Bunny Sigler
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Walter “Bunny” Sigler, a singer, songwriter and producer who helped create “The Sound of Philadelphia” in the 1970s, has died at age 76.
Sigler worked with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in developing a genre that blended soul, funk and big band styles, and cemented the city in the country’s musical landscape with its lush horn ensembles and smooth vocals.
Gamble said Sigler was one of the most talented songwriters and producers he ever worked with, and “more importantly, he was like family to us.”
As a performer, Sigler was known for such hits as “Let the Good Times Roll & (Feel So Good).”
In a 2008 interview with NPR, Gamble said he, Huff and Sigler also performed background vocals on some of their songs, including the chart-topping “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
His career spanned decades and saw collaborations with acts as varied as Patti LaBelle and Jay-Z.
There are effective reading programs in the school system, developing fun reading workshops at the learning centers and to encourage more mentors to help students have an improved path of learning how to read. Ultimately, create an atmosphere for a bright future.
It is critical to build a strong reading foundation early in a child’s life. I am excited about the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy program because it provides books to children every month from birth to kindergarten. I recently toured the Rome Children’s Academy operated through the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority. It uses a Montessori philosophy and curriculum to prepare their students for kindergarten. The Early Learning Center at AKD Elementary is also an excellent program operated through Berry. We must continue to partner with the community and build programs such as these to improve the success of our students.
We must continue to look for funding/ cooperative partners to have 3-yearold programs at all of our elementary schools. Data shows that the students, who attended the South Rome Early Learning Center the first year, were on level to learn to read in pre-K and will be ready to read in kindergarten. Research shows that this is a strong predictor of high school graduation. We must continue to look at innovative programs to improve literacy levels.