NEW HANK THOMPSON ALBUM DUE. HighTone Records has announced the signing of legendary country music singer Hank Thompson. A new Thompson album is scheduled for a July 2000 release. Thompson has been recording the new album in Dallas with Lloyd Maines (father of Dixie Chicks' lead singer Natalie Maines) producing. Thompson has sold over 70 million records internationally and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989. One of the musicians on the album is Thom Bresh. Bresh's father-the great Merle Travis-played guitar on most of Thompson's hit records.


Review of latest issue of Cash fanzine below

Johnny Cash " The Man In Black"
Issue 23, June 2000, of long established UK quarterly fanzine out now . Devoted to Mr Cash's activities past and present, it will be of interest to most RHOF readers. Normally 24 pages this time its a whopping 28 pages from editor Peter Lewry. A5 size and professionally produced. Highlights include an interview with long time cash discographer and friend John L Smith, an excellent feature on Cash`s UK ep releases, well illustrated, picture quality is excellent all through the mag, DVD and cd reviews inc a look at the brand new 3cd set Love, God, Murder in the CBS Legacy series, review of the new Ian Calford tribute cd Strapped For Cash and the latest news re Johnny (soon to be a dj for the BBC!!!). All in all a darn good read for anyone who digs Dyess' most famous son. Highly recommended. Subscription details from Peter at p.lewry@btinternet.com
-Phil Davies

Western swing pioneer Adolph Hofner died of cancer Friday, June 2, 2000. He was a few days shy of his 84th birthday. Hofner performed continuously in San Antonio and South Texas (and, briefly, Los Angeles) from about 1933 until he had a stroke in 1993. He will be best remembered for the many fine records he made for Bluebird, Okeh/Columbia, Decca, and finally Sarg.

Check out the BUFFALO BOP website dedicated to BUFFALO BOP. Features EVERY Buffalo Bop-CD with all the CD-Covers, track-listing, artists-index and more. Author: ralf.21033@t-online.de (Ralf Wittenburg)

Bandleader Tito Puente, who rode to fame on the heels of the 1950s mambo craze and helped define Latin jazz for the next 50 years, died Thursday, June, 1, 2000. He was believed to be around 77. Puente died at NYU Medical Center in New York. Puente recorded more than 100 albums in his more than 60 years in the business. He won his fifth Grammy in February for best traditional tropical Latin performance for "Mambo Birdland" and has been nominated for the music award 10 times. "The excitement of the rhythms and the beat make people happy," he said in a 1997 Associated Press interview. "We try to get our feelings to the people, so they enjoy it. It is not music for a funeral parlor." That year, RMM Records released a three-CD, 50-song compilation from Puente's recorded output through 50 years. It's titled "50 Years of Swing." The first cut, "Que No, Que No," is from his "El Rey del Mambo" ("The King of the Mambo") recording of 1946.

The Lucky Stars new CD Hollywood & Western is available now. It features a lineup of Sage Guyton on vocal and guitar, Jeremy Wakefield on steel and vocals, Whitey Anderson on piano and accordion, Brent Harding on bass and vocals, and Charlie Paddock on drums. It has three previously released tunes, "Everybody's Fool", "Look What The Cat Dragged In", and Pee Wee King and Redd Stewarts "Tennessee Tango". New tunes include "Chisel To My Heart", Hot Potato", Get Off Your High Horse", "A Fella Named Jack", "All Shapes and Sizes", "White Lie Blues", "Been Betrayed Blues", "Sugar Mama", and "Honky Tonk Bound". sicians are James Gilliam, Brantley Kearns, and Jelle Van Atten. Available from their website at http://www.theluckystars.com along with other merchandise/recordings, gigs, bios, etc.

TEX BENEKE DIES.
(AP) May 31, 2000 - Gordon "Tex" Beneke, a singer and sax player who took over the Glenn Miller Orchestra after the band leader's death during World War II, died May 30th of respiratory arrest at the age of 86. Beneke, who joined the orchestra in 1938, died at the Assured Horizons rest home in nearby Costa Mesa. His sunny Southern voice helped make hits of Miller's "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "(I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree." When Miller broke up the band in 1942 to join the military, Beneke played with other bands before joining the Navy during World War II. Although he played in the Navy Band, he never played in Miller's Air Force orchestra. In 1946, Miller's widow asked Beneke to take the Glenn Miller Orchestra back out on the road. Under Beneke's direction, the band again flourished. Postwar audiences went wild for the reconstituted group, which scored a string of Top 10 records. But the band's manager and producer insisted Beneke keep the sounds as faithful to Miller's pre-war work as possible, with no experiments. T he frustrated Beneke broke with Miller's estate and formed his own band. A year later, he billed the performance as "Tex Beneke and His Orchestra: Playing the Music Made Famous by Glenn Miller." He released his own album - "Shooting Star" - in 1948 on the Magic Records label.
Born Gordon Beneke in Fort Worth, Texas, on Feb. 12, 1914, he earned the nickname Tex early on. Beneke began his big band career with the Ben Young Orchestra in 1935 and played with it until 1937. In 1938, he joined Glenn Miller as a sideman earning $52.50 a week. Although one of the most popular soloists with the Miller band, Beneke was left out of the 1953 movie "The Glenn Miller Story." He appeared in films including "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941) and "Orchestra Wives" (1942), which helped propel him to the top of the polls in Downbeat and Metronome magazines. Beneke worked consistently through the 1960s, appearing on TV's "Cavalcade of Big Bands." In the 1970s and 1980s, Beneke continued to play his own music in a style closely resembling the Miller orchestra.

A note from Rollin' Rock's Ronny Weiser: I just received the soundtrack CD from the HBO movie "If These Walls Could Talk 2" and I have in it a Rollin' Rock master "Wild Wicked Wanda" sung and written by Johnny Legend & His Rockabilly Bastards. It's kinda amusing to see Rollin' Rock being the only small label amongst the various conglomerates: MCA, SONY, Polygram, RCA, etc., etc. The other ironic thing is that the song is also in the HBO movie starring Sharon Stone, Vanessa Redgrave, etc.

"Only the Lonely: A Tribute to Roy Orbison" CD, Various Artists CMH, featuring Bryan Sutton, Rob Ickes and Mark Thornt - released the week of May 29th.

Loretta Lynn's new CD, "Still Woman Enough" will not be released until Sept. 12th in stores.

FAN FAIR WILL MOVE. As Fan Fair 2000 approaches, speculation grows about where next year's version of the event will be held. Set for June 12-15 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, this year's Fan Fair has yet to sell out. Last year the event drew 21,000, the first time since 1991 that it fell short of its 24,000 capacity. The Tennessean reported Friday that the Country Music Association and the Grand Ole Opry, producers of the event, are considering alternate sites for next year including Adelphia Coliseum in downtown Nashville, and the Nashville Superspeedway, being built in Wilson County, east of the city. The downtown Gaylord Entertainment Center and the adjacent Nashville Convention Center represent a third possibility. Organizers also are considering making the event a Thursday to Sunday affair, rather than Monday to Thursday, and selling single-day tickets in addition to event passes. "This is the last year at the fairgrounds," the CMA's Ed Benson told The Tennessean. "The venue is tired and rundown." For information about this year's Fan Fair.

MORE OPRY 75th ANNIVERSARY PLANS.
Beginning June 16, every Friday night through August 4, the Grand Ole Opry will turn the Opry Plaza - the area in front of the Opry House, the Acuff Theatre and the Opry Museum -- into a high-energy celebration of its 75th Anniversary from 8:30pm - 11:00pm with Opry Plaza Parties. A concert stage will feature performances by artists who will also appear on that night's Opry shows. "We've booked award-winning artists who will appeal to the Opry's fans," said Opry general manager Pete Fisher. "We're inviting everyone out for a lot of fun each Friday night. With great music on the concert stage, strolling musicians, impromptu jam sessions and a Plaza dressed to the nines, we think these parties will be a great way to help everyone celebrate the Opry's landmark anniversary." The parties will be open to the general public with no charge.
Artists scheduled to perform:
June 30 - Junior Brown
July 7 - The Derailers
July 14 - The Derailers
July 21 - Jim Lauderdale
July 28 - Asleep at the Wheel
August 4 - BR5-49
"Like so many other acts in country music, we love the Opry and what it means to country music. We're thrilled to be a part of the Opry's 75th Anniversary Celebration and are looking forward to singing under and around the stars in the Opry Plaza this summer," said Ray Benson of Grammy-winning Asleep at the Wheel, scheduled to perform July 28th.

HANK PENNY
Bloodshot Revival and Soundies present never-before released recordings of country music classics Hank Penny - Crazy Rhythm - Release Date: July 18, 2000.
Hey all you crazy kats and kittens, the Bloodshot Revival/Soundies bandwagon is rollin' your way with a serious dose of jazzy country-swing (that planted the seeds of rockabilly) from Mr. Hank Penny, one of the original insurgent bad-boy types we here at Blootshot are all goosey-pimply over.
Crazy Rhythm is enough to make all you rockabilly types and rebel-music lovers break into a sweat. This jumpin' disc contains no less than 30 previously unissued tracks laid down by Hank and his crew of top-notch musicians in 1951 for Standard Transcription Recording Services. You get Hank's signature tune, "Little Red Wagon," along with a grab-bag of dance-hall ("Flamin' Mamie), California-brand swing ("Taxes, Taxes"), and a few ballads and novelty tunes ("Rabbits Don't Ever Get Married," "White Shotguns") thrown in for good measure. Featuring crack pedal steel player Noel Boggs and the vocal stylings of teenage singer (and future Gong Show stalwart) Jaye P. Morgan, the musicianship sparkles throughout, placing the long overdue spotlight on one of country's underground legends.
This fella was a house afire from way back in 1935, when (at age 18) he put together his Radio Cowboys - one year before Pee Wee King founded his Golden West Cowboys. Why, he even acted in a coupla Westerns, yukked it up as a regular on Spade Cooley's TV show in the 40s, and joined forces with a partner to open the famous Palomino nightclub in North Hollywood. He fronted bands from the '30s into the '70s, blazing a musical trail from Birmingham, Alabama through New orleans, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Cincinnati, L.A., Chicago, Vegas, but his recorded material has been impossible to find. Until now, that is!
Bloodshot Revival/Soundies is proud to add Crazy Rhythm to its fine catalog of lovingly remastered transcription recordings that also includes collections by Rex Allen, Spade Cooley, Hank Thompson, Pee Wee King, and Governor Jimmie Davis. Rockabilly hepcats like Deke Dickerson (who covered Hank's "Peroxide Blond") have been crazy for this rabble rouser for years. Now it's your turn to give this disc a spin, and get hip to Hank.
Talk to Lee at: lee@bloodshotrecords.com for the skinny. Bloodshot Records - 3039 W. Irving Park Rd. - Chicago, IL 60618. Phone: 773-604-5300. WWW.BLODSHOTRECORDS.COM Fax: 773-604-5019.

TAKE NOTE of these upcoming exciting European Show Dates.
courtesy: Rod Pyke, Fax: 0208 519 7315 - E-Mail: RodPyke@aol.com
June 30 - The Muskrats/Sugar Creek Trio - Swindon Rock 'n' Roll Club
July 1 - Number 9 - Cruise Inn, Amsterdam
July 7 - Number 9/Pyromanix/Hot Rod Gang - Dusseldorf, Germany
July 8 - Narvel Felt's - Americana, Newark, Nottinghamshire
July 11 - Chuck Berry/Little Richard /Jerry Lee Lewis - London Arena
July 21 - Ray Condo - Cruise Inn, Amsterdam
July 21/22 - Big Al Downing/No.9/Ray Condo - Munich, Germany
July 23 - Linda Gail Lewis - London, R & R All-dayer
July 29 - Big Al Downing - Skegness Rock & Roll Festival
July 29 - Toini & The Tomcats - Cruise Inn, Amsterdam
August 7 - Ray Campi - London
September 29, September 30, October 1 - Comets & Linda Gail Lewis & Bobby Cochran - Chippenham
October 5/10 - Hemsby Weekender - Comets/Vernon Taylor/Hemsby Weekender/Ray Condo/Alvis Wayne/Rocky Burnette/Paul Burlison/Cadets/jacks
November 9/10/11/12 - Terry Dene/The Jets etc.- Teddy Boy Weekender - Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth
November 24/27 Vernon Green/Sam Butera/Roscoe Gordon/Sid King/Hal Singer - Rhythm Riot Weekender, Camber Sands
March 2/3/4/5 - To Be Announced - Rockabilly Rave,2001 - Camber Sands
March 16/17/18 - Rip Masters/Graham Fenton Party - East Coast R & R 2001 - Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth

Lisa Marie Presley Writes With Head Pumpkin. May 25, 2000 - Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, is working on a song with Smashing Pumpkins f rontman Billy Corgan for her debut album. Lisa has written a song with Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins and that's ongoing now. The producer said, "Presley's debut, which will be released in late 2000 or early 2001 on the Java Records label, is a diverse offering. It's a pop record, but it also has elements of blues, funk, country, R&B, hip-hop ... sort of the confluence of whatever modern-day Memphis is right now. It has a lot of influences, and it continues to grow and evolve. It sort of grew up in the soil from which she sprang."

