STARDAY RECORDS 560

STARDAY RECORDS 560

JERRY HANSON

May 56 (BMI clearance 15 Jun 56)

45-560-A - Cry

(Jack Rhodes / Jerry Hanson) (Starrite BMI)

45-560-B - I'm Doing All Right

(Jack Rhodes / Jerry Hanson) (Starrite BMI)

Unlike most of the artists who had a Starday Custom disc, I have a bushel of info on Jerry, mainly due to the excellent sleeve notes by Wayne Russell written for the Ace CD "Starday / Dixie Rockabilly Vol1" (Ace CDCHD 704). In 1954, he was appearing on the "Western Star Serenade" Hillbilly show out of Tyler, TX and somehow ended up at Jack Rhodes cozy little hotel out of Mineola, TX, where he probably cut these sides. Sometime later (or even perhaps earlier), Jerry cut a faster take which languished on the shelves until it was issued on "Gene Vincent Cut Our Songs" (ACE CDCHD 1018). (By the way, both CD's mentioned here are "Must Have In My Collection" musical quality about them!)

"Cry" is a nice song, more country than anything else and Jerry and Jack Rhodes were hoping to pitch it to a good and known country singer through Capitol Records. "I'm Doing All Right", on the other hand is a tight, moody rockabilly classic with a threadbare feel, fronted by Hanson's assured vocals. (I prefer this to the faster unissued cut which seems to lack the passion of the 45.) Although I can hear quite a few artists covering "Cry", Jerry OWNS the B side and I can't quite imagine anyone else covering the song as well as Hanson does.

Hanson later appears on Ed Manney's Bluebonnet & Manco labels (Both are good vocally, especially the Bluebonnet 45) and on Colpix (which I haven't heard yet.). And then ..... he disappears into thin air as far as I'm concerned. (MC / PJ Tricker / Al Turner / Neil Scott / Wayne Russell / Rob Finnis)

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Label Shots courtesy of Neil Scott (who almost blew a blood vessel when he finally secured a copy.)

STARDAY RECORDS 559

DON OWENS and the Circle "O" Ranch Boys

May 56 (BMI clearance on 18th May 56)

45-559-A - Somethings You Cannot Change

(Owens) (Starrite BMI)

45-559-B - Adios Novia

(Owens) (Starrite BMI)

STARDAY 559

(Artist based around Arlington, VA)

This Don Owens was a DJ who broadcasted over WARL (Arlington, VA)and he once appeared on a Jimmie Rogers Memorial Show with the likes of Hank Snow and Ernest Tubb. (Billboard also mentioned that attendance was very good despite the almost torrential rain that poured from the heavens that day) He also appeared before the Pastore Senate Subcommittee in 1958, saying that " ... The strongest condemnation of rock & roll and country music comes from people who have never spent five minutes paying attention to it." (Good for him, although, as a DJ & musical director of Arlington's only country music station, I doubt if he was defending R&R - but still ... kudos to the man for speaking his mind in public.) A further tale from this artists was mentioned in Billboard in Oct 55 which states ... "Don Owens, WARL, Arlington, VA debuted a new ballad recently on one of his shows that was composed by a local detective and his prisoner. The unusual writing team got together when Detective Alvin Fuchsman picked up 24 year old Ted Borrelli of Hoboken, NJ on a vagrancy charge. Upon discovering that the prisoner had with him some 50 odd poems that he had written, the detective put music to a few, tape recorded one of them ("Underneath The Lamp Post") which was later played by Deejay Owens.

Before this disc, he also appeared on CORAL Records (Mr Mystery Moon / 

I’m Not Ashamed - #61297) and also appeared on the Blue Ridge Label.

Don had a Regular TV show broadcasting out of WTTG (The Don Owens TV Jamboree) and was manager of Vernon Taylor, the Sun artist. 

Sadly, Don Owens was killed when he fell asleep at the wheel of his car (this was the second, or third time he had fallen asleep at the wheel.) It is said this was due to the long hours as a DJ, and his TV Show.

Musically, Don almost talks his way through the A side instead of singing. It's a nice love song I guess and the band are excellent. Flip side is more of the same really. I could hear Hank Williams singing this song better. Danny Pendleton is on steel guitar.

 (MC / John Burton)

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Label Shots courtesy of PJ Tricker.

