Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Rising Suns-Coffeyville, Kansas
The Rising Suns-Coffeyville
Inducted Members: Steve Alter, Doug Bundy, Steven Datson, Mike Floyd, Randall Grundy, Jim Jensen, John Keith, Richard McBride, Isy Martin Jr., Jacks Rawlins, Dougls Ricke, Bill Snow, Butch Neese, Gene Tucker
Home Town: Coffeyville, Kansas
Everyone fondly remembers the exciting show band, the Sensational Rising Suns. The Rising Suns were another of the incredible horn bands booked, promoted, and sold through the legendary Mid Continent Productions of Lawrence, Kansas.
With such groups as the Fabulous Flippers, The Young Raiders, and the Roarin’ Red Dogs, the Rising Suns are another in the long line of creative and highly successful Kansas show and horn bands, entering the IRRMA Hall of Fame in the out-of-state category.
The band started out in 1967 in Topeka, Kansas and went on the road as the Rising Sons. Six months into their new career, the group would experience a terrible bus accident, and the group no longer existed. Mid Continent needed to find another Rising Sons and fast, as bookings were starting to pile up.
This time they recruited a great horn band out of Coffeyville, Kansas that was originally called the Dalton Gang. The band took on the new name of the Rising Suns and would tour as the Rising Suns all the way into 1972.
The Rising Suns were a 7-8 man horn and show band that featured Mid Continent’s first interracial soul band fronted by black singers, “Big” Walter Downing and Izzy Martin. Walter was the younger brother of the legendary R&B performer “Big” Al Downing.
Mid Continent was not sure that a multi-cultural band would be accepted in many of the Midwest ’s small rural ballrooms, but the opposite occurred, as the band became one of the hottest sellers on the Mid Continent roster. With Downing’s and Martin’s incredible live shows, they became a Midwest rock and roll rage. One special aspect of their show was that their last set of the evening featured a complete costumed recreation of James Brown’s Live At The Apollo show. The band was heavily featured on KOMA Radio in Oklahoma City, and KAAY in Little Rock Arkansas , so when they showed up in town, it was always a major music event.
Because of being a Mid Continent band, they played virtually every ballroom in Iowa including: the Roof Garden-Arnolds Park, Cobblestone-Storm Lake, Surf-Clear Lake, Val Air-Des Moines, Inwood-Spillville, Matter’s-Decorah, Electric Park Ballroom-Waterloo, Avalon Ballroom-Remsen, Danceland Ballroom-Cedar Rapids, Starline-Carroll, The Library Ballroom-Iowa City, Dancemor Ballroom-Swisher, Star Ballroom-Dakota City, Lake Robbins Ballroom-Woodward, Lakewood Ballroom-Lake View and the Pla Mor Ballroom in downtown Fort Dodge on three separate occasions.
In 1972 the group would disband with Downing and Martin relocating to California and becoming members of national soul group, the Undisputed Truth and their big hit record, “Smiling Faces”.
The Sensational Rising Suns of Coffeyville are honored to be inducted into the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association Hall Of Fame. They were inducted into the Kansas Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. What an exciting Induction Spectacular show it will be, when all the horns and original players along with Izzy Martin are on the Roof Garden stage for the Hall of Fame concert. “Big” Walter Downing passed away in 2004 due to complications from diabetes but will certainly be there in spirit!
Inducted Members: Steve Alter, Doug Bundy, Steven Datson, Mike Floyd, Randall Grundy, Jim Jensen, John Keith, Richard McBride, Isy Martin Jr., Jacks Rawlins, Dougls Ricke, Bill Snow, Butch Neese, Gene Tucker
Home Town: Coffeyville, Kansas
Everyone fondly remembers the exciting show band, the Sensational Rising Suns. The Rising Suns were another of the incredible horn bands booked, promoted, and sold through the legendary Mid Continent Productions of Lawrence, Kansas.
With such groups as the Fabulous Flippers, The Young Raiders, and the Roarin’ Red Dogs, the Rising Suns are another in the long line of creative and highly successful Kansas show and horn bands, entering the IRRMA Hall of Fame in the out-of-state category.
The band started out in 1967 in Topeka, Kansas and went on the road as the Rising Sons. Six months into their new career, the group would experience a terrible bus accident, and the group no longer existed. Mid Continent needed to find another Rising Sons and fast, as bookings were starting to pile up.
This time they recruited a great horn band out of Coffeyville, Kansas that was originally called the Dalton Gang. The band took on the new name of the Rising Suns and would tour as the Rising Suns all the way into 1972.
The Rising Suns were a 7-8 man horn and show band that featured Mid Continent’s first interracial soul band fronted by black singers, “Big” Walter Downing and Izzy Martin. Walter was the younger brother of the legendary R&B performer “Big” Al Downing.
Mid Continent was not sure that a multi-cultural band would be accepted in many of the Midwest ’s small rural ballrooms, but the opposite occurred, as the band became one of the hottest sellers on the Mid Continent roster. With Downing’s and Martin’s incredible live shows, they became a Midwest rock and roll rage. One special aspect of their show was that their last set of the evening featured a complete costumed recreation of James Brown’s Live At The Apollo show. The band was heavily featured on KOMA Radio in Oklahoma City, and KAAY in Little Rock Arkansas , so when they showed up in town, it was always a major music event.
