Artist Biography: C.J. and Company

Introduction

American disco group C.J. and Company achieved recognition for their disco hit “Devil’s Gun”  which peaked at #36 on the pop chart in during the 70s music era. Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1977, the act was produced by the “funk brothers” Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore. After gaining a brief success with the song, they issued several songs that failed to make a commercial impact. Not long thereafter the group disbanded in the late 70s. Find a little more about them in our oldies music article! 

Lineup and formation

C.J. and Company were a Detroit, Michigan-based disco and R&B group assembled by songwriters/producers Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore.  The lineup consisted of three male singers and two female singers: Curtis “CJ” Durden, Charles Clark, Cornelius Brown, Joni Tolbert, and Connie Durden. They were formed in 1977. They are alternatively known as C.J. and Co. or C.J. & Co.

C.J. and Company’s smash hit “Devil’s Gun” and other releases

In 1977 C.J. and Company released their debut single “Devil’s Gun” on Westbound Records. The single charted on the Billboard Hot 100 on #36 while it was at #2 on the R&B chart. On the Billboards year-ender chart, “Devil’s Gun” was placed at #100 and also became a minor hit in the U.K., peaking at #43. C.J. and Company’s other singles like “We Got Our Own Thing” and “Sure Can’t Go to the Moon” did not succeed and the group called it quits in 1979. In their brief career the group issued two full-length albums Devil’s Gun (1977) and Deadeye Dick (1978), as well as several singles (see them in the discography below). 

C.J. And Company’s discography (may be partial)

Sussex Records

(1975)

  1. J. and Company
  • A: Day Dreamer
  • B: Day Dreamer

Westbound Records

(1975)

  1. J. and Company
  • A: Daydreamer
  • B: Would You Believe It

(May 1977)

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: Devil’s Gun
  • B: Free To Be Me

(May 1977)

  1. J. And Co.
  • A: Devil’s Gun
  • B: Devil’s Gun

(Nov 1977)

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: We Got Our Own Thing – Pt. I [Stereo]
  • B: We Got Our Own Thing – Pt. I [Mono]

(Nov 1977)

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: We Got Our Own Thing – Pt. I [Stereo]
  • B: We Got Our Own Thing – Pt. I [Mono]

(1978)

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: Big City Sidewalk
  • B: Call Me If You Need Me

(1978)

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: Big City Sidewalk [Stereo]
  • B: Big City Sidewalk [Mono]

(1978)

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: Deadeye Dick
  • B: Call Me If You Need Me

(Aug 1978)

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: Deadeye Dick
  • B: Deadeye Dick

Atlantic Oldies Series Records

  1. J. and Co.
  • A: Devil’s Gun
  • B: We Got Our Own Thing – Pt I