If It Wasn't For the Kids (Volume 9)

If It Wasn't For the Kids (Volume 9)

Cathy Sharpe North Pole Rock (Global, 1960) 

 
Ginny Tiu - Inka Dinka Doo (Era, 1959) 

 
Lawrence Welk's Little Band Featuring Brian, Cubby, Janet and The Lennon Sisters (Coral, 1958)

 
Li'l Smokey Miller - Cotton Patch (Black Gold, 1966)

 
Little Mike and The Heralders Quartet - This World Is Not My Home (Sound LP, 1969) 

 
Matt & Robyn Rolf - I'm Little But I'm Loud (Tambor LP, 1982) 

 
Michael and Tobias (Switzerland, 1960) 

 
Ranel Bogdanov -  Hit the Road Jack (Russia, 2014) 

 
Ronnie Reno - Somebody Left Another Youngin' At Our House (Reno) 

      
Sunshine Ruby - Too Young To Tango (RCA, 1953).

 
The Bantams - Susie Q (Warner-Bros, 1966) 

 
The Cowboy Church Sunday School featuring Little Miss Enry - A Handful of Sunshine  (Decca, 1955) 

 

If It Wasn't For The Kids (Volume 8)

  —  You don't like Engelbert Humperdinck anymore?
— Not anymore, right now I prefer Hasil Adkins...

If It Wasn't For The Kids (Volume 8)

Tracklist

8-Year Old Carol Kay - A Good Man is Hard to Find (Recorded In Hollywood, 1953)  
Barry Gordon - Rock Around Mother Goose (MGM, 1956)                              
Brenda Lee - Doodlebug Rag (Decca, 1956)                                         
Jimmy Osmond - Long Haired Lover From Liverpool (MGM, 1972)                      
Little Barbara - Mom, I Want a Dolly Just Like You (Coral, 1953)                 
Little Betty Pruett - I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You (Arlee, 1967)        
Mathilde (Gersby Rasmussen) - Hulubulu (Harlekin, Danemark, 1988)                
Reggie Pitassy - I'm Gonna Color My Eggs All Blue (Pitassy, 1964)                
Ricky Vera - How Can Santa Come To Puerto Rico (Coral, 1953)                     
Terry Davidson & The Barracudas - Hurray For Hazel (Hillside LP, 1966)           
The Musical Harts of Detroit - Surely I Will Lord (GMR, LP)                      
The Schulman Kids (Bob, Ilene, Jimmie) - V' Jinja (Renner, 1959)        

        

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 7

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 7

Bonita Stevens - All Girl Band
She was 9 years old when Bonita Stevens recorded her first single in 1967 in Nashville, which was issued by Sims Records (In Between Trains/Take Your Guitar And Git).   "All Girl Band", her second single from 1968, was on the Pretty Girl label, one of many subsidiaries of Style Wooten's Style Records Productions founded in 1964 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Jackie Butler And His Playmates - Paw Ain't Got A Cent
Jack Butler had started out in music when he was seven years old.  In 1951, he won the $100 first prize in the North Carolina Annual Hillbilly Contest and even made a couple guest appearances over WLAC in Nashville, Tennessee. He was then 11.  Jackie Butler and his Playmates were heard each week on Saturdays and Sundays on WRRZ out of Clinton, South Carolina.  More info here

Jeanie Dell - Dixie Danny  
8 Year Old Jeanie Dell; orchestra directed by Frank Hunter; with The Overtones.  A master purchased in 1953 by Coral Records, possibly purchased from Philadelphia arranger and bandleader Frank Hunter.  Little Jeanie had further releases in the fifties on Jubilee, Ritz and Josie.

"Lil" Margie Crane - Pretty Face, Cute Figure   
From 1964 and one of the last on the label, discontinued in late 1964. Produced by Bob Swaringim & Clem Murski who also wrote both sides of the single.  Eric - a division of Crazy Cajun, Conroe, Texas - .was probably Huey Meaux's most significant early label, on which Barbara Lynn made her debut ("Dina & Patricia"). 
          
Little Betty Pruett - Satan Lied To Me   
From 1967 on the Arlee label (Hickory, North Carolina). A member of the Wilson Baptist Church of Bostic, N.C., Betty later recorded several albums with the Betty Pruett Singers, a trio consisting of Betty, her brother, Ronnie and her mother, Joyce.
       
