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.
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.
Label Shots courtesy of Terry Gordon.
