Heir to Original Drifters' Founder Forms New Business to Carry on Father's Legacy

SUMTER, S.C., March 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Prompted by two significant court actions filed in South Carolina Probate Court and the Court of Common Pleas for the Third Judicial Circuit of Sumter, South Carolina, Willie Terrell "Terry" Woods, an heir to the legacy of his late father South Carolina music legend Willie B. Pinkney founder and naming member of Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters, today announced the formation of a new company called Steamboat Entertainment, LLC to manage his late father's revered legacy.

At the heart of the actions is long-time Las Vegas resident Ida Maxine Porter, Pinkney's group manager. In the lawsuits, attorneys for the Pinkney heir allege fraud, misrepresentation, self-dealing, breaches of fiduciary duty, duty of care, conspiracy, accounting, violation of right of publicity, conversion and unjust enrichment against Porter. Pinkney is the founder and the naming member of Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters.

Woods continues to honor the revered name of his late father, who, in 1953, joined with Clyde McPhatter, pioneering the first Drifters' group that was rooted in Gospel music at the heart of South Carolina's music scene. Pinkney's version of the Drifters is best known for the 1956 hit Ruby Baby that reached number 10 on the US R&B chart and for his soulful rendition of White Christmas from the blockbuster motion picture Home Alone, starring McCauley Culkin.

For more than five decades of his life, Willie B. Pinkney was focused on keeping his Drifters' sound alive. Known as "Mr. White Christmas," Pinkney is recognized for his baritone lead on The Drifters' 1954 recording of the Irving Berlin classic.

For more information, please contact:
Gina DeRossi
1-518-332-4988
[email protected]

SOURCE Steamboat Entertainment, LLC