Lover Number Four

Ron Jackson

Lover Number Four 

(R. Jackson, LaCour Music BMI)

 Kader 7013

1976

Kader Records was an offshoot of the Enterprise Recording Studios in Maywood, Illinois. The cavernous second-floor studio, built in a 1920s cinder-block bank building, was owned and operated by Bob Kaider and drummer Tom Sparks. (It was renamed Lake Studios in 1980, then shut down at the end of 2001, ending a 31-year run.)

This release by the unknown Ron Jackson was probably produced by Lennie Lacour, a quite prolific songwriter, singer, publisher and label owner - Lucky Four, Magic Touch are the most well known)

 

According to Kaider : "Lenny walked in one day and talked about how he had been a producer at Mercury and was looking for a place to base his own label.   He had been distributed by Atlantic, and he showed me records to prove it.   We agreed to set up office space where he operated Magic Touch."

 

KADER (1976-1977)

418 Lake Street Maywood, Ill (7007, 7011)
Publishing : Timepeace Music

7001 Iron Tongue
7002 Northern Front   
7003 Lamar and Belinda Dunn
7007 King Creole  (pseudonym of Lennie Lacour)
7011 Bob Hardy with Friends 
7012 Albert Gates
7015 Bob Baldwin 
7016 Jimette 
7018 Biało-Czerwoni 

Momma, You Ain't Gonna Worry Me

Three And One

James Screetch, vocal

Momma, You Ain't Gonna Worry Me

Fabar 285-121

1966

James T. Screetch, age 66, of Dayton departed this life on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. He received his formal education at Dunbar High School, and worked for the Dayton Board of Education until his illness. He was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church. Jimmy was a musician; an avid fisherman and loved to make and sell fishing poles and also work on cars. He was well known for his musical skills. 

 

A former member of Dayton’s Moroccos, Jimmy formed The Jimmy Screetch Trio  He played piano and saxophone.  He worked with Etta James, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Ike & Tina Turner, Nancy Wilson...

Baby Face Sings

Baby Face Sings 

J-04a When I'm Gone 
Jimmy Lewis Band, Howard McGee, Bobby Jasper, Benny Green

J-04b Please Baby
Jimmy Lewis Band, Howard McGee, Featuring Bobby Jasper On Flute

Ment Records

(early sixties)

This is perhaps the very last record by Jimmy 'Baby Face' Lewis on his own label located on West End Avenue in Manhattan which was also probably his residence.   At least four singles were issued on the Ment label, all by Jimmy Lewis and his band, in the early sixties.  Guitarist and singer, Jimmy Lewis started his musical career in Harlem.  . He was a regular performer at venues including the Apollo and the Cotton Club.  

He recorded for Aladdin and Savoy (1947), Manor (1949), Atlantic (1949-1951), RCA-Victor (1952) and Cat (1954). All these recordings are available on the Blue Moon CD "Jimmy "Baby Face" : The Complete Recordings. [sic]

In March 1963, he was arrested in his Manhattan apartment for possession  of $180,000 worth of narcotics and deadly weapons.

After returning to New York from a Boston benefit show staged to aid the fight against juvenile delinquency, Jimmy Lewis was arrested on narcotics and gun charges after cops, one wearing a grass skirt, posing as musicians seeking an audition, gained entrance to his apartment

He is the father of musician Mingo Lewis and the grandfather of percussionist Mingo Lewis Jr. 

Ment discography 

 (all releases by Jimmy Lewis)

1010 Let Them Believe
1010 I've Tried To Please You

J-02 Um'A Leave
J-02 I Love You

J-03 The Gypsey

J-03 I'm In Love

J-04a When I'm Gone
J-04b Please Baby

Give Your Name To Santa Claus

Sandi Rust
featuring the Sensational Wonders

Give Your Name To Santa Claus  /  I'm Looking Around For Santa Claus

Fable 675

Issued just in time for Christmas 1958 (I guess) on the always interesting Fable label.  Next issue on Fable was "Rock 'N' Roll Dice " by Whalen J. Jones.  Old song poet Victor Macy wrote both sides which were coprighted by him in 1956.

Ideal Records (Los Angeles, 1958)

500 - Frankie White

I-500-A —  It's All Over Now

I-500-B  — Gee-Huh-Hee Baby

501 - Heavy J. Lockett with Frankie White and The Enchanters  

I-501-A —  Chicken In a Hurry

I-501-B  — Smack Me Baby

This is, I assume, the entire output of this obscure Los Angeles label.  The two records came probably from the same recording session and were issued in the summer of 1958.  That's all I known.

No info about Frankie White.  No info neither on Heavy J. Lockett.   A John Lockett had a single issued in 1962 on the L.A. Triangle label (It Shouldn't Happen To A Dawg / The Circle Twist).   He sounds like he's possibly the same singer.