Little Jeannie Greer - Who, What, Where, When, How and Why
From 1955 on the Sandy Stanton's Fable label.  A fascinating label as noticed by song-poem collector Bob Purse:  "most of the label’s output was not of the song-poem variety, although there seem to have been at least some vanity records and hybrids among the releases, and second, many of the non-song-poem records released by Fable are really great and/or fairly (or very) odd, particularly those featuring the guitar and band-leading of label head Sandy Stanton".

Little Judy Adams - I Slipped And Fell                 
From "Little Seven Year Old Judy Adams Sings For The Little Girls And Boys" her album issued in 1968 by Process Records (Franklin, Pennsylvania).  Backed by Gordon Sizemore on guitar. Little Judy is possibly related to Jimmie Adams, one of the three composers of the song.
 
Marie-Adele Black - I Want to Be a Mother
From the LP "Songs For A Mormon Child", a collection of 16 "bright and happy" songs penned by Sister Janeen Jacobs Brady and issued in 1976 by Covenant Recordings (Salt Lake City, Utah)
In 1991, then a soprano (age 22), Marie-Adele won the second place and $400 at the Finals of the Utah Metropolitan Opera auditions.

Missy Connor -  Cowgirl For Jesus  
A no label 1980 custom recording from Sutton, West Virginia. Missy began her musical career at the tender age of five.  Carolyn, her mother, traveled with her evangelistic family for many years singing country and southern gospel music. Originally from Canton, she met and married Don Connor of West Virginia. One year later Missy was born. The family booked as The Connor Family was now The Connors.

Richard Hitchner - I Want A Rocket Ship For Christmas     
Full credit on label: Eddie Williams and his Echo Valley Rangers, vocal Richard Hitchner.  The Echo Valley Rangers, a country swing band, a 4-piece unit led by Eddie Williams, a member of the "Grand Ole Jamboree" since its start.  Issued in 1958 on M.P.P.C. Records (Woodstown, N.J.).  M.P.P.C. stand for Motion Picture Productions Corp. Doesn't that sound impressive?  Actually this was a quite small label, also known as Mopic, possibly operated by Norman (Old Lad) Kingsley, director of The Grand Theater in Woodstown.

Sherry Crane - Winnie The Parakeet    
Recorded by veteran country and gospel singer Wally Fowler who pitched the master to Sam Phillips. Backed with"'Willie Willie'' , the song was issued on Sun 328 in the summer of 1959.  Two other masters from the same source, unreleased at the time, came out finally on the Trumpet label out of Atlanta, Georgia in the summer of 1964 : ''I've Just Discovered Boys'' b/w "Santa Bring Me a Puppy Dog". One Billboard' panel member, finding the record, was a little surprised. « Even with the air conditioning going full blast, it’s kind of hard to take this record seriously. » Meanwhile, outside the thermometer hovered around 92 degrees. (Panel Cool To Yule Disk, Billboard July 11, 1964)

Yvonne Jordan (age 10) - Long Tall Johnny  
And The Cherryville Drifters. Yvonne is probably related to Ron (artist) & Martha Jordan (composer), names found on the following Jalyn release credited to Ron Jordan & The Cherryville Drifters. From 1970 on the Dayton, Ohio owned by Jack Lynch. No further info.                     

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 6

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 6

On cover: Father Trailhoff

I'm greatly indebted to Father Trailhoff whose baton has educated
so many children in the past. His hand never trembled
when it came to calling back the rules to all these little bastards.

Tracklist

Keith Green - A Go-Go Getter (Decca, 1965)                                   
Little Jeannie - My Little Dog Has Gone To the Moon For Christmas (Spann)    
Little Leon Payne - History Of Love (Daco, 1962)                             
Little Miss Darlene - Daddy-O                                                
Little Sammy Swinger - Hot Pastrami w Mashed Potatoes (Essar)                
Little Suzie - Young Love (Burbank)                                          
Lucky Peterson - 1,2,3,4 (1971)                                              
Phillis & Jeffrey Carlyle - Santa Claus Looks Like My Daddy (Esquire, 1953)  
Reggie Pitassy - Easter Bunny Bring My Daddy Home (Pitassy & White Cliffs)         
Ronnie Reno - Lasses (Reno)                                                  
The Singing Crowes -  Grumbles Medley (His LP)                               
Toni Harper - Candy Store Blues  (Columbia, 1948)                            

★

Keith Green 
Born in 1953, Keith Green took to music at a young age, as he "began with the ukulele at three, the guitar at five, and the piano at seven". Green played the role of Kurt von Trapp in The Sound of Music starring Janet Blair in the opening production at the Valley Music Theater, in Los Angeles when he was 10.  Green and his father Harvey signed a five-year contract with Decca Records in February 1965, with Harvey as business manager, having written 40 original songs already. The first song released on disc was A Go-Go Getter in May 1965, produced by Gary Usher, which he had composed and published before signing with Decca. He became the youngest person ever to sign with the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) upon publication of this song at age 11.

