Chapter 5
Nashville Jumps
Recording Artists, Labels, Producers
From left: Ernie Young, Ted Jarrett, and Ted Adams at Ernie’s Record Mart, 1955. Photo by Elmer Williams.
Many Nashville R&B acts grew up in or near the city itself. Gene Allison (seen left, 1950s), for instance, previously sang in local gospel groups, and the Avons (Beverly and Francesca Bard and Paula Hester) joined together while attending Nashville’s Pearl High School. Some, such as Marion James, remained active in Nashville music into the twenty-first century.
Marion James and band, Hopewell, Tennessee, c. 1972. From left: John Helms, James Stuart, James, an unidentified musician, and Billy Cox.
Hatch Show Print poster for Gene Allison, whose 1957 Nashville hit "You Can Make It If You Try" was later covered by the Rolling Stones.
TENNESSEE RECORDS
Founded in 1949, Tennessee Records was among Nashville’s first independent record labels. The company recorded Nashville R&B stalwarts such as Christine Kittrell and Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers.
Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers. From left: Lovell “Knott” Phillips, Ollie Brown, Brooks, and Andy Davis. Courtesy of Eula Brooks.
THE PRISONAIRES
Formed at the Tennessee State Penitentiary in Nashville, the Prisonaires scored an unlikely 1953 hit when they were permitted to travel to Memphis to record “Just Walkin’ in the Rain” for Sun Records. Tennessee governor Frank Clement frequently invited the group to perform at official functions as part of his campaign for prison reform.
The Prisonaires visit with young Bob Clement, future United States congressman, at the Tennessee governor’s mansion, 1953. Clockwise from top left: John Drue, Marcel Sanders, William Strewart, Ed Thurman, corrections officer James Proctor, Bob Clement, and Johnny Bragg.
NASHVILLE PRODUCERS
It took committed producers to capture Nashville’s R&B talent on record. Ted Jarrett, a Nashville native, and Bob Holmes, a Tennessee State University alumnus from Memphis, both wrote songs and produced records prolifically.
Hytones record produced by Bob Holmes. Courtesy of Frank Howard.
Hytones record produced by Bob Holmes. Courtesy of Frank Howard.
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The Hytones. From left: Freddie Waters, Eddie Frierson, and “Skeet” Alsup. Courtesy of Frank Howard.
EXCELLO RECORDS
In 1951-52 , Ernie’s Record Mart owner Ernie Young launched the Nashboro and Excello record labels. Nashboro would become a prolific gospel imprint with groups such as the Skylarks, while Excello would release R&B classics such as Arthur Gunter’s 1954 “Baby Let’s Play House,” which Elvis Presley covered.
Excello LP by Nashville's Roscoe Shelton
Excello LP by Nashville's Roscoe Shelton
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Promotional item for the Nashville gospel group the Skylarks. From left: Robert Crenshaw, James Hill, Lindsay Starks, and Isaac Freeman. Courtesy of Jerry Zolten.
SOUND STAGE 7
Established in 1963, Sound Stage 7 became Nashville’s leading R&B label after Excello when John Richbourg of WLAC began contributing as a producer. The label roster ranged from Joe Simon to Ivory Joe Hunter to the Nashville quartet the Valentines.
Sound Stage 7 promotional photograph of the Valentines. Clockwise from top: James Moon, Paul Easley, Charles Myers, and James Clemmons. Courtesy of James Moon.
Sound Stage 7 promotional photograph of the Valentines. Clockwise from top: James Moon, Paul Easley, Charles Myers, and James Clemmons. Courtesy of James Moon.
ELF’S SOUL
Songwriters Buzz Cason (“Everlasting Love”) and Bobby Russell (“Honey”) started Elf Records in Nashville and scored an R&B classic with Clifford Curry’s 1967 beach favorite, “She Shot a Hole in My Soul.”
Poster for Clifford Curry in his early years as "Sweet Clifford." Courtesy of Clifford Curry.
Poster for Clifford Curry in his early years as "Sweet Clifford." Courtesy of Clifford Curry.
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Clifford Curry at Nashville’s Centennial Park, backed by (from left) Wade Conklin, Buzz Cason, and guitarist Mac Gayden, co-writer of “She Shot a Hole in My Soul.” Courtesy of Clifford Curry.
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