Del-Rays, The

Originally known as the Chasers. The group formed in the Pikesville area early ‘60s consisting of John McNulty (lead vocals), Bill Higgins (guitar), Jack Griffin (bass), Dick Warnsmann (drums), plus Raoul Sushman (sax), and a trumpet player. Jack Hyatt joined as second guitarist and suggested the name change to the Del-Rays.

The band played at various places around town. McNulty was known as ‘The white Johnny Soul’ and excelled at covering James Brown and other popular R&B singers. He later left the group, as did the trumpet and sax players who were still in high school. Eventually Higgins left to fulfill his military obligation, being replaced with guitarist / lead vocalist Frank Willoughby.

Around this time (1964) the group consisted of four pieces: Willoughby (vocals, rhythm guitar), Hyatt (lead guitar), Griffin (bass), and Warnsmann (drums). They performed a mix of soul music and standards at nights clubs including Club Imperial on Washington Boulevard, Bobby’s Club Deville in Brooklyn, Backfin Palace in Riviera Beach…

A business card notes a four-member group consisting of Hyatt, with Dave Baker, Ty Nicholson, and Joel Fradin. Fradin later with the Continental Rockers…

Hyatt left the group upon graduating from law school and saxophonist Mike Mitchell joined. Eventually a second sax player was added by the name of Bruce Austin. During this period the Del-Rays were playing at Club Vista (near Gibson Island), The Sunset Lounge in Glen Burnie, Pete’s on Harford Road, and brief gigs at the Rhapsody, Hollywood Park…

Next to join was a young trumpet player named John Gatchell who had already played with the likes of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and a stint with Skitch Henderson’s Tonight Show Band when Jack Paar was host. In Fall of 1967 the Del-Rays were house band at the Club Vista. In winter of 1967 the Del-Rays began a three-year stint as house band at Pete Mangione’s Green Dolphin Supper Club where they averaged three to four nights every week.

The following recordings from 1967 at the Club Vista:

By 1970 the only remaining original members were Warnsmann and Griffin, but they both left later that year. Willoughby kept the name going with a sundry of players until around 1980 when the group finally disbanded.

Griffin and Warnsmann resurrected the Del-Rays in 2008, locating Willoughby, and adding guitarist Lawrence Weisgal.

After Higgins came out of the service in the mid-‘60s he was a member of the Henchmen, and later the Koffee Beans. He founded Bill’s Music House in Catonsville and Super Sounds Talent Agency. McNulty went on to front Dome recording group the Manchesters. Sushman was later with the Chaumonts, Saturday…

The following oral history and recordings courtesy of Jack Griffin.

The Del-Rays started out in the early 60”s as The Chasers. This was the true beginning of the group. The Chasers was the brain child of Bill Higgins (now owner of Bill’s Music in Catonsville) with Bill Higgins (guitar), Dick Warnsmann, (drums) and me, Jack Griffin (bass). There was also Jack Hyatt (lead guitar), Rael Sushman (sax) and Johnny “Soul” McNulty (vocals). We also had a trumpet player whose name I can’t recall. The name of the group was changed to The Del-Rays around the time that Jack Hyatt joined the group.

Bill Higgins left to do his six months in the Army, and when he came back he opened, Bill’s Music. Johnny “ Soul” McNulty moved away and Rael Sushman left to attend Peabody. We then found Frank Willoughby who sang and played guitar and went forward for a time with four pieces: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. Sometime around 1966 Jack Hyatt left the group to get married and became a lawyer. We then enlisted a great sax player by the name of Mike Mitchell. He was a meek guy who reminded you of Don Knotts, but boy could he play. Mike played with us off and on, and then we ended up with two, and sometimes three, horn players from the Naval Academy band.

There was Bruce Austin on sax, who was a graduate of Easton School of Music on oboe, and a trumpet player by the name of John Gatchell. He was a young guy, maybe 24, but had already played in the Tonight Show band with Skitch Henderson. He also played with Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. He was the studio musician who played trumpet in the recording of “Time Won’t Let Me” by the Outsider’s. He was the ultimate. How did we get so lucky to have these guys? They were in the Navy to fulfill their military obligations and were selected to serve in the Naval Academy band. When John and Bruce left the Navy, we brought on a noted Baltimore sax player by the name of Joe Adams. The last time we saw John Gatchell he was playing trumpet with Simon and Garfunkel on their famous 1981 “Concert in Central Park.” We’ve learned that John passed away a few years ago.

We played many clubs around Baltimore in our roughly ten years together: Terrace Lounge, Carl’s Club 33, Imperial Lounge, Green Door, Club Deville, Club Vista, Hollywood Park, Pete’s Lounge, Sunset Lounge, Backfin Palace. Our longest stint was at Pete Mangione’s wonderful Green Dolphin. We played there three to four nights a week for almost three years straight, something we considered quite an achievement.

Having reacquainted and reformed in 2008, we’ve been having great fun playing together again. Our new configuration includes many of the original players, plus the addition of old Baltimore hands Paul Watkins on guitar, and Mike Glorioso on sax. The new lineup also includes young whipper snapper Wes Freeman on trumpet

The Del Rays regrouped in 2008 to play at J408. They remained together, rehearsing and playing.
This photo is of The Del Rays in 2011.