Little Jeannie
Daughter of Dr. David Shapiro, a physician, poet and lyricist from Tulsa, Oklahoma.  "My Little Dog Has Gone To the Moon For Christmas" was released just before Christmas 1958 by the little Spann label, out of Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1958.

Little Leon Payne
Albert Leon Payne, son of Dusty Payne, who had recorded two collectible rockabilly singles in 1956-1957.  Little Leon started recording when he was 9 or 10, toured, played for years and.retired from music around 2000.   Little Leon had further records on Radco, Genini and Ben Hur

Little Miss Darlene 
Little Miss Darlene was the daughter of Esther Casteel, a three-quarter Sioux Indian .  She performed  in the early fifties on many programs from Los Angeles to Portland and recorded for the Western Ranch Music Record label which was owned by her mother.  She was known then as Baby Darlene.  "Daddy-O" was issued on the Star-light label (a Rite custom press) in 1959. I will  not refrain from posting the flip (Huddle Me, Cuddle Me) which has a remarkable ressemblance to "Money" by The Flying Lizards.(!?!)

Little Sammy Swinger Nothing about the kid. Research will go on. As the officials often say "no track is left out", meaning "we are in the most complete fog".  "Hot Pastrami w/ Mashed Potatoes" was issued on the obscure Essar, a Midwest label, possibly from Michigan owned by one S.R. Gardiner.

Little Suzie
"Young Love", the Ric Cartey well known song from 1956 was issued on Renco & also on the  Warner-Bros distributed-Burbank label. A George Motola production & also possibly Russ Regan.
Who is Little Suzie?

Lucky Peterson
Born in Buffalo, New York in 1964, the son of James Peterson, a blues guitarist and owner of “The Governor’s Inn”, a popular roadhouse club in the city and regular stop for some of the most famous bluesmen of the day. At the age of 3 Little Lucky Peterson gave his first concert and,was hanging around the club learning from and starting to play with the numerous artists that passed through. One of the top artists of the day – Willie Dixon, who recognized his talent and produced Little Lucky Peterson’s first record in 1971.  " 1,2,3,4 " was issued on Today (a subsidiary of Peception Ventures) and on Yambo Records.

Phillis & Jeffrey Carlyle
Phillis and Jeffrey, her seven years younger brother, were the children of Russ Carlyle, a well-known band leader in the Big Band era.  Phillis (or Phyllis), born in Cleveland, moved to Chicago and started a talent agency for commercials, handling models for catalogues and print ads and actors for voice-over work. After 10 years she sold her agency, A-Plus, and moved to Los Angeles. "Santa Claus Looks Like My Daddy" was on the Esquire label in 1953.

Reggie Pitassy 
The son of Jody Pitassy, who ran the small Pitassy label in New Orleans. From 1964, " Easter Bunny Bring My Daddy Home " was available on Pitassy Records and also on White Cliffs.

Ronnie Reno
Son of Don Reno, banjo pioneer and one-half of the Hall of Fame duo Reno & Smiley. In 1955, seven-year-old “Little Ronnie Reno” climbed atop a milk carton, stretched up to the mic, and performed for his first national audience on “The Old Dominion Barndance.”    He earned a reputation as a fine utility player and picked up additional work with groups like the Louvin Brothers, or whoever needed him. With the desire to spread his own wings, Reno joined the famed Osborne Brothers and provided part of the trademark trio harmony during the height of their commercial success. In 1971, they were awarded the coveted CMA Vocal Group of the Year. "Lasses" was on the King custom pressed Reno label, at an unkown date (mid to late fifties)

The Singing Crowes 
Not to be confused with Singing Crowes from Lansing, Michigan. These Crowes were the seven children of pastor and Mrs. Glen Crowe, from Dorchester, Ontario.  On Grumbles Medley, you will hear successively the solos of Brenda, Lois and Jonathan.  This is from an album issued on the His label (""Making music in His name" located in Thamesford, Ontario. From circa 1967.