Because of being a Mid Continent band, they played virtually every ballroom in Iowa including: the Roof Garden-Arnolds Park, Cobblestone-Storm Lake, Surf-Clear Lake, Val Air-Des Moines, Inwood-Spillville, Matter’s-Decorah, Electric Park Ballroom-Waterloo, Avalon Ballroom-Remsen, Danceland Ballroom-Cedar Rapids, Starline-Carroll, The Library Ballroom-Iowa City, Dancemor Ballroom-Swisher, Star Ballroom-Dakota City, Lake Robbins Ballroom-Woodward, Lakewood Ballroom-Lake View and the Pla Mor Ballroom in downtown Fort Dodge on three separate occasions.
In 1972 the group would disband with Downing and Martin relocating to California and becoming members of national soul group, the Undisputed Truth and their big hit record, “Smiling Faces”.
The Sensational Rising Suns of Coffeyville are honored to be inducted into the Iowa Rock & Roll Music Association Hall Of Fame. They were inducted into the Kansas Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. What an exciting Induction Spectacular show it will be, when all the horns and original players along with Izzy Martin are on the Roof Garden stage for the Hall of Fame concert. “Big” Walter Downing passed away in 2004 due to complications from diabetes but will certainly be there in spirit!
Arnold's Park- Lake Okoboji, Iowa
Arnolds Park Amusement Park - 2011 Spirit Award
Home Town: Arnolds Park
In the late 1800's, when steamships carried passengers to historic ballrooms and other grand sites around the Iowa Great Lakes, pioneer developer Wesley Arnold envisioned an attraction that would draw visitors to his lakeshore property in Smith's Bay on West Lake Okoboji. The construction of a formidable water toboggan slide on that property gave birth to the Arnolds Park Amusement Park , a landmark that would evolve over the next century into the very essence of the Okoboji experience.
Throughout the next one hundred years - as the amusement park diversified into a Coney Island-style attraction and became known as a vacation destination, throngs of visitors and local residents alike filled the 21-acre lakeside site to ride the roller coaster, bumper cars and go-karts, shop the Queen's Court for Okoboji memorabilia, nutty bars and listen to big bands and rock n' roll at the legendary Roof Garden under star-studded summer nights. Arnolds Park Amusement Park became synonymous with the best music anywhere in the USA.
The "Roof,” as it became known, was a “must” destination for several generations of music lovers. Thousands danced to the music of the big bands in the 1920s, 30s and 40s - Count Basie, Harry James, Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington, and Glen Miller orchestras, to name just a few. The 1950s ushered in the Rock and Roll era and the ballroom featured nearly all of the top-40 artists and bands of the time, including Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Bobby Darin and the Four Freshmen.
Throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s impresario and Roof Garden owner Darlowe Oleson continued to bring the stars of the day to Okoboji. Teenagers boogied to The Beach Boys, Bobby Rydell, Johnny Cash, Bobby Vee, the Yardbirds, the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, and more – if they had chart-topping hits, they played “The Roof.”
The ballroom also featured regional bands, including perennial favorites The Fabulous Flippers from Lawrence, KS and The Rumbles from Omaha . Iowa-based bands competed in an annual Battle of the Bands competition and the top finishers were rewarded with future performance dates. Playing “The Roof” became the sign that a band had “arrived.” Interestingly, many of the groups that played the ballroom back then have been inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘N Roll Music Association Hall of Fame and many are still performing.
Although different owners and attractions came and went over the years, the park and music remained a staple of Iowa Great Lakes tourism and fashioned generations of fond Okoboji memories. After a stunning renovation by owner and philanthropist Chuck Long that revitalized attendance, the park’s existence was threatened by a developer who announced plans to turn the historic landmark into a condominium, hotel and retail complex. The battle to save the park was won when a non-profit, “Save the Park” group raised $7.25 million and purchased it.
The entertainment complex is now officially titled Historic Arnolds Park, Inc. (HAPI) and is run by a board consisting of community leaders who oversee the operations of Arnolds Park Amusement Park , Arnolds Park Raceway, the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum , Preservation Plaza , the Majestic Pavilion, the Roof Garden and the Queen II excursion boat. With the proven fiscal and management skills of these individuals, the preservation and bright future of this historic landmark is certain.
The HAPI board and staff was and is dedicated to bringing live musical entertainment throughout all of these years. They erected a large performance stage on the “Green Space” area on the east end of the Amusement Park and present regular free concerts during the summer season. A new Roof Garden was built in 1997 so that rain or shine; the public can enjoy live entertainment. The IRRMA Hall of Fame induction ceremonies have been held in that facility from the very beginning. The IRRMA Museum is located adjacent to and under the roof of the new Roof Garden.
