STARDAY RECORDS 540

FRANK EVANS and the Western Hayriders

Jan 56

45-540-A - I'm Different

(Gene Rutland) (Starrite BMI)

45-540-B - Another Love Like You

(Gene Rutland) (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 540
Florida Area

I would have drawn a blank on this artist too if it wasn’t for the excellent article on Frank by Andrew Brown that appeared in Hillbilly Researcher No.24. Frank was singing as a child on WHBO in Tampa, FL. (According to Frank, the radio station was so small, the signal “ ... just barely made it over the tree tops”. He was 15 years old when he cut this, his first recording, at the Burdette Sound Studios in Tampa, backed by the Western Hayriders (who were already an established band by this time and included Pete Howell on Ld Gtr and Dusty Robbins on Stl Gtr). Frank plays the banjo on these sides. The A side is a nice uptempo number with Frank soloing on the banjo with nice support from both lead and steel guitar. The flipside is a hillbilly weeper. It’s a great debut from an underated artist. Soon after, Frank formed his Top Notchers (more on them later on Starday 567). (MC / Hillbilly Researcher No. 24 - Andrew Brown)


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Label Shots: Phil Tricker

BIG STATE RECORDS 539

ROY ROBINSON

Jan 56 (BMI clearance on 3rd February 1956)

45-539-A - I Told It To Jesus

(Robinson) (Starrite BMI)

45-539-B - Little Romeo

(Robinson) (Starrite BMI)
BIG STATE RECORDS 539
Po Box 153, Keltys, TX

This disc was issued twice. The first release is vocal with accoustic guitar accompaniment. The second release is vocal with guitar, steel guitar, bass and fiddle accompaniment. The only means to distinguish between the two releases is that the second issue has the letters RE in the dead wax / run off after the A and B designation. In a way, I think I prefer the accoustic version, especially the religious A side (gospel, in my mind, should always be sparse in instrumentation). Flipside is a happy little ditty about a young (some say very young) “Don Juan” who chats up the girlies with the aid of candy bars and bubble gum. Kinda cute. This disc would have perhaps made a good demo, though I’ve yet to discover if anybody covered it. Perhaps that’s why he rerecorded it with a full hillbilly band and reissued it a few months later. The gospel track loses something with the band behind him but the B side comes off better with instrumentation. I drew a blank on Roys’ identity - a familiar story where these artists are concerned. I did find an artist with the same name on TRC (Texas Record Company) with songs entitled "Blood Weed" / "In Your Arms" - TRC 8457 - which was reviewed by Billboard on 15th Sept 1962, but I have no clue as to if it's the same guy. Both of these sides were published by Glad Music which is a tenuous link. (MC)


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Label Shots: Al Turner

STARDAY RECORDS 538

TOMMY CASTLE
Jan 56 (BMI clearance on 10th February 1956)

45-538-A - Wanderlust

(Jack Rhodes)   (Starrite BMI)

45-538-B - I've Done More Accidently

(J Rhodes / F Franks)   (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 538

Possibly one of the great unknown Rock-A-Billy discs in the Starday Custom catalogue. Jack Rhodes (more on him later on Starday 560/561) had set up a small recording / demo studio at the back of a hotel he owned in Mineola, TX where artists could come along and record demos, especially ones that Jack had written. The unknown Tommy Castle probably cut this Rhodes-penned disc at the hotel with (possibly) Freddy Franks (bs) and Al Petty (st gtr) and an unknown guitar player who hops all over the disc like a man possessed. The A side is a great shuffling, two-chord ditty with Tommy claiming to suffer from “Wanderlust” - an inability to settle down in one place. This song that could’ve gone onto greater things if picked up by a seasoned country star (Hank Williams, had he lived long enough would have been a good bet), or perhaps even Luke McDaniels. The flipside is a great bopper with a super, finger-picked guitar solo (he also cuts loose whilst Tommy is singing too; almost threatening to take over on occasions). This side was co written by Freddy Franks. A fab-tastic 45rpm! According to Tom Lincoln, Castle is Tommy Cassel (of Cassel Records), although at least one other collector says they are two different artists. Anybody got any ideas?(MC/Neil Scott/Tom Lincoln/ Joe Watson)

Update 4th Jan 2011

Regarding Tommy Castle (Starday 538). Five collectors have contacted me all stating that Tommy Castle and Tommy Cassel are NOT the same artist. Almost all have offered proof (although none have been forthcoming with the info), but it's safe to say the link between the two artists are tenuous at best.


