Saturday, January 14, 2006

BUDDY BUIE: MUSIC OF MY LIFE

My name is Perry Carleton Buie. Since I was a child, I've been called "Buddy" and that's the name that I prefer. Invariably, when I meet someone new, they say,"What do you do for a living?" and I go, "Well, I'm a songwriter and a record producer." and they say,"Anything we might know?" and I say, "Well, maybe," and they say,"Could you hum a few bars?"

That's one of the reasons I made this compilation. The primary reason is for my kids and grandkids, my family. This is the only time my music has been compiled like this. Here's "Spooky", circa 1967.

SPOOKY

In the cool of the evening when ev'rything is gettin' kind of groovy,
I call you up and ask you if you want to go and meet and see a movie,
First you say no, you've got some plans for the night,And then you stop, and say,
"All right."
Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you.
You always keep me guessin',
I never seem to know what you are thinkin'.
And if a fella looks at you, it's for sure your little eye will be a-winkin'.
I get confused, 'cause I don't know where I stand,
And then you smile, and hold my hand.

Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you.
Spooky!

If you decide someday to stop this little game that you are playin',
I'm gonna tell you all what my heart's been a-dyin' to be sayin'.
Just like a ghost, you've been a-hauntin' my dreams,
So I'll propose... on Halloween.

Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you.
Spooky, Spooky,Spooky,Oh-whoa, all right,I said Spooky!


"Spooky" was recorded by Dennis Yost & the Classics IV. http://crystalhorizon.com/Classics_IV/Main.htm
It was written by myself, J.R. Cobb http://www.alamhof.org/cobbjr.htm , Mike Shapiro and Harry Middlebrooks. I know that's a lot of writers but it was an unusual collaboration. Originally a jazz instrumental, later J.R. Cobb and I wrote lyrics and changed the arrangement to make it more appropriate for a pop song and it was one of our biggest hits.

My friend and partner, Paul Cochran http://paulcochran.com
discovered Dennis Yost & the Classics IV in Jacksonville, FL. They came to Atlanta; were signed by Bill Lowery. http://www.lowerymusic.com/index_001.htm

Joe South http://www.learnlink.emory.edu/~libmlm/joesouth.html
was their producer. He became ill and by default I was declared their new producer.

Dennis Yost hated the way that I wanted him to sing the song. He said,"It makes me sound like a sissy."

So I wanted him to sound real seductive and sexy, you know [singing] "In the cool of the ending," that kind of deal and he went back to Bill Lowery in the office and says, " I'm not recording that song that way! It makes me sound weird. Makes me sound like a sissy!"

Bill said,"Hey man, you do it your way and then you do it Buddy's way and we'll see which one came out best" and it went on to be our first huge record.

"Traces of Love" is the next song. It is the 34th most performed song in the BMI catalog. To put that in perspective: #1 is "Yesterday" and #49 is "My Way". It has truly become a standard.
TRACES OF LOVE

Faded photograph
Covered now with lines and creases
Tickets torn in half
Memories in bits and pieces

Traces of love long ago
That didn't work out right
Traces of love

Ribbons from her hair
Souvenirs of days together
The ring he used to wear
Pages from an old love letter
Traces of love long ago
That didn't work out right
Traces of love
With me tonight

I close my eyes and say a prayer
That in her heart she'll find
A trace of love still there
Somewhere, ooooh, oh

[Instrumental Interlude]

Traces of hope in the night
that she'll come back and dry
These traces of tears
From my eyes
Whoooa, oooh, oh, oooh

"Traces" was written by J.R. Cobb, Emory Gordy http://tonysheridan.com/html/tcb.html and me. Emory played bass on the record and arranged it. He later became famous for being Elvis Presley's bass player and he was married and still is married to Patty Loveless who he produced and who he's still producing great songs in Nashville.


seated:Billy Joe Royal; standing left to right: DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS composer and album producer Joe South, Tommy South, Fred Weller, Emory Gordy, Ricky Knight






My inspiration for the song was Gloria Jane Seay, who later became and still is Gloria Jane Buie.

Buddy and Gloria

The Atlanta Rhythm Sectionhttp://atlantarhythmsection.com/

was the next big project after the Classics IV.

Atlanta Rhythm Section, 1970- photo courtesy of http://paulcochran.com

Barry Bailey, Paul Goddard, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix, J.R. Cobb, Rodney Justo


Our first Top 10 Song was "So Into You" written by Robert Nix http://alisonheafner.biz/, Dean Daughtry and myself. Robert was the drummer in the band and Dean was the keyboardist. They both were former members of the Candymen, the band I put together for Roy Orbison http://www.orbison.com/ .



