STARDAY RECORDS 674

FRANK EVANS and his Top Notchers

Oct 57  (Billboard Review on 18th November 1957.)

45-674-A - I Got A Patent (On My Kind Of Love)

(Jimmy Dunklin)   (Starrite BMI)

45-674-B - Lonesome Love

(Bonnie Burke)   (Starrite BMI)

STARDAY RECORDS 674

(Artist based in Tampa, FL)

Source: Terry Gordon

More fabulous music from Frank and his boys. Recorded at WHBO Radio, Tampa, FL. There’s some nice twin guitar being played byArnold Newman (Gtr) and Colin Thomas (Stl) which really helps to set this recording above most of the mainstream music that was flying out of the studios at this time, although if this had been released even 5 years before it wouldn’t have been so much of a surprise.) Played locally over the radio station, it garnered him some fan mail and some gigs but didn’t get much more exposure other than locally.

STARDAY RECORDS 645

FRANK EVANS and his Top Notchers

Jul 57   (Billboard review on 22nd July 1957.)

45-645-A - Pull The Shades Down Ma

(Jimmy Dunklin)   (Starrite BMI)

45-645-B - Would You Believe Me

(Owen Wilson)   (Starrite BMI)

STARDAY RECORDS 645

(Artist based in Tampa, FL)

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Label Shots: Neil Scott

STARDAY RECORDS 567

STARDAY RECORDS 567

(Artist from Tampa FL at time of release.)

FRANK EVANS and his Top Notchers

Jun 56 (BMI clearance on 20th Jul 56)

45-567-A - Go On And Be Carefree

(Gene Rutland) (Starrite BMI)

45-567-B - What Is It (That I'm Too Young To Know)

(Gene Rutland) (Starrite BMI)

By the time Frank came around to recording another disc for Starday (albeit on the custom series), he had organised his own backing band - the Top Notchers. The band were Arnold Newman (ld gtr), Roland Newman (fdl), Pip Studenberg (bs) and Colin Thomas (Stl gtr - who doesn't appear on this disc). The drummers name is long forgotten. This was recorded at WHBO in Tampa FL.

The A side is a pleasant enough hillbilly disc, but it's the flip side that catches your attention. Taken at a fast clip, this has an almost "bluegrass" feel to it. Pretty cool stuff for a bunch of youngsters!

More from Frank later on in the series. (MC/Al Turner / PJ Tricker / Andrew Brown (Interview for Hillbilly Researcher No. 24)

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Label Shots courtesy of Neil Scott.

STARDAY RECORDS 547

MACK KING with the Western Hayriders

Mar 56 (BMI clearance 9th March 56)

ST-2387 - This Is Your Life

(A. R. Preddy / R. N. Williams)    (Starrite BMI)

ST-2388 - No Wings - No Halo

(A. R. Preddy / M King)    (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 547
(Artist location - Tampa, FL)

This is the same Mack King who also appears on Nugget Records (“No Special Reason” / “You Better Get Going” - NUGGET 1004), and is also backed by the the Western Hayriders (who also backed Frank Evans -who also appears on Nugget). But we’re getting ahead of ourselves as Nugget 1004 was pressed in 1958. By the time Starday 547 was issued, Mack had served in military and was at this time, located in Tampa, FL. Mack also played 3 shows supporting Elvis Presley in Tampa. For some reason they issued this 45rpm with Starday matrix numbers instead of the usual A/B prefix. Not a huge revelation, for to be honest; just because I noticed it, doesn’t mean I have a clue what it suggests :-). Anyhow, The A side is a nice country ballad. The flip is a mid-paced hillbilly/country swinger with fine guitar and steel guitar support. Mack’s got a nice voice for this kinda stuff; melodic but slightly lazy vocals. Cool stuff! (MC / Andrew Brown)

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Label Shots: Phil Tricker

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)