Update 8th March 2011


Andrew Brown Wrote:


I recently confirmed that Tommy Castle was from the Big Spring, Texas (West Texas) area.

Update 17th July 2013

Source: Tommy Castle

Tommy was born in Knott, TX - some 35 miles outside Big Spring. Lived on his parents farm - which he eventually took over. Mother liked writing lyrics and music whilst his father was an accomplished fiddle player.
Encouraged by his mothers praise for his own lyrics, she bought him a Gibson acoustic in 1949 (pictured with Tommy) and Tommy started writing songs and playing locally once his farm chores were over. Tommy recorded 4 self-penned songs at the Jim Beck Studio (1101 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX) under the name of TJ Castle. As far as Tommy knows, they were never issued. He recorded them in the hope he could place them with other artists. Faron Young was interested in a gospel song but wanted to change some of the words. Tommy never replied to him regarding this. Tommy remembered that the group that were recording before him at Becks studio was Leon McAuliffe who cut "Blacksmith Blues" that day. Leon wanted an actual anvil to be hit on the song which delayed Tommy's recording so he was late getting hime. The date of this recording was 28th January 1952 (Tommy stated it was 1951). I include Leons session details here.

28 January 1952 [20:00-23:00] Jim Beck Studio, 1101 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX - Leon McAuliffe (Billy Walker [*vcl],Robert Kiser [gt], Ted Adams [bass], Dave Coleman [drums], Bobby Bruce [fiddle], Jimmy Hall [fiddle], Madge Suttee [piano], Buddy Griffin [percusion]. Producer: Don Law)
054 CO 47645/JB 85/ZSP-9186 STOLEN LOVE* 4-21020/CCD 295
055 CO 47646/JB 86/ZSP-9187 I’M GOING BACK TO BIRMINGHAM 4-20907/LP 5100 CCD 295
056 CO 47647/JB 87/ZSP-9188 WHO TOOK MY RING FROM YOUR FINGER* 4-20952/LP 5100 CCD 295
057 CO 47648/JB 88/ZSP-9189 BLACKSMITH BLUES 4-20907/LP 5100 CCD 295 BCD 16987
058 CO 47649/JB 89/ZSP-9190 THIS SIDE OF TOWN 4-20952/LP 5100 CCD 295 BCD 16987

Tommy had also gotten married and was still gigging locally and occasionally touring (He toured West Texas with Billy Walker at one point). Tommy mainly played in bars around Big Spring. Occasionally George Jones would come to the gig after his own had finished and dance the night away along to Tommy's band. Occasionally George would get up and let Tommy have a dance or two. The backing bands were recruited from the local air force base where a lot of good musicians were based. He was also friendly with Arlie Duff, Hank Thompson and Webb Pierce.

The Jamboree Tommy Regularly Performed on

During one of the regular "Jam Sessions" that was always happening around Big Spring, Tommy duetted with Gloria Henson for a few songs. Jack Rhodes heard them and was eager to record them as a duo. But Gloria was signed to capitol (or was just about to be) and was cool on a duet recording. She went off to Hollywood to try and make it as a singer and Tommy lost contact with her. (Anybody knows if she is still alive and her whereabouts, please contact me so I can forward the details to Tommy).

As for the famous recording - Jack approached Tommy to sing at a session at his little recording studio at the Trail 80 Motel in Mineola, TX. Tommy brought along some songs he wrote that he would like to record only to find that Jack had already selected two songs for him to sing - one a self penned number and the other co-written with Freddie Franks. Freddie, who was a close friend of Tommy's played bass. He couldn't really recall the other musicians. They all stood around the one microphone and kept shuffling around until Jack could get a good level for all the musicians and then they cut the two songs. Tommy got 300 copies pressed by Starday through Jack Rhodes and hoped for the best. Locally it sold slowly, although Jack (possibly true but also could be a case of "Artistic Hyperbole" said it was selling well on the East Coast - which suggests he must have had some to ship out even if the story was an exaggeration.) Tommy reckons this was recorded in Jan or Feb 1956 - as BMI cleared the songs early Feb I suggest january would be a better bet for the recording date.

