A R C H I V E - #5



  • On July 10, in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony Lisa Marie Presley will officially open Presley Place, the transitional housing facility for homeless families in Memphis, funded by the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
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  • JOHNNY RUSSELL, Opry Star, Dead at 61 Nashville - July 3, 2001 - AKA John W. Russell, born in Charlotte, NC - Styles Country-Pop, Traditional Country - Instruments Vocals, Sax (Tenor), Songwriter. Johnny Russell was a successful country songwriter and performer whose songs were recorded by some of the biggest names in country music, including Jim Reeves, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and even the Beatles. He was born and raised in Roundway, Mississippi and was first influenced by the music of Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Roy Acuff and the Grand Ole Opry. His family moved to Fresno, California when Russell was eleven. In high school, he entered and won various talent contests and even became a character actor on television. A longtime songwriter, he recorded his first song, "In a Mansion Stands My Love," in 1958. Soon after its release, he appeared on Ralph Emery's Late Night Show, where he met Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold, Hank Locklin and Archie Campbell. Later that year, he moved to Nashville, where Jim Reeves recorded a cover of "In a Mansion Stands My Love" and helped establish Russell's reputation as a songwriter. His performing career went nowhere, though, and later that year he went back to California to hone his writing skills. In 1963, Buck Owens recorded Russell's "Act Naturally" and had a number one hit. Two years later, the Beatles had success with a cover of the tune, and a 1969 remake by Owens and Ringo Starr became a hit as well.
           In 1971, Russell, trying again to become a recording star, returned to Nashville, where Atkins signed him to RCA. His debut "Mr. and Mrs. Untrue" and its follow-up, "What A Price," both became mid-level hits. Russell had his first Top 20 hit in 1973 with "Catfish John," and later that year had his biggest hit, "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer," which peaked in the Top Five. He had six more hits through 1975, including "Hello I Love You." In 1977, he finished his stint at RCA with six more mid-range hits, including "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp." He then switched to Mercury and had a Top 30 hit with "How Deep in Love Am I?" He had several more hits with label, including "Here's to the Horses," but none of them made it past the Top 50. In the mid-'80s, he joined the Grand Ole Opry as a comedy and singing act. He went on to appear on various country music variety shows, including Hee Haw. Russell teamed up with Little David Wilkins in 1987 to record the minor hit "Butterbeans." Before the year was out, Russell had a mild stroke, and the following year he underwent surgery to remove a blockage from his chest. Still, he continued to perform and tour as before. -Sandra Brennan
    Johnny Russell Scholarship Fund
    c/o John Russell, Jr.
    216 Centerview Dr.
    Suite 317
    Funeral was Friday, July 6, 10am, Grand Ole Opry House, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN
    THE RUSSELL FILES"
    Major Recordings as a Writer:
    "Act Naturally"-Buck Owens/The Beatles
    "Makin' Plans"-Dolly Parton/Emmylou

    Harris/Linda Ronstadt/Conway
    Twitty/Loretta Lynn/Vince Gill
    "Let's Fall To Pieces Together"-George Strait
    "Got No Reason Now for Going Home"-Gene Watson
    "Beautiful Unhappy Home"-Loretta Lynn/Ernest Tubb
    "The World's Meanest Man"-Burl Ives
    "It Sure Seemed Right"-Dottie West
    "That's What I Tell Them"-Patti Page
    "Hurt Her Once for Me"-The Wilburn Brothers
    "You'll Be Back"-The Statler Brothers

    Major Recordings as an Artist:
    "Rednecks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer"
    "Catfish John"
    "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor"
    "Mr & Mrs. Untrue"
    "Chained"
    "What a Price"
    "Hello, I Love You"
    "She's In Love with a Rodeo Man"
    "You'll be Back"

    Record Labels
    RCA
    16th Avenue
    Polydor
    Mercury
    MGM
    ABC Paramount
    OMS

    TV Appearances:
    Nashville Now
    HEE HAW
    Dean Martin Show
    Dinah Shore Show
    Phil Donahue Show
    Grand Ole Opry Live
    Good Ole Nashville Music
    Fandango
    Pop Goes the Country
    NBC-Foulups, Bleeps, & Blunders
    CBS-60th Anniversary of the Grand
    Ole Opry
    HEE HAW Honey's
    I-40 Paradise
    Yesteryear in Nashville Porter Wagoner Show
    Wilburn Brother's Show Church Street Station
    Bob Braun Show
    Crook n Chase
    Prime Time Country
    The Ralph Emery Show
    CBS-70th Anniversary of The Grand Ole Opry

