Slow Boogie Rockin' with Lloyd Harp

While "Slow Boogie Rock" is not a Rockabilly classic (yet), the original 45rpm record is hard to come by and worth 300$ if you can believe collectors. Though, the band behind this recording remained in obscurity since the record's release in 1960. Neither references in specialized books, magazines or booklets nor an internet search turns up a snippet of information. I am very thankful to Lloyd Harp's son Lloyd, Jr., who now shared some memories about his father with me. I am glad to present you details on Harp and the Hoosier Rhythm Boys for the first time.

From left to right: Lloyd Harp, Blackie's wife, "Blackie" (last name unknown)

Lloyd G. Harp was born in 1919 in Sidney, Ohio, but later moved to Indiana. Not much is known about his early life. Like so many other young singers back then, Harp's favorite Country music star was Hank Williams, Sr. Other influences on him included Chet Atkins, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Hank Snow.

By the late 1950s, Harp had organized a little band called "The Hoosier Rhythm Boys" with Harp on vocals and rhythm guitar, Les Sexton on lead guitar, and Bob Frame on bass. They played some taverns around Indianapolis and somehow managed to get the chance to record for a small local label called Yolk Records. Yolk was one of the labels owned by Jerry (Lee) Williams along with Stan Cox and Earl Brooks. Williams was a guitarist and played a lot with many local artists such as Aubrey Cagle, Tennessee Thompson, Lattie Moore, and others, around Indiana. He also ran the Nabor and Solid Gold labels. 

Likely recorded in a tiny studio in Indianapolis, "Slow Boogie Rock" was much more in the vein of mid-1950s rural Rockabilly than 1960s popular Rock'n'Roll. Coupled with "I'll Always Love You," it was released in the summer of 1960 (Yolk YR 102) but had no chance to enter the national charts due to lack of distribution and its out-of-fashion style. Billboard reviewed it in its August 29 issue but did not bother to write a review; the magazine rated Harp's single only as "one star."

Lloyd Harp and band: Lloyd Harp on far right, the others are unknown

Harp and the Hoosier Rhythm Boys kept on playing local venues around town up until the mid-1960s, when the band broke up. He settled down on the east side of Indianapolis, performed rarely after that but always found time to play his guitar once in a while, according to his son: 

Dad would pick up his big Gibson acoustic guitar and play every once and awhile... always would bring a smile to his face...

Lloyd Harp died in 1980 at the age of 61 years.

From left to right: Lloyd Harp, unknown, Lex Sexton, unknown

Special thanks to Lloyd Harp, Jr., for providing me with some details about his father's career in music.

Wade & Dick at Sun

Wade & Dick - Story of the College Kids

  Wade & Dick the College Kids - Bop Bop Baby (Sun 269), 1957  
Following the success of Roy Orbison's recording "Ooby Dooby," Sam Phillips gave composers Wade Moore and Dick Penner a songwriting and recording contract. He was probably impressed by the two young talented Texas boys and thought he could turn them into chart topping teen acts. However, the duo's affiliation with the recording business was short and produced only a handful of recordings.

Wade Lee Moore was born 1933 in Amarillo, Texas, and Allen Richard "Dick" Penner 1936 in Chicago but shortly afterwards, his family moved to Texas. Penner began performing with another young musician called Dave Young in 1953. Together they played some local venues and even appeared on the Big D Jamboree out of Dallas. By 1955, Penner had enrolled at the North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, where he met another student, Wade Moore.

They began to perform together in Texas and Arkansas and soon also joined the Big D Jamboree. Both Moore and Penner were also talented songwriters, so joined forces and "Ooby Dooby" was the result. Reportedly, it was written in 15 minutes on the roof of the frat house. The duo pitched the song to young Texan Rock'n'Roller Roy Orbison, who recorded a demo version of it with his Teen Kings in 1955. Coupled with "Hey Miss Fanny," they sent the tape to Columbia Records executive Don Law. Instead of signing Orbison, Law gave the tape to Sid King & the Five Strings, who recorded it in March 1956 for Columbia.

