GULF COAST RECORDS 548

TOMMIE TOLLESON and the Western Playboys from Palacios, Texas

Mar 56 (BMI clearance 23rd March 56)

45-548-A - Warm Springs Waltz

(Tolleson)    (Starrite BMI)

45-548-B - Think Of Me

(Tolleson)    (Starrite BMI)
GULF COAST RECORDS 548
Box 195, Palacios, TX

Just for a change, I have more info on this artist than I know what to do with, thanks to Adam Komorowski and Bobbie Brunes’ excellent and informative sleeve notes on the Tommie Tolleson CD - “A Boogie King From The Gulf Coast” on Collector Records CD-4498. Adam was editor of the UK New Kommotion magazine, so it’s always a good bet he’s done some top-notch research. So, if you need a fuller picture on this interesting artist, then grab yourself a copy from your nearest stockist.

Tommie was born on the 5th July 1936 - one of six children. Blind from an early age, he attended the Texas State School for the Blind (although Tommie could differentiate between day and night but not much more) which could boast other such luminaries as Leon Payne and Hub Sutter. Learning not only how to play but to tune a piano, he formed the Western Playboys to perform in bars when he was home from the school. Aged 19, this is his first record release - 300 copies pressed and another 100 shipped out to DJ’s , Radio Stations etc - the standard Starday Custom deal. Warm Springs Waltz was dedicated to the Warm Springs Foundation which was a cure centre. He was 22 when he graduated from the school and returned to Palacious, TX where he took up music pretty much full time. He recorded for Dan Menchuras’ KOOL label before operating his own record label - Gulfcoast Records - where he released polkas, waltzes, boogie woogie and the torrid rocker “Carla Blues” (Gulfcoast 101). He died April 23rd 1997. “Think Of Me” is a ballad whilst the flip has a cajun/waltz feel. Not as torrid as Carla Blues or A Gal Named Sue, but nevertheless a nice little tune. (MC / Adam Komorowski and Bobbie Brunes / Collector Records CD-4498)

Label Shots: Phil Tricker

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