Skeets McDonald on Capitol

  Skeets McDonald - I'm Hurtin' (1957), Capitol F3833
There has been some problems with Mediafire during the last days and this post is some kind of a compensation until I fixed the problem. Skeets McDonald is best-known for "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," a song that was composed and originally recorded by Texan Slim Willet. McDonald turned it into a big hit and it became his signature song.

Born Enos William McDonald in 1915 in Greenway, Arkansas, he grew up in a rural and poor environment, picking cotton on the fields. In the early 1930s, he followed his older brother and headed north to Michigan, where he found work with the Lonesome Cowboys in Detroit. He later formed his own band and played clubs as well radio stations in Flint and Pontiac. By 1943, he was drafted into US Army and fought in North Africa.

Upon his discharge, he took up his musical career again. He joined Johnnie White's Rhythm Riders in 1950 for a couple of recordings on the Fortune label. This affliation produced a first respectable effort, "The Tattooed Lady," though it did not become a chart hit. A year later, he also cut records for London and Mercury as "Skeets Saunders" without success. That same year, Texas born Slim Willet (1919-1966) wrote a song called "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes." Willet's 4 Star recording of the song soon reached the Billboard C&W charts and became a national hit.

Meanwhile, Skeets McDonald had moved to Los Ageles, California, where he successful auditioned for Cliffie Stone and Ken Nelson. While Stone put him on his Hometown Jamboree live show, Nelson signed him to Capitol Records as "the label's answer to Lefty Frizzell," who was recording for Columbia. They pitched "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" to McDonald and it was his version that became a No.1 C&W hit that made him famous over night.

The next years, success eluded McDonald's singles. Nevertheless, he remained a popular entertainer on the West Coast, appearing on such shows as the Hometown Jamboree, Compton's Town Hall Party, the Big D Jamboree, the Ozark Jubilee and some others. Possibly more interesting is his move towards Rockabilly by 1956. He had experiemented with an up-tempo hillbilly boogie sound earlier with such tunes as "The Tattooed Lady" or "Birthday Cake Boogie." In 1956, he recorded the smashing douplesider "You Oughta See Grandma Rock" b/w "Heart-Breakin' Mama" with Eddie Cochran on lead guitar and added a rockin' feel to several songs he cut in the following time, including "Fingertips," "Cheek to Cheek with the Blues" or today's selection "I'm Hurtin'."

Recorded on July 23, 1957, in the Capitol Recording Studios (Hollywood), "I'm Hurtin'" is more of the ballad kind. His backup band consisted of guitar virtuoso Joe Maphis on lead guitar, Speedy West on steel guitar, Jelly Sanders on fiddle (though not audible), Billy Liebert on piano, Cliffie Stone on bass, and Muddy Berry on drums. Released on Capitol F3833 with "Love Wind" on the flip, Billboard judged in its November 11, 1957, issue:

Weeper is delivered in a very poppish manner with rhythm backing and a chorus assist. Steel and picked guitars accompany. Listenable side is a possibility in both pop and c&w marts.

Though, "I'm Hurtin'" neither became a best seller in the Pop nor in the C&W market. Though he did record an album full of Rockabilly styled songs such as "You're There" in 1958 (with Joe Maphis on guitar again), he never moved far away from the Country tear jerkers that he was known for better. His contract with Capitol expired and McDonald moved to Columbia in 1959, where he had moderate chart success during the 1960s. "This Old Heart," "Call Me Mr. Brown" and "Mable" were some of the hits fromthat era. He died March 31, 1968, in Los Angeles of a heart attack.

Skeets McDonald with Hank Ross and his band, ca. 1960s

Old-Timey live cuts

I thought it was time for some fine old-time picking and singing. These selections are live recordings from recent years by mostly unknown bands and amateur musicians. Hope y'all enjoy 'em!

