Our Monthly Club Meeting will be this Sunday,
April 13th at the Homewood Public Library.
2:00 PM
RECORDS & CD’S---MUSIC---FOOD---FRIENDSHIP
GOOD TIMES---GUEST SPEAKERS
MEMBER PRESENTATIONS

*******Next club meeting will be May 4th, 2008, the first Sunday********

Now it is time to concentrate on our August record/cd show. That is “AUGUST”. As in 4 months away. We need everyone to pitch in again and help make our 27th annual show another fun filled success. What can you do? Work at the front table. Work in the kitchen and/or at the counter. Help with the Friday set-up. Get donations of food and/or drinks. Contact local TV or radio stations about spreading the news. Take fliers to various stores. Help contact dealers. So much to do. It’s not too early to start the ball rolling now.

*****SPECIAL MEMBER PRESENTATION*****

Be sure to be in attendance at this month’s meeting when club member, Bob Friedman, will be our guest speaker. Bob has been involved in the music industry for a long time and will provide us with an insight into the origin of the R&B vocal group scene, specific stories about his career in the industry, including artists he has known and worked with and as an added attraction he will include a practicum on singing, giving those of you who want to form a group a chance to do so on the spot. Wanna dance? If he can get a volunteer, there may be a chance to do your thing to some music. Hopefully Bob will do a little acapella also. If you have ever heard Bob sing you know how talented he is. Don’t miss this fun presentation. Bring a friend and let’s all Doo Wop.

CHANGE IN NEXT MONTH’S MEETING DATE

Due to Mother’s Day next month, our May meeting will be the 1st Sunday instead of the 2nd one. The date is May 4th. Please make note of that change.

TRIVIA

In last month’s newsletter I listed the Alabama Music Hall of Fame inductees. One of those inductees was Boyd Bennett. After reading the article, Jay Monroe sent me a trivia question concerning a Boyd Bennett recording. Try this one.

Boyd Bennett’s group did some of the same style rocking country that Bill Haley was doing at the time. Although Bennett was not rockabilly he did record the rockabilly classic “Blue Suede Shoes”. Did you know that Bennett’s version was the only cover version to chart nationally besides Elvis (RCA)?

Here’s the question:
How many “Blue Suede Shoes” covers can you name that were recorded in 1956? This includes major labels and budget labels. Extra credit for naming the labels. Answer at the bottom. See if you can name the covers you know of before peeking. If you come up with another, let me know.

Upcoming concerts:
Art Garfunkel: Saturday, April 12th. Alys Stephens Center, UAB. 8 PM. $28, $52 & $62.

Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil: Friday, Saturday, May 2-3. UAB campus, Arrington Blvd North between 22nd & 24th Streets. $20 advanced. Ticketmaster.com 715-6000

Carlos Santana: Friday, May 2nd. Verizon Wireless Music Center. 7 PM. $35.50 - $45.50. Ticketmaster.com

Leon Russell: Friday, May 23rd. Workplay. 9 PM. $30

ZZ Topp: Thursday, May 29th. Verizon Wireless Music Center. 7:30 PM. $31 - $42

Upcoming record shows:
ARCA. Friday & Saturday, April 18th & 19th. Friday 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Bessemer Civic Center. $3 admission. BRC members free with membership card. Friday early bird $10 (no free passes) 2PM.

Show Logic. Huntsville, AL. Sunday April 20th. 10AM – 5PM. Holiday Inn West. 9035 Madison Blvd. FREE admission.

WANTED

A copy of a 45 by a Greenville, Alabama group called the Cavaliers (sp?). Label not known. One side of the record is the Jr Walker song, “Hot Cha”. Anyone know more about this recording or have a copy? Contact me and I’ll pass the word on.

Answer to “Blue Suede Shoes” trivia question.

1. Bob Roubian on Capitol
2. Sid King & 5 Strings on Columbia
3. Roy Hall on Decca
4. Jim Lowe on Dot
5. Boyd Bennett on King
6. Jerry Mercer on Mercury
7. Sam “The Man” Taylor on MGM
8. Pee Wee King on RCA
9. Elvis on RCA
10. Delbert Barker on Gateway
11. Loren Becker on Waldorf
12. Hank Smith on Record Of the Month Club
13. Hank Smith on Tops (EP)

The Hank Smith records featured George “Thumper” Jones doing “Heartbreak Hotel” and Leon Payne doing “Blue Suede Shoes” although the artists is listed as Hank Smith. Smith was a name used by Tops for various releases of country and rockabilly records.

OK all you Elvis experts. Jay asked some Elvis trivia that I’ll include here also. Here we go:

1. What were the first 2 recordings of Elvis to make the national charts?

2. What was Elvis’ first #1 national hit? This particular song was on the charts for 39 weeks.

3. Extra question. What was Elvis’ LAST # 1 song before his death?

These answers will be in next month’s newsletter.

See ya,

Charlie