R&B / soul group from East Baltimore formed by members of the Del-Capris. Members included vocalists Billy Butler, Harold Foster, Archie Grant, Jerome Webb, and James Player (lead). Grant was later replaced with Darnell Carter. The Optimistics rhythm section consisted of Charles Addison (lead guitar), Stanley Frank (rhythm), Michael Dunston (bass), and Robert Mercer (drums). Locally the group played all the clubs, union halls, cabarets, Famous Ballrooom, Club Venus, Carr’s Beach and Sparrow’s Beach…
As most of the group had done when they were known as the Del-Capris, they hung out in Harlem, New York, looking for work and a recording contract. Enduring rough times and flat broke, the group often slept in the car. During their stay they encountered a chance meeting with Marvin Gaye, who took them under his wing and gave the group some direction.
Baltimore disc jockey Al Jefferson, a partner of the Tough Stuff music publishing company, secured a recording contract for the Optimistics at All-Platinum Records in Philadelphia. Under the direction of producer George Kerr, they released an album and two singles. Vocalist Harold Foster was the main songwriter for their original material.
Al Jefferson’s liner notes for their 1970 LP: “In the winter of 1965, I first met Billy Butler. Billy was then a member of a group called The Del-Capris. They had just cut a record called “Momma I Think I’m In Love” for a major company. The record was going well in Baltimore. The world was their oyster and they were just about to reach in and pluck out the pearl and WHAM. As it happens to so many young groups, their bubble burst. This is usually the end, finis, curtains for a lot of young groups, unless the organization is lucky enough to have a Billy Butler. If you’ve got a B.B., you take the blows, shake’em off and keep diggin’.”
“The Optimistics is a name that’s very apropos, because these young dudes believe so strongly in their ability to sing and perform as well as the ability of Harold Foster to sing and write. They convince you! They make you believe they’re gonna make it, and that includes any old cynic like me.”
“Billy, Harold, James, Charles and Jerome are five young, black knights who have embarked on a musical crusade and they’re gonna slay a lot of dragons along the way.”
“The All-Platinum moguls think they’ve got a star group on their hands. George Kerr, a young producer with a great track record for record successes, thinks they’re star studded. I think they are a good example of why Baltimore is once again becoming a talent mecca.”
“Listen to the Optimistics and you too will become optimistic about the future of music in the good ol’ U.S.A.”
“Good luck you guys. All of Baltimore is backing you, and the world is your oyster again.”
Al Jefferson, Program/Music Director, WWIN, Baltimore, Maryland.
The Optimistics toured with other All-Platinum groups including the Whatnauts and the Moments. They opened for the Moments at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Mercer left the group in 1971 and formed MFD & Co. He was replaced with drummer Johnny Mason.
Around 1972 the group left George Kerr. Al Jefferson arranged a new recording deal with Janus Records, but since they were still under contract to All-Platinum, the group needed a new name and became the Inclinations.
Record releases by the Optimistics include:
1970(LP) Turbo 7001 The Optimistics
1970 Turbo 011 You Put Something New in My Life / Man
1970 Turbo 015 Should I Let Myself Go / Say It Baby (Say You Care)
2019 (LP) Be With 067 The Optimistics (reissue of 1970 LP)