That'll Be The Day

Dick Holler and the Holidays

Don Smith, Wayne Branham, Merlin Jones

That'll Be The Day

(B. Holly)

Vital 64 V-106

1964

After performing in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana, first with The Rockets and then with The Holidays, Dick Holler left Baton Rouge in August 1962 and performed and recorded until May of 1965 in and around Columbia, South Carolina.  “Our records were selling there, so we went where the action was,” he said.

 

Dick Holler (far right) and his band, 

broke down again while on tour (1962)

http://www.dickholler.com/photo_gallery/

 

 

Born on October 16, 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dick Holler moved with his family to Baton Rouge in 1951.  He graduated from University High School the following year and attended LSU for five years.  It was while attending LSU that he began to play piano and organizing bands with his college friends.  Holler performed for two years on the local award-winning WBRZ-TV teen show Hit or Miss.  Others who performed on the show were future actresses Donna Douglas and Elizabeth Ashley, and movie critic Rex Reed.  Holler also appeared occasionally on deejay Dave Davidson’s Saturday morning radio show Teen Town Rally.  It was during a January 1956 Teen Town Rally show that he met Jimmy Clanton and brothers, Ike and Tommy.  Jimmy was a student at Baton Rouge High at the time and he and his brothers were singing the Cadillacs’ song Speedoo....MORE

By The Time They Get To Phoenix (Part two)

Reprinted article published by Billboard (September 21, 1959)

Mixed Reactions to Lormar Beachhead
Diskery Comments Vary From Loud 'I'm Not The Law'  to Cautious 'No Dice'

New York — Revelations last week on the activites of the new Phoenix, Ariz., distributor known as Flash Records - an outfit known to have a rich background or hoodlum connections - drew mixed reaction this week from diskers whose labels reportedly were already in the Flash camp or being sought by the firm fo Phoenix distribution.   It was noted last week in an exclusive story from Phoenix that Flash had acquired Roulette, Prestige, Savoy and King, and that overtures were being made to ABC-Paramount and M-G-M.

MGM Says No Dice

M-G-M Records prexy Arnold Maxin told The Billboard "They have never even approached us for the line.  Furthermore, in such a case we would always have to consider the great M-G-M name before making any connections which might have even the shadow of a cloud overt them."

Savoy Records prexy Herman Lubinsky said that Flash had approached him for the line. "However," said Lubinsky, "we have made no agreement and there have been no shipments of records made.  As in any case where we are approached on distribution matters, we look thoroly into the parties involved before making our decision."

Syd Nathan, prexy of King Records, reached at his Cincinnati headquarters, admitted that Flash is now representing his line in Phoenix.   "We have done business with the Lormar one-stop in Chicago thru our distributor there and I must say our relationship there has been 100 per cent.  They've always paid their bills on time and they buy only what they need.

I'm not the law

"What they do outside of Lormar or Flash is something else again.  I'm not the law, and I'd say if they've done anything wrong, let the law worry about it.  Besides, I say, let he who among us without sin, cast the first stone.  And I don't see anybody throwing any stones."

Sam Clark, prexy of ABC-Paramount, admitted that "they have approached me by mail, phone and personnaly.   However, we're perfectly satisfied with Frontier Distributors in Texas which serves the Phoenix market for us.   We contemplate no change in distributors.  Frankly, I have no idea why Flash should be pushing our "Living Doll" record, but I think I should send them a thank you note for their help."

Joe Kolsky, prexy of Roulette Records, declined comment.

Bob Weinstock, who heads up Prestige said that "Flash handles our line. They've got shipments of our records now and the only fair way for us to judge them is on the basis of whether they pay their bills and whether they promote the line properly.  I'm not the law and it's not up to me me to try a man.  If they prove a man is guilty of a crime and they send him to jail that's a different thing.  There are plenty of so-called legit people in the distributing business who take on your line, don't pay their bills and disappear.  What about them ?"

One of those queried added that he would take the line away from Flash only if he discovered that they were using the distributorship in Phoenix to get the basic rate and shipping records ino their Lormar
one-stop in Chicago.

Meanwhile, it was learned that tho Joe English is the active manager and operator of Flash, the company, which was founded last August 1, is owned by a Mrs. Margaret Ross of Chicago.

 

By The Time They Get To Phoenix (Part one)

Reprinted article published by Billboard (September 14, 1959)

Local Disk Scene Shook Up By Lormar Distrib Invasion
Former Rackets Committee Target Seen Eying West Coast Pastures

   PHOENIX, Ariz. — Lormar Distributors, the Chicago one-stop with a rich history of hoodlum connections and strong-arm pressure in selling disks to juke box operators, is backing a major attempt to establish a distribution beachhead here.  The move is believed to be a stepping stone to distribution on the West Coast.