CHET ATKINS MUSIC BACK IN THE LIGHT. Collectors will want to know that a wonderful 2-CD set called Chet Atkins: Guitar Legend -- The RCA Years is being released. It includes a full 50 of Chet's very best tracks for RCA, ranging from the very first session (done in Chicago in August 1947 as Chet Atkins and his Colorado Mountain Boys) to a 1978 track done with the first Nashville Guitar Quartet.

Just in at SLC Billy Central, CD-review Johnny & the Blades - Let's Make Vegas Tonight

Daddy-o Dilly reports:
Gene Vincent was the cover story in Goldmine magazine in the June 16, 2000, issue, on sale June 2. This will be possibly the third time he will have been the cover feature in this magazine, which, by the way, is increasingly available at U. S. book/magazine stores. Please refer to the preview on page 130 of the May 19, 2000, issue. Goldmine's website: www.goldminemag.com

Johnny Cash At San Quentin Sees Unedited Release In July.
Johnny Cash's legendary 1969 concert at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, Calif. will be preserved unedited and in its entirety for the first time on CD, when Columbia/Legacy releases Johnny Cash at San Quentin (The Complete 1969 Concert) on July 4. Johnny Cash at San Quentin was originally released in 1969 but was missing nine tracks originally played during the Feb. 24, 1969 concert. Those include "Big River," "I Still Miss Someone," "I Don't Know Where I'm Bound," "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," "He Turned the Water Into Wine," "Daddy Sang Bass," "The Old Account," and a closing medley of "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," and "The Rebel" (featuring the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, and Carl Perkins). As with the previous release, The Complete 1969 Concert includes back-to-back versions of "San Quentin" -- written especially for the performance -- per the request of the prisoners in attendance. Country legend Merle Haggard, who was a serving time at San Quentin in 1969 for breaking and entering and attended the show, is interviewed by country star Marty Stuart for the liner notes to the album. Besides the music, a famous rock and roll image came out of the 1969 San Quentin show as well. Photographer Jim Marshall's timeless photo of Cash flipping a bird to what looks like the camera lens (but in actuality was to all the photographers and cameramen at the front of the stage who refused to move upon Cash's request) was taken at the show. Here is the track listing to Johnny Cash at San Quentin (The Complete 1969 Concert):
1. "Big River"
2. "I Still Miss Someone"
3. "Wreck of the Old 97"
4. "I Walk the Line"
5. "Darlin' Companion"
6. "I Don't Know Where I'm Bound"
7. "Starkville City Jail"
8. "San Quentin"
9. "San Quentin"
10. "Wanted Man"
11. "A Boy Named Sue"
12. "(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley"
13. "Folsom Prison Blues"
14. "Ring of Fire"
15. "He Turned the Water Into Wine"
16. "Daddy Sang Bass"
17. "The Old Account"
18. Closing Medley ("Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," "The Rebel")

New from Rollin' Rock Records - JOHNNY & THE BLADES, "Let's Make Vegas Tonight." CD106. Another great creation from Ronny Weiser's studio, great sound, great band, great music! For more info on the band, see: www.johnny&theblades.com - Mail order directly from Rollin' Rock for $13.98 plus $2 S&H (or $4 foreign airmail). Ronny Weiser, 2460 Casey Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89120.

"And The's Right Too," Hudson and the HooDooCats' latest CD. St. Louis based trio, visit their website for more info: www.hudsonandthehoodoocats.com - This CD is also available on the Rockabilly's Merchandise Page.

BLUEGRASS AND THE INTERNET
  Bluegrass may be a style that reveres traditional musical values, but its fans have turned to the Internet, the most modern form of communication, to spread the word about the high lonesome sound. If you are interested in exploring the online world of bluegrass, a good place to start is:
http://www.blueaudio.com/
a site with dozens of links to bands, record companies, stores that specialize in acoustic instruments, and concert and festival listings.
Another good site is:
http://www.ibma.org
It is the home of the International Bluegrass Music Association. This is the group that presents the annual World of Bluegrass convention where they present the Bluegrass Music Awards. If you want to join a discussion group:
http://www.topica.com
lists 20 different ones devoted to bluegrass, as well as separate lists that cover bluegrass instruments including flatpicking guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin.

 

Bluegrass Great Bill Napier Dead at 64. Bluegrass musician Bill Napier, best known for his guitar and mandolin playing with the Stanley Brothers and Charlie Moore, died Wednesday, May 3 at age 64 in East Tennessee. Napier wrote "Daybreak in Dixie," which he recorded with the Stanley Brothers in 1957. The recording was one of the first non-Bill Monroe mandolin instrumentals to enter into mainstream bluegrass. He also played the influential lead guitar line on the Stanley's 1959 version of "How Far to Little Rock." The cause of his death is still unknown, according to Snyder's Funeral Home in Gray, Tenn., where he was buried on Saturday, May 6, 2000.

Kats Like Us and Rollin' Rock Records is now booking the Second Annual Battle Of The Bands held @ Legends Lounge in Las Vegas on Sunday Sept. 3rd,2k Labor Day weekend. Winner records a Record w/ Rollin' Rock. Send TWO promo packs to:
Kats Like Us
Texas Mike & Maybee Baby
450 N. Nellis #105
Las Vegas, NV 89110
(Texas Mike & MayBee Baby)
http://community.webtv.net/KatsLikeUs

PATTI PAGE RETURNS ON RECORD. Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krause, Suzy Bogguss and Jesse Winchester sing on the Patti Page revival album "Brand New Tennessee Waltz". Patti celebrated the album release with a Nashville concert May 7. The 1950 album title is one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Posted May 8th - Norma Barthel passed away today. Norma was the president of the Ernest Tubb Fan Club for over 45 years. She was actually the first person to run a fan club for a country music entertainer and had the largest fan club in the country music business for many years. She was the only fan club president for Ernest Tubb. She also ran a fan club for Justin. Norma lived in Oklahoma.

BLUE CAPS. Bill Mack visits Paul Peek in April 2000. Paul is doing better and up and around. photo courtesy Bill Mack.
More photos of Paul and Bill

SOME PHOTOS from the VLV West Lounge RaB HoF Show

Sat. Nite, May 6th - Approximately 9PM, CST, Richard Young, member of the Kentucky Headhunters Group, was leaving the stage with the band after their performance in Oklahoma City, OK, when he collapsed complaining of chest pains. He was taken to a hospital in OK. City, where he is in serious condition suffering from a heart attack.



Big Barn Combo - Woodward Records
"Comin' All The Way From Detroit City"
Woodward Records is proud to present The Big Barn Combo "Comin' All The Way From Detroit City" - the debut full-length disc by one of Detroit's top rockabilly bands - and one of the country's finest. Festuring songs written by vocalist Craig 'Bones' Maki, as well as two covers of tunes learned from 1950s recordings, this groups is NOT a nostalgia act! These boys live and breathe American roots music, from western to rhythm & blues to pop, it's all there fused into a fireball of rock'n'roll, western bop, boogie and bamalam. Produced in Chicago by Jimmy Sutton, who originated the long-gone Moondogs, was a founding member of the Mighty Blue Kings and now fronts the Four Charms, all songs were recorded 'live' without overdubs at Steve Albini's E.A.R. studios direct to 2-inch tape using analog and tube equipment. The mixing and mastering processes remained strictly analog and mono. For a big time, look for The Big Barn Combo in your neck of the woods, 'cause once they get a-goin' there ain't no slowin'! Hep Cat Records will soon have the disc available.
Catch the combo at David Loehr's 8th Annual Rockabilly Rebel Weekender June 28 - July 1 in Indianapolis! They're slotted to play Friday (June 30) night and back up headliner Jack Earls the same evening! For more info, call the James Dean Gallery in Fairmount, Indiana.
More info contact: WOODWARD Records
P.O. Box 494
New Baltimore, MI 48047 U.S.A.
Tel/Fax: (248) 586-9578

Brand New: The Floyd Tillman Fan Club ... http://www.geocities.com/floyd_tillman_fan_club/

Ronnie Dawson dates confirmed.
Sat, Aug 5 - Columbus OH, Thirsty Ear Tavern
Tue, Aug 8 - Milwaukee WI, Marcus Centre For The Performing Arts
Fri, Aug 18 - Baton Rougue LA, Spanish Moon
Sat, Aug 19 - New Orleans LA, Rock 'n Bowl
Thu, Aug 24 - New York NY, Rodeo Bar
Fri, Aug 25 - Lowell MA, Lowell Summer Music Festival
Sat, Sep 2 - Johnstown PA, Johnstown Folk Festival
Sun, Sep 3 - Johnstown PA, Johnstown Folk Festival

Central Europe News / Rockin' Fifties Mag. / Spring 2000

Carolyn Richards "Tribute To Patsy Cline" is a narrated, musical tribute inspired by performing a portion of it on stage over the last few years. It outlines Patsy's career in words & song, includes some other favorites, and concludes with Carolyn's own song writing effort "I Can't Tell Him Goodbye" as a bonus. Carolyn does not imitate Patsy. She sings Patsy's songs in her own style. http://users.1st.net/crmusic. A single from the album was released from Nashville in May 2000.

A tip from Jim Stephenson: Hillbillies of an academic bent might be interested in this year's ARSC (Association of Recorded Sound Collections) annual conference being held on the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill. Among ARSC's usual widely ranging topics will be a session on North Carolina rural string bnads, and a tour of the Southern Folklife Collection. Check out the whole scene at http://www.arsc-audio.org/unc.html

RE: Our Story on the Front Page News ...
In the family tree of rock 'n' roll, Memphis is the roots. With Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Al Green and Jerry Lee Lewis having started their careers in this Mississippi River city, it's only fitting for the Rock 'n' Soul Museum to settle here, too. The Beale Street attraction - which features juke boxes, film clips and artifacts including Presley's clothes and one of Ike Turner's first pianos - opened last Saturday in the newly built Gibson Guitar Corp. plant, offering visitors an auditory stroll through American music history. The 8,000-square-foot exhibit, "Rock 'n' Soul: Social Crossroads," was created by the Smithsonian Institution and Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Inc., a nonprofit company that runs the museum.
Ace Cannon was inducted into the Rock and Soul Hall of Fame Museum on April 28, 2000. He will be working at Beale Street's Blues City Cafe on August 19, 2000.

RELEASE: THE BEST OF THE ANDREWS SISTERS/THE MILLENNIUM COLLECTION. [Non-Rockabilly] - (MCA) One of the most successful women's vocal groups of all time, The Andrews Sisters were particularly influential during World War II. Their upbeat, sunny singing and song selections stood as one of the few positive sounds in that era. This CD serves as a brief overview of the sisters' career, starting with their first radio hit--a 1937 recording of the Yiddish song "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen (Means You're Grand)." Considering the sheer number of hits this ensemble had, the 12 tracks here can't fully capture the trio's impact--it would take at least another 12 just to cover the bulk of their hits. But this anthology captures the essentials, including "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me)," and "Rum and Coca-Cola." Although the trio continued to record during part of the '50s, those latter-day songs are not included here. The CD insert gives an equally brief insight into The Andrews Sisters, though, like the CD, it does provide the essential overview. There are better retrospectives out there, but The Millennium Collection is a solid offering.

Rick Nelson's youngest son, Sam is also doing music and has his own website which can be found at http://www.hisorange.com

VISIT THE: Roy Orbison International Fan Club.
Membership includes: bi-annual newsletter, 8x10 autographed color photo, biography fact sheet, discography, bumper sticker, fan club button, membership card, Christmas card & welcome letter from Barbara Orbison. Prices: $15-U.S. new
$18-Outside of US new
$12-US renewal
$15-Outside of US renewal
Kim Taylor
Barbara Orbison Productions

Recommended Reading: BARRACUDA MAGAZINE Contact: P.O. Box 291873, Los Angeles, CA 90029. Phone 323-769-5630, e-mail: mail@barracudamagazine.com, website: wwww.barracudamagazine.com

DANNY RAMSEY, Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed away Sunday, April 23rd, after a bout with cancer. Danny was one of the top DJs in the nation back in the late '50's, broadcasting out of the Bootheel of Missouri - KMIS Radio located in Portageville, MO. Danny played bass professionally for a while and later became a pastor, owning his own Christian radio station. In his early days he aired all of of Narvel Felts' tunes including Narvel's very first tracks. You could also hear Lou Hobb's music on Danny's KMIS programs.

