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Legendary music producer Carl H. Davis died Thursday morning, August 9th, 2012. Mr. Davis passed peacefully at his home in Summerville S.C. surrounded by family.  He along with his wife Dedra Davis relocated from their home in Chicago to South Carolina in 2009.

During the golden years of the; 50's 60's and 70's, Carl Davis, was one of Chicago's hottest music producers and record executives to ever blaze the trails of Chicago's renowned Record Row. Mastering the art of cutting a deal to the artistry of cutting wax, Davis' visionary leadership helped forge the legendary Chicago-Sound. From the stage of Chicago's famed Regal Theatre to the bright lights of concert venues throughout the world, his artists were some of the brightest stars of our time. The number of artists and hit records with connections to Carl Davis makes for quite an impressive list. He was the man who brought you Gene Chandler, Major Lance, Tyrone Davis,. the Chi-Lites, Young-Holt Unlimited, and the second half of Jackie Wilson’s career. Barbara Acklin, the Artistics, and Walter Jackson were Carl Davis artists. He worked alongside Curtis Mayfield at the birth of the Chicago soul sound. He also touched the careers of many artists who were not normally part of the Chicago scene, but whose careers managed to intersect with his, including Louis Armstrong,. Mary Wells, Erma Franklin, Cassius Clay as he was in the process of becoming Muhammad Ali, even a young songwriter named Elton John. His recent autobiography punctuates the tireless efforts and the timeless contributions of one of America's greatest music producers and record company executives. To many he was a friend, to others a businessman, but to his artists and fans throughout the world he was and will always be the man behind the music.

The Carl H. Davis Music Foundation will be formed and will have a mission of promoting awareness and preserving the history of the Chicago Soul sound, as well as continuing this heritage of musical excellence into the present and future. The Foundation will also benefit young musicians with grants as well as mentoring. Carl Davis currently has a book released through Life To Legacy Books entitled The Legendary Carl Davis: The Man Behind The Music. The Davis family will announce details shortly regarding services celebrating his life. For more information: Contact Carl H Davis II at carl.davislll@gmail.com  Thanks to contributor Tom Bingham.