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track list:
1. Unknown musicians - Get Along Home Cindy (Jam session by West Virginia musicians at Clifftop Festival 2008)
2. Dill Pickle Old Time Orchestra - Nancy Rowland (recorded October 9, 2010, at Greenline Cafe in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
3. Sugarloaf Mountain Boys - The Girl I Loved in Sunny Tennessee (recorded May 27, 2011, at Bill's Pickin' Parlor in Columbia, South Carolina, with Danny Creamer [vcl/gtr], Ben Wooten [dbr/vcl], Craig Armstrong [bjo], Rusty Zorns [bs], John Barkley [fdl/vcl])
4. Ronnie Bowman & Rob McCoury - Little Cabin Home on the Hill (recorded at the Station Inn with Bowman [vcl/gtr] and Rob McCoury [bjo], other musicians unknown)
5. Jim Herd - Tennessee Grey Eagle (recorded 1991 at National Oldtime Fiddler's Contest in Weiser, Idaho, with Jim Herd [fdl], Laura Smith [bjo], Vivian Williams [gtr], Phil Williams [bs])
6. Whitetop Mountain Band - Cacklin' Hen (recorded September 11, 2010, at Red, White and Bluegrass Festival)

Marvin Rainwater on MGM

  Marvin Rainwater - (There's Always) A Need for Love (1957), MGM K12701
Marvin Rainwater is probably best known for his 1957 hit "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" but many of his recordings were rockabilly styled performances. "Whole Lotta Women" was one of those songs and became a #1 UK hit, however, in the US it only reached #60 on the charts. Today's post features another example of Rainwater's rockabilly songs, the teen rocker "(There's Alway) A Need for Love" from 1958.

Marvin Karlton Rainwater was born on July 2, 1925, in Wichita, Kansas, and grew up during the Great Depression in Oklahoma. Originally, he wanted to become a pianist but lost a part of his left thumb when he was fifteen. This accident caused him to give up his plans and instead, he eventually began to study animal health. It was during this time that he began to write his own songs.

With his brother Ray, he played venues around Virginia. Already during this time, he dressed himself as a Native American. Indeed, Rainwater had Native American ancestors and later, this would be the subject of several songs he recorded. He also worked with guitarist Roy Clark, with whom he recorded demo sessions from January 1953 up to October 1954 in Ben Adelman's studio, Washington DC. The last of these sessions produced "I Gotta Go Get My Baby," which was picked up by Teresa Brewer, who turned the song into a pop hit. Justin Tubb's version also reached the C&W charts. Adelman leased Rainwater's original recording to 4 Star among a couple of others. Some tracks also appeared on Crown and King.

Rainwater was able to land a spot on Arthur Godfrey's talent show in 1955. His performance of "I Gotta Go Get My Baby" secured him a recording contract with MGM. That same year, he also began a four year stint on Red Foley's Ozark Jubilee. Billed as "Marvin Rainwater and his Tomahawks," his first release on the label was the pre-rockabilly song "Tennessee Houn' Dog Yodel." In 1956, his first two rockabilly songs appeared with the energetic "Hot and Cold" and the slower "Mr. Blues." His growing popularity brought him his first hit in early 1957 with "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird," which reached #4 on Billboard's C&W charts. Rockabilly songs like "Why Did You Have to Go and Leave Me (Lonesome Blues)", "My Brand of Blues," "Whole Lotta Women," "I Dig You Baby" and others followed.

MGM advertising in Billboard's July 8, 1957, issue

Today's selection "(There's Always) A Need for Love" was recorded on July 16, 1958, at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Rainwater was backed by veteran studio musicians Grady Martin (ld gtr), Floyd Cramer (pno), Lightnin' Chase (bs), Buddy Harman (dms), and an unknown chorus. Coupled with "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)", the song was released on MGM K12701 in summer 1958. Billboard reviewed the single on  August 18 but it failed to chart.

By 1960, Rainwater's chart successes were over and MGM dropped him from its roster. He recorded a couple of songs with Link Wray and Lucky Wray on Warwick in 1961 and also recorded for Star-Dale and United Artists, before he founded his own label Brave. He also co-owned the country magazine "Trail" with his brother Ray, who was also his manager. In the 1970s, he fought against cancer and moved to Aitkin County, Minnesota. Today, he still performs at rockabilly festivals in Europe.

