BOOK NOW for the exciting trip to Chicago and Detroit in March 2009!!!
Home of such legends as Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Major Lance, Jerry Butler, Mamie Galore, The Chi-Lites, Ruby Andrews, The Artistics and great labels such as Chess, St. Lawrence, Okeh and countless Northern dancers. Not forgetting our good friend Carl Davis who produced the bulk of Jackie Wilson's Brunswick label output.
The history of SoultripUSA dates back to 2002 when a conversation between a UK promoter and US record collector produced a Spectacular gathering at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, Los Angeles in April 2004. In association with Travelbag, the seeds were planted for a new bi-annual event in the USA.
A short video of Soultrip USA 2006
The extravaganza saw 300 travel from the UK with around 150 visitors from the US. A veritable who's who of Northern Soul icons either entertained LIVE or simply greeted the Northern fans. Some of the participants included Frank Wilson, Evie Sands, The Magnificents, The Sequins, Jerry Williams, Jewel Akens, The Olympics, Freddie Hughes, Brenton Wood,Jesse Davies, The Secrets, Howard Johnson, Greg Perry,Thelma Jones, Alex Brown, Marva Holiday,The Younghearts, Gwen Owens, Beverly Ann, Bobby Patterson, Jimmy Raye, Lou Ragland, Alexander Patton,The Esquires, Garland Green, Kim Weston,Dean Courtney, Sandy Wynns, The Blossoms, plus many legendary writers/producers including Wally Roker, Cornelius Grant, Miles Grayson, Fred Smith, James McEachin, Bobby Sanders, Sherlie Matthews,Pat Vegas, Jeannie Bradford and many, many more. Not forgetting the Record Show with many great finds including one lucky collector who found a rare Johnny Hampton 45 on Dottys for $1!
Then, in April 2006, SoultripUSA moved to New Jersey. With 7 nights at the Hilton the scene was set for another spectacular as 400 made the crossing from the UK and more than 200 from across the US. We enountered the delights of The Del-Larks, Spellbinders, Escorts, Persuaders, Unifics, Intruders, Four Perfections, Tymes, Orlons, Kenny Gamble, Shirley Slaughter, Kenny Hamber, Archie Bell, Sandi Sheldon, Ludi Montgomery, Weldon Mcdougal, Laura Lee, Louise Murray, The Toys, The Showstoppers, Breakwater, The Ad-Libs, Don Gardner, Connie Questell, Cindy Scott, Ronnie Walker, Delegates of Soul, Billy Paul, Billy Terrell, Billy Jackson to name a few!
Our FINAL adventure takes place on March 4-11, 2009 at the 4 star downtown luxury hotel in Downtown Chicago. The hotel is perfectly situated with easy access to shopping, eating, sightseeing via the 'magnificent mile' which starts outside the hotel. The city has many great sights and a variety of special tours are being created. Musically, the area is famous for Blues as well as Soul, but the latter is our focus for 7 nights which includes many exciting names. Already invited are; Ruby Andrews, The Artistics, Billy and Jerry Butler, The Ivories, The Kittens, Mighty Marvellos, Nolan Chance, Jo Ann Garrett, The Dells, Mill Evans, The Sheppards, The Salvadors, The Trends, Holly Maxwell, Diane Cunningham, Sidney Joe Qualls, Gene Chandler, The Opals with many more under consideration.
The itinerary for the UK is as follows; Depart London or Manchester Wednesday, March 4th to Chicago with American Airlines, following your arrival at O'Hare International, you will transfer to downtown(approx 40 mins) where your fast track check-in will be on hand. The promoters will be there to greet you accompanied by Travelbag representatives and a classic Soul artist or three!
Here's the planned trip; Day 1 - Wednesday, March 4th Join us in the Ballroom from 9pm as Kev Roberts, Robert Pruter (author of Chicago Soul) and Bob Abrahamis a local DJ and Collector pay tribute to the Soul of the Windy City. Brilliant music from the Curtis Mayfield stable (Five Stairsteps, Impressions, June Conquest), The awesome Chess Record stable, the grit of Alvin Cash and Jamo Thomas, the sublime St. Lawrence label featuring Mamie Galore, Butch Baker, The Ideals. Who could forget the late Ernie Leaner's Mar-V-Lus, One-Der-Ful, M-Pac group of labels which produced some of the scene's best dancers. Joseph Moore, Du-ettes etc plus the Rarest Chicago monsters from Don Gardner, The COD's, Combinations and not forgetting the great hits too from Jerry Butler, Barbara Acklin, Tyrone Davies, Jackie Wilson and countless others. We'll cover as much of this fantastic music city as possible! Many of our invited guest artists regularly mix with the crowd and hopefully enlighten you to their past glories and failures!
Once we have refreshed ourselves with the legacy of the Windy City, it's time for dancing, as The UK's leading DJ's fill the floor with Northern Soul's greatest hits including; Moody Woman, Can't Satisfy, It Ain't Necessary, Just Like The Weather, Thanks For A Little Lovin', Right Track, I Really Love You (Jimmy Burns) and tons more. Dancing ends at 2am nightly.
Day 2 - Thursday, March 5th Check out the variety of tours. Maybe visit the Sears Tower. Dancing commences at 9pm, with UK DJ's and a special feature with Dave Moore's Hitsville Soul Club providing the cream of the US Northern DJ's and some of the World's Rarest sounds.
