During the Scranton years, Big Al Downing and the band were gigging constantly and were pulling down $500.00 a week, which wasn't too bad for 1960. Over this time co-manager Phil Ladd was pretty much eased out of his position, with The Poe Kat taking over completely. Our family relocated once more, to the Washington, D.C. area. This time we wouldn't move again for over 35 years.
At some point my dad heard that a club in Washington, D.C. named Rand's was paying $1,000.00 a week for their entertainment. The club owner was keen to book the band until he heard that Big Al was black. So my dad made the club owner an offer he couldn't refuse - the club wouldn't have to pay the band ANYTHING if they didn't go over well, but if they did, the band was to get the $1,000.00 a week. Five years later Big Al Downing and The Rhythm Rockers were still playing Rand's, with Big Al breaking the unwritten color barrier in that part of town...