The above clipping was sent to me by Rollie Anderson of Dust, showing close to 60 bands that competed at the October, 1967 Texas State Fair in Dallas. Not all the bands were from Dallas or Fort Worth, though I suspect most of them were.
I think it’s worth listing all these groups to see how many we know anything about – I only know about a handful of these groups. To see photos of the Action Spot stage, see the article on the Mind’s Eye.
If anyone can help with info on any of these, please write to me at chas_kit@hotmail.com or leave a comment below.
Blue Green
Blue Moon
Brand “X” – There was a Brand X from El Paso that featured Ken Prichard of Danny & the Counts. However, Ken told me they didn’t play this event.
The Caretakers
The Coachmen – likely the group from Ft. Worth who recorded the instrumental “Splash Day” for Spotlight, though it could be the Coachmen from New Mexico who recorded “Grapes of Wrath” / “Summer Should Bring Happiness” for Sea-Ell. The Coachmen from Abilene had broken up by this time.
The Colonists
Dust – see Rollie’s article on this site.
The Destinations
Don and the Demons – according to a comment below, Don & the Demons came from McKinney, TX and recorded a version of “Walking the Dog” on the the Gibson label which I haven’t heard.
Execution of Time
Joey Farr and the Orbitors – As Tommy “Rockin’ Bones” points out in a comment below, this is probably a later band of Little Joey Farr who had releases on the Houston label Kangaroo and the Colorado label Band Box.
5th Amendment
John Foster’s Group
The Gentle Rebellion
The Gents – from either Dallas/Ft. Worth or as far away as Abilene – 45 on E.V.E. label in 1966
Gingerbread Blues
The Henchmen – definitely not this New Mexico band
The Herd
Hillsboro Group
HMS Blues
Hunters of Time
Images
The Jazz Informers
The Kaces
Kempy and the Guardians – Oak Cliff group named after vocalist Gary “Kempy” Rawlings, they recorded the legendary “Love For A Price” / “Never”. Larry Samford may have been another member
The Kicks
Killeen String Band
The Kolumn – from Lancaster, TX – see comment below
Lunatic Fringe
Main Street Prophets
The Merchants
Mind’s Eye – not listed in the article but see photos of the band onstage at the Action Spot
New World
Night Creepers
Noise Inc.
The Off Beats – There was an Offbeats who cut “Drenda Ann” / “Chaos” (both by John Brodie) on the Cherokee label from Arlington, but I don’t know the year for that. Another possibility is Jimmy & the Offbeats who recorded for Bofuz. Less likely is James De Fore, a San Antonio artist who cut 45s as Jimmy Dee & the Off Beats in the late ’50s.
Owsley
The Pagans – from Carrollton, NW of Dallas, according to a cousin of three of the members
The Playboys Five
Prisoners of Love
The Reasons Why – possibly the Temple group who recorded the excellent “Don’t Be That Way” for the Sound Track label. John Schwertner went into the Lavender Express.
The Reflections
Reining Daze
Satin and the Soul Men
The Sensations – see the article on this site.
The Shade – see the article on this site.
Sound in Motion – aka the Sounds in Motion – see Howard and Steve’s comments below.
Don Sperry Quartet
Starlight Group
The Tyme Keepers
The Unclaimed Freight
The Untamed
U.S. Bonds
U.S. Britons – (U.S. Brittons) Dallas group featuring fifteen-year-old Mike Jones. They cut two original songs “Come On” and “I’ll Show You a Man” that exist on demo acetate as far as I can tell. Both songs were highlights of Green Crystal Ties vol. 3. The band played throughout Dallas, including at the Studio Club. The band included Larry McNeny, Larry Meletio (drums), Herman Drees (guitar), Joe Cree (bass) and Mike Jones (guitar). See below for more info.
Walter Vaughn
The Westminsters
The Young Texans – likely from Grand Prairie, with Jim Koof (Kopf?), vocals; Dennis Stark, lead guitar; Don Booker, lead and rhythm guitar; Bobby Head, bass; Jerry Head, drums. See this clipping
Larry McNeny wrote to me about the U.S. Britons:
I had heard about that compilation but never heard the record. I started the band with Larry Meletio in Jr. High. Mike Jones was in a band with Joe Cree (Rowe’s little brother) and [both] eventually joined us. Mike was a fluent songwriter. He’d call me several times a week and play me a new song he’d just written for us. He also had a great 442!
Oddly enough I remember that State Fair gig. Also I noticed a pre-US Britons band of mine on a newspaper ad for a show for Jas. K Wilson (a clothing store) where we played with 5 of a Kind, The Galaxies & the Rogues. We were called the Roamers! I honestly don’t know where we came up with these names!
Larry McNeny
Thanks to Mike Markesich for the info on the Gents and for reminding me of the U.S. Britons.
