HEY YA'LL:
The following message from Young Junior Baby Criminal and Dothan's Dusy Street's own Frank Tanton is what blogging's all about.
Take a few moments like Frank did and let me hear from ya.
best,
robo
"We are learning, as has every generation passing before us, that memories gain value when those who make them leave us."
COURTNEY HAYDEN
From: "Frank Tanton"
To: "robert register"
Subject: Re: Check out "Rodney Justo" on Google
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 14:45:02 -0600
Rodney probably doesn't remember me, but our paths crossed a few times...
In 1971, I started playing with “BeaverTeeth”. The original lineup included John Rainey Adkins (guitar), David Adkins (drums), and Lamar Alley (guitar/vocals). Shortly after the band's start, Lamar left, and David switched to lead guitar. I joined on as Keyboard player. Kenneth Griffith played fretless electric bass, and the late great Charlie Silva was hired to play drums and sing lead. We played mostly college frat parties, and recorded several songs at Studio One in Doraville, Ga, for Buddy Buie. We recorded there at the same time The Atlanta Rhythm Section was tracking their first album. Interestingly, their second engineer (Ronnie Hammond), who engineered our sessions, later replaced Rodney Justo as lead vocalist for ARS. That first album with Rodney was always my favorite. Rodney was the greatest… He always seemed be in a good mood, very friendly, and the quick with the jokes... Truly a pleasure to be around... We also recorded several tracks at Finley Duncan’s Studio in Valparaiso, Fl. We eventually ended up back at the Flamingo Club, in Dothan, where I had played on, and off for two or three years, in other bands... After a few months there, I decided to go back to College and left the band. I believe Kenneth Griffith left about the same time, and was eventually replaced by Jimmy Dean (Webs/James Gang). Charlie Silva died a few years later, and I think Rodney may have played some with BeaverTeeth after that...
I had been a huge fan of Rodney and the Candymen for years... David Adkins and I never missed their shows at the Rec. Center in Dothan. I think I was 15 (1965) when I hooked up with the astoundingly talented, David Adkins and his cousin Tommy Adkins. We formed a band called the Puppets with Wayne Paulk on vocals and David “Dick” Tysinger on drums. Jerry Wise eventually replaced David Tysinger on drums. We won 2nd place honors at a “battle of the bands” in Hartford, Al., and started playing regularly at Lake Geneva Dance Parties. We eventually hired Jerry Buie (Buddy’s little brother) as our booking agent. At some point we changed our name to “The Webs” (not the original). David’s brother John Rainey Adkins was touring with Roy Orbison, and arranged to leave much of the Candymen’s equipment at my house during one of their European tours. As soon as they left the country we booked the Dothan Rec. Center for a dance, and used the Candymen’s old ragged out keyboards, amps and PA. We really thought that was the greatest... We were truly in awe of those guys… Eventually I was fired from that band for threatening to kick the lead vocalist’s ass. Later that year (1967), David and I took a greyhound bus up to Memphis to find a used Gibson Les Paul... We actually found one in a pawnshop for $100, a real 54’ Gold Top… We were truly blessed... Sometimes I miss those days...
Frank Tanton