clay. Norman would come in with Clay from time
to time.
When I first took over Ernstrat and changed it
to Tera Shirma, Clay took me all over the city
to introduce me to the many independent
producers. I can't remember how many people he
brought me to, but it was quite a few.
Indeed, the eventual success of Tera Shirma can
be credited to Clay's early efforts in getting
us known.
He would also become a very close and dear
friend over the years.
One of my early accounts was Robert Coleman of
Thelma records. I think Clay was doing some
producing for them.
Mr. and Mrs. Coleman were exceptional people. A
quiet dignified couple. So very kind, and
interested in what I was trying to do. I think
without their business in the early days I may
have not survived. They were in the studio
often. They would come in and sit quietly in the
control room while the session took place. They
were known as Mom and Pops. Good title. They
were like my parents.
Continued