Billboard March 3, 1956

Dixieland Blues, Vol. I

This was one of the most popular series on the blog. I also like it very much, great tracks and great artists. There's gonna be more in the future, I promise. For now, I repost the first installment.

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track list:
1. Bill Case - Just a Little More Lovin'
2. Glen Thompson - Dixieland Boogie
3. Dub Adams - Pocahuntas Stomp
4. Curt Hinson - Cotton Pickin' Baby
5. Snake River Outlaws - I Won't Go Huntin' Jake
6. Uncle Ned - I'll Wait for You
7. Tex Dixson - Honky Tonk Swing
8. Doug Harden - Good for Nothing Woman
9. Lester & Darold - Drive Inn Blues
10. Earl Peterson - Take Me Back to Michigan
11. Ludy Harris - That Glory Bound Train
12. Clyde Chesser's Texas Village Boys - Lost Highway
13. Sam Nichols - I Want My Alimony
14. Jimmy Prince - Live and Let Live

Folk & Camp Fire Songs review

The three Lewis brothers from Ohio coupled with drummer Dennis Foreman recently released their second album. More a tribute to their musicial roots than containing new or original song material, the band puts old songs in a new style much of their own. Jeff Lewis previously performed with the Bluegrass group Big Scioto, Richard played with a pop band and Foreman collected his musical experiences with Jakob Freely. Only Russell Lewis wasn't a member of a band yet, the Lewis Brothers is his first act he appears with.

Although three of the four band members are real brothers, they come from very different musicial backgrounds and as varied as their personal influences are, so is the track list of their second album "Folk & Camp Fire Songs." Many recordings are traditional folk tunes and the musical style on all tracks is something between Country, Bluegrass, and Folk, but I won't label them as any of them. You can hear Bluegrass guitar picking, old Folk banjo strumming, beautiful harmony singing and the drums add a very special effect.

The album kicks of with the light-minded "It's a Lie," which immediatly spreads a happy atmosphere, presented with a sense of humor. "Old Joe Clark" is another hillbilly tune with a nice mandolin picking, "Froggy Went a-Courtin'" is the band's rendition of the well-known folk song that has so many other names and lyrical variations. "Poison Ivy" certainly takes the band into the popular music direction and they do a nice job on this Coasters' hit from 1959.

This is recommended to all of you who need a good portion of happyness and sing-a-long feeling. It is also recommended to all the people who like good ol' folk music. And it is also recommended to all others out there!

Visit the Lewis Brothers' website

The Roxsters

The Roxsters were a West Palm Beach, Florida, based rock'n'roll group which cut the incredible "So Long" for Art Records. The group is commonly not so well-known but their original record can now be sold at auctions for 200 USD or more. Don Ward, founding member of the Roxsters, gave me some rare information on the band.

Also spelled Roxters sometimes, they were founded by school buddies Don Ward and Jerry Johnson in 1957. Ward was on rhythm guitar and Johnson on accordion when they began to play and sang together. Later that year, they decided to form a band and searched for other musicians. It was Ward who came up with the spelling of the band's name and soon, the Roxsters were born. The band included Ward on vocals and rhythm guitar, Butch Watts on electric lead guitar, Keith MacKendrick on sax, Jerry Johnson who switched to piano and vocals, Bill Rinehardt on bass, and Dave Hieronymous on drums. Also, saxophone player Guy Brown and drummer Chuck Irwin played with the band at one point.

They were the first rock'n'roll band to appear in the area and since West Palm Beach was not too far away from Miami, the Roxsters got the chance to record. They were signed to Art Records, which was owned by Harold Doane. Doane recorded some of Miami's finest rock'n'roll acts and released them on his labels Art, Perfect, and AFS. Their first recordings, however, were not solo efforts but some songs they cut with singer Wesley Hardin. "Anyway" b/w "A Thing Called Love" came out in late 1957 on AFS and were two great rock'n'roll numbers with a powerful sound provided by the band. Vocalist Wesley Hardin had no own band and had recorded previously with Tommy Spurlin's Southern Boys on Doane's Perfect label.