SULLIVAN RECORDS 558

THE LEWIS FAMILY

Apr 56

558-A - Did You Do What The Lord Said To Do

(No credits) (No publication info)

558-B - Wait a little long please Jesus

(No credits) (No publication info)
SULLIVAN RECORDS 558

Greensboro, SC 

See previous Entry.

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SULLIVAN RECORDS 557

THE LEWIS FAMILY

Apr 56

557-A - Lights In The Valley

(No credits) (No publication info)

557-B - My Jesus is the one

(No credits) (No publication info)
SULLIVAN RECORDS 557
Greensboro, SC

The Lewis Family were from Lincolnton, GA originally. According to the Starday LP (All Night Singing Convention - Starday LP 252), the family consisted of Polly, Janice, Maggy (or Meggy / Miggy - depending on where you read it), Pop Lewis (String Bass), Little Roy (Banjo), Wallace (Guitar). They made at least 12 LP’s for Starday as well as Nashville records and Canaan records (Waco, TX.)

This (and the next release) were possibly their first recordings. At this time the band consisted of Talmadge (Mandolin), Esley (Bass), Wallace (Guitar), Roy (“Pop”) and Little Roy (Banjo). The sessions were held at WJAT in Swainsboro, GA and was originally intended for the Bibletone label. When that went bust before being able to release any of their recordings, they had them issued on Sullivan Records from Greenwood, SC. Hoyt (Label owner sponsored thet family on the TV station WJBF in Augusta, GA where it continued for an astonishing 38 years!

Hoyt then leased a few sides to Hollywood Records before they recorded for Starday Records proper.

Source: Dean Craige Morris / Doug Brown / Ron Lees

H&C RECORDS 556

H and C RECORDS 556

Tulsa, OK

OKLAHOMA MELODY BOYS Vcl by Jearl Ritter

Apr 56 (BMI clearance on 18th May 56)

45-556-A - Wasted

(Goldie Hood) (Starrite BMI)

45-556-B - Your Heart And Mine

(Thelma Conrad / Goldie Hood) (Starrite BMI)

Nothing on this band. Possibly T Texas Tyler’s band that he used on some of his 4-Star recordings. Nothing again on Jearl Ritter or Goldie Hood (who penned both sides.) Both sides of the disc is pleasant hillbilly. MC

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Label Shots courtesy of PJ Tricker.

STARDAY RECORDS 555

LUKE GORDON Acc by C Smith and the Tennessee Haymakers.

Apr 56 (BMI clearance on 18th May 56)

45-555-A - Let This Kiss Bid You Goodbye

(Gordon) (Starrite BMI)

45-555-B - Baby's Gone

(Gordon) (Starrite BMI)

STARDAY RECORDS 555

(Artist based possibly in Quincy, KY at time of release.)

Gordon “Luke” Brown was born in Quincy, KY on 15th Apr 1932 and was one of 8 children. Luke started broadcasting over WPAY in Portsmouth, OH with a band called the Rhythm Rascals, thanks to his friendship with Zeke Mullins who was a DJ on the station. After a stint in the army during the Korean war, he returned to the US and continued his music career. he ended up at the Old Dominion Barn Dance from Richmond, VA before heading off to Tennessee for a stint with Ray price and the Western Cherokees.

There he moved on to Washington DC where, working with fiddler Curley Smith, he recorded for Ben Adelman, which resulted in L&C 550 / STARDAY 550 (The “C” stands for Cuca, his first wife, whilst L is for Luke). About this time, he started up his own Quincy Record label whilst settling in Quincy, KY.

The A side is more in the sad Hank Williams vein. Flipside is a superior country rocker with some fantastic lead guitar bubbling behind his vocals. (I wish I knew who the lead guitar player was). Luke’s got one of those voices I could listen to for hours; a cross between Hank Williams and Luke McDaniels. Luke died on the 14th of September 2010 (MC)

Whether this also appeared on the L&C label is undetermined at present.

