DESCRIPTION:
Jimmy Ford was a young, up and coming, high register trumpet player in the Chicago area. For years, his group, Jimmy Ford & The Kasuals had been a solid 4 piece combo, performing at dances and wise-guy owned clubs in Chicago. Mike Sistak on guitar, Ron Gately on bass, Dwight Kalb on drums and Jimmy Ford on trumpet, played jazz standards and R&B instrumentals of the day.

Through Jimmy's due diligence, he built a relationship with Bob Ahlert, the head of the William Morris office in Chicago. Since Jimmy's band was all accomplished musicians that could read music, Bob secured them a job as a back-up band for an upcoming 1964 Dick Clark Caravan of Stars tour. Ron Gately, the bass player, opted to not go on the road and was replaced by Wayne Erwin, a former member in James Holvay & Gary Beisbiers' high school group,The MayBees.

Their musical skills of backing up hit recording stars on the show was a success, which secured Jimmy and his group a regular spot for more Dick Clark tour opportunities.