Hi George, I hope you are in good health.
Hello Keith, Thanks for inquiring about my health, I am in better shape than I should be for my age, and the miles I have put upon my body. But I am still rocking strong and feeling good. I appreciate your interest in my career.

I welcome the opportunity to present the facts of the Dr Hook band. I recently read things on the internet and in the press from various members of the band and press writers which were blatantly untrue, and factual information withheld and distorted, namely www.sylviasmother.com

I have kept quiet over the years, thinking that certain people would grow up and shed their egos, and be person enough to be truthful about the real story of Dr Hook and my departure from the band.

Where are you living now?
I am presently living in Bayonne, NJ, across the river from Manhattan.

At what age did you know that you wanted a career in music?
My desire for a career in music started in my early teens after being exposed to all of the good music in the deep south where I was born and raised (Meridian, MS).

What were your early musical influences?
My early musical influences were mainly country and bluegrass music that we listened to on the radio before the age of TV. We listened to Hank Williams live show everyday at noon. Then there was the Grand Ol Opry. Once in awhile late at night as I was drifting off to sleep my Father's radio was tuned into a distant station and I heard Jazz tunes that let me know there was something else happening in the world of music.

How did your career first get started as an amateur, and what are your fondest memories from this time?
I played in various groups around Meridian, my first group was at 17. My fondest memories of my early stages of playing with people was at Mrs. Hortense Harvey's house, what we called the "picking & grinning".

Mrs. Harvey was the first cousin to the legendary Father of Country Music, Jimmy Rogers, who was also from Meridian, MS. She had weekend gatherings of players and singers of all degrees of skill. I learned many licks and tricks from those musicians who would come to Mrs. Harvey's home for those gatherings. She was a great songwriter and provided me with inspiration to carry on. Another good friend of mine "Rattlesnake Annie" later recorded some of Mrs. Harvey's songs. Mrs. Harvey's pen name was Virginia Shine. One day I hope to record more of her songs as a tribute to a great lady.

There must have been tough times; was it so hard that you ever thought of changing profession?
Yes, there is always tough times in a musical career, I have thought about using the degree I earned in College to either coach or teach so I could provide my family with a more stable income, but my love of the music keeps me in the game.

You were in a band before Dr. Hook which was called "The Chocolate Papers"?
The band the Chocolate Papers was formed in 1968 by Popeye Phillips. I brought some chocolate coated rolling papers from New York to Mobile, Alabama. Popeye liked the taste so much he started the band and named it after the rolling papers.

Did you take anything musically from this band into Dr. Hook?
Musically we, the Chocolate Papers, were the basis of the Southern Music Power and Soul, which we incorporated the R&B, Psychedelic influence. The Chocolate Papers were a double drummer, big beat boogie band. I only wish that Dr Hook could have been more like the Chocolate Papers. That's when we were true soul mates and brothers. The sound was hot and strong.

Many Dr. Hook histories hold you responsible for naming the band "Dr. Hook And The Medicine Show". How did the name come about?
My question is why don't all of the histories give me the credit I deserve. I have never understood why Dennis & Ray or anyone else would want to steal my contributions to a band that I formed, and worked hard to make it a success.

In 1968 Ray, Dennis & I were working in "The Bandbox" a club in Union City, New Jersey. I had just formed the band and the owner asked me to come up with a name so he could put a sign up in front of the club. I borrowed a pencil from him and on a piece of paper wrote Doctor Hook & The Medicine Show, straight from the South, serving up soul music. That's exactly how the name came about.

What are your best memories from when you began recording with Dr. Hook And The Medicine Show (first album days)?
Unfortunately I don't have many best memories from the album days, because I always knew that we could have made much better music and the band's capabilities were not fully realized because of the Producer's piece meal way of recording. There is one track that I liked called Cookie and Lila on our "Bankrupt" album. I thought he gave my lap steel a decent mix.

What were your reasons for leaving the band?
My reasons for leaving the band are manyfold. After working 6 straight years and never missing a gig, I contracted bronchitis on the road and got deathly ill. I went to the Doctor, he advised me if I wanted to stay alive, to take some time off and recuperate. I went to our Producer/ Manager informed him of the situation and being the tyrant that he is, he refused to allow me to take the time to heal. I had a meeting with Dennis, Bill & Ray, explained my situation and told them I am taking time off to get well as per my Doctor's instructions and advice. Their attitude toward me was disinterested and uncaring.

Another major reason I left the band was we were not being paid for all of the miles and hard work we were putting in. After many gold records, but no gold for us, nothing but promises and trickery. Which forced us into a shady bankruptcy at the Producer/Manager's manipulations. Also, there were two band members who were star struck and thought the whole show revolved around them, leaving the rest of us in the shadows. Their silly little ego trips irked me to no end, or should I say irked me to the end.

Are you still in contact with other former band members? Do you know where they are or what they're doing now?
I am basically not in contact with anybody. In 1981, six years after my departure from the band the first person to call me was Ray Sawyer. His reason was that the band was suing the Producer/Manager. He wanted information on the Bankruptcy. Because I felt that nobody cared after all these years, I was unreceptive to his pleas. In 1987 Dennis sent me a post card from Norway.

In April of 2001 my so called "southern soulbrother" Bill Francis called me in New Jersey, and said that he had been trying to contact me for the past 25 years, and I am not that hard to find.