In 1958, the Roxsters finally recorded some of their own songs. "So Long" and "Goodbye Baby" were similar in style and lyrics but nonetheless are awesome Miami rock'n'roll outings with an aggressive sax solo, an innovative rhythm guitar intro by Don Ward, and a solid drum performance. Both songs were written by Ward and Jerry Johnson. They also laid down some unreleased sides, including two versions of "I Was Doing It, Too" and "She's Mine." It is not impossible that there are more tapes by the Roxsters waiting to be discovered. Harold Doane sold his catalog and all his tapes to Miami based 2Tribes Entertainment in 1999, so they are probably still the owner of these rare cuts.

Sax player Keith MacKendrick left in 1960 to join the Apollos, recording for Mercury with them, and afterwards became a member of the Champs (of "Tequila" fame). He played in a country band during the 1980s in West Palm Beach and his son also became a musician. Don Ward retired from performing but continued to compose songs with his wife. After her death in 2011, he returned to performing and recording.

Read more:

• Miami's AFS label

Discography

AFS 45-302

Wesley Hardin with the Roxters

Anyway (Wesley Hardin) / A Thing Called Love (Wesley Hardin)

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1957 (BB)

Billboard December 23, 1957, C&W review

Recorded ca. late 1957 poss. at American Recording and Transcription Service (119th Street - Miami, Florida)

Wesley Hardin (vcl), Don Ward (gtr), Butch Watts (ld gtr), Jerry Johnson (pno), Bill Rinehardt (bs), Dave Hieronymous (dms) 

Unreleased recordings from possibly the same session include "I'll Be Leaving You."

Art 175

The Roxsters

So Long (Don Ward; Jerry Johnson) / Goodbye Baby (Don Ward; Jerry Johnson)

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Recorded ca. 1958 poss. at American Recording and Transcription Service (119th Street - Miami, Florida)

Don Ward (vcl/rhy gtr), Butch Watts (ld gtr), Keith McKendrick (sax), Jerry Johnson (pno), Bill Rinehardt (bs), Dave Hieronymous (dms)

Unreleased recordings from around the same time include:

- She's Mine

- I Was Doing It, Too (version 1)

- I Was Doing It, Too (version 2)

Since I have no other label scans of the above records, I used Terry Gordon's scans from RCS.

Special thanks to Don Ward for sharing his memories.

Tops Rock & Roll!

Another of the sound-a-like comps. The last for now.
Tops was a label founded by the Tops Music Enterprises in the early 1950s in Los Angeles and had success with their cheap versions of the hits-of-the-day. In 1960, Tops was sold and the new owner discontinued the label in the mid-1960s. Some of the Tops recordings were actually recorded by the Starday company and issued on their budget imprint Dixie. The masters were later leased to Tops. Hope you enjoy it!

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track list:
1. Hank Smith - Heartbreak Hotel
2. Dave Burgess - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
3. Dusty Glass - Jailhouse Rock
4. Stevens Mark - School Day
5. Johnny Curtis - Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie
6. Johnny Ryan - Hot Rod Lincoln
7. Scott Otis - Heard Headed Woman
8. Hank Smith - Blue Suede Shoes
9. Uncredited artist - Hound Dog
10. Mimi Martel - Rock Love

Johnny Waleen on Coulee

  Johnny Waleen - Mystery Train (Coulee C45-102), 1964  

This flashy sparse rockabilly version of "Mystery Train" was recorded by Johnny Waleen in 1964 on the local Coulee label. It has been reissued many times since 1978 and the original record is now 300 USD or more worth.