Toni Harper
Born in 1937, Los Angeles, California, Toni Harper learned dance under Maceo Anderson. Harper was cast by the choreographer Nick Castle in Christmas Follies, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in 1945. She later went on to perform on stage with Herb Jeffries and Cab Calloway. Harper recorded "Candy Store Blues" which became a platinum record, appeared twice on Toast of the Town (later The Ed Sullivan Show) in 1949, and made her third and final appearance on the show in 1950.
After success as a child singer, Harper recorded her first album, Toni, for Verve Records in 1955, with the Oscar Peterson trio. She made two further albums, arranged by Marty Paich, Lady Lonely (1959) and Night Mood (1960) for RCA Victor. Harper toured Japan with Cannonball Adderley in 1963 and appeared in the film How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) before retiring from performing at the age of 29 in 1966.

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 5

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 5

"Another batch of twelve tracks by junior performers"

Jerry Naill - Barbecue Rock (1961)

From the Signal Pictures' Tomboy & The Champ. Jerry Naill found his true calling early in his life.. He discovered music as a child and was cast in the 1961 movie “Tomboy And The Champ”. Not only did Jerry have a singing part in the film, but he also had the opportunity to record six songs for the movie’s soundtrack.  A single released at that occasion paired "Barbecue Rock" and "Love Valley". 

"Barbecue Rock" was penned by Elsie Wilks, owner of Hitt Records out of Baytown, Texas.

La-Konya Smithee - Saturday Night Down South (La-Konya, 1983)      

Six year old singer and fiddler from Jonesboro, Arkansas. La-Konya Smithee was just six years old, but she was well on her way.  Fiddling and singing, the vivacious tot had landed a cast membership on the Memphis Grand Youth Opry show.  Mama Billie Smithee was never far away. "Little La-Konya won't be new much longer: Charlie Daniels has promised to put her on his Volunteer Jam, according to an article published by The Tennessean from Nashville in June 1983.

 Lena Zavaroni - Ma! (He's making eyes at me)  (Philips UK, 1974) 

Lena Hilda Zavaroni, a British child star, born on November 4, 1963, was discovered at the age of ten by winning a British TV talent hunt. Died of anorexia on October 1, 1999.

Her parents were The Zavaronis, who hailed from Genoa, father was an accordionist, her mother was a singer. They owned ‘Zavaroni’s’, a fish and chip café in Rothesay town in the Isle of Bute, Scotland.

Maria Sacco - Dollys Are For Kids (Rene, 1968) 

Maria Sacco, a 12-year-old recording artist from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, was a student of the Vella School of Dancing, and 7th grader at St. Patrick's School when she recorded her single for Rene, a label established by Charles Edward Edwin, better known as Chuck Edwards, who had been recording in the fifties for labels such as Duke, Apollo and Alanna.

Patricia Honeycutt - What a Happy Day (Cabut LP)

Patricia Lynne Honeycutt was the eleven year old daughter of Cecil & Amy Honeycutt, who formed The Gospel Enlightness, a gospel family group from Indiana. This is from their Cabut Recording Co album pressed in 1969 by Rite Records. Label based in Shelby, Ohio.

Shirley Temple - Polly-Wolly-Doodle (1935)

From the movie The Littlest Rebel.

Shirley Temple (1928-2014) Everybody knows her as the most famous child star in the 1930s. Shirley could do it all: act, sing and dance and all at the age of five! Four years in a row, between 1935 and 1938, she was the top box-office draw for Hollywood. As an adult, she entered politics and became a diplomat, serving as United States Ambassador to Ghana and later to Czechoslovakia.  Temple began her film career in 1932 at the age of three.   She died in 2014 in Woodside, California.

Brenda and Brian – Good News (1972)

2 Year Old Brenda and 4 Year Old Brian MacMurray. From the album The Singing McMurrays "Jesus Is Coming Soon", a private recording pressed by Rite Records in 1972. Pastor McMurray and his wife and his two young children were from Federal Way (Washington).  The good news here is that the song is clocking in just under fifty seconds.

The Little Stinkers - I Farted on Santa's Lap (1999, Itunes)

In 1999, The Little Stinkers, fronted by seven-year-old Mary Beltrami, fanned the winds of Christmas with I Farted on Santa's Lap (Now Christmas is Going to Stink for Me). 

On their way home from a family vacation at the beach with a carload of kids, Gina Beltrami turned to her husband, Tony, and said, "Wouldn't 'I Farted on Santa's Lap' be a great title for a Christmas song?" To fight the boredom of the long drive, they began tossing out funny lines, and by the time they pulled into their driveway, they had written a hilarious Christmas song. Eventually, Tony sat down at the piano and put together music to accompany the lyrics. The song became a family holiday standard.