TAMMY WYNETTE IS ACM PIONEER AWARD WINNER. The First Lady of Country Music, Tammy Wynette, has been named the first posthumous recipient of the Academy of Country Music's special Pioneer Award. Created in 1968, the award recognizes outstanding and unprecedented achievement in the field of Country Music. The recipient is chosen by the Academy's Board of Directors. On Wednesday, May 3, the CBS Television Network will air the Academy's 35th annual awards presentation ceremonies. The ceremonies will emanate from the Universal Amphitheatre in California and will be hosted by Dolly Parton.

Merle Haggard's first live album in 15 years is making quite an impression, on fans and on the record label. Live at Billy Bob's Texas: Merle Haggard is also the first album release on the Live at Billy Bob's label. The Hag may be rethinking his marketing strategies. Sales of the album have been boosted by the video for his first single, 'Motorcycle Cowboy -- Blue Yodel 13.' His spokesmen say this is only the third video of Haggard's career, and his first since the mid-1980.

Rockabilly Music Fan and Cartoonist Guy Gilchrist now has a new Nancy comic strip EVERY DAY at his website! That's right, for all you Nancy readers, now you can start each day with a new Nancy, Sluggo and Aunt Fritzi adventure! Read the Nancy comic here: http://www.gilchriststudios.com/nancy/main.asp

BOBBY AUSTIN will be 67 May 4, 2000. Bobby is still fighting each day to remain vital, he would love to get email messages. We are asking for special messages to pass on to him this year from friends, partners, musicians, etc. Your messages will bring Mr. Austin great joy. Thanks. Please send e-mails to: Kimberley - Dunmore00@aol.com

WILLIE PITTMAN DIES. Barbara Pittman has informed us of the death of her husband Willie. He passed away Monday, April 10th in Memphis after a long battle with cancer. Willie was the former manager of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum on 2nd Street, downtown Memphis. Barbara is doing fine and thanks all those who have expressed their condolences.

Bob Moore's Daughter: Linda. Good Lord, what a beauty! She should be performing in Nashville again soon. You wouldn't want to miss it. Click here for her birthday photo page.

BUILT FOR SPEED - Nasty (CD)FLIPSIDE RECORDS - FRCD 001. Finally things have started to move, rockabilly wise, in Norway. Ok, we've had a few bands and a small but good scene for many a year and there's no need to paint things black, but now - things move like wildfire! During the last couple of years no less than 6 new bands, rockabilly and surf groups, has seen the light of day, and lots of kids have shown their appreciation for their music, something that was well proven during the successful "Oslo Rockabilly Festival" recently. One of these new bands are Built For Speed, not only did they deliver a mighty great show during festival, but there was also a CD for sale at night, their first. Built For Speed are: Anders Westhagen, ex-Teencats, lead guitar & vocals, Ole J.E. Evensen, ex-Daltons, stand up-bass, Andreas Reiten Westhagen, drums (ex-nothing, he's 11 years old!) For more information, photos, interviews, etc. contact: Tor Arne Petzold, P.O. Box 92 Stovner, N-0913 Oslo, Norway. Phone +2221 41 30/90 59 07 88. email: taprock@online.no - Look out for forthcoming releases on flipside; The Beat Tornados "Breakfast At Teddy's" vinyl EP, and come August, a brand new CD by this group, Norway's hottest surfers!

Original Cool's Marshall Lytle Interview by Ken Burke

Texas Jamboree Records presents NICK CURRAN, "FIXIN' YOUR HEAD" CD TexJam 0065. Great listening and finger-snappin' soul-ful jive! Emerging from the vibrant blues scene in Dallas, Nick Curran is quickly establishing himself as one of top guitarists and vocalists in Texas. Drawing on his idols: T-Bone Walker, Johnny Guitar Watson and Roy Brown, Nick unleashes a rousing set of uptempo traditional blues on his debut release "Fixin' Your Head." If you're a fan of old school jump blues, make sure you check out this youngster. A perfect to additional any rockabilly show, when you're looking for something different that fits the bill! Contact: Texas Jamboree Records, P.O. Box 161148, Austin, TX 78716 - www.taxasjamboree.com

Heinz Burt Dies. April 10, 2000 - Phil Davies reports: "Small piece in today`s Sunday Mirror says Heinz Burt of Tornadoes and Just Like Eddie fame has died aged 57 ironically enough. He`s suffered from motor neurone disease for some time but managed to play his last gig two weeks ago. Now he`s gone to join his mentor Joe Meek in the great seance in the sky."

The Louisianna Hayride is releasing a rockabilly album, with such artists as: Elvis, Johnny Cash, David Houston. For more info contact scenarecords@aol.com - regarding release dates and order possibilities.

TKOMagnum has now announced the release of Rebel Heart Vol 7, CDMF 102. The CD contains the Challenge alternate takes, previously only available on the USA Hollowbody CD, the complete live concert from Geneva 6 October 1967, and a radio interview recorded the same day. Magnum is offering it at a special offer of 12.50GBP to UK purchasers or 15.50GBP to overseas customers (normal price will be 15GBP). Magnum Direct, Magnum House, High Street, Lane End, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 3JG UK Tel 44 1494 882858 (from overseas) (UK omit 44 add 0) Fax 44 1494 882631 (as above) e-mail music@tkomagnum.co.uk - useless Gene is on good form on the live tracks. -Derek Henderson

The Bob Moore / Grady Martin Fan Club has new short-cut URL. Give it a try: http://www.rockabillykings.com

VISIT THE Iowa Rock N Roll Music Association / The Music Didn't Die!

Thomas O'Grady, Former Partner in Talent Management Company, Dies at 73. Thomas B. O'Grady, former partner in Nashville's Corlew-O'Grady talent management company, died Monday (March 20) in Norwalk, Conn. He was 73. O'Grady worked for 42 years for UST (U.S. Tobacco) in Greenwich, Conn., and had risen to the post of vice chairman when he retired from the company in 1991. O'Grady's partnership in talent management with David Corlew lasted from 1993 to 1998, during which time the company guided the careers of such acts as Charlie Daniels, John Berry, Blake & Brian and the Cox Family. (Music News)

Opry Star Speck Rhodes Dies. March 20, 2000 - A longtime star of the Grand 'Ol Opry has died. Speck Rhodes died Sunday at his Nashville home. Rhodes was best known as a 'Country Comic' who often guest starred on the Opry and Hee Haw. Rhodes was 84 years old.

Updated web site:

EVERLY BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL - Bas Siewertsen, webmaster - jeba@multiweb.nl

Jon Johnson Reports: I received my promo copies yesterday of Music Mill's Louisiana Hayride series. Seven - count 'em, seven - CDs! Four volumes falling under the banner of "Classic Country Radio," two entitled "Classic Gospel Radio," and one volume of "Classic Comedy Radio." It's an interesting series; no match whatsoever in terms of packaging for Dragon Street's Big "D" Jamboree set that was released a couple of months back (cursory one-size-fits-all liner notes and no recording dates are provided), but there's an awful lot of good music here. Hank Sr., Johnny Horton, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Faron Young, the Louvin Brothers, Marty Robbins, Ray Price, and a bunch of others. Each disc is short - ten songs and about 25 minutes apiece (except for the comedy one, which is 50 minutes) - but if they're selling these at budget prices that could work out okay nonetheless. The big news insofar as rockabilly fans are concerned is that the same company, Music Mills, is putting together a rockabilly series also culled from the Hayride broadcasts. I don't know too many names yet, though I know that Bob Luman and David Houston will be included. In any event, look for that in June. - Jon - jon_erik@juno.com

Jon Johnson wrote a great story on the Comets, with mention of their latest Rollin' Rock CD, for Country Standard Time magazine.

Tommy Collins dies.
March 14, 2000. This note is from: Michael Henson (Sideman@prodigy.net).
"I am sorry to announce that Tommy Collins passed away today. As most of you probably know he was a great friend of mine and of the country music world. Tommy was the man who Merle wrote about in the song called "Leonard." He wrote many of Merle's hits. His son, Tommy, would appreciate any email and/or cards in care of me, Michael Henson, at either sideman@prodigy.net or P O Box 567, Sallisaw OK 74955 and I will make sure that Tommy, Jr., recieves them. (The funeral services are set for Thursday)." Michael Henson

Ace Cannon recently agreed to record three albums, of which one has been completed and is at distributors, the second is scheduled for release mid year 2000. The third is to be finished by late 2000. The first album completed is titled "Blues Sax For The Millennium", this album may also be purchased online at amazon.com , cdnow.com, cdworld.com, cduniverse.com. and most record shops.

New Buddy Holly CD from "The Picks"

Vintage live Louisiana Hayride CDs now available! ... representatives of Scena Records, who have a new series of vintage CDs made from the famous Louisiana Hayride broadcasts in the early-late 1950s ... the real deal, not later 1960s or '70s polyester stuff! This is some of the "mate" material to the recent Big "D" Jamboree Double-CD release, and the sound quality is comparable. To contact Music Mill Entertainment, please call their Toll Free number 877-542-5844 or e-mail: dawn@musicmill.com - (Dave Dennard sez "Check it out!").

Fans and Friends of Gene Vincent, Tina wishes to sincerely thank all those who sent messages of condolance regarding the recent loss of her (and Gene's) sister, Evelyn (Craddock) Butler. It has not been easy for Tina these days, as she and Evelyn were extremely close and spoke daily on the phone. Tina lives with her daughter Brandi on the east coast. If you would like to send a message to Tina, please e-mail: tina@rockabillyhall.com

Steel Player for Country Legends Dies. Gary Boggs, a pedal steel guitarist who toured with Connie Smith, George Jones and Hank Williams Jr., among others, died Monday, Feb. 28, in South Charleston, W.Va., of cancer. He was 60. Boggs' many credits include playing on the album Hank Williams Jr. & Friends, released in 1976. Boggs appeared on the TV shows Hee Haw and Pop Goes the Country, and he performed on the Grand Old Opry. A memorial service was held Thursday, March 2nd in his hometown.

Pee Wee King Has Heart Attack Wednesday March 1 - Pee Wee King, a singer, bandleader and songwriter who co-wrote the "Tennessee Waltz," is in guarded condition after suffering a heart attack, a hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday. King, 86, who was born Frank Kuczynski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, suffered a serious heart attack Monday and was brought to Jewish Hospital, where he was resting with his family, spokeswoman Linda Jackson said. King began his music career as an accordion player for Milwaukee polka bands but gradually moved into country music through his association with Gene Autry when both performed on the same Chicago radio station. His greatest successes came in songwriting, and besides the "Tennessee Waltz" he wrote such hits as "Slow Poke," "Walk Me By the River" and "Napoleon's Retreat." King wrote the "Tennessee Waltz" with Redd Stewart in 1947 and it became a smash hit after Patti Page recorded it on a disc with "Santa Claus Boogie." King first began on radio in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1936, appearing as a regular on the "Mid-Day Merry Go Round" show. He then joined the "Golden West Cowboys," becoming leader of the group that helped launch the careers of crooner Eddy Arnold, honky-tonk singer Cowboy Copas and singer Ernest Tubb. King's group became the first full-time band for the Grand Ole Opry in 1937 at a time when Opry performers often held other occupations that ranged from doctor to tobacco twister. In 1947, King started a TV show in Louisville, which ran for a decade. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1974.

Sorting Out the Real Comets. An Atlanta-based music magazine called Creative Loafing has just published a story about the cancellation of a concert by Al Rappa's edition of Bill Haley's Comets in that city, once the promoter learned they weren't the originals. The story features interviews with both Rappa and Marshall Lytle, and is an interesting chapter in this ongoing name controversy saga. The magazine has also posted the story online, and it can be viewed for the next month (March, 2000) at this address.

Lookin' for great music online 24/7? Check out: http://www.kdav.com - non-stop rockabilly, doo-wop, r&b, and country exclusively from the 1950s and 60s - live streaming audio, and limited commercials! Join the Texas Heel Grinder Mailing List! - http://www.onelist.com/community/texasheelgrinder


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Photos from the Wildfire Willie and the Ramblers gig that took place in Cambridge, MA, on 2/19/00. It was a fabulous night. Wildfire Willie blasted through a rollicking set and the two other bands on the bill - the Raging Teens and the Bourbonaires - nearly brought the house down before the Swedes even took the stage. The Bourbonaires now have a CD out (their release party was that night) and it's well worth checking out. The day after that gig (2/20) there was a rockabilly jam session at a local bar in Cambridge, MA. Members of various local bands--the Racketeers, the Speed Devils, the Raging Teens--played informal sets for a few hours. It was really fun. To top it off, Wildfire Willie and the Ramblers showed up later and played for over an hour. But the best part was when 50's rocker Ricky Coyne (Ricky Coyne and his Guitar Rockers) dropped by and took the stage for a short set (with Wildfire Willie on bass and JJ on guitar). Ricky did his hit "Rollin' Pin Mim" and several other songs. He looks great and was in good voice. Photo below. -John Fuller. Photos by John Fuller - john.fuller@awl.com

The Hag on a Hog! As a tribute from one country pioneer to another, Merle Haggard fashioned his newest single and video after Jimmie Rodgers' famous "Blue Yodel" series. Hag's "Motorcycle Cowboy/Blue Yodel #13" picks up where Rodgers left off 66 years ago and it is the only new song on Haggard's current Live At Billy Bob's album. Though the album was recorded last year, a music video for "Motorcycle Cowboy" was recently completed and features "biker Merle," his wife Theresa, "preacher" Ray Benson and famous fiddler-singer-songwriter Johnny Gimble. It is currently airing on Great American Country (GAC) "Over the last year, the song has done real well," Haggard recently said, "so the record company wanted to do a video on it. I thought, 'Well, young as I am, I don't know about that.' We went ahead and did it‹we took some motorcycles out to a Western town and had a wedding. It looks real neat, all the motorcycles riding around a wild west town...and a biker's wedding going on in the midst of it all. It's very energetic and we did it with a bunch of New York cats who knew what they were doing. It might well be something that could bring Merle Haggard back on the current playlists."

