Recorded at Brittain Square Sound on 10/06/80, a studio located in Peninsula (Ohio) owned by Eric Broviak. Sherriff, rock band, included Gerry, Willard Smith, Paul Whitaker, Dick Bolling and Kevin Grothe.
"Vetco Records, a Cincinnati label started in the late 1960s by Lou Ukelson, was housed in the Jimmie Skinner Music Center on Vine Street. The label started out with some old-time music reissues, but it became better known for its albums by young Ohio bands like the Hotmud Family, Hutchison Brothers, Falls City Ramblers and Katie Laur Band and by older mainstream bluegrass artists like Mac Wiseman, Charlie Moore, Earl Taylor, Jim McCall and Paul “Moon” Mullins."
William Thomas Crank was born on April 13th, 1926 in the mountainous region of Jackson County, Kentucky. The youngest of six children born to George and Sarah Jane Crank, Tommy as they would come to call him, was born with tuberculosis and premature at the mere weight of just two and a half pounds. With limited means, his parents would rely on their faith in God alone to heal their baby boy. Although his size made it very difficult for the youngster to survive, their continued love and prayers were sure to be answered... Read More HERE
The only reference I can find to another release on the same label is Tyro 11 - San Francisco Trolley Co., "Signs" b/w "Rain Bow Heaven", produced by Tommy Crank. (not pressed by Rite Records). Songs were published by I-R-M-A Inc.
I.R.M.A. records, or International Rural Music of America, was a production company that Tommy began in order to record albums for himself and numerous other bluegrass artists. Folks like Wade Mainer, Lowell Varny and The Sons of the Gospel were just a few that recorded on the I.R.M.A. label. Lovingly named for his wife...
The San Francisco Trolley Co. band is wrongly believed to be a San Francisco band...
Very different from the music produced by Tommy Crank!
Curly Dan & Wilma Ann with the Danville Mt. Boys Featuring Ronnie Ewert Banjo Charlie Tuttle Mandolin
Happy Hearts 134
10391 ~ South On No. 23 SAMPLE 10392 ~ Original Ballad of Jessie James
1963
★ ★ ★ ★
Curley Dan & Wilma Ann
* Originally from Clay, West Virginia. Moved to Detroit, Michigan and performed there for most of their career. * Real names: Denslie "Curley Dan" Holcomb and Wilma Ann Holcomb.(husband and wife) * Formed their band in 1955. * One of the first bluegrass acts to perform and record in the Detroit area. * Dan worked for the Chrysler Corporation. * Carmen Flatt (second cousin of Lester Flatt) was a member of their band. (He died in 1993). * Retired from performing in the early 1980's.
Curly Dan Holcomb played a significant role in the growth and popularity of bluegrass music in the southeast Michigan region. He was a song writer, second to none, with many great songs such as I’d Better Drink Up and Go, Mixed up Life, My Little Rose, and South on 23.
A-side is garage/British Invasion, while the B-side is in a Roy Head & the Traits' vein (Treat Her Right-styled) Mike Nolen is credited as the co-arranger on the side one.
One of the last record on this Detroit label, owned by George Braxton
★ ★ ★
Detroit, Michigan, 1957. Don Davenport, a member of the Romeos, a local vocal group, knew a guy named George Braxton, who owned a real estate agency and was also a director of a local magazine for kids, called Teen Life. Don convinced him to record them. As a result, George Braxton started the Fox label
Braxton was a guy, says Don,who "wanted to get into the business. He thought he could sing (and even attempted to cut a record on Brax called 'Hey Ellen'). George also liked getting into anything where he thought there was money."
Seeking more involvement, Don even drew the picture of the fox for the Fox label. The company was called "Fox" because, says Don, "George always made jokes about being sly as a fox. So he came up with the name, and I drew the label pic." The label was headquartered at 15836 Plymouth Road in Detroit, which just happened to be the address of the real estate agency.
More George Braxton labels followed, between 1957 and 1960 :
Teen-Life (Jimmy Kirkland, The Serenaders, Nick Forrest)
Brax (The Five Dapps, Woodie Davis, Mike Hanks and the Contours)
Chant (The Four Imperials, Lucky Lee, Tom Clay and the Rayber Voices)
and Dial (Danny Zella, The Four Imperials, The Sabres)
