For every band that makes it out of the Metro, there are ten times as many that never get past playing a few gigs at the Belle Isle Brewery and maybe self-releasing an album or two, no matter how great they are. It’s just the way the law of averages works in the down and dirty music business, kid. Just ask Wakeland, Aranda and Maya.
Wait…Maya who?
Recently, while I was searching YouTube for various Oklahoma City-related ephemera to wax nostalgic on, such as locally-made commercials, I came across an absolutely stunning music video for the sexy sax-jam “Dance into Your Bed,” by a group called Maya. Dangerously intrigued and obviously hungry for more, a little bit of research dug up a 1983 article from the Oklahoman entitled “Who’s that knockin’ on the door? It’s Maya!” by Gene Triplett that went deep into the Maya-mania phenom that was rockin’ the Big Town back in the day.
Made up of, according to said article, Wes Holland (drums, vocals), Cheryl Bonner (vocals, keyboards), Gary “Speedy” West Jr. (lead guitar), Kent Blessing (sax, guitar, keyboards), Jim Ratchel (horns, keyboards), Bill Hood (keyboards, vocals), and Woody Lingle (bass), Maya was a big deal not only on the then-popular hotel lounge circuit, but were also drawing numerous fans every week to their weekly gig at the long-gone and much-lamented Cajun’s Wharf.
Even though Maya had already released a handful of albums by 1983, apparently “Dance into Your Bed,” from the album Murder By Love, was their most notable attempt at trying to hit the big time, even being distributed by MCA. Currently, copies of the LP on Discogs are selling for about $3.00 (meanwhile, over on eBay, local record store Guestroom has a used vinyl of an earlier record, a self-titled release described as “Oklahoma Private Soul Funk Modern Boogie,” running for about $40 bucks).
With songs such as “Every Little Bit Hurts,” “Love Shines in the Darkest Places” and “I’d Do It with You,” man alive, would I love to get my hands on a hard copy of Murder By Love!
While the band reportedly played OKC frequently until the mid-90s in various incarnations, despite a propensity for performing some floor-filling 80s dance monsters the public couldn’t get enough of, they never quite made it past the clubs and restaurants, fading into local music obscurity faster than you can say PC Quest. But, after sampling the few notable tunes that have been posted to YouTube, would I be wrong in saying a Maya renaissance would be more than welcomed?
Both a product of their time and moderately ahead of their time, that classic smoke-filled club sound with those delicious synth-drum beats and MILF-friendly vocalizations honestly work even better today; I would personally love to see a local label release an authorized anthology collection of Maya’s best bangers to a new generation of local music fans hungry for something they can actually dance to, no sports-jacket required. ¡Cómpralo ya!
_
Maybe I should start my own record label…I did work for Not Lame for five years. Follow Louis on Twitter at @LouisFowler.
Not Lame provided me with so much power pop way the back when. I’m a subscriber and random purchaser from Pop Geek Heaven nowadays.
Knew all of these guys plus Triplett too. It would be difficult to do a reunion since Holland (who was the leader) and West are deceased
I remember when going to “The Wharf” to see Maya and drink some Play-Dee-Dos was a thing.
I remember a very horrible incident related to gumbo followed by a bunch of Play-Dee-Dos, the heater in the car being turned up on high, and some vomiting incident on the way home. In the Council Road Baptist Church parking lot. Good times.
Other than the specific parking lot and you leaving out, you more than likely had a box of the Wharf’s Play-Dee-Do’s glassed you got to keep when purchasing said future vomit…your story rings true for a plethora of patrons, and for many of us……uh I mean my friends……this happened way more than once! LOL!
Maya+The Wharf+Play-Dee-Dos=some great times!
I wish I had those souvenir glasses now. I still have a hard time eating gumbo.
Probably partied with you and your crew.
I think they played the Edmond High school prom in the mid-80’s. That’s Edmond Memorial because there was only one then.
Yeah, they were still doing proms in Edmond in the early 90s. At least to 93.
We were a hotel/lounge act in the 70s, did our own thing in the 80s after we built Cajuns, relegated to weekends after Wes died in 1989. I’d love to have the 80s to do over again, amazing times.
We did proms and country club gigs always, because the money was so good
I loved KZBS! But I’m too young to remember this band.
Kim Whipkey went to my school, but she was a bit older than me.
This was a fun read!!!
WHAT WONDERFUL MEMORIES AND GREAT FOLKS. ALSO I REMEMBER MARK GALLOWAY WHO PLAYED GREAT GUITAR IN THE BAND. I KNEW THEM WELL BACK IN THE LATE 70S AND EARLY 80S BECAUSE THEY OCCASIONALLY WOULD PLAY AT MY NIGHTCLUB EAST OF LEXINGTON, OK. NAME OF THE PLACE WAS ‘THE RUN OF 89’ AND NOW, APPROPRIATELY, IT IS A HOLY ROLLER CHURCH.
BUT BACK IN THE DAY MAYA WOULD PACK THEM IN DOWN IN RURAL CLEVELAND COUNTY, PLAY THAT ROCK, SOUL AND A BIT OF COUNTRY AND SINCE WE WERE NOT IN ANY CITY LIMITS WE NEVER HAD TO CLOSE AT 2AM AND ANYWAY THE HIGHWAY PATROL GUYS AND COUNTY LAW LOVED TO COME BY, HAVE SOME JUICE AND LISTEN TO THE BEST BAND THAT EVER PLAYED AT MY CLUB.
LATER WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE I CONVINCED SOMEBODY IN POWER TO HIRE MAYA TO PLAY FOR BOTH THE SPEAKER’S BALL IN 1991 AND GOVERNOR HENRY’S INAUGURAL BALL LATER ON. BOTH WERE HELD IN THE COX CONVENTION CENTER. IT WAS FUN TO WATCH MOSTLY OLD WHITE GUYS TRY TO DANCE AND IT ONLY GOT WORSE AS EVERYONE GOT LUBRICATED.
LIVE ON MAYA. YOU GUYS, AND ONE BEAUTIFUL GAL, WERE THE BEST!
You’re on caps lock Grandma.
Cal, I remember playing for Govenor Nigh’s Speaker’s Ball. Maya played many high society events, corporate parties (like Ran Ricks & Jerry Jones) and the debutant balls. We played many humble, down to earth bars, too. We were always grateful for the work and that we could draw a crowd.
Yep and many other events I can remember. Can you tell me where Mark Galloway is and how he is doing……..and of course how are you?
Cal
Cal Hobson, Run of 89, worked at your place over a couple of decades and a couple of bands. How are you old friend?
TO SOUTH ROBINSON. I KNOW IT’S ON CAPS. ALL THE BETTER TO SEE YOU WITH.
PS. IT’S GRANDPA.
KENT – DOING FINE AND THANKS MUCH FOR REMEMBERING THE CLUB. PEOPLE STILL TALK ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BAND, THE INDIVIDUALS, THE QUALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM.
MORE SOON.
CAL
Played there with Full House too in the 70s, always liked you a lot
Loved that talent loaded band. Enjoyed everything they played, both originals and covers. One of my favorites was their version of the Beach Boy’s Sail On Sailor.
Michael Smith. Good to see you in print man. This article brought back so many memories of whicb you were a big part of. Hope you are well and doing fabulous!! I remember those days and your support. Thanks man!
Hey Kent. Tell me about the band Granddaddy. Believe the lead singer was Mary Kay Holloway. Where are those folks and are they still in the music business.
I also remember Full House. Now those were the days for the club scene.
Cal
I briefly dated Wes in the 70’s and still remember feeling he died way too young.