Presenting the 1949 Pontiac

This next piece is not Colorado, per say, minus the very cool KCSJ Pueblo radio record label. The acetate transcription disc contains a series of commercials for the new 1949 Pontiac. Instead of local personalities, the disc features nationally-known radio newscasters of the day (sorry for the audio quality).

Earl Godwin was dubbed the "Earl of Godwin" by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and he was often referred to as the "Dean of Broadcasters." Godwin would end his broadcasts with the phrase, "God bless you, one and all." He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Walter Kaner broadcast using the name "Tokyo Mose" during and after World War II. After the war, he served as a stand-in host on the Ed Sullivan show. 

Don Goddard worked as a newscaster for New York radio stations WMCA  and WINS. He later worked as a commentator for the early NBC News television documentary-style show, "Watch the World."  A newscaster for ABC News, he was one of their primary announcers to break the news of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November 1963. 

Also included on the disc are newscasters Andre Baruch (later Brooklyn Dodgers announcer) and Ben Grauer (former silent film actor, then newscaster, who later announced New Year's celebrations in Times Square for NBC, from 1939-1979).

The disc doesn't mention any local dealership, but it's assumed they were used for The Colorado Motor Car Company (which originally set up its operations in Pueblo in 1912) which held the town's primary franchise rights for Pontiac. Right after World War II, the company transitioned its hub directly onto Santa Fe Avenue, which would remain a permanent landmark for Pueblo car shoppers. The dealership eventually evolved into the modern-day Wilcoxson GMC located at 902 North Santa Fe Avenue.

FOUND - Jimmy Dorsey Recording (Lakeside Amusement Park - 1950)

Hey all - been a very long time since I have posted. My apologies for the lack of content. Book sales are still active, but I'm now diligently working on the second edition. Thank you to all who have added it to your libraries!

Jimmy Dorsey (famous in his own right and brother of the equally-talented Tommy) appeared in Colorado on more than 50 occasions, performing multi-week residencies in and around Denver, throughout his career, before his death in June 1957.

Up until now, finding any live recordings of his Colorado concerts were believed to be nonexistent. While the shows were broadcast live, radio stations often recorded selections on fragile acetate discs, which lasted about as long as one playback, then usually tossed.  

Was recently offered a stack of Colorado 78rpm recordings and radio transcription discs (which I will soon be posting on here). In the batch was this incredible historic audio - Jimmy Dorsey performing at Lakeside Amusement Park. While the label notes a June 8, 1950 date, this could be a slip of the pen. According to Down Beat magazine, the band was booked at Lakeside from June 26 through July 8, 1950. Whatever the date, finding this upbeat bop jazz live recording (due to length, posted on YouTube) is astonishing. Crazy man, crazy solos on this disc. 

Enjoy a listen to “Muskrat Ramble,” which includes Dorsey (clarinet and alto sax), Charlie Teagarden (trumpet), Ray Bauduc (drums) and Cutty Cutshaw (trombone). The disc cuts off, but you can hear the announcer's entire locale "From the Patio Ballroom at Lakeside, you've been listing to the new sounds, the new look..." 

 

Elk Bugles (the book) is Available for Order!

"Most intense, thorough book of its kind I've ever seen..." 

- Jello Biafra

Pleased to announce that the book is finally done and ready to order. Books are published on demand, direct from the publisher.  So, no refunds or returns.  460+ pages. All color photos. Close to 3,000 bands and singers, and more than 6,000 records, listed (alphabetical, by singer last name or band name). See previous blog post for more information.

Softback $69.99 / Hardback $99.95 Takes about 10-14 days from order, for delivery.

Order softback and hardback HERE.

My sincere thanks for everyone who had a part in this massive undertaking. 

I'm going on vacation, now.

Elk Bugles - The Book (coming April, 2025)

 "The most intense, thorough book of its kind I have ever seen..."
 - Jello Biafra

 I'm very pleased to announce the upcoming publication of Elk Bugles - A Collector's Guide to the Lesser Known Shellac/Vinyl Recordings of Colorado (1900-2000).

Contained in the 450+ pages are close to 3000 band and singer entries, along with full-color photos. 

Unlike books which feature one category of music, Elk Bugles acknowledges the diverse genres which have come out of the Rocky Mountain State. Rock/pop, metal, punk, garage, soul, hip-hop/rap, Spanish-language, country, polka, lounge, square dance, spoken word...

