One was of an earnest Southern soul singer, born February 14, 1945, in Cochran, Georgia, and recorded for TK Records president Henry Stone's Alston imprint. His Billboard-charting singles were "Nobody But You Babe" (number seven R&B summer 1969, on the Atlantic LP), "Good Old Days" (early 1972), and "Funky Party" (summer 1974). He co-wrote hits for Betty Wright ("Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do"), the million-selling "Clean Up Woman," "Baby Sitter," and "Let Me Be Your Lovemaker." For Gwen McCrae, Reid co-wrote and co-produced "Rockin' Chair," which reached the pop Top Ten in 1975,

In his other persona, he performed X-rated material under the pseudonym Blowfly. Reid also helped Richard Finch get a job with TK Records and introduced Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey to junkanoo, the festive party music that would be the core sound of Casey and Finch's '70s supergroup KC and the Sunshine Band. Clarence Reid-related releases are When a Man Cries: The Deep Soul of Scepter/Wand, in addition to many Blowfly releases. ~ Ed Hogan