Johnny Waleen, whose real name is Johnny Wallin, was born in 1940 in Cumberland, Wisconsin. His first record was released in 1959 on the Minneapolis, Minnesota, based Soma label, featuring "The Road to Heartaches" and "Mandy." In 1964, Waleen cut his version of "Mystery Train" coupled with "Now Is the Hour" for Coulee Records out of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Waleen is still alive and performing.

Gateway Rock & Roll Soundalikes

Reup. Gateway was part of the Rite Record Productions, founded in 1950 by Carl Burckhardt. Rite started his budget label activities in 1952 by launching its new labels Gateway, Big 4 Hits and Kentucky (later more labels followed). We have the great Delbert Barker here covering some nice Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. Rite sold his budget outfits in late 1957/early 1958 and concentrated on its custom pressing service, which began in 1955 (see the That's All Rite blog for Rite custom pressings).

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track list:
1. Bob LaMont - Dim Dim the Lights
2. Dick Warren - Rock Around the Clock
3. Delbert Barker - So Doggone Lonesome
4. Delbert Barker - Blue Suede Shoes
5. Delbert Barker - Heartbreak Hotel
6. Marv Lockard - Don't Be Cruel
7. Billy St. Claire - Shake, Rattle and Roll
8. Buddy Thomas - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
9. Earl Robbins - Teddy Bear
10. Jack Daniels - Tutti Frutti

The Annotated Kenny Owens discography

The following discography was compiled with the aim to list all of Arkansas Country and Rock'n'Roll singer Kenny Owens' known recordings. The information was taken from original sources and witnesses where available. Special thanks goes to Larry Donn, who answered patiently all of my questions.

Poplar 45-106 (1958)

Kenny Owen

High School Sweater (J. Wingate; A. Wingate) / I Got the Bug (Ollie McLaughlin; Lawson)

P-119 / P-120

 Unknown recording date and place

Kenny Owens (vcl) with unknown (ld gtr/pno/bs/dms)

Billboard pop review on February 24, 1958

Ruth 441 / 442

Kenny Owens

Come Back Baby (Kenny Owens) / Frog Man Hop (Kenny Owens)

441 / 442

Unknown recording date and place

Kenny Owens (vcl) with unknown (ld gtr/pno/sax/bs/dms)

Ruth was owned by Ollie McLaughlin, who also co-wrote "I Got the Bug."

Reka 401 (1964)

Kenny Owens

Wrong Line (Kenny Owens) / Come Back Baby (Kenny Owens)

13317 RK 300 / 13318 RK 301 (Rite)

 Recorded possibly at Joe Lee's Variety Recording Studio (213 East Monroe Street - Jonesboro, Arkansas), unknown recording date

Kenny Owens (vcl) with unknown (ld gtr/bs/dms)

"Come Back Baby" is a completely different recording from the version on Ruth 441.

Cotton Town Jubilee 95 (1965)

Kenny Owens

Christmas Poem (Norman Beal)
SK4M-3921 (RCA)
Gene Williams
My Son in Service (Norman Beal)
 SK4M-3922 (RCA)

 Unknown recording date and place
Kenny Owens (vcl) with unknown (ld gtr/rhy gtr/bs/chorus)
Gene Williams is the singer on the flip side.

Cotton Town Jubilee LP 99 "Stars of the Gene Williams Country Junction Show" (1965)

Various artists LP featuring Kenny Owens
Crazy for Your Love ()
I'm Cheatin' Again ()

Recorded ca. 1965 at unknown recording place

Kenny Owens (vcl) with Lemand James (ld gtr), unknown (pno/bs/dms), Ken Burge (harmony vcl) on "I'm Cheatin' Again"
Probably the Country Junction show house band featuring Johnny Duncan, Alton Yaney, Bill Medlock, and Ken Burge, played on these recordings.

