| "Good Times" was the unrealistic sitcom set in Chicago's infamous public housing complex "Cabrini Green." The show ran from 1974-1979 and made household names out of its stars. Jimmy "JJ" Walker put the term "Dy-no-mite!" into the American lexicon via the show. It gave birth to Janet Jackson (Penny) as an actress and Ralph Carter (Michael Evans) as a singer. By the time Ralph landed the role of the baby of the family he was 13 years old. A veteran of Broadway he earned a 1974 Tony nomination for his role in "Raisin." At the height of "Good Times" run, Walker released a comedy album and Carter was groomed for a teen-idol singing career. Mercury Records hired Reid Whitelaw and Norman Bergen to produce Carter's one and only release. Disco was beginning its ascent and his 1976 release "Young And In Love" was geared towards that market. Patti Austin was brought in for backgrounds along with a host of top session players and Tom Moulton was pegged for the final remixes. Ralph's two 12" singles were "Extra Extra (Read All About it)" and "When You're Young And In Love." The 2 12" singles hold the distinction of being Mercury's first and eleventh promotional-only releases. And Carter recorded the title track long before another youngster would use it as her first release.....Stacy Lattisaw. The album and it's disco tracks did very well in the club market but failed to scale the pop charts. Carter, a reluctant participant, refused to pursue the teen-idol route and another release was not forthcoming. At the shows end Carter quickly fell from the spotlight only occasionally resurfacing in the early 1980's on a few guest spot roles before vanishing into the night. |