THE CANDYMEN, photo courtesy of http://paulcochran.com
L. to R.- Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix, John Rainey Adkins, Rodney Justo, Bill Gilmore

Here's "So Into You"

SO INTO YOU


When you walked into the room
There was voodoo in the vibes
I was captured by your style
But I could not get your eyes
Now I stand here helplessly
Hoping you'll get into me
I am so into you
I can't think of nothing else
I am so into you
I can't think of nothing else
Thinkin' how it's gonna be
Whenever I get you next to me
It's gonna be good
Don't you know
From your head to toe
Gonna love you all over
Over and over
Me into you, you into me
Me into you,I'm so into you
I'm so into you...When you walked into the room
There was voodoo in the vibes
I was captured by your style
But I could not get your eyes
Now I stand here helplessly
Hopin' you'll get into me

I am so into you I can't get to nothing else
I am so into you, baby I can't get to nothing else, no, no, no
Come on baby
I'm so into you
Love the things you do
Listen, baby You're driving me crazy
Come on baby I'm so into you
Love the things you do






"Imaginary Lover" was another song I wrote with Robert Nix and Dean Daughtry. The was Atlanta Rhythm Section's second Top 10 record.

IMAGINARY LOVER

Imaginary lovers
Never turn you down
When all the others turn you away
They're around
It's my private pleasure
Midnight fantasy
Someone to share my Wildest dreams with me

Imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
Imaginary lover, oh yeah
When ordinary lovers
Don't feel what you feel
And real-life situations lose their thrill
Imagination's unreal

Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine anytime
[Instrumental Interlude]
Imaginary lovers never disagree
They always care
They're always there when you need
Satisfaction guaranteed
Imaginary lover, imaginary lover
You're mine all the time
My imaginary lover
You're mine anytime


My cowriters are one of the primary reasons for the success I've enjoyed. The first was John Rainey Adkins http://www.alamhof.org/adkinsjr.htm from my hometown Dothan, Alabama. He was a guitar hero of mine when we were in high school. He was the first person that I told that I was gonna be a songwriter that didn't snicker and say,"Sure." We'd sit in my '55 Chevrolet in front of his house on Main Street; I'd sing my ideas a cappela and he'd pick them out on his guitar. Without him, I might still be working in my family's business, Buie's Restaurant.

J.R. & Buddy back in the Sixties







J.R. Cobb was the guitarist in the Classics IV. He bought into my dream in 1966 and we're still cowriters. "Stormy" and "Everyday With You Girl" are two more songs we wrote for Dennis Yost and the Classics IV.

J.R. and Buddy in 2005

STORMY

Stormy you are the sunshine, baby, whenever you smile
But I call you stormy today
All of a sudden that ol’ rain is fallin’ down
And my world is cloudy and gray
You’ve gone away

Old stormy stormy
Old stormy stormy
Old stormy stormy
Old stormy stormy

Yesterday’s love was alive, the warm summer breeze
But like the weather you changed
Now things are dreary, baby, windy and cold
And I stand alone in the rain
Callin’ out your name

Stormy stormy
Stormy stormy
Come back to me stormy
Stormy stormy

Bring back that sunny day

Guitar solo

Yesterday’s love was alive, the warm summer breeze
But like the weather you changed
Now things are dreary, baby, windy and cold
And I stand alone in the rain
Callin’ out your name

Whoa! stormy

Stormy, come back to me stormy
Stormy, come back to me stormy

Come on home! stormy

Bring back that sunny day

EVERYDAY WITH YOU GIRL

Everyday with you girl it's sweeter than the day before
everyday I love you more and more, more and more and more

They say that all the days must come to an end
but girl it isn't true each day with you I fall in love again

Everyday with you girl it's sweeter than the day before
everyday I love you more and more, more and more and more

And when I don't sleep at night time tomorrow's would I wake awl
'cause everyday with you girl it's sweeter than the day before

Everyday with you girl it's sweeter than the day before
everyday I love you more and more, more and more and more

And when I don't sleep at night time tomorrow's would I wake awl
'cause everyday with you girl it's sweeter than the day,
it's sweeter than the day, it's sweeter than the day before

All my life I've believed you should do all you can do to achieve your goals but at the end of the day, when I've done my best, I've always said, "I've done all I can do today. I'll worry about it tomorrow."

Well, Robert Nix and Dean Daughtry shared that philosophy and in 1978, we wrote this song for ARS.