One year, Gina decided to book some time at a local studio to record the song to give to friends as Christmas presents. On the day of the recording, Gina and Tony enlisted their 7 year-old daughter, Mary, their son Anthony, their nieces, Hannah and Emily, and friends Olivia and Lauren to sing "I Farted on Santa's Lap," and The Little Stinkers were born. 

The recording was such a hit with family and friends that Gina decided to bring it to local D.J., Ken Matthews, at WAEB-FM/B-104 in Allentown, PA...

The Rhodes Kids - Land of 1000 Dances (live, 1974)

The seven Rhodes Kids were the children of an Exxon engineer and a concert pianist, and had already been playing together casually before relocating to Houston in 1970. Soon they were performing at the Las Vegas Hilton alongside Elvis and B.B. King, appearing on Jack Paar and Michael Douglas' TV shows, gigging on American Bandstand and in a Walt Disney World special, and hobnobbing with Wayne Newton and Sammy Davis, Jr. The family group released 4 LPs and 7 singles between 1972-75.

Land of 1000 Dances is from a live recording found at Youtube. This is probably from a July 4, 1974 two-hour concert presented by General Recording Corporation (GRC). The concert, held at Central City Park, was broadcasted live by Atlanta's WSB-TV. The Rhodes Kids were one of three acts featured that day.

At the time, The Rhodes Kids were GRC artists. The label released several singles and one album ("Rock 'N' Rhodes Christmas") featuring some blurb from the owner of the General Recording Corporation, Michael Thevis, better known as "The King Of Porn".  The beginning of the end for Thevis came in 1976, when he was convicted of conspiracy to commit arson, and distribution of obscene materials; Thevis was sentenced to eight years and six months. He died in prison in 2013.

According to Gary Rhodes, currently a worship pastor in Waco, the Rhodes family had very little idea who they were really doing business with in the early '70s. "We (including our parents) were totally unaware of any ties the record company owner had with the porn industry," . As we had doubt...

Calvin – A Cowboy For Jesus (Diadem, 1968) 

From the album "Aunt Bertha Presents Singtime" (Diadem DLP-268, Grand Rapids, Michigan). Main singer on the album is seven-years old Little Lady Linda, about who Aunt Bertha is giving details, but she has only few words about Calvin : "tiny tots Calvin [and Rachel] add sparkle in their winsome way."

Drusilla & Susanna– I’ve Found a Hiding Place (1964)

From The Humbards privately pressed album "Suppertime". The 4 year old twins Drusilla & Susanna are the daughters of Rex Humbard and Maud Aimee, television evangelists of the Cathedral of Tomorrow programme, from Youngstown, Ohio. Humbard was Elvis’s favourite preacher.

Judy Adams - I Slipped And Fell (Process, 1968)

From the album Little seven year old Judy Adams sings for the little girls and boys, backed by Gordon Sizemore on guitar.  On the Process label, out of Franklin, Pennsylvania.

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 4

If It Wasn't For The Kids - Volume 4

Augie Rios -  The Teacher Walked Out of the Room  (Metro, 1959)

Born in New York City to Puerto Rican immigrants, Augie Rios was a child actor and singer who performed the hit song "¿Dónde Está Santa Claus?" in 1958 on Metro Records, a MGM subsidiary.

Brucie Weil -  Little Boy Blues (Barbour, 1953)

Wanting to exploit their own child's talent, Brucie's parents contacted the songwriters Tom Murray and Tony Burrello (Anthony Tamburello), who came up with the song "God Bless Us All." These were the guys who started the Horrible Records label to release bizarre novelties.  WNEW disk jockey Martin Block called it 1953's "biggest turkey of the year," but many people still fondly remember this unusual record today.
More at Music Weird blog

Katie Sweet -  I Love To Rock (Deck, 1960)

Born in 1957, Covington, Kentucky. Hollywood child star Katherine Marie "Katie" Sweet was discovered in 1959 by Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, who needed a precocious two-year old for a part in one of their upcoming television shows.  From there, Sweet's career blossomed and she appeared on television in numerous shows including Ben Casey, Bonanza, The Lucy Show. Her acting career had ended at age 13, in 1970. 

