BIRMINGHAM RECORD COLLECTORS
DEDICATED TO THE COLLECTING OF MUSIC, ITS PRESERVATION, AND LASTING FRIENDSHIP
MONTHLY MEETING THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 12th, 2015
2:00 PM HOMEWOOD LIBRARY – 1721 OXMOOR ROAD 35209
NEXT MEETING SUNDAY, MAY 3RD, 2015 THE FIRST SUNDAY
THIS MONTH’S MEETING
Our program for this month’s meeting will be a presentation by BRC member, Todd Jones. Todd has a collection of air checks, jingles, and broadcasts from radio stations, mostly local that range from the 1950’s – 80’s. Be there and hear some of these from Birmingham radio stations such as WSGN and WVOK as well as a discussion of Birmingham radio history.
PASSING OF BIRMINGHAM RADIO ICON
Birmingham radio personality, John Ed Willoughby passed away March 25th. During his more than 30-year career in Birmingham radio, John Ed Willoughby is best known as the “John Ed” half of the forever popular morning radio show, “T.C. and John Ed” which aired most of his career on AM stations WSGN 610 and then WERC 960. Teaming with the late Tommy Charles for almost 22 years, he was part of the longest running morning radio program in Birmingham. From WSGN, his show moved to WVOK for a short time, and then to WERC for over 10 years. After Tommy’s untimely death in 1996, to continue his morning radio show, John Ed was joined by another Birmingham radio legend, Doug Layton. After moving to WAPI in 1998, his full time radio show ended in 2005. Our sincere condolences go out to his family.
John Ed and Tommy Charles John Ed
PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
April brings warmer weather and Record Show season. Everything seems to get in high gear when it warms up. Not the case with this spring’s Record Show in Allentown. The day of the 45’s show the weather forecast was for 6 inches of snow! Plus even more the next day when the albums and other music related items were on sale. I got as far as South Carolina before heading back to Birmingham. Maybe March in Pennsylvania is too early.
The Marriott on Canal Street will be the scene for the New Orleans Jazz Fest Record Show on Friday, April 24th through Sunday, 26th. Also that Saturday there will be a show in Knoxville at the Days Inn, North. Then on Sunday many of the same dealers will be in Johnson City, Tennessee at the Double Tree-Hilton.
The next weekend in Memphis there is another 3 day show at the Peabody Hotel, May 1-3. This is in conjunction with The Memphis in May Festival.
After a year off The Austin Record Show returns May 22nd-24th and will again be Downtown at the Palmer Auditorium where the show was held for many years. Closer to home the Atlanta Record Show will be June 7th at the Century Center Marriott Hotel.
So many records, so little time!
Rolling Stones fans will be glad to hear that their summer tour will include a stop in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 9th. It will be held at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Georgia Tech University. Tickets go on sale on Monday, April 13th at 10am Eastern time. At their ages this could be the last chance to see the whole group together.
Plans continue to be made for our show in August. I was in a store in Greenville, South Carolina and the owner wanted info on how to be a dealer. We have quite a reputation and it will only get better!
Mark your calendars now for the May club meeting. Because the second Sunday is Mother’s Day we will move the meeting for that month only to May 3rd. That will be the first Sunday, again for the May meeting only.
Come out for another great meeting, records and fellowship at our April meeting on April 12th.
Ray
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
MICKEY GILLEY
Born on March 9th, 1936 Mickey was born in Natchez Mississippi. During his childhood he spent many, many days with his 2 cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart. It was while with his cousins he learned to play the piano. Although Jerry Lee was having much success in the music business in the late 1950’s, Mickey’s success wouldn’t come until the 1970’s. His first charted record was “Is It Wrong For Loving You’ in 1959 with a young Kenny Rogers playing bass on the recording. Check trampoline park henderson near me . At this time Mickey’s biggest success came from being one of the hottest nightclub acts in Pasadena, Texas. During this time he had his second hit, “Lonely Wine”.
Playing off his success in the nightclub business Mickey and partner Sherwood Cryer opened up Gilley’s Club in 1971. Over the years the club became the hottest spot for people from all over to go to. At its pinnacle it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest honky tonk. And of course it would be the influence for the movie, “Urban Cowboy”. Much of the filming was done at Gilley’s as well.
Mickey would go on to have a very successful country/pop/rock career. In the 15 years that Mickey had records charting, he had 17 # 1 country hits. Between 1974-1976 he would win awards from the Academy of Country Music for Top Male Vocalist (twice), Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame and was inducted into the Delta Music Museum on March 2, 2002 along with those cousins, Jerry Lee and Jimmy. He was one of the first to open a club in Branson, MO which now is a boom-town for all types of music clubs but specifically country music.
Today Mickey is still performing but due to an accident in 2009 where, while helping a friend move, a sofa fell on him cracking 4 vertebrae and leaving him temporarily paralyzed, he sings but does not have the hand coordination to play the piano.
UPCOMING RECORD SHOWS
April 25 Knoxville TN, Days Inn North (8ft tables this venue!) *Overnight discount for dealers!
April 26 Johnson City TN, Double Tree Hilton *Call Volunteer Lodge for great rates, 423-282-3737.
$2.00 admission all shows. Dealer inquiries welcome! All shows 10-4pm (ET). All shows “buy-sell-trade” – Bring your clean records to me for appraisal and purchase, make extra ca$h!
August 15-16. Birmingham Record Collectors. Gardendale Civic Center – 857 Main Street Gardendale, AL 35071. $3. 100+ tables. Saturday – 9AM-5PM. Sunday 10AM-4PM.
ROCK & ROLL BIRTHDAYS
Leon Russell 4/2/1942 Loretta Lynn 4/14/1932
Emmylou Harris 4/2/1947 Roy Clark 4/15/1933
Tony Orlando 4/3/1944 Bobby Vinton 4/16/1935
Wayne Newton 4/3/1942 Glen Campbell 4/22/1936
Doris Day 4/3/1924 Peter Framton 4/22/1950
Billy Bland 4/5/1932 Duane Eddy 4/26/1938
Merle Haggard 4/6/1937 Bobby Rydell 4/26/1942
John Kay 4/12/1944 Gary Wright 4/26/1943
David Cassidy 4/12/1950 Otis Rush 4/29/1935
Al Green 4/13/1946 Willie Nelson 4/30/1933
Bobby Vee 4/30/1943
IN MEMORY
Last month this column named 2 individuals of the music industry who had recently passed away. About 3 days after I sent the newsletter out I learned of the passing of 2 more of our rock & roll heroes – Joe B Mauldin and Curtis Lee.
It came as a surprise when I heard about Joe B. since the last 2 monthly meetings were devoted to Buddy Holly’s death. Joe B of course was the slap bass player for the Crickets. He passed away on February 7th of cancer. He was 74. Thank goodness the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame came to its senses in 2012 and inducted Joe B. and the other members of the Crickets, Jerry Allison and Niki Sullivan. An honor that was way past due.
Curtis Lee best known for his hit, “Pretty Little Angel Eyes”, died on January 8th of cancer. After his time in the music business ended he went into the construction business with his father. He left behind not only his wife of 51 years but 4 children, 5 grandchildren, AND 6 great-grandchildren.
Joe B Curtis Lee
HEY! HAVE YOU HEARD THIS ONE?
Freddie Vel (aka – Mickey Gilley)
See Ya,
Charlie