SHREVEPORT AMBASSADORS: OUR CITY'S SONGS (1928-1980)
Compiled in December 2013, liner notes revised June 2019.
Songs about Shreveport, songs recorded in Shreveport, songs by Shreveporters, songs on Shreveport record labels.
Listen online: https://www.mixcloud.com/shreveportsongs/9-shreveport-ambassadors-our-citys-songs-1928-1980/
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1 GRÉGOIRE NAKCHOUNIAN AND HIS RUSSIAN NORTH STAR ORCHESTRA Schreeveport Stomp (Vox H10269E, circa 1928)
A group of Russian musicians move to Paris, tour and record in the Netherlands, then a German record label releases the music. The spelling of this Jelly Roll Morton classic was apparently lost in translation.
2 NOAH MOORE I Done Tole You (1940)
Moore resided in nearby Oil City and was the cousin of Lead Belly. John and Ruby Lomax recorded this song (plus the impromptu train noises) for the Library of Congress.
3 SLEEPY JEFFERS You Turned A Good Man Down (Pacemaker 1007, circa 1950)
Originally from West Virginia, itinerant musician SJ found his way to town and hosted a radio show on KTBS during 1950. Pacemaker (a Shreveport record label run by Horace Logan and Webb Pierce) released this song written by Cliff and Tex Grimsley.
4 HILLBILLY EVANS Since You're Gone (circa 1958)
“Hillbilly” Dean Evans hosted a radio show on KCIJ from 1958 to 1960. This song appears on a demonstration acetate disc with a label indicating it was recorded at KCIJ.
5 DONNIE RAY WHITE Hey Pretty Baby (1957)
Friends with Dale Hawkins and his crew of musicians, DRW only recorded a couple demo songs. Here's one with Hawkins on rhythm guitar.
6 DAVID HOUSTON One & Only (1957)
In 1956 and 1957, DH frequently appeared on the Louisiana Hayride -- the source of this live recording. His spoken introduction to this song contains a reference to Carnival Rock, the movie in which he and his band (featuring James Burton) performed this song.
7 JOHNNY HARRIS Ripsaw (Wanted 711, 1962)
Written by JH and record store owner Dee Marais, Ripsaw's harmonica-drenched craziness relates the story of a hunting trip gone wrong. Fireman JH made a few appearances on the Louisiana Hayride in 1960.
8 JESSE THOMAS My Baby (Red River 78996, 1963)
JT returned to Shreveport from California in the late 1950s. In the early 1960s, he began releasing records on his own label, Red River. Dee Marais handled the publishing on this 45.
9 THE FIVE SOUNDS Clumsy Dragon (Lakeside 2001, circa 1965)
According to the label credits for this instrumental -- which takes full advantage of novelty guitar effects -- Stan Lewis handled the publishing. Other records by this band suggest they may have been from Arkansas.
10 JIMMY "PREACHER" ELLIE I'm Gonna Do It By Myself (Jewel 770, 1966)
This song was written and produced by former Shreveporter Ferdinand "Fats" Washington. After moving, he still maintained ties to Stan Lewis, who released this on Jewel. They misspelled West Coast singer Jimmy Ellis's name on the label.
11 DANNY & JERRY Connection (Ronn 12, 1967)
Local duo Danny Wilder and Jerry Beach had three 45s released on Stan Lewis's Ronn record label in the late 1960s. Each featured a cover version of a rock song from that era, such as this one originally by the Rolling Stones.
12 MARGARET LEWIS Kangaroo of Love (SSS International 704, 1967)
The teamwork of three locals (ML plus Mira Smith and Shelby Singleton) who relocated to Nashville yielded this unique insult song. "May the kangaroo of love kick your face!"
13 MARION ESTER Victim Of Circumstance (Murco 1047, 1968)
Abraham and Marion Ester (and the Casanovas) had a few records on local label Murco. However, this is the only one to list Marion as the primary artist.
14 THE MIGHTY AMBASSADOR'S OF SHREVEPORT, LA. Sweet Home (Judnell 103, 1969)
This local gospel group included vocalists Tommy Nash and John Pettaway. Houston disc jockey George Nelson operated the record label responsible for this release.
15 GENE WYATT & DAWN GLASS Go Together (Paula 1224, 1970)
Though from different generations, the musical trajectory of these two locals was similar - sometimes rock and roll, sometimes country. The call and response lyrics offer some unusual pairings.
16 THE GENIES No News Is Bad News (Ronn 56, 1971)
A song written by Jerry Strickland and Bobby Patterson, arranged and produced by Patterson, and recorded at Sound City Studios on Line Avenue. Who were The Genies?
17 CURLY DAVIS & THE UNIQUES Black Cobra Part I & II (Custom Sound 148, circa 1973)
Newspaper articles for Shreveport's NAACP Soul Festival held at the Municipal Auditorium in 1969 indicate CD's band performed. The history of this group waits to be uncovered.
18 BOBBY DEAN OF THE TEAR DROPS Dreaming My Life Away (Custom Sound 165, circa 1975)
Clues suggest this amateur teen ballad was recorded two decades after this style of music ruled the charts. Bobby Dean: genre preservationist. Publishing handled by Stan Lewis.
19 REVEREND JOE BATTLE AND "THE GOSPEL EXPLOSION" Shout (Custom Sound 304, circa 1975)
This impassioned gospel workout stretches long enough to include a roll call and solos by each of the musicians. Rev. Battle plays organ and sings on this recording from Southern Star Studio.
20 ESSIE LEE HAYES God Truly Healed My Body (Custom Sound 180, 1975)
Sister Hayes relates this story of her misery and subsequent healing in 1972. Recorded at Sound City Studios.
21 KING Fashion (SS-369, circa 1980)
The album containing this song sounds like a compilation of meandering rehearsal tapes by five different bands. Nevertheless, all the recordings apparently somehow relate to the involvement of one individual who went by the pseudonym King. Here’s his rendition of a David Bowie song.
22 RONALD COYNE Plastic Eye Miracle (Ronald Coyne Revivals, circa 1970)
RC, a one-eyed evangelist from Oklahoma, delivered a rousing service at Shreveport's Convention Hall. This excerpt from his album "When God Smiled On Ronald Coyne" contains highlights of his talk, blindfolded reading, and faith healing.