Orbison and the Teen Kings caught the attention of Country singer and label owner Weldon Rogers, who set up a session for the group. They recorded "Ooby Dooby" / "Go! Go! Go!" for Rogers' Jewel label in late 1955 - released on March 19, 1956. Things went its way and Sam Phillips signed Orbison to a legal contract and re-released the songs on Sun. The record eventually reached #59 on Billboard's Top 100. In addition, this led to a contract for Wade and Dick.

Wade and Dick with band in 1956

Moore and Penner held their first session on December 16, 1956, at the Sun Studio, backed by Bob Izer on lead guitar, Don Hicky on bass, and Roger Berkley on drums. This session produced the infamous "Bob Bob Baby," which was used a couple of years ago in the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line." Coupled with the interesting and innovative "Don't Need Your Lovin Baby," it was released in April 1957. Billboard selected the record to be one of their "Review Spotlight - C&W Records" in its May 27, 1957, issue.

Billboard May 27, 1957, review - "C&W Records Spotlight on..."

From the same session were an alternate version of "Bop Bop Baby" as well as a song Wade and Dick often performed on stage entitled "Wild Woman." Penner also recorded a solo session in 1957 and had one release under his own name that same year on Sun. He appeared on the Louisiana Hayride but decided to quit music. The duo broke up and Penner joined the US Army before finishing the University. He became a professor at the University of Tennessee and is still alive and well.

San Antonio Records

July 6, 1946, Billboard ad for San Antonio records by distributor
Runyon Sales Company from New York City.

Following my post on laber owner Paul Westmoreland, here's now the discography of San Antonio Records. If there are more recordings which are not listed here, please do not hesitate and passt it along. San Antonio Records was bases in Los Angeles on 9160 Hollywood Boulevard, although Westmoreland was active in the Sacramento area.

San Antonio 101
 Paul Westmoreland and his Pecos River Boys
Can't Win, Can't Place, Can't Lose / Trouble Keeps Hanging 'Round My Door 
(1946)

San Antonio 102
Paul Westmoreland and his Pecos River Boy
Wrong Side of the Track / Headin' Down the Wrong Highway 
1946

San Antonio 103:
 Frankie Marvin -
 Guitar Polka / It's a Sin (What You're Doin' to Me) 
(1946)

San Antonio 104
Frankie Marvin
Honey Do You Think It's Wrong / Popcorn Poppin' Mama 
1946

San Antonio 105
Larry Bryant 
I'll Be Lonely / My Blue Eyes
 1946

San Antonio 106
Paul Westmoreland and his Pecos River Boys
Texas Steel Guitar / Oklahoma Bound 
1946

San Antonio 107
Frankie Marvin
Wine, Women, and Song / Baby That Won't Get It 
1946

San Antonio 108
Paul Westmoreland and his Pecos River Boys
 One Way Street / From Now On 
1946

San Antonio 109

Frankie Marvin's Boogie Billies

 Honey Could Be / Have I Been Mean to You

 1946

George Jones RIP

Country music superstar George Jones died April 26, 2013, at the age of 81, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Jones, also called "The Possum" or "No-Show Jones," was one of Country music's must successful and influential singers during the second half of 20th century. Some of his hits include "She Thinks I Still Care," "He Stopped Loving Her Today" among others. To Rockabilly collectors, he is mostly known for his 1950s rockin' sides such as "How Come It," "Rock It," "White Lightning," "Who Shot Sam," and many more.

Read more here.

Country Gold, Volume 17 #1

I posted this 2CD set of Country tracks years ago, so I thought it would be good to give you a link that works. This comp is a mystery to me. Put out in 1999 by Trumpets of Jericho Ltd. on the Nashville Clan label, this seems to be a Hamburg, Germany, located company. Most of the tracks are either rare live versions or unknown songs from famous artists, there are some real gems on it. Enjoy!

