SHREVEPORT FAREWELL: OUR CITY’S SONGS (1902-1977)
Compiled in December 2007, liner notes revised June 2018.
Songs about Shreveport, songs recorded in Shreveport, songs by Shreveporters, songs on Shreveport record labels.
Listen online: https://www.mixcloud.com/shreveportsongs/3-shreveport-farewell-our-citys-songs-1902-1977/
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1 CLIMAX BAND Cottonfield Capers (Climax K12, circa 1902)
2 RAMBLIN’ THOMAS Jig Head Blues (Paramount 12708, 1928)
3 BLIND ANDY Hello World Song (Don't You Go ‘Way) (Hello World 001, 1930)
4 MISSISSIPPI SHEIKS Sitting On Top Of The World (Okeh 8784, 1930)
5 PELICAN WILDCATS Walkin' Georgia Rose (Columbia 15755-D, 1931)
6 LITTLE BROTHER Shreveport Farewell (Bluebird 10953, 1936)
7 BUDDY JONES Butcher Man Blues (Decca 5703, 1939)
8 KITTY GRAY AND HER WAMPUS CATS I Can't Dance (Got Ants in My Pants) (Vocalion 03992, 1937)
9 THE SUNSHINE BOYS She's A Rounder (Okeh 06540, 1941)
10 BAILES BROS. Whiskey Is the Devil (In Liquid Form) (Columbia 37583, 1947)
11 COUNTRY JIM Avenue Breakdown (Imperial 5062, 1950)
12 TEX GRIMSLEY AND HIS TEXAS SHOWBOYS Walking The Dog (Pacemaker HB 1001, 1951)
13 DAVID “PETE” MCKINLEY Shreveport Blues (Gotham 505, 1950)
14 JOHNNY CASH So Doggone Lonesome and Southern Maid Commercial (1956)
15 THE MONTCLAIRS All I Want Is Love (Sonic ER104, 1956)
16 GENE WYATT Lover Boy (Ebb 123, 1957)
17 LINDA BRANNON I'm Leavin’ (RAM 11829, 1958)
18 THE BROTHERS Lazy Susan (Argo 5318, 1958)
19 BANNY PRICE There Goes The Girl (Jewel 733, 1964)
20 JIMMY & STAN Tahiti (Murco 1025, 1962)
21 ALEX SNOOK JONES For My Worst (Blue Boy 1001, circa 1965)
22 THE IN-CROWD Nothing You Do (Ronn 1, 1966)
23 EDDIE “G” GILES AND THE JIVE 5 Eddy's Go-Go Train (Murco 1034, 1967)
24 NORMA DRAGOO Nightmare (Custom Sound 142, circa 1970)
25 ABRAHAM Funky Spider And Scared Fly (Hy Sign 3514, 1973)
26 TED TAYLOR Ghetto Disco (Alarm 117, 1977)
27 SMITH BROTHERS Pack Up (circa 1965)
28 W. K. (OLD MAN) HENDERSON Hello World (Hello World 001, 1930)
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1 CLIMAX BAND Cottonfield Capers (Climax K12, circa 1902)
In the 1890s, William Christopher O’Hare served as the first music director of Shreveport’s Grand Opera House, taught music lessons, and composed and arranged music. He composed and dedicated this piece to the “March King,” John Philip Sousa, whose orchestra had performed and would later record other O’Hare compositions.
2 RAMBLIN’ THOMAS Jig Head Blues (Paramount 12708, 1928)
Older brother of Logansport/Shreveport bluesman, Jesse Thomas. Lyrics mention the “Dirty Thirty,” a cluster of homes once standing next to the railroad tracks behind the Calanthean Temple on Texas Avenue.
3 BLIND ANDY Hello World Song (Don't You Go ‘Way) (Hello World 001, 1930)
The prolific “Blind Andy” Jenkins recorded this song for (and about) KWKH’s owner, W. K. Henderson. He sings about subjects Henderson loved to hate – chain stores and the Federal Radio Commission (forerunner to the FCC). This song was paired on a record with a Henderson rant (see track 28).
4 MISSISSIPPI SHEIKS Sitting On Top Of The World (Okeh 8784, 1930)
Having traveled from central Mississippi, this group participated in Shreveport’s first commercial recording session. The song became widely popular, and was performed by other country and blues musicians.
