Jimmy Contenta on Bonnie

Jimmy Contenta

CP-5489 – Picture Album Blues
CP-5490 – Why Do You Do Me This Way

Bonnie

62/03/10 (Billboard )

Pennsylvania artist on a Cleveland (OH) label. Jimmy was touring Ohio as early as 1953. According to Billboard (September 12, 1953), "Jimmy Contenta and his Westerners playing september 27 Akron, O., Armory date with Hank Snow and Marty Robbins – booked by Beaver, Pa’s, Gwennie Winters".

"Picture Album Blues" was also released on Var-Bee Records, a Pittsburgh label owned by Glenn Campbell who also operated United Recording Service here.

The Var-Bee version (same version?) was compiled on Slow Boogie Rockin', Vol. 6 (Collector CLCD4499 in 2006).



On "Glenn Campbell presents Pittsburgh Country" (Varbee 7002, various artists LP), Jimmy Contenta had three tracks : "Drinking Champagne", "Kawliga" and "My One & Only Love."




Necrology :

James J. Contenta, Sr. of Conway
05/07/1929 - 10/21/2008

Age 79, of Conway [Pennsylvania], died Tuesday evening, Oct. 21, 2008, at his daughter's residence.
Born May 7, 1929, in Freedom, a son of the late John and Mary Prichinello Contenta, he was a retired steelworker from Armco, Ambridge, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving as a corporal during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Conway. He loved and raced pigeons and belonged to the Beaver Valley Pigeon Club. He was a member of the Baden American Legion and the New Brighton SOI. He loved music and had a country music band, Jimmy Contenta and the Weepers, who had played locally. An avid bingo player and an outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting.

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