    National and International Press Coverage:
    Newsweek
    Bill Board
    Rolling Stone
    Cashbox
    Record World
    Music City News
    Country Music
    Country Music News
    Nashville Sound
    England's Country Music People

    Performance Awards
    Grammy Nomination-"Male Vocalist of the Year"
    BMI Achievement Awards
    Nashville Song Writers Association-2 of the top 15 Songs of the Year
    RCA Records-"Golden Boot Award"
    ASCAP-Awards of Merit
    R.O.P.E.-"Lifetime Achievement as an Entertainer" 1995

    Fellow Opry members, friends and fans turned out to celebrate the life and death of Johnny Russell at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry house. Pallbearers included Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Bill Anderson, Jim Ed Brown, Porter Wagoner, Jimmy C. Newman, Jack Greene and Billy Walker. The remaining Opry members served as honorary pallbearers. The memorial service was filled with both laughter and tears, as Russell's friends recalled the humorous moments they shared with the late singer-songwriter. The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner and Connie Smith all performed in tribute to Russell.
  • Independant film "Johnny Rocker", being shot in Las Vegas, looking for actor for the lead title character. The film is based on the song from the CD "Birth of the Beat" by Flash and the Retro Rockets". Part calls for Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt type, cool yet intense, who can play surf/rockabilly guitar. Preferably desire someone who resides or is looking to reside in the Las Vegas area. Please send headshot, resume, and any music demo of your playing ability to Sax Entertainment Group, Inc. 2301 South Valley View Blvd., #I-12, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 Please put "Johnny Rocker" on the package.
  • LES PAUL ARTICLE:"That Old Feeling: Les Is More" - Richard Corliss on the 70-year career of virtuoso guitarist Les Paul (Time).
  • Charlie Gracie's website - www.charliegracie.comis ready to view, according to webmasters LBMPGraphics.
  • Listen to the Eddie Bond live radio show from Bolivar, TN on WMOD 97.6-FM, Monday to Friday . Eddie will play all new artists and old timmers on his show. Send cds, tapes, and bio to Colonel Burl Boykin, (Rockabilly Masters), 333 County Road 215, Abbeville, Mississippi 38601 for review. For on air interviews and other information regarding Eddie's show, please e-mail rockabillymasters@yahoo.com
  • John Lee Hooker passed away. San Francisco, June 21, 2001 - Legendary bluesman John Lee Hooker, whose foot stompin' and gravelly voice electrified audiences and inspired several generations of musicians, died in his home Thursday. He was age 83. Hooker died in his sleep of natural causes with friends and family near. During a more than six-decade-long music career, the veteran blues singer from the Mississippi Delta estimated he recorded more than 100 albums. Some of his better-known songs include "Boogie Chillen," "Boom Boom" and "I'm In The Mood." His one-chord boogie compositions and rhythmic guitar work were a distinctive sound that influenced rock 'n' rollers as well as rhythm and blues musicians. Hooker's popularity grew steadily as he rode the wave of rock in the '50s into the folk boom of the '60s. In 1980, he played a street musician in "The Blues Brothers" movie. In 1985, his songs were used in Steven Spielberg's film, "The Color Purple." Born in Clarksdale, Miss., in 1920, Hooker was one of 11 children born to a Baptist minister and sharecropper who discouraged his son's musical bent. His stepfather taught him to play guitar. By the time Hooker was a teenager, he was performing at local fish fries, dances and other occasions. Hooker hit the road to perform by the age of 14. He worked odd jobs by day and played small bars at night in Memphis, then Cincinnati and finally Detroit in 1943. In Detroit, he was discovered and recorded his first hit, "Boogie Chillen," in 1948.