I was in a Garage Band in the 60’s. I graduated from SOC in ’67 and along with my friends Mike Gaddy,Donny Jacobs,and Bill(I can’t remember his last name). My memory is not what it used to be. We called ourselves The Forgiven Souls, and latter changed it to The Weejuns. Robert Bradley joined us later as lead singer. We played at parties and some talent shows, one being the Battle of the Bands at Fair Park in October 1966. I was in the National Guard from 1968 thru 1974 with Gary K. Rawlings. I knew of his band when I was in school but never had the opportunity to see them. It would be great to get in touch with him.
I think this article is a good example to demonstrate that for every group fortunate enough to get a recording opportunity, there were 30 others that didn’t.
The Gents were from somewhere in the Dallas/Ft Worth vicinity, or maybe as far away as Abilene – they had a 45 in early 1966 on the E.V.E label that I’ve long been trying to get a copy / sound clip of.
The U.S. Britons had a pair of stellar originals they recorded which were not issued, just on an acetate.
The Gents were from Waco and included Steve Jander, the Huckaby twins and another fella named David Havis. Steve would go on to run light shows for the Dallas production company Showco and Ronnie Huckaby would go on to a 30 plus year career as band leader for George Straight’s Ace in the Hole Band
Don & the Demons were a band from McKinney, TX — maybe the first rocknroll band I ever saw play live. They recorded a version of ‘Walking the Dog’ on the the Gibson’s label ca. (1965), pressed and released by Gibson’s Discount Center. They played a record release show on a flatbed trailer in the Gibson Discount Center parking lot, Mckinney. The leader of the band was called ‘Hippy’ Don because he was a big guy — NOT because he was a hippie.
Hey John Madill. You got your bands mixed up a little. My name is Danny Goode. I was in a band called The Excels. We recorded the Song I wrote called let’s Dance. The B-side of this 45 was our version of Walkin The Dog. We were on the Gibson label. Check out our song on YouTube.
Joey Farr hade 2 kick ass wild Rock ‘N’ Roll 45’s on the KANGAROO label out of Houston, Texas and the Colorado label BAND BOX and he sounds like he’s between 10 and 12 years old.
The recordings on the two labels are different, atleast Rock ‘N Roll Santa, Havent heard the flipside on the Band box 45 yet.
One thing that is a little bit odd to me is the matrix no’s. KA 105/106 on the Kangaroo issue and KA-111/KA-112 on Band Box 45. Band Box maybe bought the masters from Kangaroo or someting. But the take of R’N’R Santa on Kangaroo is much, much wilder but both versions may be the product of the same take.
RCS lists another record by Joey Farr from 1958 but this is not the same artist. That record is by Joey Pfarr who hade some Doo Wop and Rocker 45’s issued as Joey Pfarr & The Antones.
KANGAROO 111/2 – Little Joey Farr – Rock’N Roll Santa/I Want A Big White Cadillac For Chistmas (1961?)
BAND BOX 286 – Little Joey Farr – Rock & Roll Santa/Big White Cadillac (1961)
http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=farr1000
/Tommy
John, I believe that was the Excells who did Walking the Dog and Let’s Dance on the Gibson Label. Let’s Dance was discovered in Europe a while back, and Danny and James Goode and the Excels are in the Rockabilly HOF for it. James showed me his ring. The Excels have their website with a lot of info and pix on it.
I played bass for the Sounds in Motion. Not Sound in Motion. The other members were Rick Hosford vocals, Jerry Pittman organ, Mike Allen lead guitar, and Joe Briggs drums. We were together from around the summer of 67 thru the summer of 68. Ours members were from Duncanville H.S.,Carter H.S., and Kimball H.S. We played mostly at The Flare at its original location on Marsalis Ave. at a Presbyterian church and then later at the Red Bird National Guard Armory. I have some photos of us at the original Flare location. The band changed personnel in 1968. Jerry Pittman left the band and was replaced by Steve Lowrey on organ. Joe Briggs was replaced by Bobby “Paul” Bauer on drums. The named changed to BitterRoot at that time. I still have some Sounds in Motion and BitterRoot band cards from those days.I left the band in Nov. 1968 to join the Air Force. I currently play pedal steel guitar in Oklahoma City at the Rodeo Opry. See rodeoopry.com I also have some videos on YouTube performing at the Rodeo Opry.
Sounds in Motion was my first band. I played keyboards. Was a player at the infamous Dallas/Ft.Worth/Houston Cellars ( thecellarreunionscd.com )for a few years. I still play in Fort Worth Band KatDaddy,(katdaddyband.com) and with others and on occasion will do session work.
Where’s Candy’s Flare now that we really need it? We need a Sounds in Motion Reunion.
Steve L
Could the band The Gents have been from Waco? They were active playing during this time period. Ronnie Huckaby was in that band along with Steve Jander and David Havis.