Download

track list:
1. Carl Perkins - All Shook Up
2. Bill Monroe - Mule Skinner Blues
3. Dolly Parton - It Wasn't God Who Made Honkey [!] Tonk Angels
4. Jimmy Dean - It'll Be Easy
5. Johnny Paycheck - Come Home to My Heart
6. Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens - Faded Love (live)
7. Patsy Cline - Hungry for Love
8. Ferlin Husky - Baby For You
9. David Frizzell - I Love You a Thousand Ways (live)
10. Burl Ives - Another Day, Another Year
11. Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm
12. Johnny Lee - Congratulations
13. Kenny Rogers - Always Leaving, Always Gone
14. Lee Greenwood - It Turns Me Inside Out (live)
15. Mickey Gilley - Caught in the Middle
16. Patsy Cline - Honky-Tonk Merry Go Around
17. Razzy Baeley [!] - I Keep Coming Back (live)
18. Waylon Jennings - Big Mamou
19. Jim Reeves - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
20. Kenny Rogers - Camptown Ladies

Eddie Bond discography

 The following discography intends to list all of Memphis singer, radio and TV personality, producer and promoter Eddie Bond's original released 45rpm recordings. Numerous alternate takes, demos and other originally unreleased songs as well as albums could be the subject of a second part. Though, this will be a much larger project which would take months to work on and I am not sure at the moment, if I start it. Additions and corrections are highly appreciated.

Eddie Bond and his Western Swing Band, early 1950s.

Ekko 1015

Eddie Bond

Double Duty Lovin' (V. Claude) / Talking Off the Wall ()

A / AA

1955

Ekko 1016

Eddie Bond

Love Makes a Fool (Every Day) (Hews & Kuchie) / Your Eyes (Hews & Carver)

A / AA

1955

Mercury 70826X45

Eddie Bond and the Stompers

I've Got a Woman (Ray Charles) / Rockin' Daddy (Sonny Fisher)

YW12674 / YW12675

1956 (BB)

Billboard C&W review on March 17, 1956

Mercury 70882X45

Eddie Bond and his Stompers

Slip, Slip, Slippin'-In (R. Belyeu-C. Wright) / Flip, Flop Mama (C. Edens-E. Bond)

YW12700 / YW 12702

1956 (BB)

Billboard C&W review on June 9, 1956

Mercury 70941X45

Eddie Bond and the Stompers

Baby, Baby, Baby (What Am I Gonna Do) (Ralph Newton) / Boppin' Bonnie (Joe Chastain-Jerry Huffman)

YW12701 / YW12703

August 10, 1956 (on label)

Billboard C&W review on September 29, 1956

Mercury-Starday 71067X45

Eddie Bond and the Stompers

You're Part of Me () / They Say We're Too Young (Q. Claunch - B. Cantrell)

YW14714 / YW 14716

February 14, 1957 (on label)

Billboard C&W review on March 9, 1957

Mercury-Starday 71153X45

Eddie Bond

Lovin' You, Lovin' You () / Hershey Bar ()

YW14783 / YW14784

1957 (BB)

Billboard C&W review on July 22, 1957

Mercury-Starday 71237X45

Eddie Bond

Backslidin' (Q. Claunch-B. Cantrell) / Love, Love, Love ()

YW 14717 / YW 14782

November 14, 1957 (on label)

Billboard C&W review on December 2, 1957

D 1016

Eddie Bond and the Stompers

The Blues Got Me (Louise Moore) / Standing In Your Window (H. Johnson-J. Atkins)

1030 / 1031

1958 (BB)

Billboard C&W review on October 13, 1958

Stomper Time 1155

Eddie Bond

Can't Win for Losing (Q. Claunch - B. Cantrell) / When the Juke Box Plays (M. E. Ellis)

S-1604 / S-1605

1959

Stomper Time 1156

Eddie Bond

You'll Never Be a Stranger to Me (Hoyt Johnson & Jim Atkins) / Boo Bop Da Caa Caa (E. Bond & J. Clement)

S-2021 / S-2022

1959

Stomper Time 1162

Eddie Bond

It's Been So Long Darling (E. Tubb) / Your Old Standby ()

S-105 / ?