  • Dirty Ernie's Greaseball - Saturday Sept. 1st At Mississippi Nights Laclede's Landing/ 914 N. First St Saint Louis, MO. OK Dirty Ernie is back and is announcing the return of The Greaseball in an all-new venue and with more Rockabilly bizarreness than you can shake a flaming stick at. Dirty Ernie is also calling out to all touring Rockabilly bands to come play St Louis Dirty Ernie's Greaseball"; a Rockabilly event that he has hosted several times with bands like the Bottletones, The Rumblers, The Trip Daddys and The 7 Shot Screamers to name a few. These shows also included venders, local radio and a small circus sideshow that almost burnt the house down. Now he is promoting shows in St. Louis' most Rockabilly friendly venue. Dirty Ernie is searching the country for touring bands who want to put St Louis on their of list of dates. So if your on the road or planning that tour across this great >country of ours and you would like to make St Louis one of your stops, contact Dirty Ernie at dirtyern13@yahoo.com also visit http://www.geocities.com/dirtyern13 and check out the gallery to see how St. Louis turns out to support Rockabilly Shows.
  • JACK SCOTT ... It's a "Canadian Thing" Warren Cosford Speaks Out.
    Hi Folks:   Many of you know that I've been a fan of Jack Scott's since I was a teenager. Actually, it's been a source of amusement for many of my friends and the people I've worked with over the years. Most don't "get it". For example a Canadian Internet "Broadcast" facility lists ONE Jack Scott record on their Rockabilly Site. And that is one more than 1050 CHUM were playing in their final days. That's not only amazing ... it's astounding! Who ARE these idiots? Well...in one case they're Idiots who failed. In the other they're Idiots who are getting ready to fail.
           What first drew me to Jack was the fact he is Canadian born in Windsor. In 1958 I'd never heard of anyone who sang Rock and Roll who was Canadian. Yeah ... I know ... Paul Anka charted Diana in 1957. But that wasn't Rock and Roll. Anka only ever wanted to be Frank Sinatra. Diana et al was Paul and a bunch of studio musicians in New York. Paul quickly moved to Las Vegas.
          Jack and his band first recorded in Detroit's only studio. They had a "regional hit" in '57. Beginning in June of 1958 Billboard charted 19 more in 41 months. Jack's background vocal group The Chantones were from Windsor. There were very few Rock and Singers who charted through the era of the Payola Hearings.
          While producing The Evolution of Rock for CHUM in 1975 Jack and I became friends. More of The Story is here: http://www.rockabillyhall.com/JackScott.html. I've done everything from arranging for his first Greatest Hits album (Al Mair at Attic is a fan) to singing with him on stage at a Buddy Holly Memorial in Clear Lake Iowa headlining a show that featured Carl Perkins and Wanda Jackson. No small feat considering I can't sing.
          At any rate ... in typical Canadian fashion, his contributions to the early days of Rock and Roll have never been acknowledged in Canada. I'm not sure he cares. But I do.
          Recently, in England, Robert Plant requested a personalized autograph. In Winnipeg, so did Burton Cummings. But to The Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame he doesn't exist. It's not for lack of effort. My effort. They just seem to have other things on their mind.
          Like I said. It's a "Canadian Thing". While we spend millions on Factor and soon Radio Starmaker to "beef up" an Industry in the name of Culture we ignore a truly unique pioneer who never asked for anything.
           W.C. - radiopro@home.com

