Monroe, Michigan
“Stepping” by Frank Monday & The Steppers is one of the rarest 45s featured in the “Michigan Box”. The song was released on the M.T.F. label in Monroe, Michigan, in 1958 and only 4 copies are known to exist. That accounts for its high market value of $2,000. [ https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/blog/308-the-michigan-box-pt-2 ]
The side A ("Lonely Echoes") holds an interesting piece of information : the song was composed by Forrest (Speedy) Combs. Searching his name at the BMI website, we discover that he wrote or co-wrote eight songs, as Speedy Rogers, six in association with Bill Sterling or with Charles Rufus Schoffner and 2 songs that he written alone : "Lonely Echoes" and " Road To Yamanaka".
Today, the copyright for "Lonely Echoes, "Steppin" and "Goin' Steppin'" are all managed by Fort Knox/Trio Music, (Freddy & Johnny Bienstock's Fort Knox Music - the New York based monster that gobbled up all the King-Starday copyrights and many more as well).
With Rufus Shoffner, Speedy Rogers as Speedy Rodgers recorded "Lovelight" in the 50s. He also penned "Walk On The High Ground" with Bill Sterling and Rufus Shoffner (recorded by Bill Sterling on JED Records). As Forrest Combs, he penned "Hillbilly Wedding Bells" sung by Ruffus Shoffner & Speedy Rodgers issued by Hi-Q Records in 1963.
Forrest (Speedy) Combs. Speedy Rogers, Speedy Rodgers, Forrest Combs, whatever his name, was almost certainly a member of the Rufus Shoffner's band.
Finally, a last remark : in 1962, Rufus Shoffner recorded "Orbit Twist", his best known song on his own American Artist label which was located at 416 Cass St. – Monroe, Michigan.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Rufus Shoffner was involved in some way in the release of the two versions of "Steppin'".
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