Coral 9-62200

Eddie Bond

The Little Black Book (Webb Pierce-Wayne Walker-Polly Harrison) / Is My Ring on Your Finger (Wayne Walker)

108,864 / 108,865+

1960 (BB)

Billboard pop review on May 2, 1960

Wildcat W0058

Eddie Bond

You'll Never Be a Stranger to Me (Hoyt Johnson - Jim Atkins) / Can't Win for Losing (Q. Claunch - B. Cantrell)

A / B

1960

SPA 25-1001

Eddie Bond

Only One Minute More (Sonny James & Richard Hollingsworth) / I Walk Alone (Herbert W. Wilson)

LO8W-3326 / LO8W-3327 (RCA)

1960

United Southern Artists 5-106

Eddie Bond

This Ole Heart of Mine (Clunch-Cantrell) / Second Chance ()

M8OW-8051 / M8OW-8052 (RCA)

1961 (BB)
Billboard C&W review on July 24, 1961

Memphis M-105

Eddie Bond

Tomorrow I Will Be Gone (Tommy Tucker) / (Let's) Make the Parting Sweet ()

131962 A / 131962 B

1962

Pen 114

Eddie Bond

I Guess I've Got the Blues (Bobby Wood) / As Long As I'll Forgive (Stan Kesler)

P-20 / P-21

1962

Billboard C&W review on October 6, 1962

"Produced by Stan Kesler"

Decca 31469

Eddie Bond

I Guess I've Got the Blues (Bobby Wood) / As Long As I'll Forgive (Stanley A. Kesler-Webb Pierce)

112,833 / 112,834*

1963
Billboard C&W review on March 16, 1963

SPA 25 1014

Eddie Bond and ? and her Dixie Drifters

Buffalo Trace (Dahwiss Meiszinger) / Nobody's Darling ()

P4KM-1159 / ? (RCA)

1963

Diplomat 660S-1502

Eddie Bond

Every Part of Me () / In From Stepping Out (Dan Trowbridge)

P4KM-1502 / P4KM-1503 (RCA)

1963

Tagg 6406
Eddie Bond
Every Part of Me () / In From Stepping Out ()
1964
Note: This was a re-release of Diplomat 660S-1502.

Tagg 6408

Eddie Bond

Big Boss Man (Smith-Dixon) / Empire ()

R5KM-8517 / ? (RCA)

1964

Diplomat 645D-8566

Eddie Bond

Monkey and the Baboon (E. Bond S. Kesler S. Davidson) / Short Honeymoon (S. Kesler S. Davison)

R4KM-8566 / R4KM-8567 (RCA)

1964

Millionaire MC-108

Eddie Bond

I Just Found Out () / Back to Vietnam ()

S4KM-0934 / S4KM-0935 (RCA)

1965

Goldwax 107

Eddie Bond

I Can't Fight This Much Longer (Betty Sue Parry) / Now and Then (Betty Sue Parry)

srp 7019 / srp 7020

Memphis M-114

Eddie Bond

Cold Dark Waters (Don Owens) / Raunchy (Justis - Wilburn)

SoN 15601 / SoN 15602 (Sound of Nashville)
1965 (BB)

Erwin EG 2001
Eddie Bond and the Legend Makers
Someday I'll Sober Up (J. Russell) / Here Comes That Train (Kesler-Bond)
SoN-18481 / SoN-18482 (Sound of Nashville)
1965 
"Produced by Teddy Wilburn"

Memphis M-115

Eddie Bond with Jordanaires

Someday I'll Sober Up (J. Russel) / Here Comes the Train (Kessler Bond)

SoN 18481 / SoN 18482 (Sound of Nashville)

1965

K-Ark 643

Eddie Bond with the Jordanaires

Someday I Will Sober Up (J. Russel) / Here Comes the Train (Kessler-Bond)

SoN-18481 / SoN 18482 (Sound of Nashville)

1965 (BB)

Millionaire 698B-3587

Chuck Comer - Jukebox Serenade (n.c.) / Doug Stone - She Moved to Kansas City (n.c.) / Buck Turner - What Will I Do (n.c.)