5 PELICAN WILDCATS Walkin' Georgia Rose (Columbia 15755-D, 1931)
Hailing from Pelican, a town 50 miles south of Shreveport, the Wildcats performed at social functions throughout the region as well as on Shreveport radio stations KRMD, KWEA, and KWKH.
6 LITTLE BROTHER Shreveport Farewell (Bluebird 10953, 1936)
Eurreal Wilford “Little Brother” Montgomery was raised in Kentwood, La., and performed throughout South Louisiana and Mississippi before moving to Chicago. Here’s his instrumental tribute to our city.
7 BUDDY JONES Butcher Man Blues (Decca 5703, 1939)
Jones was a one-time member of the Pelican Wildcats, pal of Jimmie Davis, Shreveport policeman, and musician with a penchant for risqué hillbilly blues. The lyrics include references to two communities south of town – Cedar Grove and Forbing.
8 KITTY GRAY AND HER WAMPUS CATS I Can't Dance (Got Ants in My Pants) (Vocalion 03992, 1937)
This group includes Oscar Woods on guitar (who recorded with Jimmie Davis in the 1930s). It is presumed that Davis helped them get into the studio and onto record.
9 THE SUNSHINE BOYS She's A Rounder (Okeh 06540, 1941)
The Shelton Brothers adopted this group name for their performances on KWKH as well as their recordings for Okeh Records. Though their lineup changed over the years, Jimmie Davis hired them to be his backing band while campaigning for governor in the 1940s.
10 BAILES BROS. Whiskey Is the Devil (In Liquid Form) (Columbia 37583, 1947)
Hailing from West Virginia, the Bailes Brothers were hired by KWKH and helped establish the Louisiana Hayride. They performed sacred songs, but were notorious for their profane lifestyle. Their move to Shreveport was triggered by their dramatic termination from the WSM radio station and the Grand Ole Opry.
11 COUNTRY JIM Avenue Breakdown (Imperial 5062, 1950)
James Bledsoe (aka Country Jim) recorded four 78s for Imperial. He also recorded over a dozen unreleased songs which included such Shreveport street-themed titles as “Texas Street Blues” and “Travis Street Blues.”
12 TEX GRIMSLEY AND HIS TEXAS SHOWBOYS Walking The Dog (Pacemaker HB 1001, 1951)
Grimsley played and crafted fiddles since childhood, was recognized as the Louisiana State Fiddling Champion four times, and his band played on the debut Louisiana Hayride show. This song appeared on the first record issued by Shreveport’s Pacemaker Records, which was founded by Webb Pierce and Hayride announcer Horace Logan.
13 DAVID “PETE” MCKINLEY Shreveport Blues (Gotham 505, 1950)
One of two songs McKinley recorded for this Philadelphia record label. Two years later, he recorded (at a late night KWKH studio session) over half a dozen songs for a Los Angeles label. It has been suggested that Stan Lewis was connected to McKinley’s recordings.
14 JOHNNY CASH So Doggone Lonesome and Southern Maid Commercial (1956)
Live from the Louisiana Hayride, Cash sings a song from his second record and discusses the finer points of Southern Maid Donuts.
15 THE MONTCLAIRS All I Want Is Love (Sonic ER104, 1956)
One of Shreveport’s few recorded contributions to the doo-wop genre. Features Chico Chism on drums.
16 GENE WYATT Lover Boy (Ebb 123, 1957)
Rockabilly with a young James Burton on guitar. The songwriter’s credits reveal the involvement of two Shreveport record store owners and label operators – Dee Marais and Stan Lewis.
17 LINDA BRANNON I'm Leavin’ (RAM 11829, 1958)
While a student at Fair Park High School, Brannon joined the scene around RAM Records and cut five 45s for the label. She also performed on the Louisiana Hayride.
18 THE BROTHERS Lazy Susan (Argo 5318, 1958)
The Mathis brothers moved to town to play country music on the Hayride. However, they had switched to rock and roll and allied themselves with Dale Hawkins by the time this song was cut. Later, they became two-thirds of the Newbeats, known for their song “Bread and Butter.”
