Monday, September 13, 2010

Heeey Baby Days of Beach Music raises $500.00 + for ALS at Dothan Songwriter's Roundtable





The Book may be sold out but we can sometimes find one for a worthwhile cause







CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE








L to Right on stage: Bobby Emmons, Chips Moman, Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb and Wayne Carson


The reason the book sold for so much for the worthy cause is that the title page of the book included the signatures of the great songwriters shown above. It may have even sold for more but $500.00 is the last number we saw on the bid sheet at the silent auction at “A Songwriter’s Round table” It was a nusical festival featuring the music of five exceptional Southern Songwriters and Producers. I was fortunate to have a backstage pass . Emcee Gil Anthony even brought me on stage following the writer’s round table discussion so I could extol the virtues of the Heeey Baby Days to the thousands assembled at Dothan Alabama’s Civic Center. It must have paid off for the book sold for more at this event than any of the other charity event at which it has been auctioned. Of course, Robert Register, said to me afterwards that if I had not have gotten on stage , it would have sold for more. It seems that some people took offense to my comment that the reason the book was made large was for use as a weapon against the Crimson Tide and War Eagles… It was a joke… I was kiddin’ besides I had not even thought about that possibility.



The signatures on the title page included that of hometown Dothan’s favorite son: Buddy Buie. Other signatures included Buie collaborator, J.R. Cobb, co-writer of one of Beach Music’s all time classics: “Be Young, Be Foolish , Be Happy.” And there was a lot of “Happiness” and “Foolishness” at this spectacular event. As to “Young” well… the crowd had very few whippersnappers. In this particular case, the crowd was “young in heart.” As musician and producer, Paul Hornsby put it: “ It’s rare when I play in a band when I’m not the oldest member.” Of course, Hornsby’s signature is on the title page of the auctioned book along with writers, Wayne Carson ( “ The Letter”, “You Were Always on My Mind” and 8500 others… at least that’s what I thought I heard… the man must have woke up writing and never went to bed). Other writers signing the front page included Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman who collaborated on “ Luckenbach Texas.”


Moman was a crowd favorite… and really got the crowd into one of his co-written songs, “Hey, Won’t You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song ? ” made famous by B.J. Thomas. We are proud to say that Chips in now living back in Georgia.
For a partial list of songwriting credits for all the songwriters , read the biographies below.




Thanks to Jimmy Dean for inviting me to come to Dothan for this most incredible event. Jimmy was the bass player with Dothan’s James Gang featuring lead singer Wilbur Walton. Of course Wilbur sang “ Georgia Pines” and “You’ve Got The Right String Baby But The Wrong Yo-Yo” Wilbur received at least three standing ovations, reflecting his icon status.




Wilbur Walton (Center Stage in white slacks)



And if that was not enough… you had great performances by vocalists, Jimmy Watford (“ Panama City Nights” ) Mitch Goodson ( “That’s Alright Mama” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” ) and Rodney Justo yes Rodney Justo !!!!!

I must have been living in Miller’s Cave because I did not know the great Rodney Justo had returned to the stage. How great to see Rodney, the legendary lead singer for the Candymen singing again… and to add to that, there in the backing band was David Adkins , brother of the Candymen’s lead guitarist, John Rainey Adkins.
Rodney has a new gig: check it out at http://www.coocoocachooband.com/



Rodney sang "Traces" ( Classics IV 1968) and "So Into You" Atlanta Rhythm Section (1977)



Coincidentally, "So Into You" was written by Buddy Buie and original Candymen Robert Nix and Dean Daughtry ( who were also founding members of ARS)


In addition to Buie and Cobb, "Traces" was co-written by Emory Gordy Jr. who at one time played bass guitar for one of Atlanta's hottest acts of the mid 60s, Wayne Logiudice and The Kommotion

note: copy and paste the following link in your browser for a performance of "Spooky" and "Stormy" by Buddy Buie and J.R. Cobb at the Dothan Songwriter's Round Table Event

http://videos.apnicommunity.com/Video,Item,1050573284.html

The musicians on stage were veterans of the day most of whom also signed the auctioned book: They included members of The Strangers and The Bopcats. Collectively these musicians have played in over 30 bands.


“Oh, What A Night”… they didn’t play that song but certainly a fitting description of “ A Songwriter’s Roundtable” in Dothan, Alabama, September 10, 2010.

Click on images to enlarge








Emcee Gil Anthony requests that I Not Throw The Book At Him




Now, the serious part: I start extolling The virtues Of The Hey Baby Days


After being give the backstage pass, I pulled out my camera and took a few shots of the songwriters in their dressing room just prior to their round table conversation with the audience







Producer, Songwriter Buddy Buie gives last minute instructions before the curtain comes up








Paul Cochran (of Buie -Cochran) back in the good ole days listens to J.R. Cobb as he readies for the performance. In case you didn't know, J.R. Cobb has been inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame three times as a member of the Classics IV, the Atlanta Rhythm Section and as a songwriter. Cobb recalled giving up his $47.50 a week job at Florida Steel ( and dirty shirt) for a six nights a week gig with The Classics that paid him $80.00 plus he wore a clean shirt every night. How Spooky is that ?