News About Charle Lamb. As you may know, Charlie Lamb is seriously ill. He has been diagnosed with cancer of the throat and is undergoing treatment for the disease. He has just finished chemotherapy and now faces radiation treatments. Though weakened by the ordeal, his spirits are high and he has expectations for full recovery. We're sure Charlie would be cheered if he were to get a card or letter from you; or better yet, an audio or video taped message. Here's the address: Charlie Lamb P.O. Box 24396 Nashville, TN 37202. Several people have inquired about helping Charlie with medical expenses. Arrangements have been made with the non-profit organization GIFT (Giving in Faith Together) to take contributions. Your gift is tax deductible if handled this way: make your check payable to "GIFT." In the space marked "for" on your check write "Contribution." Do not write Charlie's name on the check so that it will qualify as tax deductible. Send to "Charlie Lamb Project," CIO Gary and Peggy Walker, The Great Escape, 1925 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Call us at 327-0646 (Work) or 665-0857 (Home) if you have any questions. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

Paul Peek Song. You can listen a beautiful song singing by Paul Peek and the Moutain Fever "Caught Between Love" at this link (if you have the realaudio plug-in): http://www.moneda.com/sound/real/btwluv28.ram
"Paul Peek is the vocalist. He has that gravelly country voice I wanted for this song. Paul was the guitar player with Gene Vincent & the Blue Caps. Thanks, Paul! Bill Lowery put this record out on his Southern Tracks label. The strings in the middle were 'wild tracked' from the WKRP session. Atlanta Symphony strings should not go to waste! Wrote this in 1982 but took awhile getting around to recording it. This copy came from a mixdown to cassette." For more information, see: http://www.moneda.com/ And choose "music" section

Wildfire Willie. Boston Globe reports (2/17/00): Jan Svensson's been gone on early American rock 'n' roll since he was 8 and first heard Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock." After that, the Swede, who has fronted Wildfire Willie and the Ramblers for 14 years, was destined to grow into a passionate proponent of primitive late-'50s musical goodies. Svensson mines that treasure trove for inspiration - he writes most Ramblers' songs, many of which could double as Sun Studios time-travelers. The Ramblers also covers songs by Roy Orbison and Charles Feathers, among others. By phone from Sweden, Svensson characterizes the Ramblers' style as "1956, 1957 rockabilly," but the band burns it up beyond those confines: Sometimes it's hard to decide when the "-abilly" morphs into "'n' roll." Svensson first visited the United States in 1993, when he and some friends plowed through Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas, soaking up the culture that begat the music. His second visit was in 1995, when he won a trip to Memphis through a Swedish newspaper contest for "best-dressed '50s style"; there wasn't much competition. "On that trip I made a point to meet as many of the old guys as I could," he says. By that he means guys who were present at the genesis: Feathers; singer Doug Poindexter (who was with Bill Black and Scotty Moore before they played with Elvis); Jimmie Lott (drummer for Warren Smith, and the first to record with Elvis); and Roland Janes (a guitarist with Billy Lee Riley's Little Green Men and with Jerry Lee Lewis). "When I come to the States," Svensson says, "the main thing to me is to meet all the old guys, because they're not going to be around forever."

Central Europe News / Rockin' Fifties Mag 2000

Kay Wheeler Reviews Dave Crimmen's New Single Release: "Rockin' Bop Baby". "Keeping the dream alive" -- Dave Crimmen cuts loose in full blown rockabilly hurricane style -- sweeping you away with his new single, "Rockin' Bop Baby". Crimmen flat out delivers the goods in a 2000-shot mix of undiluted Gene Vincent with hints of Jerry Lee Lewis in this zooming dance tune. Dave Crimmen's powerful, rocker voice is smooth like Vincent and powerful like Elvis. Crimmen rocks with the purity of the originals and is backed up with a band with unstoppable grooves. The backside of the new single is "Been There, Done That" which is a rockabilly twist with a message that speaks for itself! This new single will be premiered live by Dave Crimmen and his band at the upcoming "Viva Las Vegas 2000" ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME STAGE at the Gold Coast Hotel. Don't miss it!

From: KenKeene@aol.com - Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but thought you'd want to know that Johnny Vincent, the legendary founder of Ace Records, died February 4, 2000 in the hospital at Jackson, Mississippi. Funeral Services for Johnny Vincent will be on Tuesday (Feb. 8th) at Wright Ferguson Funeral Home in Madison County, Mississippi with visitation on Monday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and on Tuesday beginning at Noon with burial at 2:00 pm.
Press release: JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - John Vincent Imbragulio, who produced the classic rock 'n' roll single "Sea Cruise" and other songs during his half century in the music business, died Friday at age 74. Imbragulio owned Ace Records, Ace Music Publishers and Avanti Records, his latest venture. His first record label got him noticed in the 1950s by Art Rupe of Speciality Records. From there, he would work with Rupe and soon after make Ace Records his next label. "Ace Record Co. was New Orleans' only independent record company at the time," said close friend Woody Sistrunk. "It was with Ace Records that he produced Huey 'Piano' Smith's 'Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu' and later, Frankie Ford's 'Sea Cruise,' which has remained one of the most requested rock 'n' roll songs of all time."

Rik Hull has posted his review of the new Comets' CD to his Bill Haley webpage. You can find it at: http://www.billhaley.co.uk/news.html

LOOKING for BUDDY HOLLY INFO? Johnny Vallis suggests you try these links:
Discography - http://206.151.68.40/kdwilt/discog.html
CD's - http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Amphitheatre/9791/page2.html
Recordings - http://home.sol.no/~smp1000/ind-bud.htm
Another cool site if you don't mind that it's half Japanese - http://www3.justnet.ne.jp/%7esallypro/Welie.htm
Looking for that Vigotone boxset, ask here! great site - http://www.angelfire.com/mn/pdp/index.html
Need more info about Buddy, ask from these guys - http://www.buddyholly.freeserve.co.uk/holly/index.htm

Memphis Elvis Wedding Chapel. Fans of the King will soon be able to wed next door to EP's resting place, if trustees get their way. Elvis Presley Enterprises wants to build a wedding chapel next to Graceland. The company will need zoning approval from the city of Memphis before it can handle weddings on Elvis Presley Boulevard. According to Presley spokesman Todd Morgan, the former gift shop building would include a chapel with room for 100 people, dressing rooms and restrooms. If approved by the city, the wedding chapel could be open this summer. More than 1,000 couples have got married at a wedding chapel that overlooks Presley's birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, since it opened in 1979.

COOL SITE: Eddie Sulik, former lead singer of the rockabilly recording duo "The Echoes," featured on the Columbia label in 1959.

The Morning Edition interview with Scotty Moore is now available for download at the National Public Radio website. Here's the direct URL:
http://search.npr.org/cf/cmn/cmnpd01fm.cfm?PrgDate=01/20/2000&PrgID=3
If that doesn't work, go to http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/ click on "Latest Show" and scroll about 1/3 down the page. He's sandwiched between "Bettino Craxi Dies" and "Beyond.com CEO Steps Down." -Lydia Ash

"Stars 'n' Cars" Submit your favorite photo(s).

Check out this great new Rockabilly compilation featuring the best of Jackslacks! Who Ever Said the Curse of Rockabilly is Dead?, (http://www.geocities.com?SunsetStrip/Show/3146). The disc includes original from: Waycools, Forbidden Pigs, Hot-Rod Lincoln, Nobody's Business, Tommy Byrnes, and others.

CROCKETT FRIZZELL FAN CLUB NEWS: (Lefty's son) Due to popular demand, the Crockett Frizzell fan club is being established! 2000 is here and it's the year! Crockett will be touring across our lands, honoring and keeping the sound of traditional country music. Yes, "If It Ain't Lefty, It Ain't Right" is Crockett's motto! BECOME A CHARTER MEMBER TODAY
Being a fan club member includes, but is not limited to:
      * An autographed certificate of membership and name tag
      * A quarterly newsletter of "Frizzell" happenings (includes any Lefty news)
      * An update on tour dates, etc.
      * Discount tickets
      * 10% discount on products: CDs, tapes, tshirts, etc.
      * Fan club "meet and greet" party opportunities
MEMBERSHIP FEE: $10.00 annually
CROCKETT FRIZZELL FAN CLUB
      P.O. Box 218014
      Nashville, TN 37221

Evelyn (Craddock) Butler, Gene Vincent's sister passed away January. 14, 2000 in New Mexico. She had been on oxygen support the past few months. Her sister Tina was with her. The Craddock family would appreciate your prayers. Evelyn, too, had a beautiful voice. Now Gene's got a singing partner in Rockabilly heaven. E-mails for Tina may be sent to - tina@rockabillyhall.com

VINCE TAYLOR (1960) In a coffee shop in old Campton Street in London a young lad is singing Rock with a bunch of madmen as backing band. He's ready for the fray, he's nearly there, he's on his way. He's just recorded his first record, he's 21 yeard old He is: VINCE TAYLOR!

Alvis Wayne's Westport release on LP - Order information.

Willie Nelson's Outlaw channel. (a tip from: jon_erik@juno.com) - It's not exactly rockabilly, but I know there are more than a few fans of '50s and '60s country here, so there's probably some interest anyway. According to Chris DeBarge, Willie Nelson's Outlaw channel has started broadcasting on the net; '50s and '60s country TV shows 24 hours a day. I just caught a bit of Porter Wagoner's '60s show on my T1 line here at work and it looks great. The suits! The guitars! The hair!
http://www.broadcast.com/concerts/willienelson/nationtv/

Little Richard sings about Macon, GA. One of Little Richard's latest gigs is singing the praises of his hometown, home of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and what a new ad campaign calls the "song and soul of the South." "Macon, Georgia, is the place. They got it all right there," he says in a testimonial taped for the upcoming advertising blitz. "Tell them the architect of rock 'n' roll, Little Richard, sent you." The plugs by the 67-year-old entertainer, known for his piano-pounding renditions of such songs as "Tutti Frutti" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly," will appear in radio spots, video promotions and even the Convention & Visitors Bureau's voice-mail system.

JOHNNY VALLIS HEARS "BELL"S RINGING.
Singer, RHOF staff member Johnny Vallis has asked his girlfriend Melanie Bell to Marry. The couple exchanged rings on Christmas Eve in front of close family. Johnny and Melanie will entertain friends and family at an engagement party - Jan 8, 2000 - Wedding date TBA soon.

Update Jan. 5, 2000: Great Stars of the 1950's is a site which features many country music favorites from the 1950's and 60's. "If you are an old time country music fan, you might even call it Heaven." Here you will find dozens of videos featuring Grand Ole Opry Stars of the 1950s. All videos are in full color made from 35 MM masters from the Al Gannaway collection.

GOOD ADVICE! Here is my suggestion to help the Rockabilly scene's in the US. . .Plus, remember that the US is big so you can't judge the rockabilly scene by every place and club in the US. First: you have to become active in your area. Make a webpage, a event schedule, mailing list and get the show information out to the people that are interested in Rockabilly. Second: You talk to the club owners and develope a good relationship with them and let them know that Rockabilly isn't dead. Make sure that you contact and talk to people in your area that love Rockabilly. Make sure that you welcome anyone new that shows up at Rockabilly shows. Introduce yourself to them and introduce them to your friends and make sure that everyone is having a great time. Get online and e-mail Rockabilly bands and ask them to play in your city and send them club information for booking. . . If you need to flyer every tatoo shop, record store, college etc. do so. Anything to get the word out. Start up a Rockabilly onelist for your city so people can meet and have someplace to talk about shows ... Just a few things that I have done in the past. --Mary, SLC Billy Girl - slcbillygirl@yahoo.com

Question: "Why does "break a leg" mean good luck in show business?
Answer: Believe it or not, this is the expression in its milder form. In Germany you would say "Hals und Bein bruch" - break your neck and your leg. It's not hard to see why an understudy might mutter this behind the star's back. But if friends wish this on you, why would you need enemies? There are two explanations given for this bizarre custom. The first is that you're hoping the person to whom you say it will "injure" themselves--not really, of course--while taking an enormous number of curtain calls. The other, and more likely, is that wishing someone good luck is tempting the gods. Superstition dictates that you say the opposite from what you really hope will happen.

