Our Monthly Club Meeting will be Sunday, March 14th at the Homewood Public Library. 2:00 PM

*****Next club meeting will be April 11th, 2010, the second Sunday******

IN-HOUSE RECORD SHOW THIS MONTH

This month’s meeting is another of our own mini-record shows. Members are encouraged to bring a box or 2 of records and/or CD’s they have for sale. We’ll have extra tables set-up for around the room. As in the past we also invite 40-50 non-members and have them join in the fun. So get your boxes ready and come be a part of the show. It is a time to get to know some of the people who visit our August show but do not make our monthly meetings as well as give them a chance to meet us in a more relaxed and personable atmosphere. BRING A FRIEND.

HEY, CARLY, WHO’S SO VAIN?
Most everyone has heard the Carly Simon song, “You’re So Vain” and all the stories that surrounded the song. Everyone had ideas on who Carly wrote the song about. Some said it was written about Mick Jagger, others said Cat Stevens, Kris Kristofferson, and Warren Beatty, all ex-boyfriends. Or maybe she didn’t write it about anyone in particular. Ever since the song was released in 1972 and the rumors started, Carly has always said it was about a composite of a lot of people she knew. Well, another name has been added to the list. A new CD being released by Carly has a reworked version of the song and people are playing the last part of the song backwards and claim she whispers the name, “David”. David is thought to be David Geffen who was head of Elektra Records at the time Carly was under contract to them. So-called experts say Carly wrote the song about David because of the effort he put into promoting singing rival Joni Mitchell. Well, now you know. Well at least you know another name is added to the list.

ANOTHER ALABAMA BAND: THE CRAZY TEENS

In 1959, a group of Tuscaloosa, Alabama teenagers recorded a song called "Crazy Date". Though it was never more than a regional hit, a lot of people agree that the song deserves its place in rock and roll history. Inspired by Chuck Berry’s "No Money Down", Dave Reynolds had written the song at the age of 13, and then his sister, Jeanne came up with the lyrics while they were living in Miami, Florida.

Besides Chuck Berry, Dave was especially influenced by Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters and Count Basie at the time, and he was musically inclined from an early age. Dave started out playing bass fiddle, and then the ukulele before turning to the guitar; at the time of "Crazy Date" he played a Gibson ES 125 guitar with a single pickup.

After the family moved to Tuscaloosa, Dave started looking around for other musicians to play with and found guitarist, James Farris; guitarist, Ronnie Foster; and drummer, Billy Ward. Dave’s father, William Neville Reynolds, supported his son’s musical efforts not only by encouraging him to start a band and driving him to rehearsals and gigs but by paying for the recording and pressing of "Crazy Date".

Dave’s dad went to the phonebook and found the Scott Recording Laboratory, located at the Tuscaloosa airport (which Dave remembers as resembling a living room) where he booked the session. James Jones, who was not a regular member, joined them to play bass for the recording of "Crazy Date”. When the A Side was taken care of they realized they needed a song for the other side. So Dave wrote the B Side instrumental “Rebel Boogie” on the spot at the recording session. Finally, they needed a name. Since they were recording "Crazy Date", and they were all teenagers, the guys decided that the band should be named "Crazy Teens", and the recording was sent to MGM for pressing.

Dave recalls that 500 45 rpm single records were made. The band members kept 200 and 300 were sold. They promoted "Crazy Date" at the WTBC radio station (which was on 15th Street across from Horne’s BBQ - now Mike and Ed’s BBQ). The 45 was sold at a 5 & 10 store in the Leland Shopping Center in east Tuscaloosa. It was instantly a local hit that sold 50 copies on the first day it was out, and Dave went on to be voted most popular boy in 9th grade. He still worked a job at a filling station, but was able to earn most of his money by playing music at talent shows, dances and skating rinks.

Over the years Dave has played in other rock and roll and jazz bands including the Alabama Cavaliers, the Furys, The Starlighters (who he recorded an LP with), and the Spooks as well as gospel groups and the country band, Endless Highway. He was a member of Salt & Pepper, one of the first integrated bands in Alabama, who played shows at the University of Alabama, the Citizen’s Club, the 61 Club in Tuscaloosa and throughout the Southeast.

"Crazy Date" has since been reissued on the "Sin Alley 1" LP compilation (1986) on the Crypt record label and on a Norton Records 45 single. As a result, the song got introduced to a new adoring audience and spawned cover versions by bands including Ray Condo and his Hardrock Gonners, The Hellhounds, The Senders, Speedball Baby, Ted & The Tall Tops, Thee Hamstrz and the Tri-Tones.

Dave now plays the bass and is a mentor for young musicians at Shelton State Community College, and he still sees fellow “Crazy Teens” James Farris and Ronnie Foster from time to time. He no longer plays the guitar or consequently “Crazy Date” but he does keep an ear out for cover versions by other groups. And, 50 years later, they’re still coming. Though nothin’ beats that original craaazy song recorded by teenagers at the Tuscaloosa airport.

GENRES OF MUSIC

WE STARTED LISTING THE DIFFERENT GENRES OF MUSIC WE HEAR OF IN TODAY’S WORLD OF MUSIC. EIGHT TYPES WERE LISTED THE FIRST MONTH TO GET US STARTED. I’LL ADD 2 EACH MONTH WITH A DEFINITION. SEND ME ONE THAT IS NOT ON THE LIST AND MAYBE NOT IN OUR VOCABULARY. BE SURE TO INCLUDE A DEFINITION.
1. Doo Wop
2. Rockabilly
3. Blues
4. Jazz
5. Country
6. Pop
7. Soul
8. R&B
9. Bluegrass
10. Girl Group
11. BRITISH INVASION: Rock and roll, beat and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States from 1964 to 1966.
12. BOOGIE WOOGIE: Style of piano-based blues popular in the 1940s US.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

APRIL & MAY: Special guests are being lined up. Stay tuned for more info as it develops.

JUNE: Wallace Sears will be our guest. He is producing a documentary film which tells the history of the Muscle Shoals recording industry. We are all very aware of Muscle Shoals’ impact on the recording industry and here’s a chance to hear it all from a man who has researched it. What an opportunity to hear the real story and how it all began and what is going on even now.

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE MEETINGS SO BE SURE TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND DROP BY FOR FOOD, FUN, MUSIC AND FELLOWSHIP.
SEE YA,

CHARLIE

BIRMINGHAM RECORDS COLLECTOR'S 26TH ANNUAL RECORD & CD SHOW
AUGUST 21TH & 22ND
THE CEDARS CLUB 301 GREEN SPRINGS AVE SOUTH