  • Review, posted 6/17/01: JACK SCOTT AT TBONZ IN DETROIT. Just came back from the show. What a time! I've seen Jack perform for about 25 years. He's never been bad. But I've never heard him where he's been this good. The first show started at 9 and ended about 10:30. The next show started shortly after 11 and was still going on when I left at 1. He was having so much fun he just didn't want to leave the stage. I'm writing this at 3AM. He may still be there. Now...of course....if all he did was sing Jack Scott Songs he could have been there for hours. But he was singing Everything. Gospel, Country even Italian. He was even singing Roy Orbison and hitting the high notes. When he sang "It's Only Make Believe" after telling a little story about his friendship with Conway Twitty he got a standing ovation. At one point he started taking requests. Most of the songs requested the band didn't know, and certainly hadn't rehearsed. So Jack turned his guitar up a notch and let them fend for themselves. It was the closest thing to a "jam" I've ever heard him do.
    Cheers, WC

    JIMMY EVANS doing a vocal overdub on the new material he is currently recording. He hopes to have a new cd out soon. - posted June, 2001
  • SANFORD CLARK, who just appeared at Hemsby, had back surgery right after the trip to cure a disc problem. Sanford is recuperating at home and hopes to be 100% soon. He says he would love to do some of the US Festivals now that he has a taste for the floodlights again but insists they book Al Casey too. Anyone who saw the two together would agree they are like cheese and crackers and should always be together. Al of course does his own thing too.
  • MARSHALL LYTLE recommends you click here ... Bill Haley's Comets Still Rockin'
  • NARVEL FELTS recently did a show in Warren, Arkansas for the Annual Pink Tomato Festival. While there Narvel got to meet Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. While shaking the Governor's hand, Narvel said, "I'm very proud to meet you sir." Mr. Huckabee responded with, "Well, I'm very proud to meet you, Narvel. I used to your play records when I was a DJ in Hope, Arkansas from 1967 until the late 1970s."
  • CHARLIE DANIELS MUSEUM OPENS IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE. GRITZ.NET REPORTS: The legendary Charlie Daniels is honored to open the doors of the Charlie Daniels Museum, located next to the Hard Rock Cafe' at 110 2nd Avenue North in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Admission to the museum is $3.00 for adults and free to children under twelve. Admission is free Thursday, June 14. The museum will be open seven days a week.
    Recommended Click:
    That Old Feeling: Crickets and Beatles. Richard Corliss catches two London musicals that pay tribute to Buddy Holly and Lennon-McCartney.
  • PHOTOS: Opening of the new Country Music Hall of Fame.
       The Rockabilly Hall of Fame staff was there.

    IAN B. MACLEOD's "Thank You Mr. Perkins" CD is available from the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
    It's a tribute in song to the memory of "The Godfather of Rockabilly," CARL PERKINS. This 25-track album is a great collection of Carl's songs that Ian (one of Australia's most popular performers) recorded over several years. If you need a copy for radio airplay or a published review source, please contact: bob@rockabillyhall.com - Limited stock.
  • LARRY LEE PHILLIPSON (Rockabilly Hall of Fame Inductee) is featured in a great article on "The Old Times" website.

    CLICK HERE
  • June 4, 2001: Banjo player John Hartford, 63, died Monday after a bout with cancer. The New York native was raised in St. Louis where he listened to country radio and became enamored with Flatt & Scruggs. He learned how to play guitar, guitar, mandolin and fiddle. In the early 1960's, Hartford played with bluegrass bands in Missouri and Illinois. He later headed to California and became a writer and performer on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Hartford moved back to Nashville about 1970 and recorded "Aereo Plain" for Warner Brothers in 1971. His "Mark Twang" (Flying Fish 1976) won a Grammy for beset ethnic or traditional recording. Hartford continued recording for labels including Flying Fish and Rounder. John wrote "Gentle on My Mind: - a big pop/country hit for Glen Camnell in '67-'68.
  • SONNY BURGESS - "Tupelo Connection." CD
    Just thought I'd drop a little public service announcement on yall and let ya know that Sonny Burgess has yet another new CD release. Sonny and the Legendary Pacers have recorded some nice tight rockin' tracks lately, and this latest effort recorded in Mississippi is no exception. Recommended!
    Tracks:
    1. Slow Down
    2. Smile When You Say That
    3. Shake, Rattle and Roll
    4. Let 'Er Roll
    5. Driving Me Out of My Mind
    6. Red Headed Woman
    7. Is it Wrong
    8. Little Bit Of Money
    9. Hillbilly Baby
    10. Late Last Night
    11. Double Trouble
    12. Do You Wanta Rock
    PS: You can find bios, tour dates etc. on Sonny and the Pacers at www.legendarypacers.com
    --Steve Lester
  • DALE HAWKINS returns to the Old Point Bar in Algiers, LA (just a ferry ride across the river from New Orleans) on Saturday, July 20, 2001. Of course, with Johnny J & the Hitmen.
  • BR549: The Dash is Dropped. Country group BR549, formerly spelled BR5-49, officially has dropped the dash from its name. The hillbilly boogie quintet takes its name from the phone number on the sign country comedian Junior Samples held up while selling used cars on Hee Haw. "The dash is too confusing," BR549 singer/guitarist Chuck Mead told country.com. "Graphically, I think it looks better without the dash. It doesn't really matter to us. The name was a joke in the first place. We never thought we'd ever go this far. ... Younger people really don't know what the name BR549 is all about. To them it's just a series of numbers and letters." After releasing two studio albums and two live projects for Arista Records, the band signed with Sony's Lucky Dog imprint and will release a new set, This Is BR549, on June 26.