The "Park” staff works diligently with the IRRMA board, staff and volunteers to present 10 Thursday night Rock the Roof concerts during the summer for locals and visitors to enjoy. Keeping the music alive and accessible to the public garners Historic Arnolds Park Inc. the 2011 Spirit Award.
Home Town: Arnolds Park
In the late 1800's, when steamships carried passengers to historic ballrooms and other grand sites around the Iowa Great Lakes, pioneer developer Wesley Arnold envisioned an attraction that would draw visitors to his lakeshore property in Smith's Bay on West Lake Okoboji. The construction of a formidable water toboggan slide on that property gave birth to the Arnolds Park Amusement Park , a landmark that would evolve over the next century into the very essence of the Okoboji experience.
Throughout the next one hundred years - as the amusement park diversified into a Coney Island-style attraction and became known as a vacation destination, throngs of visitors and local residents alike filled the 21-acre lakeside site to ride the roller coaster, bumper cars and go-karts, shop the Queen's Court for Okoboji memorabilia, nutty bars and listen to big bands and rock n' roll at the legendary Roof Garden under star-studded summer nights. Arnolds Park Amusement Park became synonymous with the best music anywhere in the USA.
The "Roof,” as it became known, was a “must” destination for several generations of music lovers. Thousands danced to the music of the big bands in the 1920s, 30s and 40s - Count Basie, Harry James, Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington, and Glen Miller orchestras, to name just a few. The 1950s ushered in the Rock and Roll era and the ballroom featured nearly all of the top-40 artists and bands of the time, including Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Bobby Darin and the Four Freshmen.
Throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s impresario and Roof Garden owner Darlowe Oleson continued to bring the stars of the day to Okoboji. Teenagers boogied to The Beach Boys, Bobby Rydell, Johnny Cash, Bobby Vee, the Yardbirds, the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, and more – if they had chart-topping hits, they played “The Roof.”
The ballroom also featured regional bands, including perennial favorites The Fabulous Flippers from Lawrence, KS and The Rumbles from Omaha . Iowa-based bands competed in an annual Battle of the Bands competition and the top finishers were rewarded with future performance dates. Playing “The Roof” became the sign that a band had “arrived.” Interestingly, many of the groups that played the ballroom back then have been inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘N Roll Music Association Hall of Fame and many are still performing.
Although different owners and attractions came and went over the years, the park and music remained a staple of Iowa Great Lakes tourism and fashioned generations of fond Okoboji memories. After a stunning renovation by owner and philanthropist Chuck Long that revitalized attendance, the park’s existence was threatened by a developer who announced plans to turn the historic landmark into a condominium, hotel and retail complex. The battle to save the park was won when a non-profit, “Save the Park” group raised $7.25 million and purchased it.
The entertainment complex is now officially titled Historic Arnolds Park, Inc. (HAPI) and is run by a board consisting of community leaders who oversee the operations of Arnolds Park Amusement Park , Arnolds Park Raceway, the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum , Preservation Plaza , the Majestic Pavilion, the Roof Garden and the Queen II excursion boat. With the proven fiscal and management skills of these individuals, the preservation and bright future of this historic landmark is certain.
The HAPI board and staff was and is dedicated to bringing live musical entertainment throughout all of these years. They erected a large performance stage on the “Green Space” area on the east end of the Amusement Park and present regular free concerts during the summer season. A new Roof Garden was built in 1997 so that rain or shine; the public can enjoy live entertainment. The IRRMA Hall of Fame induction ceremonies have been held in that facility from the very beginning. The IRRMA Museum is located adjacent to and under the roof of the new Roof Garden.
The "Park” staff works diligently with the IRRMA board, staff and volunteers to present 10 Thursday night Rock the Roof concerts during the summer for locals and visitors to enjoy. Keeping the music alive and accessible to the public garners Historic Arnolds Park Inc. the 2011 Spirit Award.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Sensational Showman are mentioned under Hatfield, MN
When you think “Minnesota,” you might immediately picture the scenic North Shore or the bustling Mall of America. But Minnesota is much more than that. The Land of 10,000 Lakes is peppered with small communities, and Little Minnesota spotlights 100 towns with populations under 100. Each entry features folks who know what it means to help their neighbors and locales that range from quaint to historic.
Jill has been working on Little Minnesota for the last few years. The project began as an effort to recall the history of Strandquist, MN, the small town where her father, Jim Musburger, began his coaching career. Excited by the fascinating stories she found there, she continued on to other small towns in the area, eventually covering the whole state in search of the tales and characteristics that make each little city so special. The 100 towns represented are now “around 100″ in population after the 2010 census, as some of them have grown, bucking the trend of metro migration of the last few decades.
Each town has a photo gallery, a story of how and why the city was founded, and where it stands today. When you read about these little places, still alive and well in most cases, you will want to see them for yourself. Enjoy the journey with us, and then plan your own visit to see what makes each town unique. You will find everything from a top-class steakhouse to fabulous pies to a biker bar or two. These are quiet places, away from frantic traffic (harvest time excepted), noise, and bright lights — cities where you can still see the stars.
