The Sultans

Doo wop group from Omaha, Nebraska
Members: Richard Beasley, Eugene McDaniels, Willie Barnes, James Farmer, Wesley Devreaux

Biography :
The Sultans were Willie Barnes (lead), Wesley Devereaux (1st tenor), Gene McDaniels (2nd tenor), James Farmer (baritone) and Richard Beasley (bass). This group had been singing together in a gospel quintet in Omaha's Technical High School. They acquired a manager, Paul Allen, who had persuaded Johnny Otis, who was passing through Omaha on a tour, to listen to the quintet.
Otis liked them enough to have them join his traveling show as it passed through Omaha. This was 1954. Otis named them and they followed him to Dallas, where he was doing some recording. He asked the Sultans to join him in the studio and give their rendition of "How Deep Is The Ocean". This was eventually released on Duke 125.
Following their first release, the group did many one-nighters at local clubs. In September, they had their second release, which had been recorded at their first session in January.
In 1955, the group changed their name to The Admirals and moved to the King label. There's no reason known. Despite the fact that they were under contract with King Records at the time and King was in Cincinnati, all three Admirals discs were recorded in New York City in January and February 1955.
Wesley Devereaux is the son of Wynonie Harris. Gene McDaniels is the same Gene McDaniels who later recorded "A Hundred Pound Of Clay" and wrote "Compared to What." According to this information, the backing group on the Duke sessions should therefore be The Johnny Otis Orchestra (under the name Walter Harrod's Orchestra), which recorded in Houston in 1954 as such: Devonia Williams-p; Pete Lewis-g; Albert Winston-b; Leard Bell-d; unknown-congas. Houston Texas, circa January 28, 1954. Duke was a label owned by Peacock Records, which released four Johnny Otis tracks probably recorded on that same session including "Sittin' Here Drinkin'"(Peacock 1648 & 1675). Johnny Otis directed the session, and also sung and played vibes on "You Got Me Crying (Down by the River)." Also listed on discographies is an unknown vocal group singing on "You Got Me Crying (Down by the River)." This vocal group could well be The Sultans.

Discography :
The Sultans (1)
1954 - Good Thing Baby / How Deep Is The Ocean (Duke 125)
1954 - I Cried My Heart Out / Baby Don't Put Me Down (Duke 133)
1954 - Boppin' With The Mambo / What Makes Me Feel This Way (Duke 135)
1957 - If I Could Tell / My Love Is So High (Duke 178)

The Admirals
1955 - Oh Yes / Left With A Broken Heart (King 4772)
1955 - Close Your Eyes / Give Me Your Love (King 4782)

Cathy Ryan & The Admirals
1955 - It's A Sad, Sad Feeling / [Lucky Millinder - Ow!] (King 4792)

Bubber Johnson (BB The Admirals)
1955 - Ding Dang Doo / Drop Me A Line (King 4793)
1957 - A Crazy Afternoon / So Much Tonight (King 5068)