Sundray Tucker

Sundray Tucker
Born (1948-03-23) March 23, 1948
Genres R&B, Soul
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1967–present
Labels Peacock, Benn Lee, Veep, Neptune, TK Records, Grace Note Records, Driving Wheel Records
Associated acts Labelle, Lynda Laurence, Former Ladies of the Supremes

Sundray Tucker (born March 23, 1948) is an American singer. She is the eldest daughter of the late Ira Tucker (of The Dixie Hummingbirds) and Louise Tucker. Her sister is Lynda Laurence of The Supremes, and her brother is Ira Tucker Jr.

Early career

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sundray was a member of an earlier version of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, under the name The Ordettes and left the group due to troubles in school before the group changed its name to the Blue Belles (later Bluebelles). Sundray also performed under the name Cindy Scott. Her most notable single was the Northern Soul classic 'I Love You Baby', backed with 'In Your Spare Time'.

In 1967, Sundray joined The Three Degrees and performed alongside Fayette Pinkney and Sheila Ferguson for touring purposes only.

Stevie Wonder

Sundray joined her sister Lynda and third member Terri Hendricks on the road as back-up vocalists for Stevie Wonder on a tour to promote Signed, Sealed & Delivered in late 1969. The group were known as The Third Generation, which in turned became Stevie's resident backing group, Wonderlove. Sundray's stay with this group was relatively short-lived as she joined Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights as lead vocalist, replacing departing member Jean Terrell. In 1976 Sundray performed background vocals for Stevie Wonder's critically acclaimed album, Songs in the Key of Life, providing backing vocals for several tracks, most notably on "Ordinary Pain".

The Supremes

Throughout her long career, Sundray has held a connection to The Supremes in one way or another. Starting off in 1962, Sundray left the group The Ordettes and group member Patti LaBelle to be replaced by Cindy Birdsong. In turn Cindy would leave the group in 1967 to replace departing Supreme Florence Ballard. In 1970 Sundray was recruited to replace Jean Terrell from Ernie Terrell and The Heavyweights as lead vocalist of the group. Jean, in her turn was replacing Diana Ross in The Supremes. In 1972 Supremes member Cindy Birdsong announced she would be retiring from the group to concentrate on family life and her initial thought as an ideal replacement was Sundray. Sundray auditioned for the part, but due to contractual obligations was unable to replace Cindy in The Supremes, however her sister Lynda Laurence joined The Supremes Jean Terrell and Mary Wilson.

Former Ladies of the Supremes

In early 1993, Sundray was approached by Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence and was asked to replace departing member Jean Terrell in the Former Ladies of the Supremes. Sundray made her stage debut with Lynda and Scherrie on a tour of Japan in March 1993 and quickly established herself as a fan favorite. The following year Sundray made her recording debut with the group when she appeared on the autumn release of the album 'Supreme Voices'. Sundray had one solo lead track, 'I'm A Fool For Love', as well as sharing lead vocals with Scherrie and Lynda on a remake of George Benson' song 'Give Me The Night'. A re-recording of the Supremes classic 1970 hit 'Up The Ladder To The Roof' is another highlight on this album, as is the studio version of the ladies' show-stopper, 'How Do You Keep The Music Playing'.

The following year another album, this time for British producer Steve Weaver was released. Entitled Supremely Yours with liner notes by the noted Motown historian Sharon Davis, this album equalled 'Supreme Voices'. Sundray featured on several shared-lead tracks with Scherrie and Lynda, notably 'Feel Like Making Love', 'Stop To Love' and another '70s Supremes re-make, 'Touch'. Solo leads on the album include 'Stop! I Don't Need No Sympathy', 'Never Can Say Goodbye' and 'Just Like That'.

Whilst with the group Sundray re-recorded her own hit 'I Love You Baby' which was expected for release on the follow-up album to Supremely Yours. The album project was postponed and ultimately cancelled. In its place the enormous task of re-recording the Supremes songbook was undertaken by the group. It has been reported, but not confirmed, that other tracks were recorded by Sundray whilst with the group that still await the light of day. One of the unreleased tracks, composed by Sundray and entitled 'Nervous' was recorded in April 1996.

In the summer of 1996, Sundray left the FLOS to concentrate on other projects, and was subsequently replaced by Freddi Poole.

Revival

In 1999, it was announced that independent UK label Driving Wheel Records had signed Sundray Tucker. By this time Sundray had reverted to her earlier stage name of Cindy Scott. Owner/Producer David Powner oversaw the creation of the album. Providing backing vocals was longtime friend and former Persianette Vera Carey. The resulting album 'The Loving Country' was released in the autumn of 1999 and received a 4.5 star (out of 5) rating at Allmusic.

In summer 2000, Sundray/Cindy made her UK solo stage debut at the Patshull Golf & Country Club outside Wolverhampton in England. The show was recorded and subsequently released as a souvenir album to limited release in 2002 under the title 'Live and Red Hot'.

Cindy's follow-up studio album, 'The Loving Country 2' was released in 2004.

Discography

As Sandra Kay Tucker - Peacock Records

As Cindy Scott And The Cousins - Benn Lee Records

As Cindy Scott - Veep Records

As Cindy Scott - Driving Wheel Records

Duets with Bunny Sigler - Neptune Records

As Sundray Tucker:

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