Publication date: November 28, 2011 from Adventure Publications. http://www.adventurepublications.net
You can order from Beagle Books & Bindery in Park Rapids. http://www.beagle-books.com
Or you can contact us directly at the address below, or via email with the form on the “Contact” page.
Little Minnesota
PO Box 649
Park Rapids, MN 56470
Jill has been working on Little Minnesota for the last few years. The project began as an effort to recall the history of Strandquist, MN, the small town where her father, Jim Musburger, began his coaching career. Excited by the fascinating stories she found there, she continued on to other small towns in the area, eventually covering the whole state in search of the tales and characteristics that make each little city so special. The 100 towns represented are now “around 100″ in population after the 2010 census, as some of them have grown, bucking the trend of metro migration of the last few decades.
Each town has a photo gallery, a story of how and why the city was founded, and where it stands today. When you read about these little places, still alive and well in most cases, you will want to see them for yourself. Enjoy the journey with us, and then plan your own visit to see what makes each town unique. You will find everything from a top-class steakhouse to fabulous pies to a biker bar or two. These are quiet places, away from frantic traffic (harvest time excepted), noise, and bright lights — cities where you can still see the stars.
Publication date: November 28, 2011 from Adventure Publications. http://www.adventurepublications.net
You can order from Beagle Books & Bindery in Park Rapids. http://www.beagle-books.com
Or you can contact us directly at the address below, or via email with the form on the “Contact” page.
Little Minnesota
PO Box 649
Park Rapids, MN 56470
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Listing of the 2012 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2012 inductees will be Bloodstone, Burlington Express, Max Carl, Clocks, Cole Tuckey on Rye, Finnigan & Wood, Johnny Isom, Krazy Kats, Morningstar, Stanley Sheldon, Tommy Stephenson, Craig "Craig Twister Steward, White Clover. The inductions will take place at Liberty Hall in Lawrence on February 25&26, 2012. Congrats to all of our new KMHOF inductees.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts
A taboo song. Would hardly raise an eyebrow these days. Needless to say, we didnt play this song!
Wine, Wine, Wine - The Astronauts
I remember singing and playing this crazy song as a sing-a-long version with the crowd. A fun party song. Don't know who originally recorded it.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
1966 Bio - The Fabulous Flippers
THE FABULOUS FLIPPERS:
THE EIGHT EIGHTH WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Watch-
Listen-
And talk about-
THE FABULOUS FLIPPERS
The Fabulous Flippers were originally formed in Hays, Kansas almost seven years ago. The band was then a five piece. Terry Wierman was the leader who formed the group for the purpose of playing local dance jobs on the weekends. Unlike most groups, this band early in high school met with very good success locally and were able to stay together through four years of high school.
The beginning of the eight piece show band that has captured the attention of everyone in the mid-west, was in June 1964. Auditions were held over a four state area to come up with the best talent possible. Seven men were selected and were told they had two days to put together a show and get on the road. The boys had just me, but it was soon discovered that working together was easy. Each man that was selected had been playing in various bands for at least five years. All of the boys were 19 and 20. Terry Wierman was still the leader and was the only original Flipper.
The summer of 1964 proved to be one summer that the people of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa will never forget. Radio station KOMA in Oklahoma City was used for advertising. Regular spots ran every day and people all over [the] central United States heard the name of the Flippers. Posters, handbills, and newspapers were used that summer as the Flippers started their journey across becoming a legend that was to build bigger every time they played. It was not uncommon at all for the Flippers to be mobbed when they came into town. Many times extra police officers had to be called in to hold back the excited mobs that would try to get to the band on stage. By the time the band had been on the road for five or six weeks the word [began] to get around about the band. Many newspapers interviewed the boys and did full page articles on the band. In almost every town pictures appeared in local newspapers about the band.
The reason for the large success of the band was this. The band was then seven pieces, using a standard five piece [rhythm] section plus one trumpet and one sax. The band was playing the current hits, but had re-worked the songs, [adding] horns, [choreography], trick lighting systems, and dyed [blonde] hair. This unusual combination of horns with popular songs was [new] [to] the kids [;] they were liking it so much that the Flippers would average 1,000 people a night playing in towns that most agencies have never heard of.
Probably one of the main secrets of the success of the band was the show they put on. On [no] song, at any time, was anyone standing still. The band had spent many hours practicing and working out routines for each song. Dance steps were used, and at [points] of the evening, a vaudeville show was put on. And it was done well. The boys ended the summer playing 108 dances in eight states, and leaving people talking about the band everywhere they went.
It s not even fair to compare this band with other groups. All you can say is they work together with a talent that is unbelievable. You can say all you want about this band, and when you see them you ll have to admit that enough hasn t been said yet. The foresight and talent of this band is expressed by the way the band predicted a coming trend for horns and went to eight pieces. This gave them three horns on every number, and sometimes up to five since almost everyone in the band plays every instrument except the drummer. The drummer would if he had a chance, but to describe the drummer is like talking about the seven wonders of the world, so he stays on the drums. Bands all over the mid-west have copied the Flippers. Anyone who has ever been to a mid-west dance knows that there s a different kind of music out there.
