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The World Famous Ink Spots, heirs to the legacy of one of America’s most beloved vocal groups, have teamed up with April Brucker (America’s foremost female ventriloquist) for a one-of-a-kind new release: “That’s the Way It Is.”
The single features Ink Spots lead singer Pernell Berry alongside Brucker’s hilariously glamorous gold-digger puppet, May Wilson, in a witty and nostalgic duet. This marks the first time in history that an Ink Spots group has collaborated on a recording with a ventriloquist.
The track is a reprise of the classic 1945 recording famously performed as a duet with Ella Fitzgerald and Ink Spots lead singer Bill Kenny. Originally recorded at the historic Decca studios, “That’s the Way It Is” soared to the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Pop Charts. This new version pays tribute to that timeless hit while offering a fresh, lighthearted twist for a new generation of fans.
“The Ink Spots are known for breaking musical ground, and this collaboration with April Brucker and May Wilson is another exciting chapter in our story,” said Pernell Berry. “It’s fun, unexpected, and a nod to the playful side of classic American music.”
Formed in the early 1930s, the original Ink Spots were pioneers in developing a distinctive vocal harmony style that influenced countless artists and helped shape the future of rhythm and blues and rock and roll.
“I’ve always been a fan of The Ink Spots, and getting to sing with them—even through it's my puppet May—is a dream come true,” said Brucker, who is widely known for her TV appearances and her cult following as “That Puppet Girl" on TLC's "My Strange Addiction."
Eddie “Coco” Stancil leader of the World Famous Ink Spots, said, “We wanted to honor the legacy of The Ink Spots while adding a unique and playful twist. This collaboration celebrates not only the enduring appeal of The Ink Spots’ music but also the joyful, unexpected magic that happens when classic harmonies meet comedy and ventriloquism.”
The single is now available for streaming and download worldwide on Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, and other major platforms. The official music video is also live on YouTube and other music video outlets.
More at https://worldfamousinkspots.hearnow.com/thats-the-way-it-is
The World Famous Ink Spots, the Las Vegas-based third-generation successors of the legendary 1940s vocal group, proudly announce the release of their debut album, "The Music and The Memories.” This heartfelt collection pays homage to the timeless harmonies and enduring legacy of the original Ink Spots, whose sound helped shape the foundations of rhythm and blues, doo-wop, and rock and roll.
Originally formed in the early 1930s, the Ink Spots rose to international fame with their signature blend of smooth vocal leads, spoken bass lines, and sentimental ballads. This style produced countless hits and left a lasting imprint on American music. Nearly a century later, the World Famous Ink Spots carry that tradition into the 21st century.
At the helm is group leader Eddie “Coco” Stancil, a seasoned performer who joined the George Holmes Ink Spots in 1990. That group, formed in the mid-1960s by original Ink Spots members Deek Watson and Charlie Fuqua, was instrumental in keeping the Ink Spots' sound alive. With "The Music and The Memories,” Stancil, with the current ensemble of Pernell Berry, Flery Bursey, and Allen Howard, delivers a stirring tribute that fuses decades of tradition with fresh energy and heartfelt reverence.
“This album is a labor of love and legacy,” said Stancil. “We’re not just preserving the music — we’re breathing new life into it for a new generation. ‘The Music and The Memories' is our way of honoring the voices that came before us while making sure the sound of the Ink Spots continues to resonate, just like it always has.”
With lush arrangements, silky harmonies, and sincere delivery, "The Music and The Memories" invites listeners, both longtime fans and newcomers, to fall in love with the Ink Spots all over again. The album features beloved classics including “If I Didn’t Care,” “Java Jive,” and “We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me),” as well as “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire” — a song that has seen a worldwide resurgence thanks to its recent appearance in the Amazon hit TV series “Fallout."
“We want longtime Ink Spots fans to relive the magic and new listeners to discover just how timeless these songs are,” added Stancil.
"The Music and The Memories" is available now for digital download and streaming on Amazon, Apple Music, iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, and other major platforms.
To learn more and hear the album, visit www.worldfamousinkspots.hearnow.com/the-music-and-the-memories.
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World Famous Ink Spots©
The World Famous Ink Spots carry forward one of the most enduring legacies in American music. The original Ink Spots—Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, Jerry Daniels, and Orville Jones—first came together in the 1930s, performing as The 4 Ink Spots at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. Their breakthrough came in 1936 with the arrival of Bill Kenny, whose distinctive high tenor transformed the group’s sound and launched them to international fame. With timeless hits and a style that bridged gospel, jazz, and popular song, the Ink Spots helped lay the foundation for rhythm and blues, doo-wop, and ultimately rock and roll. In recognition of their influence, the original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
Over the decades, the Ink Spots’ legacy continued through various lineups as founding members pursued new directions. Deek Watson, Charlie Fuqua, and later George Holmes each carried the banner of the Ink Spots, keeping their unique sound alive for new audiences. After Watson’s passing in 1969 and Fuqua’s in 1971, Holmes guided the group into a new era, eventually joined by Cleveland R&B artist Lou Ragland in 1978. Holmes’ death in 1991 marked another transition, as the group adopted the name The World Famous Ink Spots.
Under Ragland’s leadership, the Ink Spots remained a vital presence on stage, sharing their signature harmonies with audiences across the country. In time, Eddie “Coco” Stancil joined the ensemble, bringing both a fresh energy and a deep respect for the group’s history. Following Ragland’s passing in 2020, Stancil assumed leadership, ensuring that the group’s music and traditions would endure into the next generation.
Today, based in Las Vegas, The World Famous Ink Spots stand as third-generation heirs to a remarkable musical heritage. Their performances honor the pioneering artistry of the original Ink Spots while introducing the group’s signature style to contemporary audiences. More than eight decades after their first recordings, the Ink Spots remain a beloved reminder of the music that shaped American popular culture and inspired generations of artists that followed.
The World Famous Ink Spots© (Registration No. VA0000251798) is used under license from the Estate of Lou Ragland.