Slim Dossey with the Ranch Boys Ace-Hi Records # 5011- 1954 Ramblin'Man / Mexican Joe.
Slim does a nice version of the Hank classic in 1954 ! himself and the Ranch Boys really put their all into this Ace-Hi release and for me Slim does a really good vocal . My 78 copy comes in the original Ace-Hi sleeve !
Slim Dossey made his way to California from the Seattle, Washington area in January of 1953. When he arrived, he contacted promoter Bill Wagnon, who got Slim a guest spot on the famed "Town Hall Party" that originated from Compton, California. While in Los Angeles, Slim found work on various shows such as the "Jimmy Wakely Sunday Night TV Show", the "Spade Cooley Show".
Lula Bel Si & the Country Meldoy Boys . Hamilton Records # PC 7558 - 1952 Sweet Kisses and a Cold Heart / Come Back To My Heart.
Hamilton Records produced here a snappy little western swing number with Lula Bell Si sounding about 12 years old ! But what you do have here is a well played song with a catchy little chord proggesion that turns this song from one of the norms to a right lil' belter. Hamilton also prouced another release by Lula Bell Si on Hamilton 45 rpm #1025 'Kentuckian Waltz / Cast A Spell on Me in 1953.
Lula Bell Si according to one article in 1957 was known as "The Girl With The Golden Voice". She was a native of Indiana. In the early 1950s, her band was called the Country Folk. The 1957 article indicates it was being called the Melody Boys. Lula Bell and her band would play to packed houses on Sunday nights at the Indian Ballroom in Indianapolis. The ball room at the time was the midwest's largest hall of its type at the time and had top bands appearing there regularly. The Sunday night show they appeared on was aired over Channel 4, WTTV out of Bloomington, Indiana and was called "The Indiana Barn Dance". The square dance calling on the show at that time was done by Max Engel. Lula Bell Si, leader, vocals Kenny Si, guitar, emcee Hershal Calbert, bass fiddle Frankie, fiddling Cliff Kirkham, lead guitar
Terry Fell and the Fellers X Records # 0010 - 1954 Don't Drop It / Truck Driving Man
Classic case of the B side takes off and no one remembers the A Side ! This was the Truck Driving song that sparked a wave of trucking tunes from the West to East coast ! Terry is totally at ease with this tale of the long distance trucking man and his lonely life on the road, just him, the white lines and neon signs. Honking harp starts the fun and then you get lovely harmony vocals and the whole thing just motors along just fine ! Fell started his record career in 1945 as a member of Billy Hughes band. His first record was with Hughes on Fargo Records. He then began his solo career for Cortney and 4 Star Records, although none of his singles were hits there.
Onie Wheeler and his Ozark Boys. OKeh Records # 18022 - 1953 Run Em' Off / When We All Get There.
In August 1953, Onie and the boys signed with OKeh/ Columbia Records in Nashville and had their first recording session at the end of that month, under the supervision of Don Law. The session included two of Wheeler's best-known songs, "Run 'Em Off" and "Mother Prays Loud In Her Sleep". Both were covered by other Columbia artists : "Run 'Em Off" by Lefty Frizzell (# 8 country in February 1954) and "Mother Prays Loud.." by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.
Gene Henslee Imperial Record # 8227 - 1954 Dig'n Datin' / A Girl Named Heart Brake
Let's have a hillbilly riot with the great king of Imperial Rockabillies Gene Henslee. Dig'n Datin' recorded in Oklahoma or Texas and is a true blast off record when he tells us he wants a Cadillac 4 miles long and a new suit and tie. Red hot Fiddle, Piano, Steel and searing boogie guitar .....what more does a fella or gal need !
Ernie Chaffin Hickory Record # 1024 - 1955 I Can't Lose The Blues / Get Me On Your Mind .
Recorded Nashville 1955 this is classic Ernie, two powerful songs delivered in a style all his own. This was his second and last release on Hickory .Both written by his close friend Pee Wee Maddux 'I Can't Lose The Blues' is perfection and why Ernie never made it big in Nashville after this just amazes me ..........staggering ! 'Get Me On Your Mind' just races along with pounding fiddle and some amazing guitar work by Pee Wee. US Country singer born on January 1, 1928 in Water Valley (Mississippi). Ernie Chaffin began his career in 1954 at Hickory Records from Nashville. In 1955, with Marion Carpenter, He starts the label 'Fine' in Biloxi (56). He then took a trip to Sun Records of Memphis (57) where he recorded 4 singles. He recorded there after at River, Vernel, Village, Rite and Axent Records. He was a regular singer on the radio WVMI of Biloxi (Mississippi) in 1956. Ernie succumbed to an accident of tractor, on his farm of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, April 16, 1997.
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Al Terry - Hickory Records # 1017 - Nov 1954
Side A - Hey, Whatta Y'Say
Side B - Let's Postpone Our Wedding
Al Terry comes across on nearly every record as a class act, smooth, perfect but always backed by a hot combo and when all is said and done! that's what sells records and Al certainly did that.
Both these tunes bear witness to a perfection and clarity of voice and style that were Mr Terry's alone, great voice, backed with class pickers.
Jimmie Collie Hickory Record # 1033 - 1955 She Will Get Lonesome / Sinners Angel.
I just love this record, got it for a few dollars and trust me it was worth every cent. Written by The Louvin Brothers and recorded in Jan 1955, Jimmie just belts out a performance that should have rocketed him to country stardom but like so many others just fell short. He had six releases on Hickory but none in my opinion were as fine as this . A simple song about the moon and the stars and a hope they will help him get his girl back ......beautiful ! .........................................................................
Ernie Chaffin Hickory Record # 1016 - I'm Gonna Salt My Sugar Away / Lonely Wind.
This was the first release for Ernie on Hickory. Fred Rose was instrumental in signing Ernie but only after Paul Cohen at Decca/Coral got turned down as Ernie did not like his style ! A good start at Hickory but this was never gonna up root any trees anytime soon. Ernie sounds like he's searching for that sound ( that thank the lord he found at Sun Records). Again Pee Wee wrote both tracks and both are played with gusto and have that very relaxed Hickory sound !
Rusty & Doug Kershaw Hickory Record # 1055 - 1956 I'll Understand / Mister Love
A damn fine fourth single release by brothers Russell Lee and Douglas James better know as Rusty & Doug . They would go onto record a further 14 singles on Hickory and cement their sound in Nashville. What you're getting here is superb sublime harmonies and stunning Piano playing by Wiley Barkdull and of course that fantastic fiddle sound by Doug .
Claude King Pacemaker Records # HB 1010 - 1953 A Million Mistakes / Why Should I ?
December 1950 KWKH Radio Station Studio, 509 Market St., Shreveport, LA – Claude King (Buddy Attaway [gt], Tillman Franks [bass], Webb Pierce [vcl chorus]. Producer: Webb Pierce) 003 A MILLION MISTAKES Pacemaker 1010 Gotham G 409 004 WHY SHOULD I Pacemaker 1010 Gotham G 409 Pacemaker Records at the time had some top names on their little label in Shreveport, Louisiana. Webb Pierce, Tillman Franks, Hal Harris & Sleepy Jeffers to name a few. Claude King had one release on Pacemaker ( This version was reissued on Gotham #409) this was never gonna set the country world alight in 1953 (as it was recorded some 2 years before) produced by Webb Pierce and sounds so dang good and Claude sings it with real passion with the addition of some beautiful Steel work. Then just a few years later after his years of hard work it finally payed off when he was signed to Columbia Records and had a string of hits during the 1960's.