Little Denise Stevenson -  Would It Be Me (Voice, 1973)

Little Denise Stevenson - 12 years old with 50 years of soul - was discovered in Oakland, Calif. by veteran blues singer Jimmy McCracklin. So impressed was West Coast nightclub owner Irving Labee that he invested $75,000 in a record label to make her a future star. Composer Beulah Facyson is Beulah McCracklin, wife of Jimmy McCracklin

Little Gary Ferguson -  A Mother's Love (Mothers, 1970)

Produced in Hollywood by H.B. Barnum for Mothers Records & The Snarf Company. This Dallas talented child wonder started recording in 1966 for Pam Records, label launched by Pat Morgan, a businessman-turned promoter and Little Gary manager.

Little Kristy McIntyre -  I Want Someone Who Needs Me (Ranger, 1985)

She's only 6 years old, says the label.  From Norman, Oklahoma. Kristy Mclntyre was the talent winner in the 1986-87 "Little Miss of America Pageant" and "Stars of the USA Pageant." She has made television appearances on "Stairway o the Stars" and "Nashville Copycats" and has made personal appearances at entertainment parks and events n several states.  In 1985, 1986 and 1987 she was one of five top finalists or "best female singer in Oklahoma under the age of 18." 

 Little Rita Faye - I Fell Out Of A Christmas Tree (MGM,1953)

Born 1944 in Whitesboro, Texas.  Rita Faye is the daughter of musical parents, Smiley and Kitty (Carson) Wilson.  Later on, her parents happened to be working with the Martha Carson troupe at WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. When Ms. Carson had heard Rita Faye, she got the attention of Fred Rose, who in turn contacted Frank Walker at MGM Records. Her first record was "Wait A Little Longer" b/w "Rock City Boogie". She then went on to make guest appearances on the stage of WSM's Grand Ole Opry and the "Sunday Down South" programs. By the end of 1953, she was making regular appearances every Saturday night on the "Midway Jamboree" that was broadcast over radio station WGAD in Gadsden, Alabama, keeping in mind she was only nine years old or so at that time.   In the early 1960s, Rita was a 17-year old recording artist for Capitol.

Marvin Short - Lovesick Blues (Little Dixie,xx)

From Keota, Oklahoma, the youngest of four, Marvin was raised on a steady diet of country and rock ‘n’ roll music. His dad worked for a US Army munitions plant that was a 6-hour drive away, but performed on nights and weekends with his Country/Western band, Ken Short and the Drifters. “My Daddy made sure to call it Country AND Western,” Marvin said. As Marvin’s singing talent became more obvious, his dad put Marvin on the stage and let him front the band more and more.

By the time Marvin was 10 years old, his dad got him gigs on morning TV shows in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and introduced him to the recording studio where he cut his first track on a record. At the age of 12, he won several honors including “Under 16 Male Vocalist Award” and the “Under 16 Male Instrumentalist” from the Oklahoma Opry Association.

 Melinda Sloop -  He's Got The Whole World in his Hands (Justice,xx)

A custom recording done at Justice Record Co, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. No known date, but no earlier than October 1965, when Calvin Newton founded the studios.  Calvin Newton has enjoyed several careers in his 50 years in music, including success as a gospel singer. Born in West Frankfort, Illinois, Newton was the son of a coal miner who was also a Church of God preacher and founded churches in Illinois, Tennessee, and Kentucky.  The Justice label has issued gospel groups and small combos.  From this now, long defunct and highly collectable label comes some of the best and most sought after recordings among the Garage bands collectors.

Stacey Lynn Ries -  Johnny B Goode  (Nu-Sound, 1981)

Born in 1970, Stacy Lynn Ries is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ries of Fort Wavne, Indiana.  The youngster began appearing on television at age 3 and recording records at age 4. when she also began appearing with her own band.   She has appeared twice at the Indiana State Fair, and in 1976 she performed before President Gerald R. Ford at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Indiana.   She also sang on her own weekly radio program. Stacy has appeared with such well-known singers as Ernest Tubbs. Faron Young. Justin Tubb. Loretta Lynn and Rex Allen Jr.   Her records include. "The Kindergarten Class Convoy." Be My Valentine" and "The Easter Bunny Hops Along." and several others.

The Collins Kids -  Beetle Bug Bop (Columbia, 1955) 

The Collins Kids were a duo featuring Lawrencine "Lorrie" Collins (1942–2018) and her younger brother Lawrence "Larry" Collins (1944-).  Born and raised in Oklahoma, the Collins Kids came with their family to California in search of a better life. Larry & Lorrie began performing together as teens and became immediate sensations on the Town Hall Party radio program where Larry often dueted with guitarist Joe Maphis. The Kids were signed by Columbia, where the pair recorded some hot rockers. Larry and Lorrie were big stars in the California country scene.                  

