Mitch McDowell

 ( 1954 Births ) 

Mitch McDowell was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter and producer. At least seven of his compositions were national hits for acts such as Booty People, General Caine, Ada Dyer, and Chico DeBarge.

---

Background Mitch McDowell was born in San Bernardino, California. He was one of six children. He also attended Military school while a teenager. His family was hoping that he would have a career in football, but it was music that he chose as his path.Soul And Funk Music - Interview with General Kane

McDowell's musical influences were, Sly Stone and George Clinton.

One composition of his was the impactful anti-drug song, "Crack Killed Applejack". Los Angeles Times, Oct. 4, 1986 - MUSIC, GENERAL KANE: UP FROM THE RANKS By Robert Hilburn

McDowell, was the leader of the ensemble General Caine (and later General Kane) which was a name he used for himself as well. A 1987 article by the Santa Cruz Sentinel explained how he was at the center of changing ensemble of musicians, and showed his photo as the non-existent general. The article also informed the reader that he was no relation to Motown labelmate Carrie McDowell. Santa Cruz Sentinel, Friday, August 14, 1987 - Page 71 Records, General Kane finds micro-funk groove Los Angeles Times, Oct. 4, 1986 - MUSIC, GENERAL KANE: UP FROM THE RANKS By Robert Hilburn

---

Career McDowell formed the band Booty People. In 1976, the line up consisted of himself, Ray Goodlow, John Iaun, Riki Hendrix, Richard Smith and Robert Palmer.Funk My Soul - General Caine – 1978 – General Caine (Let Me In) Record World, December 4, 1976 - Page 12 Far Out Affair

Along with J. Phillips, R. Smith, W. Goodloe, R. Palmer & M. Dickerson, he composed "Spirit of '76". Backed with "Anyway I'm Busted", it was released on Calla Records CAS-110 in 1976. Catalog of Copyright Entries Third series, By Library of Congress. Copyright Office · 1977 - Page 394 N31310 Spirit of '76. Anyway I'm bustedJazz Rock Soul - Booty PeopleSoulful Kinda Music - Calla, 110 - Booty People - Spirit Of '76 / Any Way, I'm Busted - 1976 The single was produced by B.B. Dickerson and Far Out Productions. Record World, May 8, 1976 - Page 14 Details of ATV -Calla Pact Announced, Reactivated Record World, April 17, 1976 - Page 16 RECORD WORLD SINGLE PICKS, BOOTY PEOPLE-Calla CAS 110 It peaked at no. 63 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart, Cash Box, June 19, 1976 - Page 43 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B June 19, 1976, 63 SPIRIT OF ’76 BOOTY PEOPLE (Calla CA 110), 6/12 65, Weeks On Chart 5 Cash Box, June 26, 1976 - Page 41 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B June 26, 1976 65 SPIRIT OF ’76 BOOTY PEOPLE (Calla CA 110), 6/19 63, Weeks On Chart 6 and No. 55 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. Billboard, June 26, 1976 - Page 52 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Blllboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 6/22/76, This Week 55, Last Week 57, Weeks on Chart 5 MusicVF.com - Booty People Top Songs, Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography, 1976 1. 05/1976 #1 Spirit of '76

He wrote the song "Girls" which was a chart hit for General Caine. It debuted at no. 82 in the Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles chart. Cash Box, August 21, 1982 - Page 26 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, August 21, 1982 82, 8/14 —, Weeks On Chart 1 At week five on 18 September 1982 it peaked at no. 57. Cash Box, September 18, 1982 - Page 16 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, September 18, 1982 57, 9/11 60, Weeks On Chart 5 Cash Box, September 25, 1982 - Page 24 TOP 100 BLACK CONTEMPORARY SINGLES, 25 September, 1982 84, 9/18 57, Weeks On Chart 6

McDowell's composition, "Where's the Beef?" was recorded by General Caine and released on Capitol Records B -5362 in 1984. A recommended single in the 19 May issue of Billboard, the reviewer referred to it as silly but good time funk. Billboard, May 19, 1984 - Page 64 Billboard Single Reviews, Black, recommended, GENERAL CAINE -Where's The Beef?

McDowell wrote the song "Crack Killed Applejack" as a graphic message about the dangers of Cocaine. He had great success with it as well. Due to the name of his band General Caine being close to the world cocaine, he changed the band's name to General Kane. Los Angeles Times, Oct. 4, 1986 - MUSIC, GENERAL KANE: UP FROM THE RANKS By Robert Hilburn The song went to No. 12 on the R&B chart. MusicVF.com - Crack Killed Applejack, : General Kane

Working with Nadine McKinnor, he composed " I Bet Ya, I'll Let Ya" which was recorded by Ada Dyer and released in 1988. The song peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard R&B chart that year. MusicVF.com - I Bet Ya, I'll Let Ya: Ada Dyer He had more success that year with "Kiss Serious" that he co-composed with Rodney Trotter and Craig Owen for Chico DeBarge. The song peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard R&B chart. MusicVF.com - Kiss Serious: Chico DeBarge

---

Death In 1992, at age 37, McDowell who had been running his bail bond business was murdered along with his teenage nephew. Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan 1992 - Mitch McDowell, Singer Turned Bail Bondsman, Is Slain The murderer of Mitch McDowell was never caught. In a sad twist, McDowell's son Caesar would arrive at the scene with his brother. Rather than being treated like victims, they were regarded as suspects, handcuffed and taken to jail. Some months later, without a father figure, any income and support, the 17-year-old Caesar McDowell committed his first armed robbery. Spectrum News 1, Nov. 14, 2021 - DA George Gascón meets with victims following backlash BY Kate Cagle

---

Later years Having done time in San Quentin where he was diagnosed with PTSD, Caesar McDowell finally got help to enable him to cope with his own trauma as well as the trauma he caused others. After serving twenty years of a life sentence for threatening his past girlfriend, he was released in 2020. He now uses his experiences to help others. He now works out of his office of Unite the People, Inc., which gives legal services at a reduced rate for families and friends of imprisoned people. Spectrum News 1, Nov. 14, 2021 - DA George Gascón meets with victims following backlash BY Kate Cagle

---

External links

• Discogs - Mitch McDowell

Post Comment