After reading Dennis' version of the Dr Hook story at www.sylviasmother.com I was incensed enough to call him on the telephone, in the wee hours of the morning to express my dismay, but got his answering machine instead. I left messages telling him that I did not appreciate his untruthfulness and his lack of respect for all I had done for him. A boy who had never been anywhere or done anything, got an opportunity through my will and my work to present his talent to the world. Now he thinks he did it all by himself and nobody else matters. He has expressed his small minded ego on the world wide web, demeaning me and degrading my accomplishments.

I hear that Ray is using the name Dr Hook and is on the road playing club dates with Bill Francis recently joining him. Dennis is still living in Nashville playing his role as "The Voice of Dr Hook".

Do you know the reasons why the band split?
The reasons why the band split is the "smell got too bad" the stench of egotism, greed and crappy management, led to the ultimate demise.

Do you know how Dennis managed to own the rights to the name Dr. Hook?
I have no idea, since he didn't name it. I am working with an attorney in Nashville now on discovering how they stole the name, the credits and the royalties that I am contractually due.

Do you think that there is any chance of a reconciliation/reunion
of the band?
Regarding a reunion or reconciliation, as far as I am concerned, it's a remote chance, unless someone comes up with enough finances and work to compensate me for all the shortcomings. According to the internet information Dennis hasn't spoken to Ray in years, so we may need a love potion in that department.

What do you think it was that made Dr. Hook have such a strong and devoted following?
I am still a little amazed that the strength and devotion of the following has lasted this long. I think that it was our live shows, our energy and devotion to pleasing our audiences.

Do you have a favourite Dr. Hook track, or a favourite album?
My favorite Dr Hook track is "Cookie & Lila". I have no favorite album. My musical expectations were never met.

What have you been doing since you left Dr. Hook?
I moved from San Francisco to Nashville in hopes of selling some original songs and hooking up with good music people. I spent 10 years in Nashville trying to hoe music row, attaining a Top 10 country hit with "Moe & Joe" winning Video of The Year in the mid 80's. The guitar legend "Lonnie Mack" recorded a song of mine called Rock People that Stevie Ray Vaughn played on in the video. I played in various bands, some rock, some country, one band in Nashville was called The Raven, founded by a friend of mine Ken Hatley, now a producer, who has become a musical force based in Orlando, Florida. He recently produced a series called Rockthology on Aerosmith, Smashing Pumpkins, etc and has been head of one of the European Record companies for North America for the last couple of years. He and I go back to Charleston meeting when I was with the Chocolate Papers and he and a singer were working with the Drifters at the time.

The Chocolate Papers

click the picture to view larger image

I have been writing with Lonnie Mack for several years, as well as others. In the early and mid nineties, I worked Europe a lot, performing with another American Artist on shows and festivals throughout Germany and the former East Germany.

What have you done recently?
Working on a movie Sound track with Ken Hatley, with the current working title of "Florida City" but the distributors are a new company formed by Miramax and Hemsdale called "Blue Steel". I think the name will be "Level 6". It is about the USA knowing in advance of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is based on a true story.

What are you doing now in the way of work?
Working on remastering an album I recorded on Big Joe Williams at Muscle Shoals Studios. One of the last albums this legendary Delta Blues singer recorded. We released 14 of the tracks on Big Joe with Polydor/Verve, the album (CD) is entitled Big Joe Williams, "The Final Years", produced by me and Joe B. Stewart, and Ken Hatley. We remixed and mastered at Disney Studios, Orlando, Fl.

Working on a new album, writing material and defining the sound for it. Playing some Solo gigs around the New Jersey/New York area.

What are your plans for the future?
Planning to tour Europe again with an all star revue and my hometown buddy, the legendary bassist Chris Etheridge, founder of The Flying Burrito Brothers, recorded with everybody from Linda Ronstadt to Frank Sinatra. Bassist supreme. (speaks English :) We're planning to inject this violent wicked world with pure harmony.

I understand that you are in the process of writing a book. What is the book about?
The book is about many of the talented artists and people that I have met in million mile journey on planet earth.

Have you decided on a title for your book?
The title may be Silver Strings and Golden Dreams.

When is your book likely to be available to buy?
When its finished.

I know that you are working on a new solo album. Has this album got a title?
Jet Plane Gypsy, With a Dragon Fly Soul

When will this album be available to buy?
As soon as it is completed, probably spring 2002.

What genre will this album fall into?
The great American music Genre.

Do you think this album will appeal to Dr. Hook fans or is it aimed squarely at a new audience?
I hope this album will be universally accepted, by Dr Hook fans, as well as Mozart fans. It's about the art and harmony

Are you surprised that the internet has awakened many older fans and inspired many second generation fans, all of whom are still looking for information about Dr. Hook?
I am not only surprised, I am shocked. Since I am not a computer clone, I must become adept in the art of computers and the internet. So, have patience.

Ray, Dennis, Billy and Rod all have their own website. Is there the possibility that you will have your own website?
It is being built as we speak.

When might your website appear?
When I get intelligent enough to figure it out. (I am presently working on it)

Is there anything that I haven't covered that you would like to share with us?
There are many things we haven't covered, but your questions have been intelligent and introspective. We will try to bring further clarification in the future. Thank you for your time and interest. I also want to say Thank You to all of the fans that have kept the spirit alive.

Musically Yours,
George Cummings

George, Thank you very much for this interview and I wish you every success with your book, with your album, and with all your future ventures. Thank you for your time and your patience.