LONGHORN RECORDS Part Two

LONGHORN RECORDS

LONGHORN RECORDS

500 SERIES

PART ONE

The Houston based LONGHORN label appears to have run at least three different numerical series. We have already featured the early 100 series (see LONGHORN 101 - Posted on Sunday 30 May 2010), which seems to have been a one off effort. It would further appear that the 100 series was resurrected and was dedicated to Square Dance Records. I do not have a comprehensive listing of The LONGHORN 100 series, but I suspect that they duplicated issue Number 101. Those Square Dance releases coupled a version of any given tune, complete with Calls, with an instrumental version of the same tune,  without calls. The 100 series must have been reasonably successful as not only are there quite a few releases, but some (if not all) were picked up and re-released in Canada. The 500 series, which focused on mainstream Country, was a relatively short lived affair. This LONGHORN label, which I imagine was owned or part owned by Lester Woytek, is nothing to do with the later Dallas based concern.

The inital release on 500 series was pressed twice, with two different label credits, and songs registered with two different publishing companies!.

ACA 3175 / Monarch Delta Pressing 3915

R 1243

ACA 3176 / Monarch Delta Pressing 3914

R 1244

CHILI DIPPIN' MAMA

"Chilli Dippin' Mama"

Having played the RAYMOR versions of "Chilli Dippin' Mama", I thought I might put up the other two versions that I have of the song. The earliest version known to me is Vernon Way's. Note that Way's effort is credited to just Stan Shirley. I don't know when HILLBILLY ALL STAR 1306 was issued, but musically it could be anytime between 1948 - 1953. Betty Coral's version is my favourite, partly because of the mention of Gene Autry. Interestingly by the time Betty Coral had recorded the number in 1954, the composer credit was just down to McCollister, no mention of Shirley! There is a version of the song on GOLDENROD 301 by Joyce Poynter, but that one owes more to Rock & Roll than Hillbilly. Although at least Poynter's attempt at the ditty credits both McCollister and Shirley as songwriters

Finally, is there a problem with the DivShare Player? Can you download the mp3's? I had a problem sometime ago, but please let me know if you are having difficulties in downloading the music.

RAYMOR RECORDS Part Two

RAYMOR RECORDS 

Part Two

RAYMOR 6004

Note: Slight change in lyrics

RAYMOR 6005

RAYMOR RECORDS Part One

RAYMOR RECORDS

Part One

RAYMOR 6001

RCA Custom Pressing E4KW 695

RCA Custom Pressing E4KW 696

RAYMOR 6002

RCA Custom Pressing E4KW 2910

Flipside unknown. My copy of the above release couples 6002.A with 6001.A

RAYMOR 6003

No Details

BOBBY WATKINS & WATKINS BROS

BOBBY WATKINS & THE WATKINS BROTHERS

I have no idea if these two recordings were ever issued, but a Bobby Watkins had a release on STOMPER TIME (859) in the late Fifties, as both songs ("I Just Don't Love You" b/w "I Just Can't Wait") were written by Watkins Bros, I assume that this was the same outfit. The STOMPER TIME material is not streactly speaking Country or Hillbilly, although there is a steel guitar on one of the recordings.

CHUCK HARDING - FOLK RECORDINGS

CHUCK HARDING

The FOLK Recordings

Part of the fun in collecting, and in trying to research the music itself, is the pleasure in coming across something that had hitherto not been documented. Stumbling across a copy of the six track 78rpm extend play disc shown below, certainly caused some degree of excitement. Of course that delight is tempered by the thought that if this is issue number 502, then what on earth is 501, another selection of recordings by Chuck Harding and ensemble? The material is of course covers of contemporary hits of the day, which would have placed the record it sometime around the end of 1953. You will note from the label scans that Oneda Hardings Christian name was misspelled on the label as Onedia!

Please note: Unfortunately "Secret Love" skips a few grooves so is not included amongst the audio tracks

CALICO LABEL

WALT SHRUM

The CALICO Label

Walt Shrum seems to have been around for ever, his career dates way back to the 1930's. Apart from the many recordings that he made over three or four decades, he also appeared in numerous 'B' Westerns. His recordings on CALICO sound as if they were recorded much earlier, in fact the featured vocalists on these offerings can be traced back to his CONSTELLATION recordings of the mid forties.

To avoid any confusion 
CALICO W-1001 is coupled with W-1002
CALICO W-1003 is coupled with W-1004

THE THREE SHIF'LESS SKONKS

THE THREE SHIF'LESS SKONKS

CLOWN RECORDS

I assume that The Three Shif'less Skonks here are the same act who were originaly part of The Frontiersmen; that of course is an assumption which might be right or wrong? The record appears to date from The Fifties and was pressed by The Coast plant.

THANKS

I’d like to Thank Everyone for taking the time and trouble to submit feedback. I still have quite a few to read through and post; for those who left an email address, I will be in contact soon.

If mrmeadowlark, could send his email address, I will get in touch regarding Cecil Gill on SILVER STAR. If Dave Wilkins could send his email address, I would love to read his story on Ernie Oleachea, which with Dave’s permission I would like to republish the story here. Finally, if Leatherguy could send his email address we could discuss his father Johnny Gipson who recorded for ROYALTY.

ED MILLER & LOUISIANA PLAYBOYS

ED MILLER & LOUISIANA PLAYBOYS
PLAYBOYS 100

MEANWHILE - BACK AT THE RANCH!

After eighteen months or so abscence, thought I'd better get the Blogg up and running again. Will have to start slowly, I see their are 85 comments to be read, digested, and posted, so intially I will start by posting new items once a week, then increse the frequency to two or three times a week.