AUTHOR TELLS ALL: Jerry Eden, author of "Against the Wind," offers the true-life story of an insider's look at some of Hollywood's best-known legends, including Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and others. Eden has chosen to offer this book as an ebook created by eBookstand of Auburn, California. Eden recounts the wild parties and illicit activities he witnessed. This book reveals the "dirty little secrets" that the stars kept hidden until now. In the case of Elvis, the book recounts the time he was renting a spectacular house in Bel Air, which had previously been rented by the Shah of Iran and the notorious playboy Aly Khan. The house was always full of women, and the parties went on twenty-four hours a day. Often, these women were the main entertainment, although they didn't know it. There was a special room set up inside the house that seated ten people, theater style. The seats faced a plate glass installed on one wall that looked like a mirror, if you were in the bedroom on the other side. Anyone sitting in the "theater" room could see everything that went on in the bedroom, but the people in the bedroom were oblivious to the fact that they were being watched. The book goes on to describe how Elvis used this room and names some of the young starlets that experienced the room with him. "Against the Wind" also recount penthouse parties with Frank Sinatra. One in particular was a wild orgy with Frank being ridden like a horse by a naked party attending female. The book goes on in detail to describe this party and others with as much color and excitement. FYI: eBookstand service is the "dirty little publisher."

Cari Lee has become a Pin-Up Gal for the Lucky Shot Year 2000 Pin-Up Calendar. As Miss December, Cari Lee trades in her cowboy boots for red velvet and joins 11 other bombshells for a photo calendar that's currently out on the market. For more details, interviews, photos go to www.startonerecords.com

"Hot Rod Lincoln" Song History Updated - courtesy Joe Wajgel

Larry Lee Phillipson Book Available. The autobiography is $12.95 + $1.05 postage. Larry also has a CD available for $15.00 + $1.00 postage and 2 volumes of cassettes at $10 per cassette plus $1.00 for postage. The autobiography is called "From Rocks to Rockabilly -- A Wisconsin Boy's Dream" and the CD is "Bitter Feelings" after the title track. Contact information:
Larry Lee Phillipson
1027 85th Street
Amery, WI 54001
e-mail: lphillip@spacestar.net

See the Sammy Masters Interview, Dec.99

THOSE WE LOST IN 1999:
Charles Brown, 76. California blues pianist, singer and composer whose "cool blues" style influenced such artists as Ray Charles. Jan. 21.
Lili St. Cyr, 80. Premier stripteaser in later years of burlesque. Jan. 29.
Huntz Hall, 78. Star of more than 100 "Bowery Boys" and "Dead End Kids" films in the 1930s-50s. Jan. 30.
Buddy Wayne Knox, 65. Rockabilly singer who led the charts with "Party Doll" in the 1950s. Feb. 14. Cancer.
John L. Goldwater, 83. Creator of the comic book characters Archie, the red-haired, average teen-ager, and his friends Jughead, Betty and Veronica. Feb. 26.
Dusty Springfield, 59. Husky-voiced soul singer of '60s hits such as "Son of a Preacher Man" and "Wishin' and Hopin'." March 2. Breast cancer.
Joseph "Mighty Joe" Young, 71. Guitarist who helped introduce blues to mainstream America. March 24. Complications after spinal surgery.
Brock Speer, 78. Patriarch of gospel music's Speer Family and sometime backup singer to Chet Atkins and Elvis Presley. March 29.
Joe Williams, 80. Grammy winner who sang with every great jazz artist of last half-century. March 29. Respiratory ailment.
Jesse Stone, 97. Wrote "Shake, Rattle and Roll"; helped develop many hits for Atlantic Records. April 1.
Red Norvo, 91. Credited with introducing xylophone to jazz; performed with such greats as Charles Mingus and Frank Sinatra. April 6.
Al Hirt, 76. "King of the Trumpet" in the 1960s who won a Grammy for his hit "Java." April 27.
Rory Calhoun, 76. Hero of Western movies of the '40s and '50s and in "The Texan" TV series. April 28.
Mel Torme, 73. Singer of jazz and pop known as "the Velvet Fog" for his warm vocals; co-writer of "The Christmas Song." June 5.
Allan Carr, 62. Produced "Grease" the movie and won a 1984 Tony award for producing "La Cage aux Folles" on Broadway. June 29.
Roberta Sherwood, 86. Torch singer known for "Up a Lazy River" and "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You." July 5.
Helen Forrest, 82. Sang with big bands and with Dick Haymes on recordings and long-running radio show. July 11.
Anita Carter, 66. Featured performer with country music's legendary Carter Sisters. July 29.
Glen Payne, 72, long-time lead vocalist of the Cathedrals gospel group. Oct. 15.
Ella Mae Morse, 75. Her classic 1942 recording "Cow Cow Boogie" sold a million copies and was a precursor to rock 'n' roll. Oct. 16.
Thomas Durden, 79. Wrote lyrics to Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" after reading of a suicide note that said, "I walk a lonely street." Oct. 17.
Hoyt Axton, 61. Singer-actor who wrote song hits such as Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World." Oct. 26. Heart attack.
Donald Mills, 84. Last of the singing Mills Brothers. Nov. 13.
Doug Sahm, 58. Led rock band the Sir Douglas Quintet and Grammy-winning Texas Tornados. Nov. 18. Heart disease.
Charlie Byrd, 74. Versatile guitarist who fused Latin, classical, and jazz styles Dec. 2.
And, in December, we recently lost<
Bobby Marchan, 69, singer for Huey Piano Smith - AND -
Don "Sugarcane" Harris, 61, a pioneering rock violinist who played with Little Richard - AND -
Rick Danko, 56, died in New York, a country boy from Canada who once played with Ronnie Hawkins> - AND -
Rex Allen, Sr., 78, killed in a auto mishap in Tucson, AZ, Dec. 17, 1999 - AND -
Hank Snow, 85, Passed away Dec. 19, 1999

Not sure how many of the ladies are interested in cars and such, but a fan (Sandra - sinkttn@gurlmail.com) found this fun site featuring stuff on cars, races, bikes, etc. Maybe even the boys can learn something from a girl site! You can find the site at http://www.greasergrrls.com/defaultpage.asp

Ken Davis' New CD - "ECHO ROCK" - Over the past several years "Shook Shake" and "Gone Again" have appeared on numerous rock'n'roll compilation CD's around the world, including England, Holland and Germany. In 1997 and early '98 some friends in the music business suggested to Ken to think seriously about going back into the recording studio and doing some of the songs he never got the chance to record years ago. It was always Ken's dream to put out an album, and this could lead to the opportunity of releasing a CD featuring the "old" and "new." Those "friends" included Rocky Kruegel, of Rocky's Records in Oak Creek, Wisconsin; Mike Muskovitz, Mean Mountain Music in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Paul Kosel, Eagle Records in Germany. So, "just for the fun of it," Ken put together a group of musicians: Dean Lange, lead guitar; Maggie Lange, electric bass; and Jon Bolton, drums. In August of '98 they went into the recording studio of Miracle Sound, Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and put down 11 songs. Engineers, Paul Dry and Tom Williams assisted in recapturing the "raw sound" of the '50s. The result is a CD released by Eagle Records in Germany for world-wide distribution: "Ken Davis - Echo Rock." It consists of 24 original songs: 10 re-mastered recordings from '58 - '62; 3 unreleased demos; and the entire Miracle Sound session. The CD can be purchased by sending a check or money order for $15 plus $3 shipping and handling ($5 S&H on foreign orders) to: Ken Davis, 4352 Woodview Lane, Racine, WI 53404-1220

JOHNNY CLARA & THE HOUND DOGS. From St. Feliu de Guixols (Spain), a 7 piece rock'n'roll and boogie-woogie band formed by pianist (ONLY 9 YEARS OLD!!!) Johnny Clara. The band is:
JOHNNY CLARA (9), piano and vocal
PEPE CLARA (35 -his father), drums and vocal
ENRIC AGUILA (55), rythm gt and vocal
ALBERT PASCUAL (31) lead gt.
JOSEP GUI (47), bass
TAVI VIADER (54) alt, tenor and soprane saxes
EUGENI BIGAS (11), trumpet
For further information, mail at bluecap@jazzfree.com

KATS LIKE US two new websites. (702)-432-0099 - Booking Rockabilly in Las Vegas
http://community.webtv.net/VivaLasVegas_3/PREPOSTVIVALASVEGAS
http://community.webtv.net/KatsLikeUs/KATSLIKEUS

Hi-Voltage - a Hot new Rockabilly band from Edinburgh. They are a showcasing at HEMSBY in October 2000 and are booked to play the next ROCKABILLY RAVE.

Billy Lee's Riley's new special CD is available. He really hopes all his fans will consider getting a copy - he thinks it came off better than "Hot Damn!" Please spread the word on this. If you want place an order now for a copy of the special limited edition (1,000 copies only) of "Shade Tree Blues", please send a check for $20 ($22 outside the U.S.) made out to "Billy Lee Riley" to:
Billy Lee Riley
302 Marchand St.
Newport, Arkansas, 72112

THE STARGAZERS - "Grove Baby Grove" CD - Also available on Bluelight Records. 19 super rockin', swingin' tracks from 1981-82. If you like The Comets, Jodimars, Freddy Bell and Treniers ... you'll "love" this album.

Two excellent articles from Denver's westwood.com site: Sleepy LaBeef and Deke Dickerson

Take tine visit BOTH SIDES NOW Album Discographies by Mike Callahan and David Edwards. This "super-site" lists hundreds of LPs and discographies from the past.

Ray Condo's new homepage: www.raycondo.com

Ray Campi & The The Sidekicks have their CD out just in time for Christmas. It's a 5-track disc with "Somebody Took My Teeth on Christmas Evening," a great novelty number, as the title cut. Contact Ray at Real Music, P.O. Box 250425, Glendale, CA 91225-0425. 323-255-7868.

Narvel's Birthday Party. On Saturday, November 13, 1990, Narvel appeared at the Eddie Bond Country Club at Big Pond Hill, TN on Hwy 57. Everybody had a great time at this birthday bash, including both Bob Timmers and Rodney Pyke from the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Narvel called both Bob and Rod to the stage and gave the Rockabilly Hall of Fame quite a few mentions. Narvel did his usual mixture of seventies country hits and rockabilly numbers: Back In The USA / Funny How Time Slips Away / Lonely Teardrops / I Miss You Even Now / Mountain Of Love / Great Balls of Fire / Medley: I Trade All Of My Tomorrows - Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain - Before The Next Teardrop Falls - I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes / Pink And Black Days / One Run For The Roses / Drift Away / My Prayer / Medley : Long Tall Sally - Rip It Up - Long Tall Sally / Somebody Hold Me / You Gave Me A Mountain / I'm Headin' Home / Reconsider Me. Narvel stayed around after the show to talk to fans, sign autographs and read a large birthday card signed by people in the audience. A full review of the show will be available at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame shortly. --Adriaan Sturm

Billy Swan's 23-track CD "Like Elvis Used to Do" was released in Europe on the Castle Select label. This disc has more songs than the US release on Sun Studios' 706 Union label.

Frankie Ford's Christmas Album! For more information on Frankie, visit his web site at www.frankieford.com

Rock oldies battered in TV ratings. Judging from the ratings performances of two recent television movies about the early rock 'n' roll era, the '50s may not be so fabulous anymore. "Shake, Rattle & Roll," depicting the rise of rock through fictitious '50s band the HartAches, was CBS' most heavily promoted miniseries in years. But the 13 million viewers it drew was well below the season average for the network's typically strong Sunday movie. NBC fared much worse with its "Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story." The tale of the '50s disc jockey credited with coining the phrase "rock 'n' roll" has been NBC's lowest-rated movie of the season, drawing 8.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. Its performance can be attributed partially to its original airdate being pre-empted by postseason baseball. Both telefilms were in production after NBC saw terrific ratings last season for music-related miniseries "The '60s" and "The Temptations." ABC also scored with "And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story." But those films tapped into a baby boomer audience that still hears '60s music on the radio and in numerous television commercials.