Tommy and his wife Loudale had been married 11 years by this time and Tommy promised that if they ever had a child, he would forsake trying for a musical career. Loudale discovered she was pregnant around the times of the recording and Sheldon was born in August 1956. Tommy kept his promise and although he occasionally  played locally, gave up any attempt at touring or performing far from home. The Starday is his only (known) released recording.
As an aside, Sheldon became a great guitar player before tragically passing away in the 1990's.

Tommy and Sheldon Castle 1959

Another artist who played with Tommy was Jimmy Seals. Jimmy played fiddle from an early age and played in and around Big Spring. His father used to bring him to town every Saturday to play from their hometown of Sidney, TX. Jimmy also played drums and played guitar for Dean Beard and this Crew Cats. He also played with the Champs before joining Glen Campbell. He eventually performed with Darrel Crofts as Seals and Crofts. Last heard, Jimmy was living on a ranch in Costa Rica. Jimmy also played fiddle for Gene Autrey for a while whilst in California.

Jimmy recorded for Slim Willet on his Winston Label. Slim was a 300lbs MC / comedian and label owner (he owned Winston and Edmoral amongst others.). Slim wrote the classic "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" after taking some fresh air whilst performing at the Hadocal Corner Club and seeing all the thousand of stars twinkling at night. Tommy said Slim was a very friendly guy who was well though of.

Tommy also mentions artists being discovered in Big Spring. Jeannie C Riley used to perform at weekends as a young girl before being discovered by a talent scout. her auntie used to drive her up every weekend to get her some exposure in front of the public and Big Spring were always a friendly crowd to play in front of. Also Waylon Jennings made some early appearances around the town . Tommy says that after awhile Waylon grew his hair long, grew a moustache and became famous! Oddly enough, Tommy doesn't recall Hank Harral and his Caprock label out of Big Spring, but by the time Hank was releasing Caprock records, Sheldon was born so perhaps Tommy missed them.

Tommy also met Elvis Presley in a music shop in Midland, TX. Elvis was just beginning to become a sensation - although it took a while for Texas to appreciate his new music style and gyrations. He said he was in Levi jeans and tennis shoes and was very friendly and courteous to everybody. he also met Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings a little later on at the same place.

And finally, we can 100% scotch the rumour that Tommy Cassel is Tommy Castle.

Many thanks to Tommy Castle who put up with my endless questions over Skype in early July 2013 and to Tess Rain who arranged for us to connect over Skype. Feel free to leave any messages you wish to pass onto Tommy here and I'll make sure he gets to read them all.

Label Shots: Phil Tricker


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LUCAS RECORDS 537

LITTLE TEXARENA with Texas Roy Lucas and his Rangers

Dec 55 (BMI clearance on 6th Jan 1956)

537-A - Jolly Old Fellow

(Lucy N Penny) (Starrite BMI)

537-B - Oh Gee - Oh Gosh - Oh Golly

(F Rodgers / R Lucas) (Starrite BMI)
LUCAS RECORDS 537
4414 West Crest, Tampa, FL

Thanks to Al Turner and Derik Olsen, I finally heard this disc as it was for sale on ebay recently. I has this originally listed as "FRANCIS RODGERS AND RAY LUCAS // Mrs LUCY N PENNEY" but now I have label shots, I've corrected the Artist info and added a label address. (The guys listed are actually the writers.)


Both sides are sung by a female child (well, I guess it's a female), but despite that (because on the whole - child artists tend to be a little dire), she sings pretty well. The band is a bit "twee" for me - a kind of cross between hillbilly and polka, but nevertheless, it's a decent 45. Not one that I'd sell my grandmother for, but I might consider pawning her false teeth :-)


I'm guessing that Ray Lucas owned the label and possibly the singer is related to him. Probably wrong, but I'd be glad to be corrected on this matter. I'm also curious why Little Texarena and Texas Ray Lucas are on a label with a Florida address. 

