Shreveport Songs: BLUES KINGS - Half Baked (K-Dee, circa 1965)

Announcing a new post on the Shreveport Songs blog.

Time to highlight another record that seems to have slipped through the cracks.  Clocking in at 99 seconds, the Blues Kings' instrumental "Half-Baked" brings to mind the mid-1960s sounds that jarred ears on the Bossier Strip.

For the rest of the story, audio of "Half-Baked," and 1960s-era video of the Bossier Strip visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2015/04/blues-kings-half-baked-k-dee-circa-1965.html

Shreveport Songs: January 13, 2015 - Romp and Stomp’s annual all-Shreveport radio show

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

The tenth annual all-Shreveport radio show on Romp and Stomp is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2015, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Tune in to KSCL 91.3 FM or listen live online at www.kscl.fm. You’ll hear songs by Shreveporters, songs about Shreveport, songs recorded in Shreveport, and songs released on Shreveport record labels.

Featured musicians include: the Douglas Williams Four, Hot Rod Happy, Norman Nettles, Pete Hardin, Merle Kilgore, Blues Kings, Wolfman Jack and the Boogie Kings, Johnny Bullock & the Jamboree Showboys, Gay Poppa, Dorothy Whitehead, UPC Trio, and more.

KSCL 91.3 FM | Shreveport, Louisiana
Romp and Stomp | Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
listen live online: www.kscl.fm

Shreveport Songs: RAY BARTLETT - Stan's Record Revue radio show (KWKH, December 1951)

Announcing a new post on the Shreveport Songs blog.

Ray Bartlett moved to Shreveport in 1947 to work for KWKH. At the radio station, he performed a variety of jobs. This included serving as a morning announcer, disc jockey, and emcee on the newly established Louisiana Hayride. Perhaps Bartlett’s most celebrated role, though, involved his jive-talking “Groovie Boy” persona who spun rhythm and blues records on the radio show “Groovie’s Boogie.”

For the rest of the story, plus audio of Bartlett hosting a "Stan's Record Revue" radio show in December 1951, visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2014/12/ray-bartlett-stans-record-revue-radio.html

Shreveport Songs: NORMA DRAGOO - Nightmare (Custom Sound, circa 1970)

Announcing a new post on the Shreveport Songs blog.

“In the dead of the night…” Norma Dragoo recorded the song “Nightmare” sometime in the early 1970s. Detective work performed by the Shreveport Songs blog reveals a few clues, but we welcome your input.

On December 19, 1999, the Shreveport Times newspaper published an obituary for Norma Jean Taylor Dragoo (1942-1999). She was a native and resident of Shreveport; her occupation – self-employed hair stylist. It appears this is the same Norma Dragoo who recorded “Nightmare.”

For the rest of the clues plus audio from "Nightmare" visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2014/10/norma-dragoo-nightmare-custom-sound.html

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

From the fall of 1948 until the fall of 1950, Zeke Clements called Shreveport home. During this time, he hosted radio shows (music as well as news programs), performed on the Louisiana Hayride, and recorded this song about his “home sweet home” Louisiana.

For the rest of story on Zeke Clements and audio from his record "Louisiana," visit:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2014/07/zeke-clements-louisiana-mgm-1949.html

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

Around 1972, Essie Lee Hayes recorded two gospel songs at Sound City Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. “God Truly Healed My Body,” relates a story about Sister Essie’s sickness and subsequent healing. This spoken recording features a haunting, repetitive guitar...it's a favorite around these parts.

For the rest of story on Essie Lee Hayes and audio from her record, visit:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2014/02/essie-lee-hayes-im-working-for-lord-bw.html

Shreveport Songs: January 14, 2014 - Romp and Stomp’s annual all-Shreveport radio show

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

The ninth annual all-Shreveport radio show on Romp and Stomp is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2014, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Tune in to KSCL 91.3 FM or listen live online at www.kscl.fm. You’ll hear songs by Shreveporters, songs about Shreveport, songs recorded in Shreveport, and songs released on Shreveport record labels.

Featured musicians include: Grégoire Nakchounian And His Russian North Star Orchestra, Sleepy Jeffers, Danny & Jerry, Marion Ester, The Mighty Ambassadors Of Shreveport La., Curly Davis & The Uniques, Reverend Joe Battle And The Gospel Explosion, and more.

KSCL 91.3 FM | Shreveport, Louisiana
Romp and Stomp | Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
listen live online: www.kscl.fm

Shreveport Songs: THEODORE WILBURN WITH THE WILBURN FAMILY - Down in Dixie (Where They Say You All) (4 Star, 1950)

Announcing a new post on the Shreveport Songs blog.

From around January 1949 to December 1951, the Wilburn Family called Shreveport home. During this time, fans could tune in to their morning radio show (first employed by KTBS, then KWKH) and catch their performances around town (many of which were Louisiana Hayride shows). Based on show advertisements, song writing credits, and photographs, the group regularly worked with other local country musicians such as Zeke Clements, Webb Pierce, Hank Williams, and Faron Young.