Day 3 - Friday, March 6th With many more exciting Illinois sights to visit. Dancing kicks off at 9 with Guest DJ's in Party Mood as we welcome in the Weekend with some of the great Chicago dancers from Larry Houston, George Kirby, The Sharpees, Fred Hughes, The Vontastics, Walter and the Admirations, Gospel Classics,The Del-Tours Joy Lovejoy, Ramsey Lewis. In fact could their ever be any bigger dancers than Wade In The Water, In Orbit and You've Been Cheatin'. All from CHICAGO.
Day 4 - Saturday, March 7th Save your energy for the LIVE show at 8 featuring 7 acts and many greet and meets. Get your autograph books ready. Dancing til 2am.
Day 5 - Sunday, March 8th A fabulous Record Show 11am-5pm . Meet Chicago and Detroit's Record dealers and bag a bargain. Dancing starts at 8pm with a Chicago Crossover Hour plus many alternate Rarities.
Day 6 - Monday, March 9th An optional day trip to DETROIT. If you are in the mood for an exciting sightseeing visit to Michigan's great City, book your places with Travelbag. Coaches will escort you on a 4 hour journey to Detroit visiting a famous Motor museum, Motown's famous Hitsville Studios and a meet and greet session with some Soul legends from the area. Our host will be LAURA LEE! Return Coach journey at approx 9pm. Pleae note, the ballroom in the Knickerbocker, Chicago will be closed for this evening.
Day 7 - Tuesday, March 10th Last chance to catch the sights. Our farewell party begins at 8pm with more dancing, the famous Soul Karaoke showdown (South Yorkshire won the last 2!) Meet more acts.
Day 8 - Wednesday, March 11th Pack, Peruse those delightful shops on Michigan Ave. Transfer back to O'Hare for your flight home and... any Unique and Exclusive memories!
COST and HOW TO BOOK The cost is £999 per person*. Pricing includes Round trip Air Travel from either London Heathrow or Manchester with American Airlines, 7 nights stay at the 4* Millennium Knickerbocker. 6 full nights of Entertainment including the Live show meeting more than 40 of Chicago's musical legends.
Please note, this is a exclusive Event organised by Goldsoul Entertainment in association with Travelbag. No admittance is possible to any UK resident unless travelling on the organised trip. * Excludes Food, Transfers, Optional trips. Single stay supplements are £200 per person. US and Non-UK residents can visit the event by booking on-line using the secure server and following the specific guide lines.
THE PROMOTERS/ORGANISERS/TRAVEL ARRANGERS. Goldsoul Entertainment (Stoke, Kings Hall, Blackpool Tower, Whitby, Ilkeston. More than 35 years experience) Travelbag, a respected Travel company with E-Bookers their sister business.
Your hosts will meet you along with several legendary Chicago soul names. Key UK and USA DJ's will be resident throughout the week. The cost of £999 is slightly higher than originally advertised, due to higher air fares and our location city being more expensive rooming than LA and NY. However our Entertainment plan will more than cover the rise. Price includes Flights, Hotel Accommodation (based on 2 sharing) and all the EXCLUSIVE Live entertainment.
THE CITY OF CHICAGO is one of the most exciting musically in the world!
Day 1 (Wednesday) Arrive. Free Courtesy buses downtown**. Welcome party in a large arena featuring some of Chicago's legends plus a very SPECIAL HOST, 8pm - 1am.
Day 2 (Thursday) Optional City Tour. More Soulful activity 8pm - 1am.
Day 3 (Friday) Record Collectors tour organised by one of the main players in the Chicago area. Weekend Warm-up 8pm - 1am 'The official Chicago Soul Party' with more Legendary Artists.
Day 4 (Saturday) Optional City Tour pt.2(Shopping) THE BIG SHOW in the Ballroom with more than 40 acts/producers LIVE or to meet and greet, 8pm - 2am.
Day 5 (Sunday) RECORD FAIR 11am - 4.30pm, BIG SHOW Pt.2 8pm - 1am.
Day 6 (Monday) Optional Day trip to Detroit. City Tour including a visit to Hitsville USA, Motown plus a showcase gathering of some of Detroit's Northern and Motown legends. 6.30am - late return.
Day 7 (Tuesday) The Farewell Party 8pm-2am featuring DJ's and more Chicago legends.
*£30 fee **Transfer is extra
PLACES ARE LIMITED, so book now for this unique trip seeing artists you may never see again.
BOOK NOW for the exciting trip to Chicago and Detroit in March 2009!!!
A page about the most influential Chicago music and record labels, here.
Soultrip USA 2006 to New York was a resounding success, read some of our testimonials here...
To make a telephone order or to leave us a message, TEL +44 (0)1909 515150 (10am - 6pm UK time)
Goldsoul, Email SoultripUSA
P.O. BOX 909
WORKSOP
S80 3YZ United Kingdom
Whether it be taking hundreds of Soul fans to the USA as part of our SOULTRIP brand. Organising some of the country's leading events at Blackpool Tower, Whitby, Stoke or Ilkeston, you can be assured of our near 40 year experience in the Soul scene.
Our knowledge covers EVENTS, Latest CD and Vinyl releases, Licensing, Album Compiling, Radio and Song Consultation for the Motion Picture Industry, Television and Advertising Agencies.