Slightly Blurred Label Shots: Phillip Tricker

STARDAY RECORDS 554

STARDAY RECORDS 554

(Artist based in OH at time of release)

MARTY LICKLIDER

Apr 56

45-554-A - Cold Hands, Warm Heart

(Licklider)    (Starrite BMI)

45-554-B - Our Anniversary Day

(Licklider)    (Starrite BMI)

Mr. Licklider was business manager, singer, guitarist and song writer for a band called the Fox Hunters. Marty was also a DJ on WICA (Ashabula, OH) in 1952. The Fox Hunters consisted of Marty, Buell Licklider (Marty's brother) on mandolin and bass fiddle, Andy Hill (Violin), Eddie Allen (Accordian) and Marty's son, Larry who also played a violin. Marty had at least one disc issued on Coral (64126) ("Down By The Missouri River" / "I Don't Want My Darlin' To Cry.") The A side of this disc is a very pleasant hillbilly bopper with good steel & lead guitar. Flip is a ballad about the joys of marriage. Billboard described this disc on the 28th April, 1956 as:- "Cold hands, Warm Heart" - Licklider, new to the label, has a deep voice and relaxed style that reminds the listener of the incomparable Ernest Tubb. He employs his voice to good advantage on this humorous, bouncy tune." "Our Anniversary Day" - "The singer portrays the feelings of a couple that has been happy in marriage for many years. A thoughtfully presented reading that many country deejays will want to program." (MC)

Label Shots courtesy of Al Turner

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ARKANSAS RECORDS 553

ARKANSAS RECORDS 553

Box 336, Judsonia, AR

ALTON GUYON and his Boogie Blues Boys

Apr 56 (BMI clearance on 27th Jul 56)

45-553-A - River Boat Blues

(K Murphy / A Guyon)    (Starrite BMI)

45-553-B - Leave My Baby Alone

(K Murphy / A Guyon)    (Starrite BMI)

Tough as old boots hillbilly bopper, bordering on early rock-a-billy from Alton and his Boogie Blues Boys from Judsonia, Arkansas. According to the excellent sleeve notes by Wayne Russell on the CD listed below, about a year after this disc was pressed, Guyon’s manager sent Starday four more sides for consideration which were (sadly) rejected. Quite why they didn’t press these onto a Starday Custom is anybody’s guess. As an aside, the A side was recorded by Buddy Phillips for the CKM label from Bald Knob, AR, with the flip (Coffee Baby) also written by K Murphy and Alton. I wonder if this track is also one of the remaining unissued sides. Over to you, Ace Records!! By the way, the CD is a “Must Have” in any collection. (MC / Wayne Russell - Starday / Dixie Rockabilly Vol 2 - ACE CDCHD 708).

Below is an email sent to Mark Lee Allen.

Hello Mark,

 

Yes I am relative.  I am his granddaughter.  He had three children with his only wife Matlida B. Guyon.  His oldest daughter passed at 9 years old of cancer.  The other two children-one boy (my dad) and one more girl.  Unfortantely, we do not have any of his records.  We live in south Louisiana and everything was lost due to Hurricane Katrina.  I would love to receive copies of his 45s.  Another thing you may not know is that in the late 80's he had his voicebox removed due to throat cancer.  So, i can barely remember his voice.  The record I purchased from you is a Christmas gift to my dad. He passed away almost 10 years ago. I thought my dad would enjoy hearing his fathers voice again. 

 

My sister who was very envious of the fact that I found this record first went on a mission this weekend to find his other records.  I can ask her if she has found any copies.

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Label Shots courtesy of Terry Gordon.

STARDAY RECORDS 552

LUCKY WRAY

Apr 56 (BMI clearance on 26th May 56)

ST-2421 - It's Music She Says

(Cindy Davis / Larry Stone) (Starrite BMI)

ST-2422 - Sick And Tired

(Cindy Davis / Joe Drew) (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 552

Lucky, Doug and the more famous sibling, Link hailed from North Carolina, although by the early 50’s they were playing in and around Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. (Lucky (real name Vern) took the name lucky because of his luck at gambling). The original band were called Lucky Wray and the Lazy Pine Wranglers, playing mainly Country / Western / Hillbilly music. They worked mainly at the Fernwood Farms Dance Hall in Virginia. By 1955, they had renamed themselves Lucky Wray and the Palomino Ranch hands and had relocated to Washington, DC, which included Shorty Horton on bass. The track above (and the other two singles) were cut at Ben Alderman’s studio. The A side on this disc bops along with Links’ guitar to the fore and an unknown steel guitarist - a hillbilly bopper that’s almost Rock-A-Billy. Flip is more mainstream hillbilly with Vern in fine vocal form and nice harmonies in the chorus. Both sides sport a Starday matrix which makes me wonder if Starday were considering placing this in their main series instead of pressing it up as a custom. (MC / Link Wray - Missing Links Vol 1 - (Norton CED 210) - notes by Billy Millar).