For the rest of story on the Wilburn Family plus audio from “Down In Dixie (Where They Say You All),” visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2013/07/theodore-wilburn-with-wilburn-family.html

Shreveport Songs: JACKSON GOSPEL SINGERS - Satisfied (Jackson Gospel Singers’, circa 1955)

 

 Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

From 1945 to 1957, Rev. Anderson Samuel Jackson, Jr. pastored Mount Canaan Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. Around the same time, he hosted a “radio ministry to the sick and shut-ins” on KENT. He also appeared on a few gospel music records.

For the rest of story on Rev. Anderson Samuel Jackson, Jr. and the Jackson Gospel Singers plus audio from “Satisfied,” visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2013/04/jackson-gospel-singers-satisfied.html

Shreveport Songs: PETE MCKINLEY & COUNTRY JIM - Shreveport Blues (Specialty, 1952)

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

Though recorded in 1952, it took twenty-one years for Pete McKinley and Country Jim's "Shreveport Blues" to reach the record-buying public.  However, having only appeared on one compilation album released in England in 1973, I suspect few people have been able to enjoy this song that name-checks a local intersection (McNeil and 4th Street) and mentions a "cold chill" inducing woman.

For the rest of story on Pete McKinley and Country Jim and audio from “Shreveport Blues,” visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2013/02/pete-mckinley-country-jim-shreveport.html

Shreveport Songs: January 8, 2013 - Romp and Stomp’s annual all-Shreveport radio show

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

Another year, another batch of local songs to showcase. The eighth annual all-Shreveport radio show on Romp and Stomp is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2013, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Tune in to KSCL 91.3 FM or listen live online at www.kscl.fm. You’ll hear songs by Shreveporters, songs about Shreveport, songs recorded in Shreveport, and songs released on Shreveport record labels.

Featured musicians include: Buddy Woods with the Wampus Cats, Odis Echols and his Melody Boys, Jackson Gospel Singers, Lucky Clark, Arnie Carver, Little Duck and the Quackers, Barbara Flowers Joy, and more.

KSCL 91.3 FM | Shreveport, Louisiana
Romp and Stomp | Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
listen live online: www.kscl.fm

Shreveport Songs: EDDIE AND SUGAR LOU’S HOTEL TYLER ORCHESTRA - K.W.K.H. Blues (Vocalion, 1930)

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

In October 1929, Eddie and Sugar Lou’s Hotel Tyler Orchestra recorded “K.W.K.H. Blues,” a song referencing Shreveport’s radio station.  During this time period, KWKH aired anti-chain store rants, manipulated its signal to reach much of the United States, offended sensitive listeners with profanity, and aggravated radio commissioners.  The station also found time to broadcast music.

For the rest of story on Eddie and Sugar Lou’s Hotel Tyler Orchestra and audio from “K.W.K.H. Blues,” visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/12/eddie-and-sugar-lous-hotel-tyler.html

Shreveport Songs: RUFUS BROWN – Somewhere Over the Mountain b/w Evil Eyes (Brown’s, circa 1965)

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

Who was Rufus Brown?  Good question.  His record label lists an address in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport.  It also indicates the producer is Marcus Brown…a relative perhaps?

Readers, why don’t you help us solve this mystery?  Who can share some information about Rufus Brown?

For the rest of the information we know about Rufus Brown and audio from both sides of his record ("Somewhere Over the Mountain" b/w "Evil Eyes"), visit: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/09/rufus-brown-somewhere-over-mountain-bw.html

Shreveport Songs: B. L. BLADE - By His Grace We've Come A Long Way (Part I and II) (B. L. B., 1982)

The Sunday School Hour -- tune in from 6:45 to 7:00.  (Shreveport Sun [Shreveport, LA], July 1, 1965).

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...


In 2012, you might know of Rev. Brady L. Blade, Sr. because he serves as pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Shreveport.  Or because in recent years he’s taken the gospel concert program Hallelujah Train on the road.  Or because he and his church’s choir appeared in Daniel Lanois’s documentary film Here Is What Is.  Or because of his renowned drummer sons, Brady L. Blade, Jr. and Brian Blade.  I suspect 30 or even 50 years ago people knew of Rev. Blade for similar reasons – his ministry and his music.

In 1982, Blade released a 45 containing “By His Grace We've Come A Long Way.”  Based on the recording, it’s pretty clear this is sourced from a live performance likely recorded at his church, Zion Baptist.

For the rest of the story about Rev. Blade and audio from "By His Grace We've Come A Long Way" see:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/08/b-l-blade-by-his-grace-weve-come-long.html

DOUG DAVIDSON – Star (Of My Teenage Dream) (MOA, 1959)

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

On July 17, 2012, Margaret Lewis will be feted by the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau (aka the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation) at the New Orleans Mint.  Details of this show/interview can be found on the Ponderosa Stomp website, along with a few informative posts on their blog, plus a video overview of Lewis’ rich musical career.  Check the link below to navigate to these sources.

