Draft:Andre Callahan

Andre L. Callahan (born August 18, 1949) is an American musician, singer, and drummer best known as one of the original founding members of The Commodores.

Music career

Callahan, raised in Tuskegee, Alabama with his parents, Ina and Eddie Callahan. Callahan is the only child and spent much of his time listening to music. Callahan spent dedicated hours to playing the drums. He spent many more hours listening to the harmonies of soul and Funk.

Callahan attended Tuskegee Institute High School in Tuskegee, Alabama, in the spring of 1967. In 1968, as a freshman at Tuskegee Institute, now known as Tuskegee University was a part of a group called the Jays. In between classes as a psychology major, Callahan enjoyed playing local gigs filled with college students like the Black Forest Inn. Along with Michael Gilbert, and Milan Williams. The trio partnered with another campus group, the Mystics, led by student, Lionel Richie along with Thomas McClary, and William King.

Both groups enjoyed playing small gigs around Tuskegee and Macon County until the six decided to combine talents to form the group, the Commodores. Soon the newly formed group would play local arenas, frat parties, local clubs and private events. Legend has it, the name Commodores was chosen randomly from the dictionary as the story is told by William King. In People magazine, King shares the story with a laugh, "We almost became The Commodes."

The newly formed group played the Chitlin' Circuit in Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, As the Commodores original drummer, Callahan enjoyed the band's sound evolution. The group had a jazz feel from the Mystics and was also heavily influenced by R&B, soul, and funk. Callahan's favorite groups at the time were Sly & The Family Stone, James Brown, Bobby Womack, and his all-time favorite, War.

In 1969, Callahan traveled to New York City with other members of the group to record a single, "Keep on Dancing" on Atlantic Records. Unfortunately, the song was not a hit and didn't gain steam at this time. It was at the same time, he was recruited to join the United States Navy. Although Callahan loved music and was excited about becoming a "big time musician," he understood his responsibilities as a husband and father. At the advice of his father, Callahan made the tough decision to serve his country. He was replaced by Ronald LaPread.

Shortly after opening for The Jackson 5 in 1971 the Commodores would sign with Berry Gordy and Motown Records. Before the deal was complete other members of the group would also go on to other careers. James Ingram was sent to Vietnam, replaced by William "Clyde" Orange who signed to contribute vocal and drums. A bass player, known as “Railroad,” who was their earliest lead singer left before the band hit it big. Similarly to Callahan, Tom Joyner's family encouraged him to seek another career. Joyner went in radio, eventually landing in ABC Radio in 1994 with the syndicated program, The Tom Joyner Morning Show.

The story of the early years is documented in the Commodores Museum in Tuskegee, AL, founded by Johnny Bailey, in 2015 as the only national museum that once was the rehearsal and studio.

Personal life

Callahan loved music and enjoyed playing drums at events at Tuskegee Institute High School, where he graduated in 1967. Callahan was raised with parents, his mother, Ina M. Callahan, an English Dean at Tuskegee University, a private HBCU, historically, black college or university. Callahan's father retired from the Veteran's Administration in Tuskegee, AL. After serving 20 years serving veterans in Central Alabama at the Tuskegee Veterans Medical Center. After retirement, he worked as the Manager of the Tuskegee Federal Credit Union.

In 1967, Callahan married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Clements. In August 1986, they gave birth to their only child Andrea Callahan. It has been reported that Lionel Ritchie was named the baby's God-father. After a few years of marriage Callahan and his wife divorced and she died in December 2005 in New Rochelle, New York.

Military career

Callahan proudly traveled the world while serving twenty years in the United States Navy. He was an Aircraft electrician on many navy ships. He was also an Electronics Technician. Callahan served several years in Alaska, Virginia Beach, Hawaii and finally settling in San Diego with also Veteran wife Margaret Callahan.