the group, named the mellows because of their preference for ballads, recorded four singles on the jay-dee label in 1954. one song from this period, "smoke from your cigarette", was played regularly on alan freed's radio show and made the new york r&b top 10 list in 1955. another, "i still care", was written by leach, her first and only songwriting credit. the group also performed live at local venues, including harlem's club baby grand. leach suffered from severe stage fright, and had to drink to calm her nerves before performing.