Lewis and her sister, Rose, sang backup vocals on a handful of 45’s recorded in Shreveport in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s.  In some instances, the record labels contained credits identifying “the Lewis Sisters.”  Today’s offering does not, though its flipside does…just to make things complicated and inconsistent.  Credit or no credit, the Lewis sisters can be heard underneath the scratches on both sides of this record.  Here’s the side I prefer – “Star (Of My Teenage Dream).”

For the rest of the story about musician Margaret Lewis and audio from "Star (Of My Teenage Dream)" see: http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/07/doug-davidson-star-of-my-teenage-dream.html

LEON'S LONE STAR COWBOYS – I'm Serving Days (Decca, 1937)

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

A resident of Shreveport from the 1910s to the 1960s, the life of Leon Chappelear included both dismal tragedies as well as fortuitous connections   The high points involve playing in popular band responsible for sizable hits in the 1930s (“Deep Elm Blues” and “Just Because” -- the latter covered by other musicians including Elvis Presley in 1954) and playing guitar on Jimmie Davis’s first recording of “You Are My Sunshine.”  The low points include a debilitating car wreck and suicide.

For the rest of the story about musician Leon Chappelear and audio from "I'm Serving Days" see:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/06/leons-lone-star-cowboys-im-serving-days.html

ABRAHAM – Funky Spider And b/w Scared Fly (HySign, 1973)

 
Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

“‘Funky Spider’!  You haven’t heard ‘Funky Spider’?  Here, have one of my extra copies.”  I remember Dee Marais exclaiming this when we conducted a series of interviews back in 2007.  After excitedly yelling “Funky Spider,” his voice dropped down and he slowly said, “and the scared fly.”  Then, he grinned and started laughing.  Such was my introduction to this Shreveport funk record.

For the rest of the story about musician Abraham Ester and audio from "Funky Spider And" b/w "Scared Fly" see:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/04/abraham-funky-spider-and-bw-scared-fly.html 

THREE FIFTEEN AND HIS SQUARES - Saturday Night on Texas Avenue (Vocalion, 1937)

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

In honor of the Texas Avenue Community Association and the first annual Cora M. Allen Day (March 7, 2012), here’s a musical tribute to Shreveport’s Texas Avenue. The complete story on Three Fifteen and His Squares can be found in my article recently published in The Jazz Archivist, a newsletter of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University. Here's an excerpt below -- “Three Fifteen and His Squares - Shreveport's David Blunson” by Chris Brown (The Jazz Archivist, vol. xxiv, 2011).

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In 1937, Three Fifteen and His Squares, a music group from Shreveport, Louisiana, traveled 200 miles north for a recording session in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The musicians, led by David “315” Blunson, recorded four songs released by Vocalion Records. Apart from the group’s four recordings, however, they left few traces of their existence. As a result, modern researchers have struggled to shed light on Three Fifteen and His Squares. Luckily for those curious about this enigmatic band, Blunson appears nearly a dozen times in an underexplored resource--his hometown’s weekly African American newspaper, The Shreveport Sun.
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For the rest of the excerpt and audio from "Saturday Night on Texas Avenue," see:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/03/three-fifteen-and-his-squares-saturday.html

TOM AND THE CATS - The Wine Song (Jewel, 1966)

Tom and the Cats playing the C. E. Byrd High School junior prom held at the Washington-Youree Hotel in Shreveport, Louisiana (Gusher [C. E. Byrd High School yearbook], 1966).

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

Tom and the Cats hooked up with local record store/record label owner Stan Lewis, who issued the band’s three 45s. Released in 1965, their first 45 includes “The Wine Song.” Based on a Shreveport Times article’s lengthy section devoted to controversial songs, perhaps they caught some flack for the lyrics. Note the band’s reaction: “[Colquitt] feels people should be accustomed to songs about wine after 3,000 years of them.”

For the complete story and audio from "The Wine Song," see:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2012/02/tom-and-cats-wine-song-jewel-1966.html

Shreveport Songs: ALEX SNOOK JONES - For My Worst (Blue Boy, circa 1965)

Alex "Snook" Jones photograph, undated.

Announcing a new post over at the Shreveport Songs blog...

Alex “Snook” Jones apparently spent more time playing piano around Shreveport than hanging out in studios cutting records. Nevertheless, he did leave a small legacy of recordings.

Around 1965, Jones recorded a 45 issued on Blue Boy Records. The credits state that he composed both songs while Harding Guyon Demarais (aka Dee Marais) handled the publishing. No other records have surfaced on this label, so perhaps it was a vanity project financed by Jones. The guitar playing reminds me of Shreveporter Jesse Thomas, though I’ve yet to uncover evidence supporting his involvement.

For the complete story and one of Jones's songs, see:
http://shreveportsongs.blogspot.com/2011/12/alex-snook-jones-for-my-worst-blue-boy.html