   Lormar, headed by Charles (Chuck) English who, with his brother (Butch) English, was hailed before the McClellan Labor Rackets Commitee - is behind the opening of Flash Distributors in Phoenix, headed by Joe English.   Flash is operating as both a distributor and one-stop.  It has already obtained distribution of Roulette, Prestige, Savoy and King lines, and is making a strong bid for ABC-Paramount and M-G-M.    Merchandise on other labels is being shipped to Flash via air express from Lormar in Chicago.

   Other distributors are openly puzzled as to how Flash can afford to bear the cost of air express shipments daily from its parent one-stop, which in turn, must presumably buy its merchandise from distributors.  But the technique is enabling Flash to provide dealers with speedy service that even their territorial distributors —some located in El Paso — cannot match.  One distributor of a major label has told Phoenix tradesters that as a feeler be offered to sell singles to Flash for 42 cents and was "laughed out of the place" by Joe English.  The distributor has said he is at a loss to explain where Flash or Lormar is getting its merchandise.

   All retailers in Phoenix except one, who was ill, met 10 days ago to ponder the entrance of Flash in their market.  They "more or less" agreed according to a trade source to shy away from the new outfit.  But it is known that the temptation of fast shipments at competitive prices is breaking down resistance with some of them.   Flash reportedly has made hurricane progress in taking over juke box sales all over Arizona and is making inroads on the Coast.

   Joe English has been active in promoting a single disk employing methods which have set radio stations on their guard.  The program director of one station told the Billboard that English has called three weeks consecutively to announce he expected to see a chart listing the following week for ABC-Paramount's "Livin' Doll" by Cliff Richard.   When the program director said that dealers were not reporting sales on it, English is said to have replied that he expected a listing anyhow.   Other than that the program director said the conversations did not contain any "threat."

   The puzzling fact to local tradesters is "that Flash does not distribute ABC-Paramount on which the Cliff Richard disk appears".  This gave rise to local theories that Flash is out to show ABC-Paramount its effectiveness as a distributor.  In New York, ABC-Paramount sales manager, Larry Newton, confirmed to The Billboard that Flash has made a formal bid for distribution of the label.  Newton said that as long as Flash is a one-stop he sees no reason to discourage them from "knocking themselves out working for our records."  He declined to comment on whether he was considering a switch to Flash from his present distributor, Frontier, in El Paso. Jack Williams, the Mayor of Phoenix, and owner of radio station KOY told The Billboard that he received a complaint that Flash is "employing threats" and his office is looking into the charge.

   Early in 1958, Lormar's Chuck English was arrested in Chicago and charged with possession of bootlegged disks, products of a large scale bootleg operation uncovered there.  Arrested at the ame time was George Hilger, charged with engineering the bootlegging.  English was subsequently freed when he disclaimed knowledge that the disks were counterfeit.  He told The Billboard during the investigation that he head no knowledge of Hilger.  Later inquiries by The Billboard uncovered the fact that Hilger's sister had formerly been employed by Lormar listed as an officer on its original papers on incorporation.  She was married to English's assistant Bill McGuire. Hilger later received a suspended sentence and a small fine for unauthorized duplication of trademark.

Little Bit of Lovin'

Gi Gi

Little Bit of Lovin' 

Thompson-Grace-Dickens
Publishers: Glodis-Straight Ahead
A Straight Ahead Rythem Prod.

Seg-Way 1010

Flip :  This Time Next Summer 

Straight Ahead Rhythm was headed by GiGi's manager, Mrs Jean Grace, who also was the main composer and arranger of this independent production company with  Doles Dickens as musical director, a bass player whose musical career started in the 40s.  

Gi Gi / Gigi / Little Gigi

Image found here

Little Gigi real name is Gloria Glenn.  See Derek Daily 45 blog here for Gloria's email if you want to contact her.

Updated discography (three records as by Billie Dearborn (with thanks to MarkD)


Seg-Way (1962)   
1010 — This Time Next Summer / Little Bit of Lovin'  (Gi Gi)
1011 —  Ha Ha / Almost Persuaded (Little Gigi)

Colpix (1962)
668 — Peace For Christmas/The Sound Of. Angels (Gigi)

Select (1964)
731 — Take the Bitter with the Sweet / I'm Hurt and So Is My Heart (Little Gigi)

Soul (1964)
102 — Take the Bitter with the Sweet / I'm Hurt and So Is My Heart (Little Gigi)

Decca (1964-1965)
31721 —  Baby Don'tcha Worry (Vernon Harrell and Little Gigi) / All That's Good (Little Gigi)
31760 — I Volunteer / Save Our Love in time  (Little Gigi)

Dot (1966)
16945 — Can't Help Falling In Love / Don't Be A Loser Baby (Gigi)

DynoVoice ( Sept. 1966)
223 — McDougal Street Blues / Down  ('Billie Dearborn')