S4KB-3588 MC-109 (RCA)

Eddie Bond - Hey Joe (n.c.) / Jim Wells - Home in Shelby County (n.c.) / Jim Morgan - What's Gonna Happen to Me (n.c.)

S4KB-3588 MC-110 (RCA)

1965

Millionaire 698B-9721

Eddie Bond

Is My Ring on Your Finger (Wayne Walker) / The Little Black Book (Webb Pierce, Wayne Walker, Polly Harrison)

T4KM-9721 / T4KM-9722 (RCA)

1966

XL 360

Eddie Bond

Running Drunk (J. Russel) / We Live in Seperate Worlds (B. Perry)

356-A / 356-B

Villa No.#

Eddie Bond

Let the Good Times Roll () / You Don't Miss Your Water ()

Tab 003

Eddie Bond

Babby Sister () / Daddy's Drinking Up Our Future ()

1968

Tab 006

Eddie Bond

Buford Pusser (Bond - Climer) / In From Stepping Out (Don Trowbridge)

TS-1018-A / TS-1018-B

1968

Tab 670

Eddie Bond

Buford Pusser Goes Hunting with a Switch (Bond and Climer) / Second Chance (Webb Pierce-Teddy Wilburn)

XK3M-6766-A / XK3M-6766-B
1969

Note: "Prod. by Jack Clement" is printed on B side.

Tab 671
Eddie Bond
Dedicated to Dwanna Pusser ()
Xmas in Heaven () / Xmas Time ()
1970

Tab 671
Eddie Bond
Buford Pusser is Walking Tall () / Buford Pusser Goes Bear Hunting with a Switch ()
1970

Tab 671

Eddie Bond

Dedicated to Dwana Pusser - Christmas in Heaven (Eddie Bond)
A

Eddie Bond-Droopy Duck

Christmas Time (Eddie Bond)
B
1970

Tab 675

Eddie Bond with the Jordannaires

The Legend of Buford Pusser (Eddie Bond) / ?

A / ?
1971 

Tab 677

Eddie Bond

That Glass (Eddie Bond) / Rocking Daddy (Fisher)

A / B

1972

"Produced by Chuck Comer"

Tab 678
Eddie Bond
All We Ask for is a Little Sunshine () / Farmer's Prayer ()
1972

 Tab 699
Eddie Bond
Juke Joint Johnnie () / Winners Circle ()
1973

Enterprise ENA-9057

Eddie Bond

Caution (Venda Holliday Bobby Richmond) / Caution (Venda Holliday Bobby Richmond)

EM-01056-PL / ES-01958-PL

August 1972

"Arr. by: Quinton Claunch"

Note: This was a promotion release.

Enterprise ENA-9057

Eddie Bond

Is My Woman Just Another Traitor (Venda Holliday) / Caution ()

EM-01057-PL / ?

August 1972

"Produced & Arranged by: Quinton Claunch"

Enterprise ENA-9063

Eddie Bond

That Glass (Eddie Bond) / That Glass (Eddie Bond)

EM-01132

February 1973

"Produced by Quinton Claunch"

Note: This was a radio station promotion release.

Enterprise ENA-9063
Eddie Bond
That Glass () / Ben Bailey's Botton Farm ()
February 6, 1973

Enterprise ENA-9082

Eddie Bond

Buford Pusser Is Walking Tall (Eddie Bond - Jim Climer) / Buford Pusser Goes Bear Hunting with a Switch (Eddie Bond - Jim Climer)

ES-01302 /ES-1303

September 1973

Deccer B-1974/B-1974
Eddie Bond
Air Watch 79 / Law Enforcing Man ()
January 1975
Note: This is a reissue of Enterprise ENS-1038.
 

