Tasha Thomas
Encyclopedia
Tasha Thomas was an American
singer-songwriter
and actress
, known for her role as Aunt Em
in the original Broadway production of The Wiz
. Thomas also had a hit single
, "Shoot Me (With Your Love)," from her 1979 album
, Midnight Rendezvous.
. Her breakthrough came when she was cast in the original Broadway production of The Wiz in the role of Aunt Em
. Her performance on the cast album
, singing her soulful rendition of the ballad “The Feeling We Once Had,” earned her wide critical acclaim.
In 1978, on the basis of her growing popularity as a singer capable of performing in many different styles and genres, producers James R. Glaser (aka Jimmi Hood) and Peter Rugile signed Thomas to their company, Orbit Record Productions. Her first record release on the producer’s independent label
, Orbit Records, was the international dance smash “Shoot Me (With Your Love),” written by James R. Glaser. Unable to keep pace with the demand for the record, producers Glaser/Rugile took Thomas and their production company
to Atlantic Records
to complete Thomas’s first solo album
Midnight Rendezvous.
Recorded in 1979, Midnight Rendezvous included the track, "Shoot Me (With Your Love)", which was the biggest hit from the album. The New York Times
music critic Robert Palmer, described the song as "…one of the grittiest and most rousing disco records of the year destined to become a classic of erotic dance music."
s, including appearances on Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert, Soul Train
(Season 8, Episode 32 - Air Date: 03/24/79), The Merv Griffin Show
, (Season 11, Episode 2395) Burt Sugarman’s Midnight Special (Season 7, Episode 25 - Air Date: 05/04/79) and Dance Fever
(May 1979).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and actress
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, known for her role as Aunt Em
Aunt Em
Aunt Em is a fictional character from the Oz books. She is the aunt of Dorothy Gale and wife of Uncle Henry, and lived together with them on a farm in Kansas...
in the original Broadway production of The Wiz
The Wiz
The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African American culture. It opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A...
. Thomas also had a hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Shoot Me (With Your Love)," from her 1979 album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Midnight Rendezvous.
Music career
Thomas was born in Jeutyn, AlaskaAlaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. Her breakthrough came when she was cast in the original Broadway production of The Wiz in the role of Aunt Em
Aunt Em
Aunt Em is a fictional character from the Oz books. She is the aunt of Dorothy Gale and wife of Uncle Henry, and lived together with them on a farm in Kansas...
. Her performance on the cast album
Cast recording
A cast recording is a recording of a musical that is intended to document the songs as they were performed in the show and experienced by the audience. An original cast recording, as the name implies, features the voices of the show's original cast...
, singing her soulful rendition of the ballad “The Feeling We Once Had,” earned her wide critical acclaim.
In 1978, on the basis of her growing popularity as a singer capable of performing in many different styles and genres, producers James R. Glaser (aka Jimmi Hood) and Peter Rugile signed Thomas to their company, Orbit Record Productions. Her first record release on the producer’s independent label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
, Orbit Records, was the international dance smash “Shoot Me (With Your Love),” written by James R. Glaser. Unable to keep pace with the demand for the record, producers Glaser/Rugile took Thomas and their production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
to Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
to complete Thomas’s first solo album
Solo album
A solo album, in popular music, is an album headlined by a current or former member of a band. A solo album may feature simply one person performing all instruments, but typically features the work of other collaborators; rather, it may be made with different collaborators than the artist is...
Midnight Rendezvous.
Recorded in 1979, Midnight Rendezvous included the track, "Shoot Me (With Your Love)", which was the biggest hit from the album. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
music critic Robert Palmer, described the song as "…one of the grittiest and most rousing disco records of the year destined to become a classic of erotic dance music."
Television appearances
Following the success of "Shoot Me (With Your Love)", Thomas was frequently invited to guest star on television music and talk showTalk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
s, including appearances on Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert, Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
(Season 8, Episode 32 - Air Date: 03/24/79), The Merv Griffin Show
The Merv Griffin Show
The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show, starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, September 20, 1965 to September 26, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS and again in...
, (Season 11, Episode 2395) Burt Sugarman’s Midnight Special (Season 7, Episode 25 - Air Date: 05/04/79) and Dance Fever
Dance Fever
Dance Fever is an American musical variety series that aired weekly in syndication from January 1979 to September 1987. The series was created and produced by Merv Griffin and written by Tony Garofalo....
(May 1979).
Awards
"Shoot Me (With Your Love)" was nominated for “Best R&B Single of the Year” at the 1979 BMA Awards.Albums
- The Wiz (Atlantic Records, ASIN: B000V6AS46)
- Midnight Rendezvous (Atlantic Records, ATLANTIC SD 19223 1)
Singles
- "Rock-A-Bye, Baby" (2011)
- "Shoot Me (With Your Love)" - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#59 - "Hot Buttered Boogie"
- "Street Fever"