    You may have seen the noble name of the Steubenville Knights for the first time in advertising for the upcoming Rockabilly Rebel Weekend #9. Who are they? A new rockin' trio made up of Thommy Burns (ex-Atomics) on vocals and slap bass (anyone at RRW #8 may have seen him slapping the bass with Vernon Taylor), Scott Murphy of King Kerosene on electric guitar, and newcomer Jason 'Hoss' Hicks of the Peashooters on acoustic guitar. Their debut CD, titled "The Royal Party" was just released on Finland based Jungle Records and is a great mix of wild originals and Rockabilly interpretations of hits by Dean Martin, Mel Torme, and Nat King Cole, among others (!) Check them out at http://members.aol.com/svilleknights/
  • Duane Eddy's The "Twangs" The "Thang." Jamie Records has released The "Twangs" The "Thang," (available now on www.jamguy.com). This is Duane Eddy's third album and the one that established him as a major force in Europe. It climbed to No. 15 in the US in early 1960 and to No. 2 in the UK on the basis of his March, 1960, first-ever European tour. As Jim Grant's liner notes point out, London Records changed the cover for the UK release to put a guitar in Duane's hands just to be sure the audience knew what to expect! The CD has 6 bonus cuts, five of which were never released before and the sixth, "Bonnie Came Back," is a first-time US release in stereo. Tom Moulton has achieved amazing clarity and power from the original session tapes. Jamie Records is working on a companion CD, "The Twang Gang," including people like Donnie Owens and Lee Hazlewood with whom Duane worked and, thanks to Duane, were part of the instant musical stardom of Phoenix in the late 50s. It has a July 31 street date.

    BONES MAKI & THE SUN DODGERS. After fronting Detroit's #1 rockabilly band, the Big Barn Combo for four years, and a following a successful tour of northern Europe in the fall of 2000, Craig "Bones" Maki has started up a new group dedicated to 1950s rockabilly and western dance music. When Bones Mike & The Sun Dodgers take the stage, you'll have to make a decision to either watch the musicians or hop up and dance! Original songs and instrumentals are featured along with carefully selected 'stand-bys' to make the mix of music marvelous. Only a handful on bands in the U.S. play this style anymore, and Bones Maki & The Sun Dodgers stand out as one of the finest in their class. Having learned their showmanship from veteran musicians in the Detroit area, these youngsters are the 'real deal!'. Contact: Woodward Records, P.O. Box 494, New Baltimore, MI 48047.
         The "Blue Water Baby" EP: Woodward brings you the first release by Bones Maki & The Sun Downers! These four songs see the light of day for the first time on a limited edition, extended play 45-rpm records (200 of the run were pressed on colored vinyl). Recorded at the studios of WSDS-AM in Ypsilanti, MI, you're gonna get a kick from the sound of this jumpin' rockabilly and western music! The band included retiree Bob Anerson on pedal steel, who played with Jimmy Dickens and Hankshaw Hawkins among others in Nashville for several years, along with Marv Weyer, who most recently played guitar with Detroit's Eddie Jackson and also spent time pickin' in Nashville. Kenny Bruce and his upright bass team up with Bones' rhythm guitar to fill out the beat.
         A Brief Bio on Bones: Spent 1991-1999 on commercial and public radio stations (WCBN-FM, WHND-AM, WDTR-FM) in southeastern Michigan spinning rockabilly music. Learned the ropes from 50-year western entertainer Eddie Jackson and original Sun Records rockabilly artist Jack Earls. Bones co-founded the Big Barn Combo at the end of 1996. In 2000, they released a fast-selling album: "Comin' All The Way From Detroit City" (WWD-CD-101) which won a Detroit Music Award. The combo played clubs and fairs all over the U.S. Midwest, as well as two tours in Europe and the main stages at both Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender in Las Vegas, and the Rockabilly Weekender in Indianapolis. Bones sings, plays rhythm guitar and writes songs.
  • The Rockabilly Hall of Fame Proudly Presents: Alan Clark's Photo Archives Multiple pages with many rare pictures.

    Speedy West and his wife Marry.

    More RePackaged Elvis RCA Coming...

    Track List for The Best of Elvis Presley - Release Date: July 10, 2001. Part of the RCA 100th Anniversary campaign. 14 cuts/$11.98 list. Available for only 6 months. Information was first made public in January. At that time the track list was not available. Here it is:
    That's All Right
    Heartbreak Hotel
    Don't Be Cruel
    Loving You
    One Night
    It's Now Or Never
    Good Luck Charm
    Return to Sender
    Viva Las Vegas
    If I Can Dream
    Kentucky Rain
    The Wonder of You
    Always On My Mind
    Moody Blue