19 BANNY PRICE There Goes The Girl (Jewel 733, 1964)
Price was active in the local rhythm & blues scene, and he’s one of the first Shreveporters to have a release on Stan Lewis’s Jewel record label. The songwriters’ credits are shared by two other musicians having ties to Shreveport – Dale Hawkins and Elgie Brown.
20 JIMMY & STAN Tahiti (Murco 1025, 1962)
These days Jimmy Johnson teaches guitar lessons. In the 1960s and ‘70s, his name appeared on a handful of Murco releases as a songwriter and producer. Here’s one that showcases him as a musician.
21 ALEX SNOOK JONES For My Worst (Blue Boy 1001, circa 1965)
A song from this local pianist’s only 45. Publishing credits reveal Dee Marais’ involvement.
22 THE IN-CROWD Nothing You Do (Ronn 1, 1966)
Local KEEL DJ Gene Kent managed this 1960s group. This song, from their only 45, was issued as the first record on Stan Lewis’s Ronn label. Their drummer, Steve Tuminello, is the nephew of A. J. Tuminello, who played drums for Dale Hawkins among others.
23 EDDIE “G” GILES AND THE JIVE 5 Eddy's Go-Go Train (Murco 1034, 1967)
One of Giles’s most up-tempo numbers. These days you can hear his gospel radio show weekday mornings on KOKA. On Sundays, he’s in the pulpit at Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
24 NORMA DRAGOO Nightmare (Custom Sound 142, circa 1970)
If you had the money, it seems Custom Sound would record and issue your record. Who knows the story behind this vanity release?
25 ABRAHAM Funky Spider And Scared Fly (Hy Sign 3514, 1973)
Abraham Ester recorded over half a dozen 45s for Dee Marais’ record labels. This was Ester’s last release and one of his funkiest.
26 TED TAYLOR Ghetto Disco (Alarm 117, 1977)
Taylor started recording in the mid-1950s in California, and by the mid-1960s he began cutting songs for Stan Lewis’s labels (Jewel and Ronn). In the mid-1970s, he connected with Alarm Records, a Shreveport label run by Jerry Strickland and Stewart Madison. Their label and studio were located at 3316 Line Avenue.
27 SMITH BROTHERS Pack Up (circa 1965)
A local gospel group’s demo acetate unearthed from the record collection of radio station KOKA.
28 W. K. (OLD MAN) HENDERSON Hello World (Hello World 001, 1930)
The first commercial recordings in Shreveport can be traced to an Okeh Records representative visiting the city in 1930. Here’s the fiery monologue they recorded by KWKH’s owner, W. K. Henderson. “Hello World...Dog-gone You!”
This group includes Oscar Woods on guitar (who recorded with Jimmie Davis in the 1930s). It is presumed that Davis helped them get into the studio and onto record.
9 THE SUNSHINE BOYS She's A Rounder (Okeh 06540, 1941)
The Shelton Brothers adopted this group name for their performances on KWKH as well as their recordings for Okeh Records. Though their lineup changed over the years, Jimmie Davis hired them to be his backing band while campaigning for governor in the 1940s.
10 BAILES BROS. Whiskey Is the Devil (In Liquid Form) (Columbia 37583, 1947)
Hailing from West Virginia, the Bailes Brothers were hired by KWKH and helped establish the Louisiana Hayride. They performed sacred songs, but were notorious for their profane lifestyle. Their move to Shreveport was triggered by their dramatic termination from the WSM radio station and the Grand Ole Opry.
11 COUNTRY JIM Avenue Breakdown (Imperial 5062, 1950)
James Bledsoe (aka Country Jim) recorded four 78s for Imperial. He also recorded over a dozen unreleased songs which included such Shreveport street-themed titles as “Texas Street Blues” and “Travis Street Blues.”
12 TEX GRIMSLEY AND HIS TEXAS SHOWBOYS Walking The Dog (Pacemaker HB 1001, 1951)
Grimsley played and crafted fiddles since childhood, was recognized as the Louisiana State Fiddling Champion four times, and his band played on the debut Louisiana Hayride show. This song appeared on the first record issued by Shreveport’s Pacemaker Records, which was founded by Webb Pierce and Hayride announcer Horace Logan.