NOT GONNA LET IT BOTHER ME TONIGHT

I picked up the paper this morning
And read all the daily blues
The world is one big tragedy I wonder what I can do
About all the pain and injustice
About all of the sorrow
We're living in a danger zone
The world could end tomorrow

But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide
But I won't let it bother me tonight

Life on the street is a jungle
A struggle to keep up the pace
I just can't beat that old dog eat dog
The rats keep winnin' the rat race
But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight

I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
The world is in an uproar and I see no end in sight
But I won't let it bother me tonight
I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide
But I won't let it bother me tonight

Lord, Lord, Lord
We got nothing but trouble
I've done all I can do today
So bartender pour me a double, right now
But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight

I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
The world is in an uproar and I see no end in sight
But I won't let it bother me tonight
I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
No I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight
Tomorrow I might go as far as suicide
But I will not let it bother me tonight


In 1994, J.R. and I wrote a song called "Rock Bottom". I did the demo on the Atlanta Rhythm Section in an attempt to instigate a comeback for the band. This was not the first time I've done that. I've done it a couple of times.

Hey, I might do it again!

Tony Brown, President of MCA, liked the idea but for whatever reason, he never offerred us a deal. I was disappointed but I got a phone call from him about a month later and he said,"Hey man, sorry we couldn't make a deal on ARS but I'm cutting Wynonna Judd and she wants to cut the song. Will it be alright if I cut it?"

Well, I was very excited even though I was very disappointed that is wasn't a hit for the Atlanta Rhythm Section, I was very excited Wynonna http://www.wynonna.com/ was cutting it. Well, she did and it was a huge record for her. She does it everynight at her concerts and she says,"Here's my theme song,'Rock Bottom' " and that makes us very proud.

ROCK BOTTOM

When you hit rock bottom
You've got two ways to go
Straight up
And sideways
I have seen my share of hard times
And i’m letting you know
Straight up
Is my way

Things are tough all over
But i've got good news
When you get down to nothing
You've got nothing to lose
I was born naked
But i’m glory bound
And a dead end street
Is just a place to turn around

(chorus)

When the sky is the limit
Up on easy street
Rock bottom
Ain’t no place to be
Rock bottom
Ain’t no place for me

When the law of the jungle
Is the law of the land
Good luck
Stayin alive
I keep a clinched fist under
This hat in my hand
‘cause only the strong survive

Things are tough all over
But i've got good news
When you get down to nothin? you've got nothin to lose
Anyway, rock bottom
Is good solid ground
And a dead end street
Is just a place to turn around

When the sky is the limit
Up on easy street
Rock bottom
Ain’t no place to be
Rock bottom
Ain't no place for me

My heroes in music were Johnny Mercer, all of the Tin Pan Alley writers, Bert Bacharach, Hal David, Roy Orbison, Chips Momanhttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/peter.lewry/chipsinterview.html .

Chips Moman produced Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" and "Ghetto". He and Bobby Emmons wrote "Luckenbach, Texas". He produced Willie's "You Were Always On My Mind"; Waylon, Cash, Kristoferson. He's just a legendary producer.

In 1966, I got a phone call in the middle of the night. It was Chips Moman. He said, "Buddy, I cut 'I Take It Back'!"

I was really excited. It sounds a little dated now but then it was a work of art to me.

My friend and cowriter J.R. Cobb and I were writing this song and J.R. said to me,"Are you aware that what you are singing is 4:4 time in the verse and 3:4 time in the chorus. You're changing from 4:4 to 3:4."

I said,"I didn't notice it but I like it."

And J.R. said,"I like it too." So that's the way we wrote that song.

It was our first national hit and our first BMI award winner.

I TAKE IT BACK

Spoken: Here he comes now. I've got to tell him somehow.

I could put it off till later but it's best I do it now.
Baby listen to me there is something I must try to say
I've put it off so long but I've decided that today is the day
My love for you is dying
Oh no, please don't start crying
I take it back
I didn't mean it
Please forget the things I said
I take it back
I'm sorry
I must have been out
Of my head

Spoken: He's such a man. It must have hurt him a lot if he let me
see him cry. But I must try again...this time I'll say goodby.

Baby you've been good to me you've always been the best you could
So try to understand me now the way you've always understood
I can't go on another day
Oh please, don't look at me that way
I take it back
I didn't mean it
Please forget what I just said
I take it back
I'm sorry
I must have been out
Of my head

Spoken: Sometimes it's better to be loved, than it is to love.




I failed to mention that the last song "I Take It Back" was sung by Sandy Posey http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/9229/sposey.htm.