    Elvis - The 50 Greatest Love Songs. Following is the track listing for the September 11, 2001 double album release (2 CDs or 2 cassettes), Elvis - The 50 Greatest Love Songs:
    DISC 1 1. Always On My Mind
    2. And I Love You So (Alternate Take 1)
    3. Suspicious Minds
    4. Don't Cry Daddy
    5. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
    6. Surrender
    7. It's Now Or Never
    8. The Wonder Of You
    9. You've Lost That Loving Feeling
    10. It's Impossible
    11. Until It's Time For You To Go
    12. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
    13. For The Good Times
    14. Spanish Eyes
    15. There Goes My Everything
    16. Make The World Go Away
    17. She Wears My Ring
    18. Unchained Melody 19. It's Only Love
    20. I Just Can't Help Believin'
    21. Let It Be Me
    22. Rags To Riches
    23. I've Lost You

    DISC 2
    1. Can't Help Falling In Love
    2. Hawaiian Wedding Song
    3. Fame And Fortune
    4. Good Luck Charm
    5. She's Not You
    6. Suspicion
    7. The Girl Of My Best Friend
    8. The Thrill Of Your Love
    9. Pocketful Of Rainbows
    10. There's Always Me
    11. Love Letters
    12. I'll Remember You
    13. It Hurts Me
    14. You Don't Know Me
    15. Love Me Tender
    16. True Love
    17. I Was The One
    18. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
    19. Loving You
    20. Love Me
    21. Old Shep
    22. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
    23. Young And Beautiful
    24. Don't Ask Me Why
    25. As Long As I Have You
    26. Don't
    27. (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I

    MORE ELVIS. Dixieland Rocks - Live 1975 Concert Disc. Release Date: July 1, 2001. The next FTD release (July 1, 2001) will be a soundboard recording from Elvis concerts in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on May 6 & 7, 1975.

    The Way It Was Elvis Book & CD. Release Expected July/August 2001. THE WAY IT WAS will be a 96 pages - 25 recordings - visual/audio documentary of the making of THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. With the support of TURNER ENTERTAINMENT, RCA RECORDS and ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES, we can now present Sherif Hanna's immaculate collection of photos from the film. The majority of the pictures we have chosen are in black and white, but there will also be a handsome collection of colour shots throughout the book. Facts about all the recorded material will be included in the book - complete with notations on where each recording was originally released. The book is printed on top quality paper, and wrapped in a glossy hard cover. The format is square - 24x24 cm's. The CD will be inside the book. It will contain songs from all of the recorded events and feature a total of 25 cuts. Only 4 of these have previously been released, but as RCA has released ALL they have from three of the recording dates.
    Mini-Review:
    MARVELLOUS HEMSBY,
    9th May to 13th May 2001 (UK)
    Highlight Moments

    Jack Scott and his American Band.
    Great Scott - Moody, Mean and Magnificent. A Master of his Craft. This was 75 minutes of brilliance as Jack chanted out numbers, keeping them short sharp and sweet as originally recorded. His voice sounded just the same as on his records and his stage presence was commanding. As an added bonus, he included a few numbers not previously seen on European stages such as "True True Love" and "You Can Bet Your Bottom Dollar". Special mention has to be made of his own American backing band who were so tight and spot on cue. Jack's lead guitarist had previously played behind Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Read and Muddy Waters.

    Janis Martin.
    Simply an Awesome Performance. Following on after Jack Scott must have inspired Janis as this was the best ever performance I have seen her give. It was top notch rock 'n' roll all the way through as she strutted her stuff across the stage giving her all and justifiably gaining recognition from the jam packed hall. All the regular favourites were included as well as a ballad and a tribute to Presley.

    Al Casey.
    A Great Musician and not a bad Singer either. Al Casey performed three instrumentals and one vocal in his own right and clearly demonstrated why he is a musician's musician. His picking on 'Ramrod' was exemplary and he rocked out the vocals on 'Teenage Blues' in a most convincing way. Casey also revealed that he played on Presley's '68 Comeback' special and that the red guitar that Elvis used in this TV show belonged to Al.

    Sanford Clark.
    A Legend who sadly did not totally connect with the audience. Introduced by Lee Hazlewood, the soft tones of a nervous Sanford Clark were put to good use on 'The Fool', 'Modern Day Romance' and 'Lonesome For A Letter'. However not all of his numbers came off and on such as 'Shades', 'Farm Labour Camp No. 2', 'Son Of Hickory Hollow's Tramp' and the concluding rock 'n' roll medley, he lost contact with the gathered multitude. For whatever reason, he chose not to perform 'Son Of A Gun', 'Lou Be Doo' or 'Swanee River Rock'.