Alley 1028 (1966)

Kenny Owens

Traveling on Her Mind (Kenny Owens) / Oh, How I Miss You (Jim Funches)

T4KM-5101 / T4KM-5102 (RCA)

 Possibly recorded at Joe Lee's Variety Recording Studio (213 East Monroe Street - Jonesboro, Arkansas), unknown recording date

Kenny Owens (vcl) with unknown (ld gtr/gtr/bs/dms)

Ork OS 35

Kenny Owens

Ballad of the Teenage Queen (Jack Clement) / Hey Porter (Johnny Cash)

Unknown recording date and place

Kenny Owens (vcl/gtr) with poss. Eddie Slusser (ld gtr), Dub Phelps (bs), Ronnie Harris (dms), unknown (chorus)
Ork was owned by Owens. The label's name were his initials spelled backwards.

Shork No.# (1967/68)

The Travelers featuring Ronnie Harris

You've Got No Reason (R. Harris)

PRP 6101 (Precision)

The Travelers featuring Eddie Slusser

First Date (E. Slusser)

PRP 6102 (Precision)

 Recorded late 1960s at Joe Lee's Variety Recording Studio (213 East Monroe Steet - Jonesboro, Arkansas)

Eddie Slusser (ld gtr), Kenny Owens (rhy gtr), Dub Phelps (bs), Ronnie Harris (dms/vcl)

According to Eddie Slusser, these two tracks were demo recordings released by Owens on the Ork subsidiary Shork. Ronnie Harris sings on "You've Got No Reason."

Ork #OS-35 (1969)

Kenny "Skinny" Owens

Honky Tonk Man (Johnny Horton; Tillman Franks; Howard Hausey) / Mama Layed the Law Down (Dub Dickerson)

PRP 9241 / PRP 9242 (Precision)

 Recorded late 1960s at unknown recording place

Kenny Owens (vcl) with poss. Eddie Slusser (ld gtr), unk (st gtr/hrmnca/pno), Dub Phelps (bs), Ronnie Harris (dms)

Ork #OS-35 (1969)

Kenny Owens

Long Lost John (L. Dunagan) / That Big Ole' Moon (F. Husky)

PRP 13081 / PRP 13082 (Precision)

 Recorded late 1960s at unknown recording place

Kenny Owens (vcl) with poss. Eddie Slusser (ld gr), unknown (pno), Dub Phelps (bs), Ronnie Harris (dms)

Kenny Owens used the number Ork 35 at least three times.

Ork LP 1003 "Kenny Owens and the Travelers with Mid-American Music"

Kenny Owens and the Travelers

Side 1
A Boy Named Sue (Shel Silverstein)

Big Boss Man (Al Smith; Luther Dixon)
Together Again (Buck Owens)
Oakie from Muskogee (Merle Haggard; Eddie Burris)
Hot Rod Race (George Wilson)
Side 2
Black is Black (Tony Hayes; Steve Wadey; Michelle Grainger)
Great Balls of Fire (Jack Hammer; Otis Blackwell)
Green-Green Grass (Curly Putman)
Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett; Steve Cropper)
Settin' in the Bathroom (Larry Donn)
Na-Na Na-Na Good-Bye (Paul Leka; Gary DeCarlo; Dale Frashuer)

Recorded late 1969 or 1970 at Wayne Raney's Studio (Rimrock, Arkansas)

Kenny Owens (vcl/gtr) with Eddie Slusser (ld gtr), Larry Donn (vcl/pno/org), Dub Phelps (bs), Ronnie Harris (dms/vcl), unknown (chorus)

This album was sold at concerts. Larry Donn was the vocalist on side 2 except for "Na-Na Na-Na Good-Bye," which was sung by Ronnie Harris.

Ork LP No.# "If I Were a Carpenter"
Kenny Owens
Side 1
If I Were a Carpenter ()
Travelin' on Her Mind (Kenny Owens)
Remember Me ()
Lonely Women Make Good Lovers ()
I Love You Because (Leon Payne)
Side 2
Long Haired Country Boy ()
Truck Drivin' Man ()
Come Back Baby (Kenny Owens)
Music City U.S.A. ()
Help Me ()
Recorded at Beaverwood Studio (133 Walton Ferry Road - Hendersonville, Tennessee), unknown recording date
Kenny Owens (vcl), other musicians unknown