More than a year ago the Flippers changed the musical trends of the mid-west They started playing [Rhythm] and Blues with a Blue Eyed Sound. They added trumpets to old blues songs which had not been heard of in the mid-west except by a few. The songs were re-arranged and presented to the public and the response was overwhelming. The Flippers had done it again. The whole mid-west was behind them. The Flippers were doing Taste Of Honey with two trumpets and a trombone three months before Herb Albert brought it to the public.
Last year the Flippers were asked to play for [the] National Ballroom Operators Convention. After their performance a special meeting was held by the operators. They could not believe it. The Flippers moved into Minnesota and Iowa and completely upset the ballroom circuit The second and third times around many attendance records were set. Many crowds over 2,500 were recorded.
WATCH OUT WORLD, the Flippers may be coming your way, and when they do, you won t believe it. It s easy to say that the world would stand, watch, and be entertained by this eight piece band like they have never been entertained before. Anybody who has seen this band once can t help expressing their respect, admiration for this eight piece group of musical talents called THE FABULOUS FLIPPERS
P.S., And this is [an understatement,] see them, you ll be writing letters too.
Catch Lines:
Never will you see a group that works so hard to please a crowd.
This band uses eight men who play with a sound that only big bands can equal.
This band is destined to be the Count Basie of this era.
Every number is accompanied by a show also.
This band has held crowds of thousands spellbound. It s not uncommon for crowds to just watch for the first hour.
THE EIGHT EIGHTH WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Watch-
Listen-
And talk about-
THE FABULOUS FLIPPERS
The Fabulous Flippers were originally formed in Hays, Kansas almost seven years ago. The band was then a five piece. Terry Wierman was the leader who formed the group for the purpose of playing local dance jobs on the weekends. Unlike most groups, this band early in high school met with very good success locally and were able to stay together through four years of high school.
The beginning of the eight piece show band that has captured the attention of everyone in the mid-west, was in June 1964. Auditions were held over a four state area to come up with the best talent possible. Seven men were selected and were told they had two days to put together a show and get on the road. The boys had just me, but it was soon discovered that working together was easy. Each man that was selected had been playing in various bands for at least five years. All of the boys were 19 and 20. Terry Wierman was still the leader and was the only original Flipper.
The summer of 1964 proved to be one summer that the people of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa will never forget. Radio station KOMA in Oklahoma City was used for advertising. Regular spots ran every day and people all over [the] central United States heard the name of the Flippers. Posters, handbills, and newspapers were used that summer as the Flippers started their journey across becoming a legend that was to build bigger every time they played. It was not uncommon at all for the Flippers to be mobbed when they came into town. Many times extra police officers had to be called in to hold back the excited mobs that would try to get to the band on stage. By the time the band had been on the road for five or six weeks the word [began] to get around about the band. Many newspapers interviewed the boys and did full page articles on the band. In almost every town pictures appeared in local newspapers about the band.
The reason for the large success of the band was this. The band was then seven pieces, using a standard five piece [rhythm] section plus one trumpet and one sax. The band was playing the current hits, but had re-worked the songs, [adding] horns, [choreography], trick lighting systems, and dyed [blonde] hair. This unusual combination of horns with popular songs was [new] [to] the kids [;] they were liking it so much that the Flippers would average 1,000 people a night playing in towns that most agencies have never heard of.
Probably one of the main secrets of the success of the band was the show they put on. On [no] song, at any time, was anyone standing still. The band had spent many hours practicing and working out routines for each song. Dance steps were used, and at [points] of the evening, a vaudeville show was put on. And it was done well. The boys ended the summer playing 108 dances in eight states, and leaving people talking about the band everywhere they went.
It s not even fair to compare this band with other groups. All you can say is they work together with a talent that is unbelievable. You can say all you want about this band, and when you see them you ll have to admit that enough hasn t been said yet. The foresight and talent of this band is expressed by the way the band predicted a coming trend for horns and went to eight pieces. This gave them three horns on every number, and sometimes up to five since almost everyone in the band plays every instrument except the drummer. The drummer would if he had a chance, but to describe the drummer is like talking about the seven wonders of the world, so he stays on the drums. Bands all over the mid-west have copied the Flippers. Anyone who has ever been to a mid-west dance knows that there s a different kind of music out there.
More than a year ago the Flippers changed the musical trends of the mid-west They started playing [Rhythm] and Blues with a Blue Eyed Sound. They added trumpets to old blues songs which had not been heard of in the mid-west except by a few. The songs were re-arranged and presented to the public and the response was overwhelming. The Flippers had done it again. The whole mid-west was behind them. The Flippers were doing Taste Of Honey with two trumpets and a trombone three months before Herb Albert brought it to the public.
Last year the Flippers were asked to play for [the] National Ballroom Operators Convention. After their performance a special meeting was held by the operators. They could not believe it. The Flippers moved into Minnesota and Iowa and completely upset the ballroom circuit The second and third times around many attendance records were set. Many crowds over 2,500 were recorded.