See below for one comment regarding location and a correction on spelling.(MC)

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Source: Al Turner (via ebay)

Source: Al Turner (via ebay)

STARDAY RECORDS 536

LEE OGLETREE
Dec 55 (BMI clearance on 9th December 55)
45-536-A - Crooked Dice
(J O'Neal / J Tyler) (Starrite BMI)
45-536-B - You Done Got Me
(E Noack) (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 536
Tuscon, AZ area


Lee was from Tuscon, AZ where this disc was recorded. He also worked at WGAC out of Augusta, GA for a spell. The A side is a mid paced hillbilly bopper with Lee boasting of his dice rolling prowess (although by the end of the song he gets caught with dice up his sleeve). This side was penned by Jimmie O’Neal (see COAST 500) and Johnny Tyler, who performed over WGST in Atlanta, GA in 1954 and also recorded for Starday (main series) and for O’Neals’ Rural Rhythm label. Flipside is more of the same, penned by the great Eddie Noack. Nothing on WM Minor either. This sounds like a Texas recording to me. The steel player is Hal Rugg. (MC/Andrew Brown)


8th March 2011


Andrew Brown Writes:-
The full band name was Leo Ogletree and the Tucson Mountain Boys.

The group is:

Leo Ogletree, vocal
Hal Rugg, steel guitar
Ralph Lintz, rhythm gtr / fiddle on B-side
Kenny Devine, piano
Ernie Mock, bass
Paul Humphries, drums

Recorded at William Minor Studio in Tucson AZ. 


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Label Shots: Al Turner

STARDAY RECORDS 535

JOE GIBSON

Dec 55 (BMI clearance on 9th December 55)

45-535-A - Puttin' On The Dog

(Gibson)   (Starrite BMI)

45-535-B - Oh Brother

(Gibson)   (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 535

On the 3rd December 1955, Billboard mentions a Joe Gibson who was still fronting the Georgia Peach Pickers for Curley Williams, having his first record released on Starday so I’m presuming this is the same guy. I can’t say more than that at present. The A side is a tough, Texas shuffler with a nice guitar and steel guitar solos. (It has the type of infectious rhythm that gets PJ Tricker hopping about the kitchen whilst making the tea - and all of us scrambling to get out of the way!). The B side is pleasant uptempo hillbilly with a honky tonk piano, fiddle and steel guitar all taking small solos. (MC)

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Label Shots: Kent Heineman and Lars Lundgren

MOONLIGHT RECORDS 534

CARL TANNER and his Southern Pine Boys

Nov 55 (BMI clearance on 9th December 55)

45-534-A - Sweet Talkin' Baby

(Tanner)   (Starrite BMI)

45-534-B - What Makes The Blues

(Tanner)   (Starrite BMI)
MOONLIGHT RECORDS 534
1309 Margaret Street, Waycross, GA

Another pleasant hillbilly disc which kinda borders on a rockabilly feel, especially with the lovely guitar solo on the A side, but he struggles vocally with the slower tempo of the flip. Carl was a semi-regular presence on the "Peach State Jamboree" on WJAT from 8:15pm 'til Midnight and MC'd by Johnnie Bailes. He has another release on this label coming up later (# 568). (MC)


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Label Shots: Terry Gordon

INDIANA RECORDS 533

ROY FISHER and the Rhythm Riders

Nov 55 (BMI clearance on 9th December 55)

45-533-A - Just Suppose

(Fisher)    (Starrite BMI)

45-533-B - I've Got A feeling

(Fisher)    (Starrite BMI)
INDIANA RECORDS 533
222 West 5th Street, Michigan City, IN

Well, I may well have a label shot, but as yet I haven't heard this disc. As for the artist - once again I have as much info as a UK bank manager has integrity. There was a Roy Fisher who recorded for the New England record label in 1961 ("Pool Stick Window" / " Moon Powers" - #1004) which could be the same guy, but I'm clutching at straws here really. (New England was out of Houston, TX circa 1961/2 and owned by Dan R Andrade.) (MC)

6 June 2013 - Heard the B side at least. Hillbilly with a beat is the way I can describe it. Kind of like Chandros McRill on Stardust Records. Pretty good. The "swing" of the record would make it collectible. Note the reply below by a resident of Michigan City. Many thanks for that ....(MC)

Label Shots: Kent Heineman and Lars Lundgren

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