The Spades - When I Get To Goin' (Spade, 1965)

Randy Clay has been playing since the age of 6. Playing with his family based band in the 1960's he co-wrote, sang and drummed on the songs, "When I Get To Going" and "I'm So Happy", which were recorded at Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte, NC. At age 8 he began learning to play the guitar which added a more melodic element to his music. 
Record pressed by Kay-Bank in 1965.
                       

The Kids Strikes Again

The Kids Strikes Again

In The Kids series, volume 3

★

Every child is an artist. 
The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

Pablo Picasso

★

Anita Veal - Daddy Let Me Go (Sky, 1958)                                   

Anita has been singing since 2 years of age and come from Alabama to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1955 with her parents, three sisters and a brother in 1955. She attended Pasadena Elementary School when she taped this record in Auburndale. She was then 10-year-old. The record, issued on the Sky label, was sponsored by Chapter No. 13, Disabled American Veterans.

Connie Canuso - Pizza House (Applause, 1965)                  

When Charles “Chuck” Canuso, vet musician-composer, took over the helm of Omaha-based Applause Records in 1963, he expressed a desire to exploit local talent via the Applause banner and has been scouting the Nebraska area for fresh new artists to fill his roster. .. Indeed, Connie, his 8-year daughter at the time of her first single in 1963, was one of the fresh & local talents.

Drake Grillo 3-year-old - National Anthem  (live, 2018)    

3-year-old Drake Grillo became the youngest National Anthem singer in Carrier Dome history when he performed in front of over 6,000 at the Syracuse women's basketball team's annual School Day game vs. Niagara on Dec. 17, 2018.[found on YouTube]

Eugenia Regos  I'm Gonna Write A Letter To Santa Claus (Flair, 1953)

She was from Michigan. According to The Grosse Pointe News, "Eugenia Regos,a pupil in the Defer kindergarten, delighted the parents of her little classmates by singing a group of songs in her own charming and captivating style which has already won her a place as a regular guest star on "Auntie Dee's" television program each Thursday"

Howard Marren - The Phantom Rides Again (Fargo, 1959)  

Howard Marren, was later a regular contributor to Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street. and wrote some musicals in Broadway.  Howard Marren says he holds both B.A. and M.A. degrees in theatre history from Tufts University.

Jordy - Dur Dur d'Etre Bébé (Versailles, 1992)  

After having tried to involve Jordy in TV advertisements for nappies where the baby should repeat "hard, hard to be wet", Claude Lemoine, Jordy's father, had the idea of using dance music and simple lyrics to create a catchy song. The result was well received in discothèques, which convinced Lemoine to release it as a commercial single.

Thanks to this song, Jordy was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest singer ever to reach number one on a singles chart. He achieved this feat in France in October 1992 at the age of four and a half, beating the previous world record held by Osamu Minagawa and French record held by Elsa Lunghini. Jordy was also the youngest artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 58 with the song.

In 2009, the ex-toddler filed a complaint against his father and the record company for fraud and wins his lawsuit in 2009. He will receive 820,000 euros in damages corresponding to the revenues he has never collected.

Marc Copage - Santa, Bring My Daddy Home for Christmas (Metromedia, 1969)   

Marc Copage was born on June 21, 1962 in Los Angeles, California. At the height of his relevision acting career, Marc Copage delighted millions of viewers as little Corey Baker in the weekly NBC helf-hour series, Julia starring Diannah Carroll in the title role, which ran for three years from 1967 to 1970.    Some people viewed Corey as a wise-cracking spoiled brat while still others saw as the darling of the series.

Tiny Tim - Back Pocket Money (Yucca, 1966)     

 Five-year old Tim Knight. Tiny Tim's career began as a country singer when he stepped up to the mike for the first time to sing" Old Cotton Fields" over station KMAD in Madill, Oklahoma. Tiny Tim soon found himself on stage with George Jones who arranged for Tim to sing on the Grand Ole Opry Spectacular in Houston, Texas. He soon became a regular on the Big D Jamboree, Dallas and then on the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport for a show. Issued on the Alomogordo, New Mexico Yucca label with a picture sleeve.  Info above come for the back cover.

Yolanda White - My Brother Wants A Doll For Christmas (Decca, 1961)   

Before recording this Decca single, Yolanda had a short career in Hollywood, known for minor role in All Mine To Give (1957) and Leave It to Beaver (1957). 