WATCH OUT WORLD, the Flippers may be coming your way, and when they do, you won t believe it. It s easy to say that the world would stand, watch, and be entertained by this eight piece band like they have never been entertained before. Anybody who has seen this band once can t help expressing their respect, admiration for this eight piece group of musical talents called THE FABULOUS FLIPPERS
P.S., And this is [an understatement,] see them, you ll be writing letters too.
Catch Lines:
Never will you see a group that works so hard to please a crowd.
This band uses eight men who play with a sound that only big bands can equal.
This band is destined to be the Count Basie of this era.
Every number is accompanied by a show also.
This band has held crowds of thousands spellbound. It s not uncommon for crowds to just watch for the first hour.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Palisades Park - Freddy Cannon
Memories of playing this with Freddy Cannon in either Grand Island or Hastings, Nebraska at a local high school gig.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Mickey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson 1963
Another 60's favorite. Remember doing the Monkey, although can't remember if we actually played these Monkey songs or not. A little early for us in 1964 but they may have carried over.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Summertime 1966
One of our favorite songs with Ron Balderston on lead vocals
(by the way, he is not the once featured in the video, LOL)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Tom's Music House , Concordia, Ks
Our hangout and where we purchased our instruments. Paul Rimovsky was always there with great service and support.
Art Slaughter- Daylight's Clothing Co - Concordia JayCees
Memories of Art Slaughter with the Concordia, Ks JayCees when the JayCees sponsored the Showmen dances at the Concordia National Guard Armory. I can still see Art in his JayCee vest.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Assn Hall of Fame 2011
For the 15th consecutive year, legendary musicians, agents/promoters, ballrooms, radio stations and support staff will be honored at the 2011 Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame Induction Spectacular on September 3rd and 4th, 2011.
Iowa bands and individual musicians honored will be:
The Expressions from Pocahontas
Roadhouse of Sioux City
Midnite Express of Decorah
The Sheffields from Eddyville
Freedom Road of Whittemore
Tommy Eglin of Sioux City
Dartanyan Brown of Des Moines
Sticks N Stones from Estherville
Tim Canfield of Cedar Rapids
The Buzzards from Iowa City
Mad Hatters of Des Moines.
Out of Iowa honorees will include the international favorite and Illinois-based band Head East, promoter Jerry Davis of Peoria, AZ and radio station KKOJ/KRAQ of Jackson, MN. They all made a major impact on the music industry in Iowa.
Receiving the coveted IRRMA Dan Matousek Lifetime Achievement Award will be Ralph Lundquist of Lake Park and Tom Bethke (aka Tom Alan) of Fort Dodge.
Ballrooms selected for induction in 2011 are the Chicken Inn at Creston, the Coliseum in Oelwein and the TAHO Club of Spirit Lake. Support Staff person of the year is Bob Economaki from Des Moines. Rounding out the Class of 2011 is booking agent Tom Blecker of Des Moines.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The Noblemen
The Noblemen, 1965 from left: Jim Anderson (partially visible) on bass, Frank Wright, Landis Dibble, Randy Rahberg
I was in a band called The Noblemen in the 1965-67 time period. We had no recordings or anything, just played dances etc. Basically we weren’t very good, but we had a good time. We just did cover songs, nothing original.
Regular members were myself on guitar, Landis Dibble on drums, Frank Wright on guitar, and Clint Laing on electric piano. We started out with Jim Anderson on bass. Other bass players were Blair Honeyman and Michael Brunton.
We played in the Topeka area, and traveled as far as Alma.
The pictures I have are ones that Landis’ mother took when we played for the parents on their back patio.
Randy Rahberg
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Summer In The City
Great song given to us by the Lovin' Spoonful in the mid 60s but this version blows it away! Turn up your speakers.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Sensational Showmen at Turtles Concert in Sioux Falls, SD June 26, 1967
The only picture of us playing at the Turtles Concert in Sioux Falls, SD. This photo turned up in a collage of photos from Sad Lad and the Mourners, who were on the same concert billing. Many thanks, Wille!
Left to right: Dick Grube, sax; Paul Justyna, sax; Ron Balderston, trumpet; Phil Pfister, lead guitar; Larry Jackson, bass guitar; Not pictured was Mike Srite, hammond organ; and Robin Hood on drums (hidden behind the equipment, but they were there! This picture shows our "state of the art" PA sound system and Kustom amps.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sad Lad and the Mourners - South Dakota
Sad Lad and the Mourners played on the same bill as we did with the Turtles.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Astronauts
One of my favorite albums from the early 60's. This may be where we got the ideas for our outfits. In 1962/63, the original band named The Astronauts were a surf rock band from Boulder, CO, home of astronaut Alan Sheppard. Members were 1962: Richard Otis Fifield:vcl/gtr, Dick Sellars:gtr, Bob Demmon:gtr, Stormy Patterson:bs, Jim Gallagher:dms;1963: Richard Otis Fifield:vcl/gtr, Dennis Lindsey:gtr, Bob Demmon:gtr, Stormy Patterson:bs, Jim Gallagher:dms
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Devastating Dinks - Beloit, Kansas
Pat Waddell - lead vocals, replaced by Dean Dietz
Steve Kadel - lead guitar, replaced by Bill Hollingsworth
Bob Bergmann - rhythm guitar and vocals
Gail Scanlon - organ
Bruce Brown - bass
Mike Morrand - drums
The Dinks' "Nina-Kocka-Nina" takes the repetitive nonsense of "Surfin' Bird" and adds a bizarre parody of an Asian accent. The soft-spoken opening has the Japanese inflection down well, even if most of the words are gibberish. Once the song gets going the tone shifts to something that sounds like no real language except variations on "papa ooh mow mow". The few lyrics in English, "get out your pencils, get out your books, try to catch all the teacher's grubby looks" and "I'm taking English, History, Biology and Chemistry" imply that school is turning him into a raving idiot! Ironically, the writer of the song would become a teacher himself after leaving the Dinks!