Hi Howard,
I’d like to see the photos and cards of the Sounds in Motion – if you can get them scanned please let me know.
chas_kit@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Chris
garagehangover.com
Adding to the comment above, Kempy and the Guardians were a band from Adamson and Sunset high school in Oak Cliff Texas (Dallas) They were supported and sponsored by Mrs. Dodd of the Rocket roller rink in “The Cliff” As such they were the “House Band” for all the sock hops on sat. night. I was in another Oak Cliff band “The Tortians” and were certainly jealous of the Guardians because Mrs. Dodd bought them the best Kustom equiq. of the time. We played at all the other Rinks around town and the burbs but the Guardians were “stuck” at the Rocket every weekend. As a result, they did not get the local acclaim they deserved. In my opinion at the time, they were the second best Oak Cliff band behind the Mystics from South Oak Cliff, without a doubt in my mind, the Mystics were the best Dallas band. (“Didn’t we have a Good Time” #1 Dallas hit) In 1967, a successor band to mine called the Devells took over second place and, by the way, played this State Fair competition and came in second place, have the trophy to prove it! Don’t know why they are not mentioned here. (Could have been another one but I don’t think so)
I used to see the Devells at the Irving Armory if memory is correct!
Damon Seale here. I played keyboards with the Devells from 1967 through 1970 (sophomore through senior in high school) At the time it included: John Tincher – vocals and a variety of brass and woodwinds, Rick Surratt – guitar, Jerry Pool – bass, Joel Rener – drums. Pat Rener (father of Joel and band manager) co-signed for my Farfisa organ and Kustom amp from Arnold and Morgan. I never let my parents know about the gear until everything was paid off… I went on to play with several Dallas bands. Primarily Texas Rose throughout the early to late ’70’s. In 1978 I moved to Nashville to work with “LaCosta” Sorenson, Tanya Tucker’s sister. 1980 – 1983 worked with Dave and Sugar opening for Kenny Rogers. Opened a piano company in 1985. Kept that going while touring with Leon Russell in the early ’90’s. Recently turned Seale Keyworks over to my son Austin and have been traveling. In some cases, sitting in with bandmates that have also had full careers and are returning to music. I really enjoy this site!
If memory serves, the Pagans consisted of the Alonzo Brothers, George, and his brothers, and Steve Sanchez on drums. My piddly Highschool band the Minutemen, used to play regularly with them at different places in Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Texas. Steve Sanchez passes away several years ago.
As a product of the mid 60’s Garage Band generation in Oak Cliff I would love to see some reunions of the the local bands of that era. My brother-in-law is Gary “Kempy” Rawlings of Kempy & The Guardians and many times over the years he has told me that he would love to get together with the guys. Of course, life goes on and little things like work, family, health issues, etc. get in the way but while some of us are still kicking it would be fun to have some sort of get together. I sang and played drums in an Oak Cliff combo called “Tyme” in 1966 and 1967 and we played the school club parties, talent shows, etc. and I had a blast. It’s funny that at the time we were at our peak, Kempy & The Guardians were really big and one time word got to us that somebody in, or associated with their group was going to “beat us up”. Of course nothing bad ever happened and a few years later Kempy married my older sister. Back to the music, regretfully my band never got to the point of putting anything on tape or record, but I do have a few pictures. I am proud of Kempy’s group and their song “Love For A Price” is all over the internet now partly by virtue of being on several Garage compilation CD’s. Also, as a product of two years at South Oak Cliff high I am proud of the Mystics rocker, “Didn’t We Have A Good Time”. I did see that the group, with the exception of their lead singer performed at a SOC reunion a year or so ago and the video is on their class web site at SOC1966.com. I could go on, and on but will save it for later.
The Kolumn was from Lancaster, Texas & played regularly on the local club & roller rink circuit at the time. The band consisted of Myself (Andrew Winters) on bass. Don Tanner on vocals, Johnny Nixon on lead guitar, Bill Thornhill on rhythm guitar & Ted Wrenn on drums. We’re all still alive & kicking & live in the Dallas County/Ellis County area. I still play professionally & also write songs with Don Tanner.(“Da Harley Blues” is on Youtube now) Great site. You’ve brought back a lot of memories for a lot of people. Thank you.
I’m Ted Wrenn, the original drummer for The Kolumn. The declared winners of the Battle of the Bands that day at the Texas State Fair. This happened on the heels of us winning another high profile Battle at the Hullabaloo Club which was a local affiliation of a National TV dance show. I’m now retired in Round Rock, Texas.
The Sensations played around Dallas from 1964 thru 1968.
Roe Cree lead singer and rhythm guitar,, Mike Nelson lead guitar, Mike Cooper bass and Richard Schulze drums. A regular band at Studio Club.
Those were great years for music.