J.R. Cobb, Jimmy Dean, Chips Moman and wife







A little pre-round table conversation between Wayne Carson (seated) composer of "The Letter", "You Were Always On My Mind" and many many more and Chips Moman, legendary producer, songwriter, and GEORGIAN !





Luckenbach Texas Co-Write Team (Bobby Emmons and Chips Moman)

















PLUS, I added the signatures of Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb, Paul Cochran and Bobby Emmons to my two books.





















On stage sharing great memories of the Heeey Baby Days was the one of the most revered deejays of the era... Mr. Bill J. Moody










Saluting the night's honoree, Terry Collins, is Rodney Justo (outstretched arm), Jimmy Dean, Terry (in Wheelchair) and Buddy Buie.











This event back in the day was a production of Buddy Buie, promoter extraordinaire, admits that he didn't think the Kingsmen, were the real Kingsmen as in "Louie, Louie." Welcome to wonderful world of band promoting in the 60s. And as for the James Gang being the South's Number One Show Band, All I can say is that it's a good thing he didn't call them the South's Number One Soul Band , because he would have had a argument from more than a few other bands. ( see "Will The Number One Soul Band please Report To The National Guard Armory" in the book. However, Wilbur Walton still has a great soulful voice.












And Don't you love seeing the K-Otics name on the poster singing "Charlena," but the real question: "Was "the real" Charlena in the audience that day at the Houston County Fair Grounds ?"


note: I have been asked why I was not posting as much as I used to and I answered that I had not been getting enough relevant material... well; today I did !

WE have more photo and will post them later in this posting





Friday, September 3, 2010

Kingston Trio, Bruce Channel, Delbert McClinton, Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb



Kingston Trio Live at Sands Point, New York Saturday August 28

From The Hey Baby Days, theories regarding the disappearance of the flowers as in “Where Have All the Flowers gone” ….. Long time passing … and the fate of Charlie of the MTA.


Did he ever return?
No he never returned
And his fate is still unlearn'd
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned.

The cold case of both the disappearance of the flowers as well as Charlie’s fate may now be solved thanks to new forensic technology... It appears that Maid Marion, pictured below was indeed “the flower girl,” not the junior bridesmaid at the wedding of Katherine Marbut and Leo Ullman 50 years ago. That cover-up was inadvertently revealed when a photo of the wedding was displayed at a 50th wedding anniversary party honoring Kay and Leo at Sands Point, New York.





Maid Marion poses next to the wedding party photo ( She was the flower girl in the wedding of Kay and Leo)

Incredibly the Kingston Trio may have themselves been involved in the twisted plot. As Rick Daughtery of the trio sang “Where Have all The Flowers Gone” to a festive audience of 200, he appeared to be looking directly at Marion, “the flower girl.” She pretended not to have any ideas regarding the disappearance of the flowers. She did converse (plot) with Rick prior to the Kingston Trio’s performance.






Maid Marion and Rick Daughtery of The Kingston Trio

Furthermore, it was reported that a vagabond flower merchant named Charlie had been hanging out near one of the nearby Guggenheim estates peddling roses and other flowers until he was run out of town via the Long Island railroad which miraculously connected with the MTA. (It’s easy to be creative when you’re making up a bunch of stuff)

Meanwhile back in Sands Point, Maid Marion wonders” “Where Have All My Flowers Gone?”


Did Charlie snatch the flower girl’s flowers just prior to that fabled ride starting in New York and ending beneath the streets of Boston?

The wedding too place in August of 1960. The Kingston Trion recorded Charlie & The MTA around that time. That's just too much of a coincidence.



Is Charlie's fate still unlearn’d ? Maybe not,chances are, he got off the train and started a worldwide floral service.



The Kingston Trio is still a great crowd pleaser. Nora and I were very happy to be a part of Leo and Kay’s wedding anniversary, sitting on the front row, no less! How many people can say that they had the Kingston Trio play for their wedding anniversary in their front lawn? It was great to be able to talk with Ric Daughtery of the Trio. Both Rick and Bill Zorn had great things to say about Atlanta’s Banks & Shane who have a great Kingston Trio Tribute show. Banks & Shane are also proficient in Beach Music as well.