"Penny a Tear Drop" is very different, and the contrast between the twelve-string guitar and organ sounds great. It's something of a shame that the success of "Nina-Kocka-Nina" put the Dinks into the novelty category and ended their chances of making it as a sincere pop act. Song writing credits for "Penny a Tear Drop" go to Ray Ruffin (a variation on Ray Ruff's name I hadn't seen before) and Jack Dunham, whose name also turns up on the Dinks second 45.
Needing a follow up to "Nina-Kocka-Nina" they predictably cut another song in that vein. "Kocka-Mow-Mow" lacks the magic of the first record. Instead of being a band original, it was knocked off by two of Ray Ruff's associates: Jack Dunham again, and Royce Taylor, a singer who had his own 45 for Sully as part of Gaylen & Royce, "I Can't Stay" / "Modern Day Fools".
Oddly it comments directly on their first disc: "all the DJs across the nation, thought we had a bad creation, they just thought we were up in smoke, but that's kind of funny because we're on all the charts" ... "radio stations started getting calls, they said our band made their skin crawl, they didn't like the music 'cause it made them sick, but everybody wanted to hear it, kids" ... "they said 'Nina-Kocka-Nina' was the most ... you better think twice before you put this one down." On the flip is an incredibly insensitive song by Royce Taylor, "Ugly Girl", sung in the sweetest voice.
Dink's rhythm guitarist Bob Bergmann answered some of my questions about "Nina-Kocka-Nina" and the band:
I am Bob Bergmann, the writer and lead singer for "Nina-Kocka-Nina" on the Sully label. I played rhythm guitar for the Ragging Regattas and the Dinks back in the 60's out of Beloit, Kansas.
The band was started earlier by Steve Kadel, from Beloit, Kansas. He was one of my best friends growing up in the 60's. We graduated together in '62. We learned guitars together during high school, by ear. We learned with 5-strings on our guitars--THANK GOD--there was no little E-string.
After graduating, Steve went to Fort Hays College which is now Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas and I went to St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. Steve started the band The Ragging Regattas in Hays. After two years, I transferred to Fort Hays State College and joined the band. Steve was the person who should be giving credit for starting the band.
I was in my froshmen year in college at Dodge City, Kansas and came up with the song "Nina-Kocka-Nina" and the jibberish language. We put the song together after a performance somewhere in Nebraska. We were sitting there on our amps, very tired, and I got up and started to sing the song which the band had never heard. They all plugged back in and the song was created. I had no idea what the jibberish meant, but at some performances, I was asked by orientals if I knew what I was saying and I think they agreed, I was saying some real words. Pat created his own background words during the recording. Pat's name should have never been first on the record [writing credit] and he will admit that.
The reason we went to Texas to record, two different times, was our so call it manager had contacted Ray. We did not write "Penny A Tear Drop". It was written by a person in the 30's. The song was the reason we were asked to come to Texas to record. I would say it got us in the recording field. "Penny a Tear Drop" took hours. [We] needed a flip side and we did "Nina-Kocka-Nina" in a few minutes and it went over the best.
We were called the Regattas when we went to record, but Ray sent our contract back and changed our names to the Dinks because Ragging Regattas didn't match the "Nina-Kocka-Nina" song. I did sign a contract with BMI in New York after "Nina-Kocka-Nina" came out. There was a nice writeup in one of the top record magazines in the US about the song. Full page showed a picture of the record and around the record were comments from DJ's around the nation about the song.
We were mainly an instrumental band. The song list was very long and mixed between vocals and instrumentals. Our main songs were by the Ventures, and other instrumental groups, many from England. We recorded an album of instrumental songs at Sully Studio after the two 45s, but it never came out.
Somewhere I have one of the many sheets of songs we had taped to our our Fender Dual Showmans. We all had Fender instruments and amps. I did have a Country Gentleman at one time. I also played rhythm on a Fender 6-string bass that was owned by one of the guys in the Blue Things. It had a very funky sound and the frets were very far apart which made it tougher to play.
One of the hardest songs that I remember doing was "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" by the Ventures. Our lead guitar, Bill Hollingsworth was the greatest, and I don't think I could have learned the rhythm without his help. You mention "Surfing Bird" by The Trashmen: Bill was first cousins with their lead guitar player.