In 1970, I opened Studio 1. My partners were J.R., Bill Lowery, and Paul Cochran. Rodney Mills, who's been the engineer on practically every record I've ever produced, designed it. Rodney later on produced .38 Special, The Doobie Brothers and Gregg Allman.

One of the first sessions in Studio 1, other than ARS, was the B.J. Thomas http://www.bjthomas.net/
sessions. "Most of All" was written by J.R. and me. "Mighty Clouds of Joy" was written by Robert Nix and me.

An interesting bit of trivia that surrounds this B.J. Thomas story is that Steve Tyrell http://www.stevetyrell.com/03/index.html was B.J. Thomas' manager in 1970. Today he's one of the top jazz and standards singers in the world. From manager and promoter to artist is quite an unusual transition to me. Here is B.J. Thomas

B.J. Thomas with his band when they played The Bitter End in New York City
l. to r.: Rodney Justo http://www.teddwebb.com/showcase/where_are_they_now/rodney_justo.html, David Adkins, John Rainey Adkins, B.J. Thomas, Jimmy Dean, Charlie Silva, John Stroll http://yourmusicconsultants.com/
MOST OF ALL

Hello darlin', my it's good to hear you.
I'm at the railroad station in St. Paul.
How are all the folks I'd love to see them
but girl, I'd love to see you most of all.

Well I been staring at the rain and I been thinking,
ever since the train left Montreal,
you know I thought I'd always love this life I'm living,
but now I know I love you most of all.

Many times before I know I swore that
I'd come home to stay ,
but it always seems foolish dreams and trains got in my way.

Tomorrow there'll be snow in Minnesota,
but I won't around to watch it fall,
no I'll be headed for an old familiar station,
just hoping you still love me most of all.

And girl you know I love you most of all.

I miss you baby
Most of all.

I miss you baby, most of all.

MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY

Those old bad dreams
been sleeping in your head.
Those old dark clouds
been hanging around your head.
But all your hard times
will vanish in the wind.
When the mighty clouds of joy come rolling in.
Ohhhh, Holy Jesus
Let your love seize us.
Oh, let us find sweet peace within .
Hallelujah !
Happiness begins,
when the mighty clouds of joy come rolling in.
Those old storm clouds
are slowly drifting by.
And those old raindrops
are fading from your eyes.
And oh, Mr. Sun,
gonna shine on us again.
When the mighty clouds of joy come rolling in.
Ohhhh, Holy Jesus.
Let your love seize us.
Oh, let us find sweet peace within.
Hallelujah !
Happiness begins,
When the mighty clouds of joy come rolling in.
Holy Jesus
Won't you let your love seize us
Let us find sweet peace within
Hallelujah!
Happiness begins,
When the mighty clouds of joy come rolling in.



By 1980, The Atlanta Rhythm Section was coming apart at the seams. Robert Nix left the group and was replaced by Roy Yeager. The band and I were at each other's throats. We were having trouble with our record label, Polygram, and decided to leave them. They sued us. We won and signed with CBS.

These next three songs were born during that turmoil.

"Do It Or Die" was written by Ronnie Hammond http://www.rockforever.com/singers/hammond/hammond.html, J.R. Cobb and myself.

DO IT OR DIE

Don't let your troubles make you cry
Don't waste a moment wonderin' why
When ev'rything goes wrong
You have to go on
And do it or die
Do it or die now
Stand your ground

Don't let your bad breaks go gettin' you down
Even when times get rough
And you've had enough
You still gotta try
Do it no matter what the people say
They don't even know you

Die before you let them stand in your way
(Don't you know that)
You should know that life is a gamble all along
Winners or losers you keep rollin' on
So go on and roll the dice
You only live twice
So do it or die


"Alien" was written by Steve McRay, Randy Lewis and me. Those guys were from the Mose Jones Band http://www.java-monkey.com/remember-mose.htm, the great Atlanta band.

ALIEN

The sun just went behind a cloud again
Down crowded streets he walks alone
He's a stranger out of place
A number not a face
And all day long, all day long
(CHORUS)
He's feelin like an alien
Feelin like he don't belong
Have mercy, cried the alien
Help him find his way back home

The feelin that he feels he can't explain
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, they're all the same
He's lost and all alone
A heart without a home
Standin like a statue in the rain

(CHORUS)

Now, now and then we all are aliens
Feelin like we don't belong
Have mercy, cried the alien
Help him find his way back home

Feelin like an alien
Hes feelin like he don't belong
Have mercy, cried the alien
Help him find his way
Help him find his way


"Homesick" was written by J.R. and me.