Sweet Gene Vincent - The Bitter End, by Steven Mandich Due December 1999, price 10 pounds. A detailed account of the last two years of Gene's life. The book highlights concert appearances, tv and recording sessions. Includes interviews with managers, fans and close friends. Illustrated with rare documents and photos. 200 pages. (From the latest A&R catalog - www.arbooks.com)

Barbara Pittman is anxious to do some live gigs. She has already enlisted the participation of several top notch Memphis area musicians including Sun veterans like J.M. Van Eaton. She asked me if I could suggest some festivals coming up around the U.S. Where better to find information such as this than from the members of this list? If you can supply festival dates and contact information, Barbara will be most appreciative. E-mail me privately if you prefer. Thanks in advance. Steve Lester, Wix Records - LESTERSD@aol.com

Britt Hagarty, as may you know, the author of "The Day The World Turned Blue a biography of Gene Vincent" was killed by a car in the early hours of a dark, rainy morning recently as he crossed a Vancouver street on his way back from a Halloween party. He was just 51. He was a regular contributor to The Vancouver Sun and his last piece about his recently formed jazz band and his newfound love of opera was handed in just hours before his death and ran November 6 99. Ironically his previous writing, August 7 99, was about his old friends who had met untimely ends and how he was the last one left. He was hoping that "The Day etc" was going to be re-published just as soon as the missing parts had been located. The last piece in the Sun was accompanied by photos of Britt and you would swear that you were looking at Gene Vincent! A memorial for Britt will be held on Rockabilly night at the Railway Club, Vancouver on November 20 99.

Brigitte Handley & Red Hot & Blue. Australian Rockabilly. A four-song CD from this fine vocalist. "Go Like 60," "Gonna Back Up Baby," "Rockin' Lady" and a cover of Josie Kreuzer's "Wildman." Interested? Contact: Brigitte Handley, 101 Evans Rd., Dundas, 2117, NSW, Australia. E-mail: rockafilly@hotmail.com - website: http://members.tripod.com/~rockafilly

Since Reba McEntire demolished the home of Hank Williams, Sr. on Music Row to make way for her proposed business venture she has been making a dream list of other future accomplishments she hopes will continue her contributions to country music.
10. Tear down the Ryman Auditorium to build a helicopter landing pad.
9. End a live performance by smashing Hank Williams' guitar.
8. Get all that country music off of TNN. Whoops, TNN beat her to that one.
7. Tear down the Country Music Hall of Fame to build "Reba's Country Cookin'" restaurant.
6. Take credit for firing the Opry staff band
5. Buy the rights to "Fan Fair" and re-name the annual event "Reba McEntire Fans Fair."
4. Burn Minnie Pearl's hat.
3. Turn Opryland into a parking lot. Whoops, Opryland beat her to that one.
2. Act.
And the number one Reba McEntire goal that will endear her to country music fans everywhere:
1. Appear on the CMA Awards next year to perform a duet with George Jones, and before he can sing his first line, knee him in the groin.

NEWS on the Jackson Rockabilly HOF Museum

Billy Lee Riley Award. I'm pleased to announce that the board of the "Arkansas Walk of Fame" located in Hot Springs Arkansas, has voted in favor on my nomination of Mr. Billy Lee Riley. Billy will be inducted in an official ceremony in Hot Springs which should take place sometime in the Spring or Summer of 2000. I'll keep the Hall of Fame posted with more details as they develop. --Steve Lester

Larry Cordle's Song Covered. Two of country's greatest singers - George Strait and Alan Jackson hit the recording studio last week. Together. (Let's hope they received permission to do so.) The superstars recorded "Murder on Music Row," the title track of the brand new album by bluegrass group Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time. The song is slated to be on Strait's greatest hits album due out sometime in 2000. MCA President Tony Brown produced the song, which condemns the lack of traditional country music today. Look for a story (with photos) on Larry's Tues., Nov 3rd CD Release Party to be posted here soon. Rockabilly Hall of Fame Bob Timmers, along with fan Jerry Weigand, drove from Wisconsin to Nashville's Station Inn to join in the event. Larry also knocked 'em dead at the Grand Old Opry last weekend, Oct. 29, 30!! It sure looks like Tennessee country radio is behind Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time 100%. Another minor victory for the comeback of roots music.

The Rock n' Roll Truckstop Magazine is now for sale at $1 per issue (+ $.35 shipping) per issue. INCLUDED in ISSUE #1 are interviews w/ Lee Rocker, The Paladins, Highway 13, The Big Barn Combo, The Cadillac Angels, The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns + cd reviews and an article on the closing of the Pittsburgh rockabilly bar The Next Decade. Send requests to: The Rock n' Roll Truckstop; 720 Water Street; Charleroi, PA 15022. *Next Issue: The Twistin' Tarantulas, The Starlight Drifters, The Rumblers, The Polish Hillbillies, The Fleabops and more........*
Also, they are searching for writers, bands wanting publicity, advertisers and most of all some one to write guitar lessons for each issue. You can write or email them at milfordgirl@hotmail.com

New Sonny Burgress CD. "They Came from the South" by Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers is available direct from:
Sonny Burgess
PO Box 215
Diaz Newport, AR 72043 USA The cost is $20.00 and Sonny will add an autographed photo as well.

Sleepy LaBeef On-Line. Linda LaBeef has an e-mail address for "The Best Legendary Performer on the Road Today." It's thehumanjukebox@yahoo.com - Drop her a note and welcome "The Beef" to cyperspace.

Now Dig This has just published its 200th issue, there's also a free superb Rollercoaster sampler cd with a few unissued cuts like Carl Perkins' Thats All Right Mama live on the Big D Jamboree. There`s a 12 page special photo supplement that`ll blow you away. Congratulations to Trevor and his team for keeping up an amazingly high standard for so long, Kevin Coffey's second piece on Lew Williams is brilliant!

Live BR5-49 Album Planned; Band Hits Road. Although details are far from set in stone, Arista Records is putting together a live album by hillbilly alt-country rockers BR5-49, scheduled to tentatively surface in the spring of 2000. From which shows the songs will be culled from remains to-be-determined at press time, but the band did spend a healthy portion of this year on the road with the Brian Setzer Orchestra as well as a jaunt through Europe. Meanwhile, one of the band's ditties from their 1996 self-titled debut, "Honky Tonk Song," appears on the Arista/Nashville soundtrack to Happy, Texas. The band is taking most of the reminder of 1999 off, but will gather in brief spurts for mini-tours around the South and Southeast in December and January.
Here the BR5-49's upcoming tour dates: Dec. 31, Lawrence, Kan., Liberty Hall
Jan. 1, Alexandria, Va., Birchmere Music Hall
Jan. 20, Annapolis, Md., Rams Head Tavern
Jan. 28, Morristown, Tenn., Rose Center
Jan. 29, Athens, Ga., Mahler Auditorium, University of Ga.



LARRY CORDLE & Lonesome Standard Time
Keeping It Country ... with their "Murder on Music Row" Hit Single

PAUL PEEK APPEAL Dear Gene Vincent fan, For those of you who don't know, Paul Peek joined Gene's Blue Caps in 1956 as a rhythm guitarist replacing Willie Williams. He made a short but spectacular appearance in the film "The Girl Can't Help It" playing guitar and chewing gum behind Gene in Be Bop A Lula. He went on to become one of Gene's "clapper boys" [along with Tommy Facenda] in 1957 and appeared in the film "The Hot Rod Gang" with Gene. He left the Blue Caps to pursue a solo career and his first record was "Sweet Skinny Jenny" b/w "The Rock-a-Round" on the NRC label, The other musicians on this record included Ray Stevens, Joe South, Jerry Reed and the fabulous Esquerita.
                 Paul continued working in the music business and although extremely talented never hit the big time [unlike some of his band members]. Any of you who met Paul on the Blue Caps tours of the 80's and 90's know what a genuine person he is. He always made an effort if any fans visited Georgia to at least meet up with them, and often put them up in his home.
                 Now to the point of this letter, some of you will know that Paul couldn't make the recent Blue Caps gig at the Eddie Cochran weekend. This is because he had just come out of hospital he has a serious liver disease. He is still in a bad way, but is slowly getting stronger. As with all these type of letters this is an appeal for money, unfortunately Paul had no health insurance. For those of us lucky enough to live in a country with a health service that is free at source it may come as a bit of a shock that Paul and Barbara Peek are facing a massive bill, and that is with Paul unable to work and Barbara working as a hairdresser.
                 The local musicians in the Atlanta area have had an appeal out for him and we felt that all his friends and fans may like to help. We have opened a special bank account for the appeal and will transfer the money directly to Barbara Peek's account. For those of you that can't afford to send anything I know that Paul really would appreciate a get well card things like that really do pick him up. Send donations to:
Phil Whyte
c/o Rock-A-Round Vintage Clothing
Unit 8 Bristol and West Arcade
Friar Street
Reading, Berkshire,
RG1 1JL [England]
Telephone enquiries: Phil [0] 118-956-0588, 10.30 to 6.00 Mon - Sat.
USA: Please make cheques payable to Barbara Peek.

                6276 Cathedral Lane
                 Lithonia, Georgia, 30058 USA
Thanks

Red Moore's New CD is available. Red Moore and the Rhythm Drifters present a great selection of remastered Red early recordings. The CD, "50's and 60's Rockabilly and Country Sounds," kicks off with the legendary track penned by Red, "Crawdad Song." That cut alone is worth getting this disc. The remaining tracks are country flavored vintage Red Moore. Contact: fatrab@ipa.net or Red Moore, 17237 N. Hwy 71, Mountainburg, AR 72946. The Rockabilly Hall of Fame has a few copies available, but for airplay, review or distribution purposes only! Contact RedMoore@rockabillyhall.com

Press Release: Hoyt Axton Dies. Victor, Mont. (Oct. 26, 1999) - Hoyt Axton, the folksy singer, songwriter and movie actor who penned Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" and other pop and country hits, many of them showcasing his singular sense of humor, died early today. He was 61. Axton suffered a severe heart attack two weeks ago and was struck by another while undergoing surgery in Missoula, said Jan Woods, a longtime friend in Nashville. He had never fully recovered from a 1996 stroke, using a wheelchair much of the time. Axton died peacefully at his ranch home in Victor, surrounded by family and friends. He moved Montana's Bitterroot Valley after playing a sheriff in the movie "Disorganized Crime," filmed there in 1988.
                 Axton wrote hits for Ringo Starr ("No No Song"), and an array of others, including Elvis Presley, Joan Baez, Waylon Jennings, John Denver and Linda Ronstadt. Axton's singing hits include "Boney Fingers" ("Work your fingers to the bone, what do you get? Boney fingers, boney fingers") and "When the Morning Comes." Three Dog Night's recording of his novelty "Joy to the World" ("Jeremiah was a bullfrog...") was No. 1 on the charts for six straight weeks in 1971, making it the top hit of the year. Axton had pitched the song to group members when he was their opening act in 1969-70. He also wrote "Never Been to Spain" for the band, a song that was also recorded by Presley.
                 A large man, Axton as an actor specialized in playing good ol' boys on television and in film. He appeared in many movies and television shows, including "Gremlins" and "The Black Stallion." He sang the "Head to the Mountains" jingle used to advertise Busch beer in the 1980s. Born in Duncan, Okla., he began singing folk songs in the clubs of San Francisco in 1958. A song he co-wrote, "Greenback Dollar," was a 1963 hit for The Kingston Trio. Axton's mother, Mae Boren Axton, had her own spot in popular culture history as the songwriter of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel." "When Mae died three years ago, she left me Hoyt," said Woods, a longtime friend of the singer's mother. "He was probably one of the most honest, humorous kids that never grew up." "He just loved music," Woods said. "I don't think he could pick a favorite song." Survivors include Axton's wife, Deborah, and five adult sons and daughters.

A tip for Skiffle fans: "Lonnie Donegan - The Originals" and "The Lonnie Donegan EP Collection" on See For Miles Records, SEECD 331 and 346 respectively; "Putting On Styles", a 3-CD set on Sequel Records NXTCD 233, and yes, there's an 8-CD set on Bear Family called "More Than Pye In The Sky". Lonnie was - and is - great. There was a 40th anniversary concert last December. He was kinda doing English rockabilly in Skiffle - things like "Cumberland Gap" were just so wild and loose.

"The Ritz Brothers" featuring Ken Neilson on vocals, and Pat Holley on keyboard, will be performing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night beginning in November (6 PM to 10 PM) at the Americana Restaurant and Tavern, on the Golden Mile (Highway 7) in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. When you're driving thru Sarnia (60 miles from Detroit MI and 70 miles from London ON) and looking for some good music, good food and a place to relax, maybe have a dance or two. "The Ritz Brothers" and the Americana Restaurant extends a very warm welcome to you. ken.neilson@ sympatico.ca

Looking for a gig in Brazil? Read this:
My name is Carlos and I'm from Curitiba Brazil where I have a club. Along with other four clubs all over the country, we are asking you to send us audio and video promo package for we to study with our financial supporters a way of bringing you in a tour. The average capacity of the clubs vary from 1000 to 2000 people and they all have advertisings on radio and TV. Thus, I would like your cooperation. My address is:
CARLOS RENATO CAETANO VIEIRA
RUA CARLOS PERRINI 266 SBR. 03
jahrlos@zipmail.com.br

The Hag for Mayor? As would-be New York senatorial candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton was celebrating her 52nd birthday with a fund-raising dinner just one block away, country legend Merle Haggard was having some fun at her expense last night during his performance at New York's Town Hall. as a tribute to those who make their living on the road, including such professional nomads as "Bill and Hillary," who recently announced their intention to move to New York. "I've been thinking about moving to New York and running for mayor," quipped Haggard, adding quickly, "Well, maybe not." As a reaffirmation of his true roots, Haggard, 62, was later joined onstage by opening act Kris Kristofferson for a rousing rendition of his 1969 chestnut "Okie From Muskogee." (Haggard, of course, is a native of Bakersfield, Calif.; his late father was the "Okie" of the title.)