After a few years, Bill Hollingsworth replaced Steve on lead guitar, and Dean Deetz replaced Pat Waddel on vocal. I left the band in '66. I got married in January 1967 and finished my teaching degree. I am a retired business teacher here at Jetmore, Kansas of 35 years.
If my memory serves me correctly, [the Dinks] went on a year or so before some of the guys were drafted. After that, they split company and two bands were started - I think the Beasts and another Dinks band. I was one of the junior high school sponsors and we hired the Beast for our high school prom. I remember joining the band for "Nina-Kocka-Nina". The students and staff couldn't believe it. One student came up to me and said "Mr. Bergmann, I didn't know you had that in you"!
On March 7, 2009 the Dinks were inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in Lawrence, Kansas. It was a gala celebration for our band who I had not seen for forty years. Steve could not make it to the induction ceremony.
Bob Bergmann
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Fabulous Apostles
"Sad Lad and the Mourners" was a 7-piece horn band that formed in the late 1960's. The group consisted of college students Willie Bertsch(vocals), Gary Swanson(drums), Ken Huseboe(trumpet), Sam Hasegawa(sax), Rod Anderson(guitar), Al Christopherson(bass), and high school student Gerry Moore(keyboards). This was about the time horn bands were becoming very popular, led by the Flippers, Red Dogs, the Mob, and others. Soon they changed their name to The Fabulous Apostles after a popular group by the same name out of Kansas had broken up and their new booking agent, James Reardon & Associates, picked them over seven other bands that had sent a demo tape. James Reardon was able to expand their playing area in the Midwest.
The Apostles toured with some of the top rhythm & blues horn bands of that era, including the Fabulous Flippers, Roarin Red dogs, Spider and the Crabs, Rising Sons, and many more. They were advertised on KOMA. In 1968, before a crowd of 10,000, they won the "Battle of the Bands" in Sioux Falls. The band played all the area ballrooms, including the Hollyhock, Arkota, Surf, Roof Garden, Showboat, Ruskin Park, and many, many more. Willie Bertsch and Sam Hasegawa still perform in the Sioux Falls area as the "Apostles Jazz Standards Band".
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Playmate Blues Band
Received this photo courtesy of Mike Kelley.
Picture taken at the Chase Palladium
L to R; Dave Coon, guitar; Rich Bisterfeldt, drums; Mike Kelley, guitar; Gary Cooley, bass.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Original manager for The Fabulous Flippers
There was more to Eddie Basgall than just polka music. He was the original manager of The Fabulous Flippers and promoted the rock and roll band on KOMA radio in Oklahoma City.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
James Reardon
Reardon and Associates, a booking agency for midwest rock bands in the 60's operated out of the Dark Horse Inn in Hays, Kansas. Our band was just one of the many that got their start with Jim and his booking agency.
John Brown Mid Continent Productions
John Brown
Home Town: Lawrence KS
The next inductee into the Iowa Rock N Roll Hall of Fame goes into the Hall as the owner of a booking agency. Not just any boking agency, but without question the most successful rock and roll booking and promotional agency Mid America has ever seen. Mid Continent Productions of Lawrence, KS. The man behind all of this is its founder, John Brown.
John Brown started Mid Continent Productions in the mid 60's and built it into one of the most successful booking and management agencies of all time.
Brown helped form and in some respects create such groups as The Fabulous Flippers, The Roaring Red Dogs, The Blue Things, The Young Raiders, The Rising Suns and let's not forget, Spider & the Crabs.
There was not a ballroom, town hall, armory, high school or college in the state of Iowa that was not a client of Browns' Mid Continent Productions.
When it came to promoting rock groups, nobody was better than John Brown. Who would ever forget those inamous night time radio ads for all the Mid Continent bands on KOMA radio in Oklahoma City.
There was not a teen in Middle America who didn't tune in to KOMA at night to see what great bands were coming into Iowa, promoted by Brown and Mid Continent.
These ads helped turn Brown's Mid Continent Productions and his bands into household names as well as helped establish his agency as one of the most successful of all time.
Its with great pride the Iowa RocKNRoll Music associations Hall of Fame inducts its first booking agent and booking agency inductee, John Brown of Lawrence Ks., and Mid Continent Productions.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Skywave Rider - LIFE RADIO & ROCK AND ROLL
Ken Mill's blog is a great read with a great history of 60's rock and roll music in the upper midwest.
http://skywaverider.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-love-affair-with-kloh-radio.html
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Turtles Concert Billing-Sioux Falls, SD
Even though we were not from Oklahoma, this was our billing. What an opportunity to play in front of all the kids that had come to see the famous "Turtles" in concert. I remember how nervous we all were and how proud we were to be a part of this venue. The Turtles even used our PA system for their portion of the concert. This concert was held June 26, 1967, Sioux Falls, SD City Arena. The concert was sponsored by KISD radio. The promoter, on his blog, states that he paid $5000 for the Turtle's appearance! Wonder what we got paid?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
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