HOMESICK

Guitars ring in the dead of night
Sing the blues, sounds all right
Makes you homesick

Listen close to the guitar man
A native son in a foreign land
The boy's homesick

He's homesick
Homesick
For things back home
Homesick
For home sweet home
Yeah he is

Where were you in '69?
Smoking dope and drinking wine!
Just an outlaw, yeah

Distant drums beat an old refrain
Shakes your feet, pounds your brain
Like a buzzsaw
It's alright

In the darkness down the hall
Blacklight posters on the wall
Jimi Hendrix
Someone's lost in yesterday
Hazy dreams of Monteray
And Woodstock

He's homesick
For days gone by
Homesick
Kiss the sky
Don't ya know the boy's homesick
Yeah take him home
Listen to him



Bobby Goldsboro and I went to high school together. He and John Rainey Adkins were leaders of the Webs. Eventually Bobby left the band and started a solo career. Jack Gold of United Artists took an interest in Bobby. He and I went to New York and Bobby signed an artist deal with U.A. and I was offered a writer's contract for $75 a week.

Here I was fresh out of Dothan, Alabama, staying in a cheap motel off of Broadway. Anybody that knows me, knows that food is very important to me. I would pass, uh, I would pass a deli and press my nose up against the glass knowing that I couldn't afford what I saw.

I was hungry and I was homesick and I wrote the song "GEORGIA PINES" from my heart.

When I got home, John Rainey and I finished it.

Later, my friend, Wilbur Walton, and I put together THE JAMES GANG and Wilbur's version of "GEORGIA PINES" is near and dear to my heart to this day.






Hey, Roberto. Here's an old photo that was on my wife's computer that I thought you might be interested in having. It's a picture of the James Gang in one of our more sober moments, obviously. That is me in the lower left corner, most certainly holding a Bud which you can't see. That is Fred Guarino, our drummer, holding a cheap picture he removed from the wall of this motel, wherever it was. Under him is Johnny Mulkey, guitarist, Bubba Lathem (piano player) pretending to talk on the phone, and that is Wilbur Jr holding a lamp on his head. Yes, a lamp on his head. As you can see, our primary interest from the beginning was elevating the standards of Southern Rock and Roll. Well, that and rendering motel rooms unoccupiable for some time after we went to the next town. Don't give Holiday Inn, Inc., my address.
Jimmy Dean http://www.ircusa.com/jdean/



GEORGIA PINES

The trees grow tall where I come from
Their leaves are green and fine
I grew up in a one room shack
In a field of Georgia pines

I was young and I grew tired
Of that one room shack
So I went a wandering
And now I wanna go back

Georgia Pines, Georgia Pines
How I miss that home of mine
Up here in the city
Just a wastin' my time
There ain't nothing green
But the rich man's money
The buildings are so tall the sun can't shine
Oh, how I wanna go back
To my Georgia Pines

I remember long ago
Blue eyes and golden hair
When I get home, I'll make her mine
Oh God, please let her be there

Georgia Pines, Georgia Pines
How I miss that home of mine
Up here in the city
Just a wastin' my time
There ain't nothing green
but the rich man's money
The buildings are so tall the sun can't shine
Oh, how I wanna go back
To my Georgia pines


Studio 1 became like an artist colony. You'd find Al Kooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, B.J. Thomas, Billy Joe Royal, :38 Special and countless other artists other than ARS hung out there. All the local bands who wanted to be a part of it hung there; 24 hours a day, it was rockin'.

There was a little restuarant in Doraville called THE CLOCK. Robert Nix and I would go there at night before sessions and drink coffee until we go a buzz on and finish the songs we were working on. One night we went there and Barry Bailey had been working on a melody that we liked and he and I sat down;Robert and I sat down in a booth and started talking because the melody was like [singing] da dat tah tah dah tah dah and somehow I just blurted out,"Doraville, a little country in the city." and Robert said,"That's it!" So we started writing it and almost finished it that night. We went back and showed Barry what we'd done and Barry played it on the guitar and made some changes and it became like an anthem for us and a very identifyiing song for the Atlanta Rhythm Section. "Doraville" became the signature song for the band in the '74; 1974 period; was very big all of the South; never made that big of a splash nationally but was one of the songs that propelled us forward.