13 DAVID “PETE” MCKINLEY Shreveport Blues (Gotham 505, 1950)
One of two songs McKinley recorded for this Philadelphia record label. Two years later, he recorded (at a late night KWKH studio session) over half a dozen songs for a Los Angeles label. It has been suggested that Stan Lewis was connected to McKinley’s recordings.
14 JOHNNY CASH So Doggone Lonesome and Southern Maid Commercial (1956)
Live from the Louisiana Hayride, Cash sings a song from his second record and discusses the finer points of Southern Maid Donuts.
15 THE MONTCLAIRS All I Want Is Love (Sonic ER104, 1956)
One of Shreveport’s few recorded contributions to the doo-wop genre. Features Chico Chism on drums.
16 GENE WYATT Lover Boy (Ebb 123, 1957)
Rockabilly with a young James Burton on guitar. The songwriter’s credits reveal the involvement of two Shreveport record store owners and label operators – Dee Marais and Stan Lewis.
17 LINDA BRANNON I'm Leavin’ (RAM 11829, 1958)
While a student at Fair Park High School, Brannon joined the scene around RAM Records and cut five 45s for the label. She also performed on the Louisiana Hayride.
18 THE BROTHERS Lazy Susan (Argo 5318, 1958)
The Mathis brothers moved to town to play country music on the Hayride. However, they had switched to rock and roll and allied themselves with Dale Hawkins by the time this song was cut. Later, they became two-thirds of the Newbeats, known for their song “Bread and Butter.”
19 BANNY PRICE There Goes The Girl (Jewel 733, 1964)
Price was active in the local rhythm & blues scene, and he’s one of the first Shreveporters to have a release on Stan Lewis’s Jewel record label. The songwriters’ credits are shared by two other musicians having ties to Shreveport – Dale Hawkins and Elgie Brown.
20 JIMMY & STAN Tahiti (Murco 1025, 1962)
These days Jimmy Johnson teaches guitar lessons. In the 1960s and ‘70s, his name appeared on a handful of Murco releases as a songwriter and producer. Here’s one that showcases him as a musician.
21 ALEX SNOOK JONES For My Worst (Blue Boy 1001, circa 1965)
A song from this local pianist’s only 45. Publishing credits reveal Dee Marais’ involvement.
22 THE IN-CROWD Nothing You Do (Ronn 1, 1966)
Local KEEL DJ Gene Kent managed this 1960s group. This song, from their only 45, was issued as the first record on Stan Lewis’s Ronn label. Their drummer, Steve Tuminello, is the nephew of A. J. Tuminello, who played drums for Dale Hawkins among others.
23 EDDIE “G” GILES AND THE JIVE 5 Eddy's Go-Go Train (Murco 1034, 1967)
One of Giles’s most up-tempo numbers. These days you can hear his gospel radio show weekday mornings on KOKA. On Sundays, he’s in the pulpit at Salem Missionary Baptist Church.
24 NORMA DRAGOO Nightmare (Custom Sound 142, circa 1970)
If you had the money, it seems Custom Sound would record and issue your record. Who knows the story behind this vanity release?
25 ABRAHAM Funky Spider And Scared Fly (Hy Sign 3514, 1973)
Abraham Ester recorded over half a dozen 45s for Dee Marais’ record labels. This was Ester’s last release and one of his funkiest.
26 TED TAYLOR Ghetto Disco (Alarm 117, 1977)
Taylor started recording in the mid-1950s in California, and by the mid-1960s he began cutting songs for Stan Lewis’s labels (Jewel and Ronn). In the mid-1970s, he connected with Alarm Records, a Shreveport label run by Jerry Strickland and Stewart Madison. Their label and studio were located at 3316 Line Avenue.
27 SMITH BROTHERS Pack Up (circa 1965)
A local gospel group’s demo acetate unearthed from the record collection of radio station KOKA.
28 W. K. (OLD MAN) HENDERSON Hello World (Hello World 001, 1930)
The first commercial recordings in Shreveport can be traced to an Okeh Records representative visiting the city in 1930. Here’s the fiery monologue they recorded by KWKH’s owner, W. K. Henderson. “Hello World...Dog-gone You!”