RIP Earl "Joaquin" Murphey. Oct. 26, 1999 - From: Brad Bechtel (wellvis@macromedia.com). I received the unfortunate news this morning via Michael Johnstone on the Steel Guitar Forum that Earl "Joaquin" Murphey, steel guitarist with Spade Cooley, Tex Williams and others, passed away on Monday evening. Earl "Joaquin" Murphey was discovered by Spade Cooley's band as a teenager. His approach to chord melodies and single string soloing was unprecedented for the time. One could hear overtones of Benny Goodman and Django Reinhardt in his style. Working with Cooley, he contributed outstanding solos to numbers such as "Three Way Boogie" and "Oklahoma Stomp". He also recorded incredible instrumental solos on tunes like "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" as part of the cowboy vocal group Andy Parker and the Plainsmen, where he was a featured soloist. Joaquin Murphey is held in the absolute highest regard by all who have followed him on his chosen instrument: lap steel. He did some recording on pedal steel guitar, but his reputation was formed in the mid 40s to mid 50s. He was an instantly recognizable stylist on the recordings of T. Texas Tyler, Spade Cooley, Tex Williams, Roy Rogers, Andy Parker and the Plainsmen, Smokey Rogers, and a few others. Murphey is a major inspiration to Buddy Emmons, Vance Terry, and others who have attempted to put some jazz/swing feeling into their playing. His extended improvisations on single strings are astonishing. He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1980 and has recorded very little since the 50s (effectively just one LP, on pedal steel guitar). It's a shame he did not record more, but he spent all of his career in Southern California working primarily with dance bands rather than playing a million recording sessions like Speedy West. Staying in Los Angeles and the lack of solo recordings affected his visibility with the average country fan and casual steel fan. Probably only Jerry Byrd among mainland artists is held in similar regard as a lap player - and Byrd had a totally different style and background, with virtually no work in dance bands.

Hank Willians III: "Offspring of country legend carries on rowdy tradition, awaits big break."

Ways To Save Rock And Roll Museum -- Cleveland - Leaders with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum met Oct. 25th to figure out ways to increase profits and tourist traffic. Board of Trustees chairman Lee Howley says the hall might not be able to keep running if it doesn't bring in more money. Executive Director and C-E-O Terry Stewart wants to develop a fund raising strategy. He also wants to find ways to maintain membership and attendance. The museum plans to add a restaurant and a performance hall to help increase its income.

Bill Woods' Bakerfield CDs. Titan Group has released two CD'S on Bill with various artists he has played with.Bill has many more masters of music he has recorded with many artists he has recorded with that we will be releasing worldwide over the coming years. Bill was the band leader too at The Famous Blackboard Club in Bakersfield from 1950 to 1964. He also booked everybody at the Blackboard. He gave Merle and Buck their first jobs playing. Bill was instrumental in helping the careers of such artists as Jean Shepard, Ferlin Husky, Lefty Frizzel, Tommy Collins, Bonnie Owens, Billy Mize, Red Simpson, Gene Moles and many more over his illustrious career. He is a legend in Bakersfield. Check out the site: http://www.thetitangroup.net. The Titan Group has also has recent video that was shot with a high quality camcorder of some of the above artists performing recently at a show in Bakersfield. Titan President, Glenn J. Pogatchnik, has many rare photos of Bill and many artists too. His intentions are to present all that wonderful music that Bill has that has been sitting in his garage for over 35-yrs and present it to the world. Glenn has many tapes with Bill performing live with famous country recording artists.

JODY REYNOLDS 53-track Double CD is available. See Jody's RAB HOF website

Tony Crombie the UK jazz drummer who founded one of the UK's first rock 'n' roll bands Tony Crombie and the Rockets died recently and there's an excellent obituary in Monday's (Oct. 25th) Daily Telegraph, they may have an on line edition/archive, try www.telegraph.co.uk


Question: Is there any difference between a cowboy and a cowpoke?
Answer: Celebrated in song and portrayed in dime novels and movies, the cowboy--a job description that began with the Mexican vaquero--has achieved mythical status around the world. This most vivid symbol of the American West is also known by several other names, including range rider, buckaroo, wrangler, and cowpoke. Whoa pardner! Cowpoke is not exactly a synonym for cowboy. While a cowboy's workday was dirty and often dull when it was not dangerous, cowpokes had the dreariest job. These fellas didn't ride tall in the saddle, they road the rails on cattle trains, tending to the stock. Periodically they had to poke the cattle with a rod through slats in the side of the cattle cars to make sure the animals were up and still breathing, which is how cowpokes got their name. Hardly the stuff from which legends are made.

Leon Bass checked in recently reminding us that the song he penned was in the current pay-per-view movie "Varsity Blues." "Love-A-Roma" was performed by Southern Culture on the Skids. The song was featured on their "Plastic Seat Sweat" CD. Leon can be contacted at P.O. Box 543, Bonnieville, MS 38829, 662-286-6141.

Make Your New Years Eve Plans Now. The package for Elvis fans at the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis. Guests can choose from theme suites such as Burning Love. Amenities include free in-room Elvis movies and a heart-shaped outdoor swimming pool. The Graceland Millennium Package includes the millennium's last Graceland tour and a New Year's Eve party at the Elvis Presley's restaurant in Memphis. Guests can choose from four gourmet dinner entrees including herb-crusted prime rib or grouper with a pecan cognac butter. What! -- no peanut butter and banana sandwiches? The cost of the package is just $950 for two people in a room and goes up to $1,500 for four in one room.

A NEW CD WORTH A PLUG. The rockabilly trio named Spo-Dee-O-Dee has just released "Nite-Out in Coolsville." This 15-track disk was issued on On the Hill Records, a Japanese label. There's a nice raw sound to this CD and, on some cuts, you can almost hear echoes of Elvis' first RCA LP. The band's e-mail contact is spodeeodee@hotmail.com - Maiko a/k/a Mike Millett, drums; Ralf Summers, double bass/backing vocals; Any Warner, lead vocal, all guitars. Check it out!

Barry Klein speaks with Larry Cordle about Larry's "Murder on Music Row" song and CD.

RELATED TO ABOVE: Nashville, TN - David Frizzell has just recorded his version of "Murder on Music Row".

LEGEND MAKERS TALENT AGENCY Eddie Bond and other traditional music artists. Now booking Western Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas, and Northern Mississippi

Eddie Bond recommends that you visit and support the Sheriff BUFFORD PUSSER Home & Museum Website. Eddie is releasing a song new dedicated to Bufford.

Blue Cap Paul Peek will not be with Dickie Harrell, Johnny Meeks and Tommy Facenda when the band appears in the UK Oct. 2nd. Paul is ill and resting at his home in Atlanta. Albert Lee will be making a guest appearance with the 3 remaining Blue Caps at Chippenham next week.
Write to Paul, send him a get well card or a greeting. He would really enjoy hearing from his fans all over the world. Send all notes and cards to:
Paul Peek
6276 Cathedral Lane
Lithonia, GA 30038

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Posted 10/18/99 Frank Frost dies: former blues artist, recorded by the one and only Sam Phillips during April 1962. Frank died in Helna, Arkansas after an heartattack, aged 63. He was widely known for his Phillips International LP "Big Boss Man" (PLP 1975), after his sole single release "Jelly Roll King" b/w "Crawlback" (Phillips Int. 3578. The LP has become a true collector's item, despite Charly's re-release during the '80's.

Cadillac Hitman guitarist "Jeff" picked up an artist endorsement of Reverend Guitars! They're anew guitar maker with some forward-thinking ideas and they sound great. You can visit their website for more info at http://www.reverendmusical.com



Click Here to view.

Elvis Presley Home for Sale - Kileen, Texas - It's a house fit for a King. The home Elvis Presley had while he was a soldier at Fort Hood is for sale again on the Internet auction site eBay. The auction closes Saturday. One prospective buyer already has matched the minimum bid of $200,000, said the home's owner, M.J. Craig. Ms. Craig said two previous auctions closed with high bids of $126,100 and $75,000 - not enough to part with the one-story, three-bedroom brick home she's lived in since 1987. Presley was stationed at Fort Hood when he was 23. He lived in the home for 25 weeks, said Deborah Garrell, Ms. Craig's daughter. Ms. Garrell said Presley's parents also lived there for a time.

Rockabilly Hall of Fame CD's Reviewed in GOLDMINE. Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Volumes One and Two, and Voice Tracks are reviewed in the latest issue of Goldmine Magazine, issue #502, October 22 (the cover featuring the group Styx). The CD's were reviewed by Michael B. Smith, who obviously enjoyed the wide variety of great musicians featured. The review begins on page 60. It was accidently classified under Reissues instead of New Releases, but hey, it's good publicity!
        Smith also reviewed the MuSick Recordings release, "Vibrate with" by The Cranktones, an excellent rockabilly band who cover two songs by Joe Bennett & The Sparkletones, "Rocket" and "Cotton Pickin' Rocker." Another great record, according to Smith. That review is on page 103.

Carl Bunch. Who's that you ask. He was Buddy Holly/Ritchie Valens' drummer on the Winter Dance Party February, 1959. And no, he didn't die. The RAB HOF has discovered him in Calfornia and will soon do HOF web page him.

"Daddy-o Dilly" Mark Dillman: "I am posting this to cats who might be interested in joining an e-mail discussion group on rock 'n' roll guitar legend Link Wray. To become a member go to - www.onelist.com - and register w/ the Link Wray community. As a registered member, you will receive an e-mail every time a fellow member sends an e-mail to - linkwray@onelist.com> - This is a great way for Link Wray fans to share information about Link's concerts, songs, records, CDs, life story, band members, guitars, and just plain ol' rumors! This is all free. Also, if there are topics of greater interest to you than Link Wray, there are hundreds of other e-mail discussion groups to join at onelist.com. Please share this information w/ other on-line friends of yours. Thank you and keep on RUMBLIN'!"

TwangBox Radio Network The TwangBox Radio Network is your source for classic country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and y'alternative music. TwangBox presents a plethora of crooners and pickers sure to get your toes tapping like no country station available on broadcast radio.

Rockin' Roary's Homepage has been updated and ready to view. Now you can read the press reviews in English. On every article has a a translation. http://members.aol.com/kingroary

BEST OF TEXAS AWARD SHOW. The Lone Star State Country Music Association of Texas, hosted by Col. Billy and Helen Foster of Beumont did a wonderful job presenting the Best of Texas award show! Crockett Frizzell (Lefty's son) was awarded with TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ARTIST OF THE YEAR and MODERN COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR with "Tammy's Theme" (Daddy's Little Girl). Accepting the HALL OF FAME INDUCTION for LEFTY was granddaughter, Tammy Lisa. Also, congradulations to Col. Buster Doss of Stardust Records, who was presented the LIVING LEGEND award!!
Thanks for the continued support and encouragement.
Crockett and Vicki Frizzell and family

College Radio Statio looking RAB CDs for airplay. Interested? Send your CD to Sean "Freaky Kat" Mattner, 1197 High St., #3, Oshkosh, WI 54901 - 920-426-1749.

Be sure to read Dr. Iguana's Exclusive Johnnie Johnson Interview - very well done and interesting!
A Tip from Tom Simon: For those of you who are not familiar with newsgroups, you are missing out on some great discussions on the Internet about the great rock-an-roll acts of the 50's and 60's. These discussions are carried out every day on the newsgroups that are found on the Internet. It is entirely free. There are thousands of newsgroups covering an almost infinite variety of topics. Some of the best that I have found -- and I have been participating in them for the past 5+ years -- include these:
rec.music.rock-pop-r+b.1950s
rec.music.rock-pop-r+b.1960s
How do you participate in newsgroups? Well, find a good book about the Internet and look up newsgroups. Or go online to Deja at http://www.deja.com

JOE'S BENNETT'S MONTHLY COLUMN.
Please take a moment to read this month's feature. Joe is writing some great stuff these days, don't miss it!


MUSIC TRIVIA: Q. Why is taking the consequences for something "facing the music"?
A. This expression almost sounds like the name of a quiz show, but what it describes is hardly entertaining. When you face the music you've either done something wrong and now have to "pay" for it, or you've made a tough decision that will result in some negative consequences for you. Either way, you're not headed for an evening of dining and dancing.
The phrase originates in a military tradition. You've probably seen a soldier in the movies "drummed out" of the service. He's done something dishonorable so he's stripped of his rank and has to pass through columns of other soldiers who may look away from him while drum beats mark his passage through the ranks. The drums are the music he's facing and the source of the phrase.