Here's "Doraville"

DORAVILLE

(CHORUS)
Doraville, touch of country in the city
Doraville, it ain't much, but it's home

Friends of mine say I oughta move to New York
New York's fine, but it ain't Doraville
Every night, I make a living making music
And that's all right to folks in Doraville
Yeah, hey hey

Ooh, hot time in Dixie, hey
It's funky but i'ts pretty
Sweet Georgia

Yeah, hey hey
Ooh, hot time in Dixie, hey
Come on down and visit, you'll dig it

Red clay hills, rednecks drinking wine on Sunday
Behind their field getting down in Doraville

(CHORUS)

It's all right
It's all right

Doraville
Doraville, it's all right, it's all right, it's all right
Doraville
Doraville

Thursday, January 12, 2006

LaJuana:

Even though Jimmy Dean already has a crush on you just because you were elected President of the Level Plains Chapter of the "GEORGIA PINES" Fan Club at our annual meeting at the DALE DRIVE-IN, I wanted to let you know I might be able to get you a new CD of Wilbur singing "Georgia Pines".

This outlaw cat named Perry from Abbeville sent me a bootleg CD of Wilbur doing "Georgia Pines". Even though it's a bootleg, out of respect, I need Perry's permission before I copy it and send it to you in Panama City Beach.
You see Perry is short for Perryman and the Perrymans are the meanest bunch of wild Indians to ever come out of Down Home


Ben Perryman by George Catlin

Sam Perryman,Ben's brother by George Catlin

http://americanart.si.edu/collections/exhibits/catlinclassroom/catlin_browsepagetribe.cfm?StartRow=51

LaJuana, we gonna get you your CD of "GEORGIA PINES"!!!!!

Perry's bootleg CD includes these comments from Buddy Buie:

Bobby Goldsboro and I went to high school together. He and John Rainey Adkins were leaders of the Webs. Eventually Bobby left the band and started a solo career. Jack Gold of United Artists took an interest in Bobby. He and I went to New York and Bobby signed an artist deal with U.A. and I was offered a writer's contract for $75 a week.

Here I was fresh out of Dothan, Alabama, staying in a cheap motel off of Broadway. Anybody that knows me, knows that food is very important to me. I would pass, uh, I would pass a deli and press my nose up against the glass knowing that I couldn't afford what I saw.

I was hungry and I was homesick and I wrote the song "GEORGIA PINES" from my heart.

When I got home, John Rainey and I finished it.

Later, my friend, Wilbur Walton, and I put together THE JAMES GANG and Wilbur's version of "GEORGIA PINES" is near and dear to my heart to this day.



THE JAMES GANG photo courtesy of http://paulcochran.com
left to right:Bubba Lathem, Jimmy Dean, Wilbur Walton,Jr., Fred Guarino, Johnny Mulkey


Subject :
Dothan, Music


H, Robert.
I sent you an email the other day, but I’m not sure it ever went to anywhere you could see it. I’m the Kenneth Griffith who’s in several of the pictures that Frank Tanton sent you and that you posted on your blog. I was an original member of Beaverteeth and Strawdog. I also played with Wilbur in a group called Blackhawk in the early seventies, and I played with Mitch Goodson and the Kapers in the mid-seventies.

As a charter member of Beaverteeth, I got to spend time at Studio One in Doraville when Buddy Buie was building the studio and putting the ARS together. At that time Rodney Justo was the singer, and Ronnie Hammond was an assistant engineer. They also had a great saxophone player who was one of the writers of ‘Spookie.’ I’ve forgotten his name, but he never became a member of the group. All that was pretty impressive stuff for someone like me.

Anyway, I’m trying to find a CD of the first Atlanta Rhythm Section album. My old vinyl copy is too worn out for me to make my own copy. I see where Buddy Bui posts to your blog, maybe you could put my request out there and someone will know where I can get a copy.

Thanks for the help. I bookmarked your blog, so you can count me as a regular visitor from now on.
Kenneth

Kenneth:
Good to hear from you, Daddy Mack!

Maybe the Memory Cell or The Nix or the notorious Perry from Abbeville will be able to help you get a CD of that Frist ARS abblum.

You may not remember me but when you see me you will.

I used to hang around Jerry Wise's Studio on the Circle during the summer with Burke back in the day and I remember you being one genuinely friendly cat!

