Song:Girl Watcher
Album:Oldies But Goodies Vol. 8
I'm sure you all remember this 1968 top five blue eyed soul classic. Oh, you thought The O'Kaysions were black. Don't let that bother you. Lots of folks think they were black. The O'Kaysions started out as the teen rock group The Kays in Kenly, NC in 1959 featuring lead singer Donnie Weaver, guitarist Wayne Pittman and bassist Jimmy Hinnant. Pittman wrote Girl Watchers and the group recorded it in Feb. 1968. Pittman also changed the name of the group to The O'Kaysions. It was released on a small label and was such a big hit in the Carolinas, ABC Records signed The O'Kaysions. Girl Watcher reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The O'Kaysions added three new members, Ron Turner on trumpet, Jimmy Spidel on sax and Bruce Joyner on drums. And veteran soul singer and producer Johnny Pate produced the Girl Watcher album. The O'Kaysions split up in 1970 and only recorded one album. The song is still a big favourite on the Beach Music circuit in the Carolinas. You can get Girl Watcher on this various artists comp. Girl Watcher got a big boost and a lot of royalties when it was used to promote Wheel Of Fortune in 1987. The title was changed to I'm A Wheel Watcher. Donnie Weaver was a member of Chuck Leavell's group Sea Level and is still active in music today. Wayne Pittman still leads a version of The O'Kaysions on the Beach Music and oldies circuit. Here are The O'Kaysions performing Girl Watcher 1968.
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