Advance 51572

Eddie Bond

Is My Woman Just Another Traitor (Kenedy-Chandler) / That Glass ()
1976
Note: Both songs were master tapes from Enterprise.

Advance 707/708
Eddie Bond
Whatever Makes You Happy () / The Love of My Life ()
February 1976
Note: Both songs were master tapes from Enterprise.
 
Advance RRSP 1
Eddie Bond
Bufford's Pattern of Numbers () / 12th August ()
1976 

 Note: Both songs were master tapes from Enterprise.

Compass WIG-C-7-004
Eddie Bond
Legacy of Buford Pusser () / Living Ain't Been Easy ()
1977

Three Stars 888/889

Eddie Bond
Buford Pattern of Numbers () / Candy Kisses (George Morgan)
888 / 889
1978
 
Deccer 52578
Eddie Bond
Rocking Daddy () / Big Boss Man ()
July 1978

Rock It RI-104

Eddie Bond

One Way Ticket (B. Crown) / Blue Suede Shoes ()
101A / ?
1979
"Produced by Bill Kilgore / Engineered by Stan Kesler" 

 High Court 580

Eddie Bond

Ballad of Ray Gardner () / ?
1980

Zone PA-85

Eddie Bond

The Way You Shake It ()

Ray Sanders

Just in Case You're Wondering ()

1985

American Image AIR-1001

Eddie Bond

Rambo Jack () / Invincible ()

1989

American Image EP No.#

Eddie Bond

Rambo Jack () / Invincible ()

Buyer Beware () / Goin' with Owens ()

1989

American Image AI-6001

Eddie Bond

You Will Never Be True () / I Love You Still ()

1990

American Image AI-6002

Eddie Bond

Misbehavin' Shies () / Why Should We Try Anymore ()

1990

Stargem SG-2485

Eddie Bond

The Man Behind the Man () / You'll Never Be a Stranger to Me ()

1991

Stargem SG-2526

Eddie Bond

High Steppin' Woman () / Double Duty Lovin' ()

1991

Grange 001

Eddie Bond

Jump About () / ?

Les Randall acetate

  Les Randall - There Is Someone Somewhere (Classic Recorders Ltd. acetate)
To be honest, I couldn't find a thing on Les Randall. Judging from the sound, this recording easily could be a 1960s cut but it is more probable that it dates back to the 1970s. I also have no info on Classic Recorders Ltd. except for the adress which is shown on the label and that the company was active in the 1970s. Flip side is called "Someone Always Gets Hurt."

Hardrock Gunter RIP

Sidney Louie Gunter, better known as Hardrock Gunter, died March 15, 2013, at the age of 88. Gunter never became a national known singer but is famous in Rockabilly/Rock'n'Roll circles for his countless recordings during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. His songs, which became very popular during the Rockabilly Revival, include "Birmingham Bounce," "Whoo! I Mean Whee!," "Gonna Dance All Night," "Jukebox Help Me Find My Baby," and many, many others.

Read more here.

At the Detour Inn

At the Detour Inn: A song and its composer 

Paul Westmoreland 

  Paul Westmoreland - Hot Rod Rag (1954), 4 Star 45-1651
During the economic depression of the 1930s, many poor workers from the rural states of the Great Plains, especially from Oklahoma, moved away from their dusty home in order to seek their fortune on the west coast. They found work on the farms picking fruits in California. Although they brought not many things with them to the west, one thing for was for sure: their southern music came with them.