The SPAMMER FROM BAMMER now shoots out your request and maybe someone will be able to get you that first ARS album on CD!
best,
reg
http://snakedoctor.blogspot.com

PS----The Jam Remake idea you have about Georgia Pines sounds like a great idea to me. Remember, David Adkins is a primo Guitar Slinger, so he could do the guitar work, and let the Ox handle the keyboards. Wilbur Jr. and Rodney could swap lead vocals on the verses and Buddy could sing the background harmony. It was Buddy's performance on our cut of the song that helped make it an outstanding vocal performance.
Now, you figure out how to get all these folks together at the same time and the same place.
Jimmy Dean

& whut duzz Buddy Buie sayz:

Subject: Re: A Post Script Shout Out To The "Georgia Pines" Inner Sanctum Crowd!
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 07:54:39 -0600
To: "robert register"

Roberto and Jimmy;
I'm up for it. I suppose I could still sing the part.
Buddy

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Hey Rob

check out http://www.happytrailershd.com completed projects GONZO UTOPIA Demo Trailer is up it has Babbs , Coyote, Mountain Girl ,Krassner ,Country Joe...

Lance Miccio


This is Lance inside FURTHER before Zane Kesey http://www.key-z.com/
pulled it out of the swamp last year.

This GONZO UTOPIA reel http://www.happytrailershd.com/reels/gonzoutopia.html
drags a lot so it's probably best to download it, fast forward through the entire film & then play. After I did that, I was able to watch it with no problem. If you remember the Sixties, you gonna love Lance's work!



Buddy & Gloria Buie inside their home on Lake Eufaula north of Dothan.



Subject:
Re: Hey Buddy Buie & Jimmy Dean, Robertoreg Will Be In Dothan In Less Than 48 Hrs.!!!!
Date:
Fri, 6 Jan 2006 09:10:28 -0600
To:
"robert register"

Robert,
Would you like to join me for lunch at Hunt's around noon? If so I will
call Jimmy.
Home 334-
cell 334-
Regards
Buddy


I got back in town on Friday too late to have lunch with Buddy so I overcame my disappointment by driving down to Hunt's http://www.huntsseafoodrestaurant.verizonsupersite.com/
and having a dozen raw and a dozen baked with a cold Bud.




Hello Robert,
Lamar Alley had a great send-off this weekend... It was good to see some of the old crowd... Robert Dean gave me this cool old photo of an early incarnation of Beaver Teeth from 1971.
Regards,
Frank


BEAVER TEETH
L-R: Kenneth Griffith, Frank Tanton, Charlie Silva, David Adkins, John Rainy Adkins

Yeah,Frank, I made it to the church but not on time so the chapel was locked, however, I got to see Jimmy Dean & Larry Coe after the service.




Hey, Kids!

Florida Rocks Again! is back on Garagepunk.com Pirate Radio (http://www.garagepunk.com/?cat=7). This week's rockin' installment is the hour-long "Tampa Bay Teen Scene" episode, featuring some of the area's greatest bands of the '60s, including the Tropics, the Split Ends, and Blues Image, as well as a tribute to the late, great John Delise (Rovin' Flames, Outsiders, etc.).

So tune in, turn on, and feed your iPod!



Rock on,

J.M. Dobies Producer
Florida Rocks Again!
Industrious Communications Inc.
P.O. Box 1975 St. Augustine, FL 32085
http://www.floridarocksagain.com/





Subject:
Re: Hey You Old K-Pers &The James Gang: MITCH & WILBUR Be Gittin' Lots Uv Emails From Females!!!!
Date:
Wed, 11 Jan 2006 19:27:14 -0600

Dear Robert,
I thoroughly enjoyed your talk at the Colonial Dames meeting, as did the others in our group. As Marion, our president said, "I could sit and listen to this all day."
I apologize for out disgruntled Yankee. She was upset that we did not sing "The Star Spangled Banner" and later made a scene and stalked out of the business meeting. (She stalked as well as one can with a walker.)
Anyway, we look forward to your pointers on what we can do for our service projects. We do want to put up markers and have some money put aside for the project.
Thanks so much!!!!
Sharman

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

HEY YA'LL:
Spent the weekend in Dothan and I wanna tell ya, it was like drinking from The Fountain Of Youth!

Talking 'bout "OLD HOME WEEK"! Got to see my brother, my sister and nine first cousins.There were originally 14 of us first cousins on my Mother's side; two died & one wasn't able to come but the eleven of us who showed up at Aunt Betty's funeral got to eat lunch together at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Cotton Hill & it really turned into a Love Fest.

I am one lucky man to have been born into such a wonderful family.

I guess the only sour note was when Cousin Bill(a former professional rodeo star who likes to say stuff like,"I'd rather work with a horse than eat when I'm hungry!") told us,"Well,more than likely, this is the last time this will happen."

He was probably right.


Guess we'll have to wait & see.


A few of the gals originally from DOWN HOME are googling up "Cuba, Alabama" while searching for the great music we all grew up on. Here's a couple of examples:


LaJuana wrote:

Hello, there. I came across your blogsite while some friends and I were looking for info on the James Gang band and the song "Georgia Pines". Do you know where I might find this on CD? We are originally from the Dothan/Enterprise area and have enjoyed your site very much.