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Label Shots: Neil Scott

MID WEST RECORDS 551

MID WEST RECORDS 551

MOWEE JOHNSON and his Rocky Mountain Boys

Apr 56 (BMI clearance on 13th Apr 56)

551-A - I Hope Tomorrow Never Comes

(Johnson) (Starrite)

551-B - What Am I Going To Do

(Johnson) (Starrite)
Wichita, KS

Yet again, another artist had slipped past my radar and vanished into that "Bermuda Triangle" of obscure artists. (MC)

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STARDAY RECORDS 550

LUKE GORDON acc by C Smith and the Tenn Haymakers

Summer 56 (Billboard Review 7th Apr 56)

45-550-A - Goin' Crazy

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)

45-550-B - Married Life

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 550
Possible Location:- Quincy, KY

Here's the Starday version of the L and C disc Luke had issued previously. They are the same recordings, just reissued on the Starday label. (MC)

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Label Shots: Phil Tricker

L&C RECORDS 550

LUKE GORDON acc by C Smith and the Tenn Haymakers

Mar 56

45-550-A - Goin' Crazy

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)

45-550-B - Married Life

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)
L and C RECORDS 550
Washington, DC

Luke Gordon was born Gordon Brown in Quincy, Kentucky on Friday 15th April, 1932; and was next to the youngest of 6 boys and 2 girls. Luke started his music career on radio station WPAY in Portsmouth, Ohio with the Rhythm Rascals and became good friends with Zeke Mullins who was a DJ at WPAY. Luke served in the US. Army during the Korean Conflict and upon his discharge in 1953 he headed for Norfolk, Virginia where he met up with Jimmy Dean and did a show with him. He then went from there to Warrenton, Virginia with Jimmy and they won the 'Best Vocalist' at a JC contest. He also appeared on the 'Old Dominion Barn Dance in Richmond, Virginia. Luke then went to Tennessee and entertained the folks with Ray Price and The Western Cherokees.

After his stint in Tennessee he returned to Virginia and the Washington D.C. area to work with fiddler Curley Smith at radio station WGAY, Silver Springs, Maryland and do personal appearances. Curley set up a number of recording sessions for Luke with Ben Adelman and the result was released on L and C and STARDAY during 1956. Luke started his own QUINCY record label which was based in Quincy, Kentucky. He also appeared on ISLAND, BLUE RIDGE, EMPIRE and NASHVILLE amongst others. (The Quincy label better known for the barn storming “Rock Pretty Mama” by Billy Adams).

“Married Life” is a Luke The Drifter type monologue which bemoans how bad married life can be. I class this type of song as “Bar Room Advice”, the wisdom of an unhappily married man. (Then again, if they were so smart ....... ) “Goin’ Crazy” is a nice shuffling country ditty, supported by a fine lead guitarist. Dick Grant has just done an extensive interview with Luke so hopefully more info will follow., although, at the time of writing, it's been at least 8 years since Dick mentioned sending me the interview.

LABEL SHOTS: Kent Heineman and Lars Lundgren

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RAMBLER RECORDS 549

CURLEY MONEY and the Rolling Ramblers

Mar 56 (BMI clearance 6th Apr 56)

45-549-A - Playing The Game

(Curley Money)    (Starrite BMI)

