Get to the Point

from the 7” single, BABS records, 1982



This song often gets tossed into the pile of choice Tony Cook cuts, due to the fact that he was the executive producer here, but seeing as how it was written, arranged & performed by one Vernon Cheely (who was only 17 years old), it was time to find out who we really have to thank for this slice of synthtastic boogie heaven. Well, that, and I found out a certain record label (think “rocks toss”) got their happy little hands on Cook’s whole discography earlier this year, so no more procrastination… After a laborious search online, I found our man: 43 year old singer & keyboardist Vernon Cheely still resides in Augusta, Georgia and is the current music director at St. Marks United Methodist & Episcopal Church---the online Augusta Chronicle did a short bio piece on him in 2008 that’s still up. His favorite show he ever played was with the Drifters in the ‘80s, but (be still my heart), when asked what his favorite concert of all time was, his fucking answer was KISS at the Carolina Coliseum in 1975, “…they had an illusion that made them appear to have disappeared… when they came back, they were in different outfits, and they kind of blew my mind, you know…” Vernon, if I could, I would hug you brother---that answer, along with this incredible jam you crafted for us, has made my day!