    The Calvanes.
    A West Coast Doo Wop act to be reckoned with. Whilst not a household name such as some other doo wop groups, the Calvanes demonstrated, with their singing ability, that they are a fine vocal outfit. They have been together since the fifties and their experience clearly showed. All four members took turns at singing lead on a selection of numbers, which were basically from their new release on the Hightone label plus some from their days with Dootone Records. The harmonies were great and they had to perform three encores. Certainly one of the better vocal groups to grace the Hemsby stage.

    Mack Stevens
    A musical nutter, Screamin' Lord Sutch would have been proud. Texan Mack Stevens gave a performance on his first visit to England which at times was most bizarre but always entertaining. Who else would be given a shave on stage by a guy with a cut throat razor and at the same time continue to holler out a rock 'n' roll song. His act was filled with humour and was outrageous.

    Jack Baymore and The Bandits.
    Sweden's latest singing heartthrob who can rock it too. The audience who had gathered to see Janis Martin stayed on for the performance by Baymore and cheered him on with enthusiasm. With an act based on the young Elvis, he clearly has caught the eye of the ladies and he can sing good as well. A genuine crowd pleaser.

    © Tony Wilkinson
    May 2001.

  • SLEEPY VIDEO AVAILABLE. "THE MONSTER AND THE STRIPPER." (V) Sleepy LaBeef plays the monster in this "B" video. Luther Perkins has a (non-speaking) bit part in the beginning of this Ron Ormond 1969 cult movie. Available through: Midnight Mania Drive-In, Nashville Cinema Partners, P.O. Box 293213, Nashville, TN 37229-3213, Fax: 615-872-9190.
          About RON ORMOND: there's some background info on Ron Ormond on the back of the above video box. He is one of the best at exploitation films and his highly regarded by Michael Weldon, an expert in cult and b-movie genres. Ron came to Nashville in 1965 after successfully promoting some of his movies on the Southern Drive-In circuit. His first film in Nashville was Forty Acre Feud which featured some of the biggest names in Country Music at the time (check stuff out at this site). It was through some of these connections that he probably got to Sleepy when this was produced in 1969. As you will see...Ron had fun with his movies...did a lot of "tongue-in-cheek" stuff. Who else would have someone organize a Bayou safari in an argyle sweater. And wait until you get a look at the club owner's garb. Overall, Ron's movies were fun...as long as you don't take them too seriously...he had a fun time doing them, and his son, Tim, is now a producer in Nashville.

    (1) GLENN REEVES & HIS ROCK-BILLYS (1956) "ROCKIN' COUNTRY STYLE"
    (2) PAT KELLY WITHOUT THE SHAMROCKS (1958) "THEY'RE ALWAYS AFTER ME LUCKY CHARMS"
    PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE KELEMEN

    CARL PERKINS. Photo courtesy of Jay Harrington. It was taken by his mom around 1958-59.
  • Rayburn Anthony (ex Sun artist) has a new cd "Jackson Was Jumping" out on Vampirella records. I (jnewcomb@consumersglass.com) wrote the song with Rayburn and we had a lot of nice comments about it at the Jackson Festival last year. You may remember hearing it. The MCG Medien site has track listing of it in their new releases.
  • SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH 2001. IN HONOR OF JERRY'S 66TH BIRTHDAY AND 46 YEARS IN ROCK N ROLL, ONE DAY ONLY. LIMITED 1000 TICKETS, GEY YOUR AT WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM - ONLY $200. PER PERSON FOR THE DAY. HOLIDAY INN SELECT IN MEMPHIS. 2240 DEMOCRAT RD (901) 332-1130 ASK FOR TRACY.
    9 AM, CHECK IN
    10:30-12 NOON, BRUNCH BUFFET
    11 AM, LIVE MUSIC
    12:30, GUEST SPEAKER
    1:30 PM - 2:30 PM JAM SESSION WITH THE KILLER BAND
    3 PM, GUEST SPEAKER
    4 PM, AUTOGRAPH SESSION WITH THE KILLER
    6 PM TO 8PM, LIVE MUSIC WITH THE GUNS
    7:PM, DINNER
    8 PM, PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
    8 PM, THE KILLER BAND
    9 PM, GRAND FINALE - WITH THE KILLER TAKES THE STAGE, GOODNESS GRACIOUS LETS ROCK N ROLL
  • BLUEGRASS NEWS: Ralph Stanley Keeps Centuries of Bluegrass Alive.
  • VLV 2001 Photos - RHOF West Lounge Stage

  • Ronny Weiser's VLV 2001 Meet & Greet Photos
  • OTHER SITES with VIVA LAS VEGAS 2001 PHOTOS:
          Visit Real Gone Racket Many pix!
          Alan Clark's VLV 2001 Photos

    Kay Wheeler... still "Rock N the Bop" on stage in Las Vegas, April, 20001 - West Lounge "Rockabilly Hall of Fame" Show at the Gold Coast Hotel.

