
Singer/songwriter Sundray Tucker is the sensational Cindy
Scott, a Philly soul legend
& the First Lady of Soul at
Driving Wheel Records
Cindy Scott, real name
Sundray Tucker, was born in Philadelphia, the eldest daughter of
Louise Tucker and Ira Tucker, legendary lead singer with the Gospel
group The Dixie Hummingbirds. Her sister is Lynda Laurence (of
The Supremes) and her brother, Ira Tucker Jnr, was one time manager
of Stevie Wonder.
At the age of 14, whilst
in 9th grade, Sundray sang in a Philly group called The Ordettes.
Also in this group was a young girl by the name of Patricia Louise
Holt, who later became Patti La Belle. The Ordettes soon merged
with another group, The Del Capris, to form the first line-up of The
Bluebells.
The Bluebells first signing was to Rainbow Records,
but in 1962 the group moved to car dealer Harold B. Robinson's
Newtown label. Ironically, The Bluebells weren't featured on their
first big hit I Sold My Heart To The Junkman. This
was recorded by another of Robinson's groups, The Chicago Starlets,
who cut the record while The Bluebells were on the road. Sundray
stayed with the group for 2 years before being replaced by Cindy
Birdsong.
Sundray's debut recording as a solo artist was at
the age of 16, when she recorded Have It Your Way
on Texas based Peacock Records. She also released
I've Got A Good Thing and Nobody Will and
was involved with Bernadelli Productions where she began to write
material with Leon Huff of Gamble & Huff fame.
In early 1968 Sundray worked in a carnival as a
singer, a chorus line dancer and was involved with a snake act
called Medusa! During that year Sundray signed to Madera White
Productions. Whilst with Madera White, Sundray recorded on the
Neptune label under the name of Cindy Scott.
The name change was to thwart Don Robey, the late, nefarious
owner of Peacock Records. The deal soured when Robey refused to
record her again, or free her from the stifling contract, so she
adopted the alias and recorded incognito. She chose this name
after people remarked how much she looked like Cindy Birdsong. Her
best friend at school was also named Kay Scott.

Sundray's releases as Cindy Scott
included I Love You Baby, a huge hit on
the UK's Northern Soul scene, with it's B-side In Your Spare
Time. Issued in the USA on the Veep label, the single
gained considerable airplay throughout the Eastern Coast.
Cindy also dueted with her cousin, Philly artist Bunny Sigler on
the smokily soulful We're Only Human (and it's
B-side - Didn't Take Long For The News To Get
Around) and Conquer The World
Together.

In 1970 Sundray joined Ernie
Terrell's group The Heavyweights replacing his sister Jean, who had
been asked to join The Supremes after the departure of Diana Ross.
Earlier in 1969, Lynda Laurence along with Syreeta sang background
vocals on Stevie Wonder's Signed Sealed Delivered.
Stevie wanted a group to accompany him on a forthcoming tour, so
Lynda formed The Third Generation along with her sister Sundray and
Terri Hendricks. This group later became the basis for Wonderlove.
Sundray recorded sporadically
throughout the1970's. She performed background vocals for Stevie
Wonder on Ordinary Pain, as featured on his "Songs
in the Key of Life" album, and along with sister Lynda Laurence
appeared on recordings by Bobby Womack, Melissa Manchester, Stephen
Sinclair & Cerrone. Sundray also appeared with Lynda on a disco
version of the "I Love Lucy" TV show theme. The record became a big
disco hit in the US, released under the name of The Wilton Street
Band, which was put together by Lynda's former husband Trevor
Laurence. In 1979 Thelma Houston recorded two of Sundray's songs for
her "Ready to Roll" album. The two songs in question being "Pardon
Me" and "Imaginary Paradise"
During the early 1980's Sundray lived and worked
in Florida and recorded for the legendary TK and Grace Note labels.
Her releases included Fancy Dancer, If It
Was Me and Is It Possible.
Later in the 1980's Sundray
toured as a backing vocalist for Glady Horton's Marvelettes and
featured in the group's video. She also provided background vocals
for "The Former Ladies of The Supremes" comeback concert at Long
Beach California in 1987.
In 1993 Sundray replaced Jean
Terrell yet again, making her debut with the "The Former Ladies Of
The Supremes" on tour in Japan. More significant was Sundray's
contribution to the 1994 CD release Supreme Voices.
However, Sundray's tenure with the ladies was relatively shortlived
and in 1996 she left the group to concentrate on an acting career.
In 1998 Sundray filmed a pilot and four episodes for a US tv series
called "Ms. Hollywood" for the BET network. But her love for music
couldn't keep Sundray away for too long.
In 1999 Sundray teamed up with
British record producer David Powner to record her first ever solo
album. Recorded in England, the resulting album The Loving
Country went on to win widespread applause and rave reviews
from fans and music critics alike.
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Ltd.
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No. 3594662
Last revised: February 25,
2008
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