Hey LaJuana:

Greg Haynes says his book and CD will be out this year with "Georgia Pines" on the CD.
http://heybabydays.com/photos_01.htm
Guess we'll have to wait and see.

I'd love to see a jam band remake of "Georgia Pines" featuring some Big Time Guitar Slinger with David Atkins & Daughtry on keyboards, Dean on bass, Nix on drums with Justo & Wilbur on vocals.
How 'bout it fellahs?
We old but we ain't dead yet!
best,
reg http://robertoreg.blogspot.com


& here's what Cindy had to say:



Hey I just happened to come across your blogs when I typed in Mitch Goodson Band Alabama. Is this the same band The Capers that use to play in Ozark Al at the Old Holiday Inn? I came across some of the bands 5 man Photos I got while working there! Are they one and the same? Thanks Cindy

Hey Cindy:

Here's the best post I have on Mitch. This came from Richard Burke on September 8, 2004:

I just got off the phone with Mitch Goodson. He is going to drop by the shop and I'll get Frank Tanton, Doug and David Morris, David Adkins and Jimmy Dean's brother Robert Dean, who booked all of us during this period, over and if we can hold it in the road long enough we'll try to get some straight info, well, we'll have straight info until a wheel runs off. Mitch has been disabled for some time now but brought up his working for three different owners at the Old Dutch.

His parents would take him to work there when he was fifteen. He said Lamar Spence of the Impacts helped him get in,The Impacts, there's a flash from the past. Mitch also had two recordings make the Billboard Top 100.

We also need to see if WBAM archived any of the Big Bam Shows during this Period.

left to right: Jimmy Dean, Buddy Buie, Bill J. Moody of WBAM, Wilbur Walton Jr.

I know Larry Coe played several concerts there as did all the aforementioned pickers with the exception of moi.

later,
rbiii

Roberto----thought you might be interested in this idiotic picture. This is the last reincarnation of the Webs, the one that played at the Old Dutch in 64. From left to right: Larry Coe, Bill Ackridge, Wilbur Walton, Jr., Bruce White, Jimmy Dean. We weren't actually wearing our pants up around our chests--those are cummerbunds. This photo was taken in 1964 at a club in Atlanta called Pigalley, and they made us wear those stupid clothes, including the cummerbund. Buddy made us play there so we could learn "stage presence". All I learned was how to sneeze thirty times a minute. The joint was totally covered with two inches of dust dating back to the depression, which was our mood while we were there.I'm still trying to think of a way to get Buddy back for this.
Jimmy Dean



THE RED INVASION by Dothan's K-Pers is featured on Gear Fab Records album, PSYCHEDELIC STATES: Alabama

Here's the stuff you might like:



Gear Fab Records included "I'm Leaving Home" by the K-Otics on their "Psychedelic States: Alabama in the 60s, Vol. I" and "Double Shot" on Vol. 2.;Both songs were released as a BANG 521 45 in ' 66. A buddy of mine who graduated from Wetumpka in ' 66 mentioned Ray Goss as a member of the K-Otics. Any information about the K-Otics from Tallassee would be appreciated. Jeff Lemlich of Limestone Records found where "Double Shot" by the K-Otics reached # 5 on Miami's WFUN chart on 4-22-66 and it reached # 8 on Miami's WQAM on 4-30-66.

I also found that one of the first songs ever learned by The Bambi Molesters of Sisak, Croatia, was "Double Shot."

"Psychedelic States: Alabama in the 60s, Vol. 1" also includes Dothan's K-Pers performing "Red Invasion" from ' 68; Tuscaloosa's The Omen and Their Luv performing "Maybe Later"; and This Side Up playing "Why Can't I Dream"[according to my files, This Side Up included Ronnie Seitel, Frank Friedman and Art Shilling].
The K-Per's "Red Invasion" is also featured on an album entitled "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah: 28 MegaMania and Elusive ' 60s Garage Punkers."

Steamhead Records out of Germany is selling an ASCOT 2205 45 of Dothan's James Gang performing "Right String But The Wrong Yo-Yo" and "Satin and Lace". Jeff Lemlich discovered that "Wrong Yo-Yo" by The James Gang made it all the way to # 46 on Miami's WFUN the week of March 25, 1966. Any information about Wilbur Walton Jr. and The James Gang will also be appreciated.

If any of this stuff jogs some memories let me know.


http://www.swiftsite.com/gearfab/