    An article on "Rock, Baby, Rock It" - Click Here


  • RELATED:
    MOVIE - ROCK BABY, ROCK IT (1957)
    Review by Marshall Crenshaw - book: "Hollywood Rock"
    Required viewing for every American
    "The point of this 1956 masterpiece is that it has rock'n'roll in it. Tons of rock'n'roll. Never mind that the writing is mindless and the production values crude - that's how the best rock'n'roll records were made! From the opening salvo of "Hot rock!" fired off by some middle-aged Bill Haleys and segueing into Johnny Carroll's version, the incredible music never stops. Made by amateur film makers in Dallas in 1956, Rock Baby Rock It probably came in under its $29 budget, but what a lollapalooza it was! Crafted at the precise moment that rock'n'roll was boiling over, this clumsy, plot less cheapie contains an incredible swath of rock music: Fats Domino boogie from Preacher Smith; brilliant Texas doo-wop from the Five Stars: mad Memphis blues from Roscoe Gordon; and white vocal group stylings from Don Coats and the Bon-Aires. But wait, there's more notably, the incredible Elvis-fueled rockabilly of 19-year old Johnny "Hot Rock" Carroll and the other worldly harmony of the Belew Twins. Rock Baby Rock It also features Kay Wheeler, the president of the Elvis Presley fan club and a hot-bopping kitten in her own right. The adult actors are wooden and lost, but the under-21ers are Dallas kids in their street clothes, whose awkwardness and sincerity make this one-of-a-kind film instantly loveable."


    VHS copies of "Rock Baby, Rock It" are available - with an 8x10 B&W glossy photo of Kay - both autographed by Ms. Wheeler. $20 within US, $25 outside US. Rockabilly Hall of Fame, PO Box 639, Burns, TN. 37029. Fax 615-740-8181.
  • Available Now!! "MISSISSIPPI MUD" - Bobby Joe Swilley at MP3.COM
  • Jimmie Ammons passed away Monday, April 2nd. He was inducted into the "Mississippi Music Hall Of Fame" this past Saturday but was unable to attend. He did, however, get to see the award and hold it in the hospital room. He was very proud and had all the doctors and nurses and family there to present him the award. We are so happy he got to see the award. What a fantastic person and great friend to all of us. He made the first recording that many of musicians did. Jimmie ran the famous Delta Recording Studio, Jackson, MS. His wife is Helen Ammons, 3901 Forest Lake Dr., Jackson, MS 39212.
  • JAILHOUSE ROCK - THE STAGE PLAY. English screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais are at work on a stage version of the 1957 Elvis Presley classic "Jailhouse Rock," about a man who goes to jail on trumped-up charges of manslaughter and becomes a rock 'n' roll star in the process. The stage version of "Jailhouse Rock" will use the film's famed Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller score, which includes such hits as "Treat Me Nice," "Don't Leave Me Now" and the title tune. New songs are being written especially for the stage. Rene Sheridan, lead producer on the project, expects the show to workshop in September in Los Angeles, with plans for a national tour to follow. Sheridan spent 10 years securing the rights to "Jailhouse Rock."

    BUDDY KNOX - She's Gone "The Liberty Years" - Connoisseur COLL 101 Street Date: March 6, 2001
    Although he'd enjoyed his biggest commercial successes in the mid/late 50's, with Roulette Records. Buddy's four-year stint with Liberty Records between 1960-64 yielded a memorable body of work. This included a couple of significant US hits, an unlikely UK chart entry, several further superb singles, and a fine LP with featured unusually excellent recuts of a handful of his earlier hits. Knox's entire released Liberty output is featured on this compilation, the majority of these sides appear on CD for the first time. Included is a full colour booklet with many photos and excellent detailed notes by Roger Dopson.
    Connoisseur Collection Web site:
    www.connoisseurcollection.co.uk