Bell (June 1967)
676  —  You Need Me To Love You / B: MacDougal Street Blues   ('Billie Dearborn')

LHI (April 1968)
1210 : Friday's Child  / I'd Love To Be Loved   ('Billie Dearborn')

Sweet (1971)
001 — Daddy Love Pt. 1/Pt. 2 (Gi Gi)

Jump When I Say Frog

 Bob Merrill

with Hugo Peretti and his Orchestra

Nairobi

Jump When I Say Frog

Roulette 4043

Born Henry Lavan (or Levan) in Atlantic City in 1921, Bob Merrill did most of his growing up in the Philadelphia area, graduating from high school there.   Following his discharge from the Army at the end of World War II, he went to Hollywood and got a job as a writer at CBS Radio while also finding work as an actor, appearing in The Story of GI Joe and in his own words, "a dozen B films and westerns."

Merrill soon realized he had better be on the other side of the camera, and took a job as a dialogue director with Columbia Pictures in Hollywood where he stayed for seven years.

While working on a film for the company he met a woman named Dorothy Shay, a popular performer and singer known as the "Park Avenue Hillbillie," for whom he wrote several songs.   These later proved a popular part of her million-seller album and encouraged Bob to explore writing songs as a career. He quit his job at Columbia Pictures and moved to New York, becoming one of the starving songwriters haunting the Brill Building.

One of his earliest songs was the novelty song “If I’d Known You Were Comin’, I’d ’Ve Baked a Cake,” which was recorded by Eileen Barton.   This success was followed by other successes including “Honeycomb,” recorded by Jimmie Rodgers; “How Much Is That Doggie In the Window,” recorded by Patti Page; “Love Makes the World Go ’Round,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “Pittsburgh Pennsylvania,” “Mambo Italiano” and “Make Yourself Comfortable.”    

Info above from the Bob Merrrill Official Website

Jasmine Records (UK) has compiled a 2CD set (61 tracks) featuring songs penned by Bob Merrill and sung by such big name artists as Tony Martin, Guy Mitchell, Burl Ives, Patti Page, Doris Day.  Also included are the 18 songs from his own Coral album from 1956.

Bob Merrill discography
(as singer)

Coral CRL 57081 album "And then I wrote..."     (1956)

 Side 1 : (If I Knew You Were Coming) I'd've Baked A Cake - Toys - Candy And Cake - My Truly Truly Fair - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania - Sparrow In The Treetop - Walkin' To Missouri - So Beautiful Is The Glow - Feet Up
Side 2 : Belle Belle My Liberty Belle - Lovers' Gold - (How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window - I'm Nothin' But A Dreamer - Mambo Italiano - Our First Kiss - Make Yourself Comfortable - Chow Mein - When I Was Young

Roulette 4043     (1958)

Nairobi Jump / When I Say Frog   

Roulette 4085     (1958) 

Swimmin' Suit  / With One Side Of Your Heart   

Every Night

 

Rita Renay

with the Eddie Beal Orchestra

Every Night

Liberty 55073

1957

Penned by Ronnie Rae, Ed Townsend and Scott J. Johnson, Jr.  "Every Night" is a song first recorded by Peggy Lee for Capitol Records and issued about one month before the Rita Renay version.  Etta James also recorded the song the following year for Kent Records.  According to some, the Rita Renay version is the best one.

Her Liberty record was also issued on London Records in Australia just before her tour in that country with headliner Billy Eckstine in October 1958. The Australian release was credited to Renee Renor, the name whereby she was most widely know.

Born Tia Camarillo,of Mexican-american lineage. she mainly performed in night-clubs with bands such as Franke Rapp, The Exciting Singing and Rhythms of Ed Domingo, Jack Costanzo...). in Texas, Nevada, Arizona and California during the fifties and the sixties, using various aliases.

 

She recorded as Renee Medina for 4 Star (1963) and Challenge (1964). 

From 1964 to 1972, she was Harla Day on stage (Las Vegas, Santa Cruz, El Paso, Pasadena, Phoenix,...).

And finally she settled down in Phoenix, Arizona (1972) after a last (?) single for RCA.  She had at that time the same manager as Charley Pride :

TIA CAMARILLO Vocal, single act. Concerts, Fairs, Night Clubs, Club Dates. Jack D. Johnson Talent, Inc., Don M. Kelrns, responsible agent. Jack D. Johnson, personal manager. RCA Records, "Somewhere In This Town". 

★ 

In 1955, she had a small part in "Guys and Dolls", a movie directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz,, starring Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons (1955) : she sings in the Havana Cafe scene (see picture below).

But is she also the dancer ? (I'd like to think that the answer is yes, but I'm really not sure)

Rita Renay

 a.k.a. Renee Renor, Renee Medina, Harla Day and Tia Camarillo

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