In the 1970s and early 1980s Gary Bailey, former Elon faculty member in human service studies and currently counselor in Health and Counseling Services, was a member of a popular regional R&B group called “Brief Encounter.” A couple of years ago Gary discovered that Brief Encounter has become one of the leading cult R&B groups among record collectors. He was shocked when he noticed that copies of their first album were selling for over $2,000 on eBay. The most recent sale was over $2500. Brief Encounter is back in business and about to release its first recording in nearly 30 years, all for the benefit of Haitian Earthquake Relief.
Brief Encounter – The Group
The group was started by brothers Tony, Montie, Velmar, and Gary Bailey, and included friends Maurice Whittington and Rufus Wilborn along with a few others who joined the group occasionally. They released two albums and eight singles including a couple on Capitol Records. A couple of those singles even made an appearance on the Billboard chart. Brief Encounter was the opening act for some well-known performers such as James Brown, KC and the Sunshine Band and Tavares. Tired of being on the cusp of success but not quite getting there, the group disbanded in 1983 and went their separate ways. Gary went into social work and education. Currently he has a private practice as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist along with providing counseling at Elon University. He is also working on a PhD in Psychology. Montie has been with United Parcel Service for his entire career and continues to produce spiritual music through Stand Ministries in Wilkesboro. Tony is retired from the banking industry and Velmar passed away from complications of diabetes about four years ago.
Brief Encounter has been the subject of magazine articles (Wax Poetics) and collectors’ interest from Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, as well as the US. Their music has been sampled, downloaded, and pirated, but they have been on the outside looking in – until now. Recently, Montie and Gary, along with Barth Strempek (Elon business professor and keyboardist), decided to embark on a program to regain control of some of the group’s music and perhaps relive some of the excitement they used to get from performing. Gary and Montie hatched an idea to release some previously-unreleased material and record some new tunes in the “Southern Soul” genre, that space between R&B, soul, and disco. Where the Spinners were a slick and polished, and the Ohio Players were groove and dance oriented, Brief Encounter adds earthiness and dense arrangements to the mix.
New Recording – A Unique Marketing Approach
This is the first new recording of Brief Encounter since the early 1980s. Proceeds will go toward Haitian Earthquake Relief, a cause that has receded from view the past few months but still requires major resources. This unique effort targeted toward the collectors’ market will be released as a 45rpm vinyl record. Copies will be numbered and signed, like print art. The #1 copy will be put up for auction on eBay beginning Friday, September 3, 2010. Following this auction the remainder of the limited edition run of 500 copies will be for sale through various outlets. SonicRecords (www.sonicrecords.com) of Winston-Salem has agreed to host their renewed commercial efforts.
The A-side is a tune (Shake and Move) that was recorded nearly 30 years ago but was never released. The B-side is a new studio recording of an original older tune (I Want You So Much) with Elon business professor Barth Strempek adding a little jazz flavor on the organ. Barth also assisted with business and marketing issues.
Gary encourages the Alamance and Burlington Community and friends to participate in the Brief Encounter auction on eBay beginning Sept. 3 and keep the Haitian Earthquake Relief effort in the hearts and minds of our citizens.