One of those young men who left Oklahoma for California was Paul Westmoreland, born on September 19, 1916, in Oklahoma. During the time of the “Dust Bowl,” he moved to California and began working on the fruit fields and in armories during the Second World War. Westmoreland went back to Oklahoma several times but always found himself in a hopeless situation there, so he finally settled down in California. Already back then, he played music in order to earn a little extra money. After the war, he settled down in Sacramento, where he started his professional career as a musician and composer.

In 1946, he had an own radio spot on a local station and was soon known as “Okie Paul.” “Okie” was a common insulting name for the many migrants from Oklahoma in those days but Westmoreland bore this nickname with pride. After every advertisement, he yelled out in the microphone “Tell ‘em, Okie Paul sends ya, heah!” That same year, Westmoreland composed his biggest success as a songwriter. “Detour (There’s a Muddy Road Ahead)” became one of the most successful country songs of the year and was recorded by countless artists. Elton Britt (RCA Victor) and Wesley Tuttle (Capitol) brought their version into the top 10 charts but the most popular version to this day was recorded by Spade Cooley and his Western Swing Orchestra. His rendition on OKeh sold even better than Britt’s and Tuttle’s version and it remained one of Cooley’s biggest hits. Patti Page covered it in 1951 and her version spent 16 weeks on the charts, peaking at #5.

Possibly from the royalty payments, Westmoreland set up his own record label, San Antonio Records. “Devoted exclusively to the finest American Folk Music” was printed on the labels of San Antonio records and in fact, it appears they were excellent pieces in the field of western swing. Frankie Marvin, who had been a solid entertainer and experienced recording artist from the 1920s onwards, cut a couple of songs for San Antonio as well as Larry Bryant. Westmoreland also released his own recorded work on San Antonio. Most of them were written by him and show similarities to “Detour.” “Headin’ Down the Wrong Highway,” penned by Ted Daffan, and “From Now On” had the same topic as Westmoreland’s hit composition, while “Oklahoma Bound” was clearly a biographical song.

By 1954, Westmoreland was recording for 4 Star out of Pasadena and laid down a solid pre-Rockabilly performance with his composition “Hot Rod Rag.” Recorded approximately in late 1953 or early 1954, it featured some hot licks by both lead and steel guitar. A poster from the 1950s announcing a “Rock’N’Roll Show starring Paul Westmoreland plus Max Houston’s Rocking Kings” suggests that he stuck with that style, at least for some time. He eventually would also record for K-Ark and Pride.

Paul Westmoreland and his band on February 28, 1973, at the Detour Inn during an "Oky-style session." Westmoreland is in front playing harmonica with (from left) Ernest McDaniel, Bob Carroll Pannini,and Griffie Lucac.

Westmoreland remained a fixture on the Sacramento musical scene but had no notable success during the second half of the 20th century. He led his own bar called the “Detour Inn,” located on Raley Boulevard in North Sacramento, where he would not only serve the drinks but also perform on stage. He and his family lived in a house right beside the bar. A regular guest at the bar tells us:

He was married to a very interesting lady by the name of Ola Louise who envisioned herself as the next Loretta Lynn. Paul idolized her and a rule was that every band that played at the Detour would let Ola sing a set with them.
I spent a lot of time in the Detour when I was stationed at McClellan AFB ... exactly one mile out the back gate to the bar. All of Paul's bartenders and bouncers at the time were from my squadron ... but don't let Ola catch you comping a drink to a friend!
Big thing you had to watch out for was when a biker would start a fight ... don't worry about the bikers ...Watch out for Ola Louise! She'd be the first one to hoist a bar stool and come out swinging ... quite a sight!

Eventually, the bar was renamed as "Country Comfort" and closed his doors finally in 1992. The original building is still standing. Westmoreland's son Dave also became a musician. Paul Westmoreland died on June 21, 2005, in California.

Thanks to Twobadeyes

Ed Bruce on TV

Ed Bruce...what a talented singer and composer. Always liked his version of "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" better than Waylon's and Willie's. Here Mr. Bruce performs one of his gospel songs on Larry's Country Diner. You can watch him singing his signature song here.