Nora and I with our own back up back The Kingston Trio ( photo taken by an amateur photographer as I am really much thinner and our back up band is doing their pre concert sound check... no empty seats that night)


Hi Greg,


It's great to see the blog back up again. I hope you've started Vol. 2 of THE HEEEY BABY DAYS OF BEACH MUSIC and will include the wonderful info and pictures from the blog. I'm also curious to know if you plan to release any more CD's from the "hey baby days". I have all 17 and there isn't a song that I don't like. In fact I just finished listening to all 17 while I went on my morning beach jog the last two weeks. As I mentioned previously a long time ago, I grew up in Dothan, AL almost on the FL line and Panama City Beach, FL was where I hung out. I just started a FB site at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=139624026066581&ref=mf (Romances & Memories of The Hang Out, Panama City Beach, FL, 1950's & 60's) and I am plugging your book and CD's. Of course the book is out of print, but it does pop up occasionally for sale as "used". (Glad I was able to get a "new" copy.) I just want everyone to know that the book exists. Check out my site. There is a guy who has joined who has many pictures of the old Hang Out and it has been fun to see them along with reading the "memories" that people post about this "magical" place. Of course, we did the PC bop - not the shag at The Hang Out.

It would be nice to hear back from you. I enjoyed the additions to the blog.

Aloha,
Ann Adams



Hi Ann,,

Thanks for your note. We have been a little slack slight in posting. Thanks for all your help in promoting the Hey Baby Days. We may be out of books but we are not out of memories.

I agree with your assessment of the complete 17 volume Hey Baby Days collection. Ripete Records did a masterful job putting it together and relating it to the material in the book.

Regards,


Greg


P.S. Ann, Being from Dothan you should be aware of the following:

http://www.facebook.com/DothanCityfestSongwriters



I am hoping to attend this one of a kind event that features some of the great writers from the Hey Baby Days. Among the writers and entertainers that will share the stage include: Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb, Chips Moman, Bobby Emmons, Wayne Carson Wilbur Walton Jr. and others.

I would list the hits songs these writers are responsible for but I don’t have ALL day.
But did ever hear any of these these songs back in the Hey Baby Days ?
"The Letter"
"Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy"
"Georgia Pines"

Hi Greg--Today, I talked with Joe Morris, original drummer for the Swingin' Medallions, about the guys in his group who might have been fraternity men in college. I played in a Fort Worth, TX band called The Gnats in '65-'66 and we were on stage with The Byrds, The Yardbirds and Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels in Dallas and Fort Worth shows before I had to take my commission in the Air Force. While in training in Panama City, FL I managed to hook up with a band called The Pagans in May-June of '66 and we were a local band which played at a Swingin' Medallions show. I actually talked to several of the Medallions backstage before the show started. Joe told some good stories and asked me if I had ever seen your book. He gave me the website but apparently there are no copies for sale. I do freelance sports and entertainment articles for national fraternity magazines and have a huge library of music publications. I saw that your book index on the website listed some Texas-based bands and have met some of the musicians such as Delbert McClinton. I have my own website www.jaylanghammer.com and hope there is a way to find a copy of your book sometime. Many thanks.

Jay Langhammer
Fort Worth, TX


-----Original Message-----
From: rarereads
To: Jay Langhammer
Sent: Wed, Sep 1, 2010 2:59 pm
Subject: Re: Your Book
Jay,

We presented a book last year to Delbert's buddy Bruce Channel. It was a lot of fun being up there near Nashville and seeing Bruce perform for the first time. All we have are store damaged copies , if you'd like to have one of those. Unfortunantly, we ran out of time and money before we could chronicle R&B/Beach Music in Texas. B.J. Thomas told a mutual friend that he wished we had included Texas. We did get a call one morning back a couple of years ago from someone who said that Delbert told 'em that he should get the book. The book is a "well kept secret" of which we are sort of proud.
By the way as it relates to members of the Swingin’ Medallions that were fraternity men, I am not sure about all the 80 plus members of the band over almost 50 years but one of the original members of the band, Brent Fortson, was a fellow brother in the bond of mine ( GAA Phi Delta Theta) at the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!

Regards,


Greg


From: Jay Langhammer
To: rarereads@bellsouth.net
Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 6:46:03 PM
Subject: Re: Your Book
Hi Greg--Thanks for your reply. Interesting you mentioned Bruce. He played at my fraternity's formal in the spring of either 1962 or 1963. I saw a concert with Delbert, Bruce and Ray Sharpe (Linda Lou) six or seven years ago and finally met Delbert at the funeral viewing for Stephen Bruton last year. I was in a TCU band for about a year with Stephen's older brother, Sumter.

Greg, I would be interested in a copy of the book with the least amount of damage, if that's possible. If you'll send me a mailing address and who to make the check to (and for how much, including postage), I'll send a check or can give you a credit card.
Probably 15 years ago, I found a softcover book on rock bands of the Southwest and found my group, The Gnats, listed along with band member names and info on our one record. Just went looking for the book but couldn't put my hands on it. I bought it at a used book store for $5 of $10. I've never seen another copy. It was not nearly as nice as your book, just text no pictures. Today, I went to three bookstores, hoping to spot a copy of your book but no such luck.
Thanks again, Greg, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Jay
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