45-549-B - Why Must I Cry

(Curley Money / Ruth Sanders)    (Starrite BMI)
RAMBLER RECORDS 549
Columbus, GA

Unlike many of the artists in the Starday Custom series, Curley was quite a prolific artist, though this seems to be his only Starday pressing. Curley was born Robert Earnest Money in Halesburg, Alabama in March 1925, the youngest of eight children. Money was naturally musical and learned to play the fiddle early in life, followed by the guitar. He soon found music not only a pleasure but a way of making some much-needed income on the side, and in his teens he was playing locally at barn dances. He moved to Columbus in 1942 (age 17) and whilst labouring in the cotton mills, formed the Rhythm Ramblers - playing over WGBA and doing some TV appearances along with a string of one nighters across the state. By 1956, his ambition fuelled by years of gigs and radio, he formed RAMBLER Records which mainly released his own work. Later on he was forced to changed the label name to MONEY Records. As Colin Escott wrote in his sleeve notes for the Flat Git It Series: "...One of the artists he had signed in 1957 was Lee Mitchell, whom Money was apparently pushing with Sam Phillips at SUN, when he brought him to Memphis, sometime in the year after. He left behind a recording of his own, “Chain Gang Charlie,” that didn’t get heard by anyone until over three decades later, when it was found in the SUN vaults, but showed Curley Money doing perfectly respectable, even pretty hot rockabilly for a guy who was past 30 at a time when this music was still new. Money’s forays into rock & roll didn’t last, though his label did, into 1965, with 42 releases to its credit be- fore he closed it down that year…". Quite a few of his Rambler Record releases were pressed by RCA. The A side is a nice country bouncer, with guitar, steel guitar and sawing fiddles. Flip is a waltzy-little number. In 2003, Money was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He passed away later that year, at the age of 78.(MC / Bear Family CD 16210 - That’ll Flat Git It Vol. 14 - notes by Colin Escott)

Label Shots: Phil Tricker

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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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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

HOYT'S RECORDS 546

WALTER PONDER Jr.

Mar 56 (BMI clearance on 13th April 56)

546-A - I Had A Chance

(Unreadable) (Golden State Songs)

546-B - Carry On

(B Harris) (Golden State Songs)
HOYT'S RECORDS 546
PO Box 2098, Greenwood, SC

A nice piano led gospel-type number, sung with feeling (as almost all gospel records are). Both sides are slightly similar to each other and that’s a good thing cos it’s a great record. I found a Walter Ponder Jr listed on the net as having a CD release in 2001 (Breathless - no label info) where he sings 14 gospel songs. The brief bio says he was a two time winner of a contest at the the Apollo Theatre in NYC (no dates). he also had his own TV show in Jacksonville, FL and has been singing since the age of four. He also had his own prison ministry and apparently received high recognition for his rendition of the National Anthem. He was last heard of running and  organizing "Thunderbolt Ministrys" out of Jacksonville. (MC)

Source: Ron Lees

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SAGE RECORDS 545

DON REDFIELD and the Sagedusters

Mar 56 (BMI clearance on 24th March 56)

45-545-A - I Can't Go Back

(Redfield)    (Starrite BMI)

45-545-B - Montana Waltz

(Redfield)    (Starrite BMI)
SAGE RECORDS 545
(No label location, possibly Billings or Great Falls, Montana.)

Thanks to Al Turner who not only managed to find the record, but he also found a snippet on the artist in a Country Music Round-Up magazine. I’ll quote it here in full. “Young Don Redfield’s background is about as unusual as the come for folks in the country music field. For Don is a native of Boston, MA and began his musical career by studying classical violin for four years. All this changed however when he moved out to Montana in 1945. There, he traded two rabbits and six phonograph records for his first guitar, and has stuck with that instrument ever since. In high school Don organized his first dance orchestra known as the Tune Timers. While attending Rocky Mountain College, he rounded up a vocal trio known as the “Three Bears,” which appeared on a series of radio programs in Billings. This group was so well received that in no time at all they become greatly in demand for personal appearances throughout the Billings area. In the winter of 1952, Don carried two half-hour broadcasts from the Amvets in Billings and had two fifteen minute shows a week on KOOK. At present (sadly - no date on this snippet - MC), he’s keeping quite busy by participating in an occasional stage show, playing over KMON in Great falls and teaching guitar.”

All that besides, “Montana Waltz” is exactly as it says on the label - a waltz. He’s got a pleasant voice but the recordings are slightly muddy, which is a shame really. “I Can’t Go Back” is taken at a fast clip with fine instrumental support from fiddle, steel guitar and lead guitar. The sound is more muffled here than the slow B side; not so much that it spoils the disc but enough to detract from what is a fairly decent record, especially the nice Chet Atkins / Ronnie Durbin guitar solo. 

I would think it is unlikely this label is part of Sage Records from Hollywood, CA. (MC / Al Turner / Country Music Round Up)

All Photos / Label Shots: Al Turner.

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