The Challengers next Tri-Phi release was I Hear an Echo, written by Bogan, Harvey Fuqua, and Pa Colman; it was similar to Honey, complete with another thrilling vocal from Bogan, but was less successful. On this release they became the Challengers III featuring Ann Bogan. Cleveland native, George Hendricks, substituted for Hutchinson when James couldn't make a gig, but gigs weren't plentiful, so the work didn't amount to much. Hendricks would befriend Choker Campbell, Motown's road bandleader, and record for Campbell's company.
As the Challengers III, their career was over, but Fuqua started them anew as the Executives; they recorded two obscure singles in 1963, River of Tears and Why. Both were initially released on Explosive Records then switched to Mink and Revenge Records, respectively. In May of 1963, Bogan recorded a duet on Harvey Records with Fuqua entitled Will I Do b/w What Can You Do Now; the A-side is a stark, simple ballad, and the flip is a classic '50s styled R&B duet.
Neither the Executives nor the duet sold well and Harvey and Gwen joined the blooming Motown empire. Bogan became a Motowner in the merger, but nobody jumped to record her. She languished for years before replacing Gladys Horton in the Marvelettes, joining originals: Katherine Anderson and Wanda Young-Rogers. Supposedly, she sung bits with the Andantes, but it couldn't have been much, she lived in Cleveland, not Detroit (though she did spend time there), and wasn't often hanging around waiting for background gigs. Her family owned a bar near on 116th Street near Woodhill Road, where Bogan worked as a barmaid and sometimes performed as Little Ann.
When Harvey left Motown, Bogan's career languished again, that is, until Fuqua formed New Birth from Vernon Bullock's concept and placed Bogan in Love, Peace Happiness with Melvin and Leslie Wilson. She also sung with New Birth (uncredited) as did the Wilson Brothers. They released two albums on RCA Records which featured 12 songs co-written by Bogan; they didn't sell due to RCA's lackluster promotion. But the New Birth recordings made some noise and they became a very popular soul group. Bogan was part of the revue until she opted to stay home and raise her kids. James Hutchinson died years ago and Dorothy's whereabouts are unknown, Bogan lives in Cleveland, OH. ~ Andrew Hamilton, Rovi