A popular 60's soul band from Wichita will be inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in Lawrence Saturday.
The Smart Brothers Band always brought significant energy to the stage, doing flips and splits. Brother Leroy even danced on his hands.
Band leader Richard Smart says the brothers all played instruments and loved engaging the audience.
"The Smart Brothers were exciting," Smart says. "They had a lot of showmanship, showmanship I don’t even see today."
In the '60s and early '70s, the band played weekends at their family-owned club and restaurant called "Smart's Palace." The band was also the opening act for The Temptations and The Staple Singers when they came to Wichita to perform.
Small says he's honored to be inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.
"I was surprised," Smart says. "My understanding was there were about 30 groups, and we came in the top 5.
The band will be inducted along with such bands as Stone Wall, Trampled Underfoot and opera singer Samuel Ramey.
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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.
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