Saturday 29 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 914

EDDIE REYNOLDS and his Band
Feb 61   (BB = 20th March 61)
45-914A - Cowboy Hall Of Fame
(Harry C Johnson)   (Bendon Music)
45-914B - Am I Still The One
(Harry C Johnson)   (Bendon Music)
DIXIE 914
518 East Seymour, Shawnee, OK

Source: Phillip J Tricker

A slight back in the hills sound to the recordings, but it's a nice 45rpm. Probably could do without the "Cowboy..." song as it doesn't do much for me. But tribute songs usually did well locally, so I can't blame him for that. Eddie's got a great voice when he's not doing the recitation bit.

The flip is a good guitar instrumental. Nothing outstanding but it's got a nice bit of "Primitive" about it. (Could do without the electric rhythm though as it's a bit loud). Is this Eddie playing guitar or one of his band members? Maybe Harry C Johnson as he wrote this side (or at least he has the writers credits.) A bit unusual for somebody to write an instrumental and not play it himself.






Tuesday 25 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 913

KEN LIGHTER and his Hay Ryders
Feb 61
634-45-913A - The Corner Of Love
(None Listed)   (Bendon Music)
634-45-913B - Am I Still The One
(None Listed)   (Bendon Music)
DIXIE 913

Source: Terry Gordon / Phillip J Tricker

Merry Christmas to all!!!

The top side is a bit of dreary Nashville country set at a slight waltz tempo. Sorry to all Nashville country fans, but this music genre leaves me a little cold. Probably got some airplay here and there. King Records pressed this one after a small dry spell where Starday either pressed the last few themselves or went elsewhere.

Flip side is set at a better tempo (for me anyway). Still has that Nashville sound, but Ken's vocals has a bit more echo and there's more urgency in delivery. The band are very good and well rehearsed. Yeah, like this side quite a bit. 




Sunday 23 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 912

PARKER CUNNINGHAM
Jan 61
45-912A - Little Teardrop
(Jimmy Bradford)   (Tronic Music)
45-912B - Blow Whistle Blow
(Jimmy Bradford)   (Tronic Music)
DIXIE 912

Source: Terry Gordon

B side is a good Cash-A-Like with a smattering of Nashville country musicianship in the background. Parker is better known for the stompingly humourous "Dry Run" on Bill Cooley's Rebel Record Label.




Wednesday 19 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 911

BOB BEDARD
Jan 61
45-911A - (I’m Proud And It’s) Nice To Be With You
(-)   (-)
45-911B - You Caused The Blues
(-)   (-)
DIXIE 911

Not seen this disc, but the B side is a pretty good country rocker. There are blue and pink versions of the label, suggesting it was repressed? (or perhaps they simply ran out of pink or blue labels - or the pink are DJ copies.) Never heard the A side. 

Sunday 16 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 910

CHARLOTTE HARDEN
Jan 61
45-910A - That’s All Right With Me
(Connie Dycas)   (Tronic Music)
45-910B - Lovin’ You Baby
(Connie Dycas)   (Tronic Music)
DIXIE 910

(Possibly Detroit or Flint, MI area)

Source: Terry Gordon

Two more fine songs from the Ozark Sweetheart, both penned by Connie Dycus. Charlotte was from Arkansas but had moved (with her family?) up to Troy, Michigan whilst she was still at school. There is a good chance that the band behind her are all Detroit Musicians. 

(Charlotte appears again later in this series.)




Thursday 13 December 2018

FAITH RECORDS 909

QUEENS OF JOY GOSPEL SINGERS
Jan 61
45-909A - Jesus Is A Way Maker
(M Alexander)   (Starday Music)
45-909B - Lord I Prayed
(D Taylor)   (Starday Music)
FAITH 909
(Although there is no location written on the label, Faith 927 was from Bluefield, VA)

I heard this many years ago on an old cassette tape, long before I knew it was part of the Starday Custom Package. Although at the time I didn't really appreciate Gospel music, I found both sides of this disc pleasantly pleasing, especially the A side. I jotted it down in my "ever-present" note book and promptly forgot about it until recently. I don't have any information on this group (nothing new there) except they reappear in this series on FAITH 927.

Source: Terry Gordon




Monday 10 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 908

HOWARD MAYBERRY with The Sangamon Boys
Jan 61
45-908A - Proof Of Love
(W Sullivan)   (Tronic Music)
45-908B - This Just Can’t Be Puppy Love
(W Sullivan)   (Tronic Music)
DIXIE 908

Box 451, Decatur, IL

Part two of a split session (see previous post) finds the Sangamon Boys lead by Howard Mayberry and shows just how a country band can dabble with Rock and Roll. Top notch effort from the band to keep up with Mayberry's slightly snarling vocals.

The flip-side (actually the top side) has eluded me so far.

Source: Terry Gordon




Friday 7 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 907 (Updated)

JUNIOR GARNER with The Sangamon Boys
Jan 61   (BMI = 31 Jan 61)
45-907A - Mr Satellite
(W Sullivan)   (Tronic Music)
45-907B - Blind Date
(Gardner)   (Tronic Music)
DIXIE 907
Box 451, Decatur, IL

Source: Terry Gordon / Dean Craige Morris

From: Decatur Daily Review (25 Dec 1960)







Sunday 2 December 2018

DIXIE RECORDS 906

ELMER BRYANT
Dec 60
45-906A - Gertie’s Garter Broke
(Bryant)   (Starday BMI)
45-906B - Will I Be Ashamed Tomorrow
(Bryant)   (Starday BMI)
DIXIE 906

Source: Dean Craige Morris

Nashville country meets Square Dancing meets hillbilly with cajun fiddling. Quite  a mix here really. Top side is pleasant enough without keeping me up at night wondering how the hell I was outbid on eBay for it. Flip-side is definitely more country than anything and admittedly doesn't move me musically.

There are many Elmer Bryants listed on Google and I think I have read more obituaries on this name than any other. None of them seem to be this guy (or at least it isn't mentioned in the obit), so maybe he's still out there - trying to patch up Gertie's garter.