Friends pay tribute to Ruffin, celebrate their own music
By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Jan. 25, 2003
David Ruffin touched the lives of many people, those who knew him and those who enjoyed his performances as a member of The Temptations from 1964-68.
Ruffin was born Jan. 18, 1941, in Meridian. His death in 1991 of a cocaine overdose is still shrouded in controversy, but his vocals moved a generation with his soulful leads on classic Motown tracks like, "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "(I Know) I'm Losing You," and "I Wish it Would Rain."
Ruffin will be remembered as part of a celebration scheduled Feb. 8, at the Council of Organizations Building in Meridian.
Also celebrated will be the opening of Sipp &M Records Productions, which began operation in Meridian in the fall, and the release of compact discs featuring local performers.
Recording Studio
Thomas Sipp and Carl Marshall founded TSCM Recording Studio, 2310 Fourth St. Sipp works at Peavey Electronics and owns the Sportsman's Club in downtown Meridian.
Marshall is a recording artist, song producer, writer and radio personality on KISS 104.1 FM in Meridian.
During Marshall's Saturday morning show, the Carl Marshall Throw Down Show, which airs from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., songs recorded locally can be heard. The list includes such songs as "I'd Rather Not Say I Hurt," by Michelle Miller of Stonewall; "All Men Ain't Dawgs," by Candis Palmer of Meridian; and "Get It While It's Hot," by William "Steel Bill" Payton, a song he originally wrote for David Ruffin in 1990, just before Ruffin's untimely death.
Marshall, who also co-wrote some of the songs he plays on his radio show, said he moved to Meridian from New Orleans recently to help develop local talent. The concert next month will showcase the local singers.
In the business
Payton, also chief executive officer of Farish Records in Jackson, has an office at the recording studio in Meridian.
Payton said he would like to hold a tribute to Ruffin in Meridian annually and is working on plans to erect a statue of Ruffin, possibly with the help of art students at Meridian Community College. Payton is also exploring a museum centered around Ruffin's life.
Fame, acclaim
Other performers from Meridian have earned world-wide recognition in the past. Payton, Sipp and Marshall are hoping the same will happen in the future.
Payton said he has invited to next Saturday's event many people in the music industry who knew and worked with Ruffin. He has also invited some of Ruffin's family members.
Along with Payton, Miller and Palmer, Gerald Cordier, one of the musicians who recorded with the performers at the local studio, will be part of the band on Feb. 8. Another performer, Jerry L, is also scheduled to perform.