If It Wasn't For The Kids (Volume 1)

According to "Music As Torture / Music As Weapon" by Suzanne G. Cusick, a study published in 2006 by Transcultural Music Review :

The Free Republic in June 2005 posted a news story about the US Army's quest for a new speaker system to deliver music as a weapon or "torture" device. The story sparked repertoire suggestions that were occasionnaly laced with multivalent venom.  Suggestions included the music of Sousa, Welk, Donny and Marie, Barry Manilow, sound effects ranging from Tibetan chants to rabbit being slaughtered, the fantasy of Bill and Hillary singing "I got you, Babe", and anything by Yoko Ono.

Perhaps, if someone from the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Task Force is reading this blog, he will found some inspiration in the songs ((actually, some are quite good...) that my patriotic fervor has tell me to assemble in my first kiddie compilation. God Bless America!

⁎

Blake Age 6 - Davy Crockett (Acetate, 1955)    

Obviously a custom recording, not intended for a commercial release I assume (and hope).     

Deb Ferrara --Christmas Time (Deblyn, 1965)    

First release on Deblyn Records by five-year old Debra.  Her father, songwriter Jerry Ferrara, and Joe Fresco launched the label in November 1965 in New Jersey.  Debra Ferrara had another release on the Lynde label featuring a cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walking".  Debra (Deb) is still performing today, had written material for others, and also released her own pop-rock CD.                      

Ivy Schulman - Rock, Pretty Baby (Royal Roost, 1957)          

From the film "Rock, Rock, Rock". Ivy was then six-year old. Rumored to be the  daughter of a Hollywood movie producer.

Jenny Lynn - Gee! It's Christmas Day (Beta 1000, 1958)            

"She's only six"  said the Beta ad which includes her picture published by Cash Box (Nov. 29, 1958).

Jeri and Her Boys-  All Shook Up (1958) 

This is Jeri Lynne Fraser performing in 1958 on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour, a TV talent show.  A child star, Fraser began her singing career when she was eight years old at a talent show in her Connecticut hometown with a song called Oh, Johnny. Three years later the slight, blonde Fraser auditioned for The Ted Mack Amateur Hour, a talent show on major network television, and won the opportunity to go to New York City to sing. “Jeri and Her Boys” wowed the television audience in 1958 singing All Shook Up. She then proceeded to win two more times affording her a select spot in the final show in Madison Square Garden. At 12, Jeri signed her first recording contract with Big Top Records and at 13 signed with Columbia Records.                             

Little Carolyn Sue - I Hate Men (LAR, 1968)         

With Highway Rythum Boys.  From Indiana, her only recording. "I Hate Men" was comped on Twisted Tales from the Vinyl Wastelands Vol.1. It's a cool hillbilly bopper with crazed lyrics.

Little Cori - Picture Of Mommy Twisting With Santa (Air Wave, 1962)    

I quote: Cori, 7-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs Vincent Petolino, of Bloomfield, has a vibrant personality which practically ear-marked her for early stage stardom, but a prior mysterious throat ailment appeared to handicap her early career, as a vocalist. She suffered repeatedly from a series of colds and sore throats.

The family doctor prescribed the removal of her tonsils and after the simple operation, Cori began to sing like a lark.  At first she harmonized to entertain her family and friends, but her talents were not to be confined when an executive of Air-Wave Records decided to give her a crack at waxing a record.
For more info, see this post

  Natalie Casey - Chick-Chick-Chicken (Polydor UK, 1983)   

Natalie Casey (born 15 April 1980 in Rawtenstall, Lancashire). At the age of three her single "Chick Chick Chicken" reached number 72 in the UK Singles Chart in 1984. This made her the youngest person ever to have a recording in the United Kingdom chart. In the 2008 live special of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Casey performed the single for the first time in over 20 years. [Wikipedia]

Suzi Devereaux -  If It Wasn't For The Kids (Free Lance, 70's)    

This is Little Suzi Brawner of Edinburg, Central Illinois. Born in 1965, she began her country singing career at 5. The record was produced by Hugh X. Lewis, a minor-league recording star and performer who had an album issued on the same label.  Date unknown, but probably around the mid-seventies.

 Troy Hess - Please Don't Go Topless Mother (Show Land, 1969)   

The son of Bennie Hess, a colourful character in the record business, hillbilly singer and guitarist from Texas. He spent most of the rest of his life promoting his son Troy as the world's youngest country and western singer. Troy was already a veteran at the age of seven when he recorded 'Please Don't Go Topless, Mother'.  Reputedly, Troy had made his first stage appearance at the age of two and had recorded his first record at the age of four.