Looking for John Denver, Judy Collins, Firefall...? Yeah, you probably aren't going to dig this, as "well-known" Colorado bands and singers are missing from these pages. If your bag is "real people," private label vanity recordings, then I think you'll find this guide your thing.

Both hardback and softback versions will be available, starting by April, 2025. Ordering links coming soon.

My apologies for not paying much attention to this blog. As you can imagine, I've been pretty much in book mode. I'm also announcing that I've decided to archive this website. It's been a fun run, for 16 years, but life only gives you so many trips around the sun. This site will continue to be accessible, until I forget to pay the domain bill (grin).

 

Sad News to Report - Angelio DeHerrera (The Sonics)

 

It's always tragic to find out about the passing of yet another person who contributed so much to the Colorado music history archives. I received word that Sonics co-founder, Angelio DeHerrera, passed away, this month. I was so fortunate to meet up with the band, almost five years ago, for an extensive interview and this blog post.

Thank you to his family for the opportunity to pick his brain about the band, and Pueblo music history.

Read more about his life, in his obituary, and in his honor, blare this song!

The Playboys

 

In 1958, two Colorado Springs musicians teamed up with four music students at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Together they were known as The Playboys. While most teens were boppin' to the sounds of Elvis and the Everly Brothers, the six young men were known for jazz.

Regulars at college dances (mostly at CSU in Fort Collins) and nightclubs, The Playboys recorded their one and only vinyl offering, Playboy Impressions. Recorded in 1959, at Bud Edmunds' KCMS studios, in Manitou Springs. 

Minus a successful bid on an eBay auction, I have never come across this record before. Guessing these had a small pressing, quite possibly only sold at their shows. The seller didn't have any connection to it. Who knows, but it's a fantastic find.

The tracks on the red-colored vinyl are pretty much jazz combo standards, minus the energetic cover of the` Billy Eckstine  / Four Freshman bopper, "Mr. B's Blues," and a take on Peggy Lee's "Fever" (samples below).

 

Listen to a sample of "Fever"

Listen to "Mr. B's Blues"

 Members:
Tom Forgey - Drums
Don Hake - Trumpet / Vibes
Norm Helwig - Piano
Dick Skipton - Tenor Sax
Bob Smith - Trombone
Rick Vaughn - Bass 

The cover features model Lou Ellen Morrow, a University of Colorado student, from Colorado Springs.  The Playboys would only last through the end of their college years. The last noted appearance of the band was in 1964. 

To confuse things, there were apparently other Colorado groups going by The Playboys, including 78s recorded by Smiley Macom and his Western Playboys (Frontier 502 and 503), Jimmy Lake and the Colorado Playboys (Band Box 380 - "She Awoke / Where Will it End"), Sef and his Playboys, Schroeder's Playboys, who would appear on Marvin Shilling records, The Polka Playboys, The Rocky Mountain Playboys who back Johnnie Dwyer, and a standard four-piece outfit, going by The Playboys, who would occasionally back Kenny Jay (who also appeared with the Fabulous Roadrunners).

Tom Forgey would go on to be elected Arkansas state representative. Norm Helwig would become an attorney, in Vail. Don Hake would pass away in 1998. Dick Skipton still lives in Colorado. I couldn't find any additional information on Bob Smith and Rick Vaughn. As always, let me know if you have anything to add.

Emissaries of Divine Light - Paul Levine

 

Found in a stash of private issue new age cassettes, at an Aurora estate sale - same place I found the previous post. While the first cassette was a hodgepodge of heavy breathing, chanting and a general mishmash of audio, this next tape might be one of my favorite Colorado finds, so far this year.

Simply titled Expressions I, this is a singer-songwriter gem. Paul Levine is just a man and his guitar. Accompanied by an uncredited female background singer (or two), it's simplicity at its finest. Sadly, there is absolutely no other identifier on this, minus a 1990 year notation. Just a tape and a picture of the Paul.

It appears Paul was associated with the Emissaries of Divine Light, as the address on the tape is to its Loveland compound. The songs all have a feel good "let's all live together in harmony"  - but not an overtly religious -  vibe. Definitely NOT a typical loner sound, associated with most SSW finds.

Yes, I DID notice that this Paul Levine has a more than passing resemblance to the author of the same name. I contacted him to ask (answer still pending). I'm going to assume they are not one in the same, but who knows.

Listen to a sample of "A Love Affair With Life"