“Traces” by the group Classics IV is today’s classic song of the day. Released as a single in January of 1969, this one went all the way to #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard’s Easy Listening charts.
“Traces” was written by Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb, and Emory Gordy Jr. Buie was a songwriter and producer who worked with both Classics IV and their successor group, the Atlanta Rhythm section. Cobb was a member of both groups, who also co-wrote “Spooky” with Buie. Gordy, no relation to Motown’s Berry Gordy, was a working musician who backed up Emmylou Harris, the Bellamy Brothers, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, John Denver, and others. He later became a well-known producer for country artists such as Steve Earle, George Jones, Vince Gill, Alabama, and his wife, Patty Loveless.
Buddy Buie recalls how “Traces” came about:
“We were laying down some other tracks, and during a break Emory [who was playing bass on the session] went to the piano and kept repeating a phrase that I found extremely catchy. I said, ‘Em, would you care if J.R. and I took that piece and worked on it?’ He said that was fine, and it became the opening phrase of ‘Traces.'”
The Classics IV formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1965. Dennis Yost was the group’s leader and lead singer, and they had a number of one-word hits, including “Spooky,” “Stormy,” and “Traces.” Several of the group’s members left in 1970 to form the soundalike group, Atlanta Rhythm Section. Yost continued on with replacement members as Dennis Yost and the Classics IV, performing primarily on the Holiday Inn circuit.
Dennis Yost, who sang “Traces,” passed away in 2008 at age 65. Buddy Buie passed away in 2015, age 74. J.R. Cobb passed away in 2019; he was 75 years old. Emory Gordy Jr. is still with us at a still spry 81 years of age.
For today’s daily bonus video of the day, here’s Dennis Yost and Classics IV lip synching “Traces” on some television program back in the day. Sorry for the poor video quality; it’s all we got.