IMPORTANT "VIVA LAS VEGAS" NOTE - (September 26, 1999). Tom Ingram has announced that Viva Las Vegas has changed their mailing list. If you would like to be on their mailing list then please send a blank message to: vivalasvegasnews-subscribe@listbot.com
or fill out the form at their website at: http:/www.vivalasvegas.net/. - With over 6 months to go the Gold Coast Hotel is now completely sold out. There are still rooms available at a special rate in The Orleans. Phone 1 888 402 6278 from USA 1 702 367 7111 from outside or book online via the vlv website.
BANDS ADDED TO VLV 2000
        Skinny Mcgee & Mayhem Makers         Blue Ribbon Boys         Chester Everett & The Ranch Rhythmaires         King Memphis         Del Bombers         Wild Wax Combo         & more to be added to THE GREATEST ROCKABILLY SHOW ON THE PLANET

Johnny Cash's next album will have several spirtually related songs. One actually recorded in a cathedral. Not all the songs will be of a religous nature tho. There is no title for it at the present time. Musicians involved on the project are Marty Stuart, Norman Blake, Laura Weber, & John Carter Cash. It is being recorded at the Cash Family Compound "Cedar Hill Refuge" (Johnny Cash's cabin in the woods) accross the street from his Hendersonville, TN home. The cabin is set on a 80 acre fenced-in parcel of land that has many exotic animals. Such as a peacock, and even a ostrich. At one time (in the mid to late '70's) there were even some buffalo's on the property. The last recording sessions were scheduled for the week beginning September 13th. '99. The last recording sessions were held in late July at Johnny Cash's farm in Hickman County, TN when the recording sessions were postponed after three days of recordings due to June Carter Cash's sisters (Anita Carter) illness. The farm has a recording studio, and library, and is surrounded by 100's of acres of fields, and woods.

GUILD: IN THE NEWS - "Guitar maker fine-tunes a comeback."



Also needing your prayers, cards and letters is Nebraska's first rock 'n' roller, Bobby Lowell. Bobby, who has become close friends with rockabilly gals Kim Lenz (pictured here) and Josie Kreuzer, is fighting a tough battle with cancer. As fans, we need to support and show veterans, like Paul and Bobby, how much their contribution to the music mean to us. Bobby had planned on appearing on stage at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame West Lounge during Viva Las Vegas 2000. With the help of your prayers and encouragement, maybe he'll have a shot at it. He is one of the most kindest, warm-hearted legends you'd ever want to meet. Just ask Kim or Josie. Please direct all cards and letters to:
Bobby Lowell
2833 Torchlight Lane
Lincoln, NE 68521

Remembering Darren "Lucky" Lee Spears (Go Cat Go singer) Memorial page by Wendy LeBeau

The New York Post interviews Hank Williams III

Country Music Lovers, Here is one of the first reviews of the Roy Acuff / RC Cola project: http://www.country.com/music/news/feature/vintage-f.html

AMERICANA 2000 DATES ANNOUNCED

Frankie Ford has been signed to headline The Winter Rock n' Roll Party in London (Reading) UK on January 15, 2000. More info will be coming from Ian Wallis and Willie Jeffery soon.

The Continuing Saga of Dr. Iguana / Ken Burke First feature: THE PALADINS. Dave Gonzales does a great interview for Ken and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame!

From ROCKIN' ROARY:
Hey, Buddies, many thanks, for believing in music!!
Last days I wrote a song about my rock'n'roll life and I guess a lot of the listed HOF folks had the same feelings and impressions some times, and so when the CD will release in November/December, I like to dedicate the song to all HOF members and staff. And here are the lyrics:

Rock'n'Roll Devil (GEMA/ASCAP/BMI/BIEM)
Sittin' here and remember, things that I did in my life
I wasn't real bad, I wasn't real good, I just tried to survive
now I'm on the crossroad to share a family life, do a job that'll drive me insane
but the rock'n'roll devil inside myself says,"Run ahead for fortune and fame".

Since the sixties I was on the road with a rock'n'roll or country band
had lots of success, was a rising star, but then I fell down 'til the end
bad record deals, mismanagement, I was out, folks forgot my name
but the rock'n'roll devil inside myself says,"Run ahead for fortune and fame".
Well, this little rock'n'roll devil has a high grade level controlls my chips and bits,
makes my brain his CPU, his hard disk is my soul and my heart's his power switch,
my nerves are his internet highway, my blood pressure his modem to connect
and when I try to get away from all this rock'n'roll horror, he sends a e-mail, sayin', "Fatal error".

Then I came back in the nineties, some say the come back of the year,
got awards for my music and a golden CD, was invited for shows on TV
but like a straw fire things died out, step by step on the road again
but the rock'n'roll devil inside myself says,"Run ahead for fortune and fame".

SOLO

'98 a tv-actress came said, "I'll bring back to you the crown",
but like a stupid with a flaregun, she burned things down to the ground
and now I'm sittin' here, millennium in front, write a song about what drives me insane
but the rock'n'roll devil inside myself says,"Run ahead for fortune and fame".
September '99 it was the sixt, I got a message, makes the song the theme
as Legend of Rockabilly I was a member on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
with Elvis Presley beside me, Lou Hobbs, Ritchie Valens, Narvel Felts and Alvis Wayne,
and the rock'n'roll devil inside myself says,"Run ahead for fortune and fame".

Well, this little rock'n'roll devil has a high grade level controlls my chips and bits,
makes my brain his CPU, his hard disk is my soul and my heart's his power switch,
my nerves are his internet highway, my blood pressure his modem to connect
and when I try to get away from all this rock'n'roll horror, he sends a e-mail, sayin', "Fatal error".

Save on disk my blues and my rock'n'roll pride, clean my hard disk format c:,
I'm gonna change the CPU and the memory board, disconnect the old modem to be free,
year 2000 I'm coming, I'll do techno-pop, with a new server on the internet scene,
but a virus on net, the rock'n'roll devil says,"Run ahead for fortune and fame".

Well, this little rock'n'roll devil has a high grade level controlls my chips and bits,
makes my brain his CPU, his hard disk is my soul and my heart's his power switch,
my nerves are his internet highway, my blood pressure his modem to connect
and when I try to get away from all this rock'n'roll horror, he sends a e-mail, sayin', "Fatal error".

Well, I hope you agree with me, that Rock'n'Roll/Rockabilly is a generator that drives your life, and if you once began it, I'll be with you, 'til you die.
--Rockin' Roary

Michael B's Rockabilly Weekend, in Lincoln, Nebraska

Butch Wax & The Flat-Tops
MEMPHIS, TN - Could this be a sign of the beginning of the end? What started in Memphis in 1954 is back again with a brand new rockabilly trio! That's right - a rockabilly band that's actually from Memphis! Many people come to Memphis to visit Graceland and Sun Studio, but are disappointed when they try to find live rockabilly bands. A few places in town do a great job bringing in bands from all over the United States & Europe, but there were no Memphis rockabilly acts to be found - until now!

100 Years of Sunshine: Jimmie Davis turned 100 September 11th!

A REMINDER: Sonny Burgess and the nucleus of his original band "The Legendary Pacers" have a new CD out. They Came From The South is a 14-track mix of standards and original rockers featuring each member of Sonny's band (Bob Crafford, Jim Aldridge, Kern Kennedy, plus a guest appearance by Teddy Redell) as well as Sonny himself. There's some solid production values here, and while each member of the band has a strong moment or two on the disc, Sonny himself comes out as top dog with such cool rockers as "T For Texas," "It Came From The South," and the anthemic "Little Bit Of Money Lotta Rock'n'Roll." There is no label name and this is something Sonny and the Pacers had made to sell at live shows (and these guys are heavily BOOKED), but fans can purchase one from Sonny himself by writing: Sonny Burgess
P.O. Box 215
Diaz, AR 72043

SIZZLING ROCKABILLY HONKY TONK WITH A SWITCHBLADE BEAT
"AS IS" Announcing the release of Josie Kreuzer's long-awaited follow-up to her critically acclaimed "Hot Rod Girl" (SheDev1950) CD. With "As Is", Josie digs deeper into her rockabilly, honky tonk roots, unearthing the rawer side of her restless soul. These 13 self-penned tracks exhibit Josie's unique vocals and powerful songwriting talents, utilizing her sardonic wit, humorous perspective on life, and "no bull" attitude. The driving, catchy guitar and solid rhythm section of her band add fuel to the fire resulting in a fierce and torrid tour de force. From "Just Lookin' Pretty", a sarcastic "tell 'em off" song with attitude about the harsh reality of a female entertainer, to "Hey Sheriff, a fast rockin' vigilante tune, "As is" takes you on a soul-stirring journey, bringing forth the imagery of crackling vintage neon, dusty wooden jukeboxes and smoky honky tonk hardwood floors- oh, and lets not forget the rye whiskey! For Booking and Management contact:
SheDevil Records
PO Box 151736
San Diego, CA 92175
Ph. (619) 229-9338
Fax (619) 229-0774
E-mail: SheDevRecs@aol.com
web site - http://www.josiekreuzer.com

"Holy TCB! The Rockabilly Hall of Fame finally has a page on ME!"

RIP CARSON & THE TWILIGHT TRIO's new Rollin' Rock CD-102 is out now, so if you like frantic Johnny Burnette Trio type rockabilly with a few moody Western-tinged tunes for variety, you'll probably like this record.
Track Listing:
1. Don't love my baby
2. Full of sin
3. So long
4. Come on back
5. Green in my pocket
6. All alone & blue
7. 2 Timin' woman
8. You can find another man
9. Gamble my life away
10. Keep your pain
11. I gotta rock
12. Down that line
13. Get it through to you
14. I'm gonna drink
14. Tornado love
16. Whiskey 'n water
WANT A COPY? You can send $14 + $2 s&h to: Ronny Weiser, 2460 Casey Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89120.

REVIEW: Ronnie Dawson, The Mezcal Brothers at The Zoo Bar, Lincoln, Nebraska - Sunday, August 22. The Mezcal Brothers are destined to be huge rockabilly stars. This Lincoln based trio is one of the first opening bands I've seen in quite some time to receive two encores. And that's just the beginning. Tony stands up to play his drum kit, which is adorned with a painting of a skull in a sombrero. His percussive stylings are enthralling. Along with Marty's doghouse bass slappin,' and Gerardos lead vocal and Danelectro guitar, The Mezcal's rock the house. Performing a mix of originals and obscure covers, the band assaults it's audience from the first note of the set, and doesn't let up at until the end of the encore. In this case, that encore was Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away," and The Mezcals smoked it, complete with Tony's bongo solo at the end.
         The stage was set following the Mezcals, for "The Blonde Bomber," Ronnie Dawson, who's talented three piece backing band rocked through a number before introducing him from the stage. Dawson entered from the back of the Zoo Bar, walking through the audience, his wireless guitar strapped on, and shaking hands and smiling at fans, a huge smile pasted on his face. Jumping atop one of the tables down front, he began a set that included "Good at Bein' Bad," " Yum Yum" (which he performed in the movie "Primary Colors"), "Toe Up from the Flo Up," "Veronica," and "Run and Jump." One of the highlights of his show was "Cats Started Jumpin'," a full-tilt rock and roll romp, featuring Michael Mohawk's lead guitar work.
         After hearing Dawson rock, I had a better understanding of him as an entertainer, and I could see why Bob Timmers, who was a special guest at the show, had included him in The Rockabilly Hall of Fame. I'm sure even an old rockabilly like Dawson has to feel honored to be inducted into the same Hall of Fame that has Gene Vincent, Bill Haley & The Comets and The Mezcal Brothers. After all, when you strip the artist naked of his adornments, image, and stage costumes, the music is what matters, and Dawson has some mighty wicked riffs left in him.
-Michael B. Smith

Sell Rockabilly CDs at Your Show (Concert, Car, Record, Biker, etc.)

RME MUSIC now has volume 1 of the Roy Acuff / RC Cola radio transcriptions available for shipment! Volume 2 is now available also. Please visit their web site for new information on this 10 volume series. http://www.rmemusic.com
You can place an advance order from Ernest Tubb record's, County mail order or through their web site. http://www.rmemusic.com



ANOTHER ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME PROJECT: Rockin' and Stompin' CD by The Convertibles, LuLu Records, Milwaukee. This "swingabilly" band celebrated their first anniversary in June, recorded these 14-tracks during the winter. Simply put: "An excellent CD!" Leader/vocalist Paul Barry has worked long and hard to create a great album ... very bouncy, danceable, and a must for your rockabilly and/or swing collection. Contact information: Paul Barry 414-481-3959 - www.theconvertibles.com - www.exepc.com/~lulurec/index.htm - Samples copies, for review and airplay only, are available from the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 70, Kimberly, WI 54136 USA. e-mail: bob@rockabillyhall.com - or Contact Paul Barry


Celebrity Addresses Online - Features complet