The Red House, left to right: James Noe, Billy King, Ric Gonzalez, John Coco and Tommy Durham
Members of Red House were:
Two songs that would appear as by The Red House Note one is titled “Mary Ann” (without the ending “e”) Scan from the collection of Andrew BrownJohn Coco (vocals and harmonica) Ric Gonzalez (lead guitar) Tommy Durham (guitar) James Noe (bass) Billy King (drums)
By 1969, the Stereo Shoestring had splintered, leaving singer John Coco and bassist James Noe to find new musicians. At first they kept the Shoestring name, but by the time they released their new single “Sunflower” / “Mary Anne” (not “Mary Jane” as a certain error-prone reference book lists), on the Big “K” label, they had changed their name to the Red House.
The arrangement of the vocals on “Mary Anne” is very much like the singing in the Stereo Shoestring’s “On the Road South”, but otherwise the songs are different. Songwriting credits to James Noe and John Coco. “Sunflower” has a country-rock feel to it, and a lot of fine guitar picking from Tommy Durham. It was written by Coco and Durham.
Lew Knippa owned Big “K” Productions in Ingleside, Texas, just across the bay from Corpus Christi.
from left: Tommy Durham, Ric Gonzalez and James Noe
Lead guitarist Ric Gonzalez sent me a copy of the 45 and the photos seen here, and answered my questions about the band:
Billy King, a drummer, and I had played together since junior high in various teen bands in the Corpus Christi area. The bands Billy and I were in prior to Shoestring copied the Zakary Thaks’ sets song for song, note for note, as best we could. The “Thaks” would play Stones, Yardbirds, Hendrix, etc.
When “The Shoestring” reformed they contacted Billy, he in turn called me. Besides John Coco on vocals and James Noe (bass) from the original Shoestring; new members were Tommy Durham (rhythm guitar), Billy King (drums), and me, Ric Gonzalez (lead guitar).
Ric with his 1967 Epiphone RivieraCoco had the English version of Are You Experienced which had “Red House” on it. Not many people had heard “Red House” 42 years ago. Also, there was an old movie with Edward G. Robinson called, “The Red House”, which had been on the late movies back then. Coco and Noe (a true genius) wanted a new name. I suggested “Red House”.
I didn’t play on “On The Road South”, that was the band before Billy and I joined, but I did play lead on “Mary Anne”, and 2nd lead on the flip-side, “Sunflower”. We recorded the 45 a week after we joined.
Ric Gonzalez, May 1969“Sunflower” was the “A” side. It was a KEYS Radio (Corpus Christi, Tex) Pick-Of-The Week in June ’69. We recorded that 45 at Andrus Studios in Houston on Monday, April 7th, 1969. It was the day after Easter Sunday. Amazingly enough, the Easter Everywhere album by Thirteenth Floor Elevators was also recorded there in 1967.
We would play those songs [“Mary Jane” and “Sunflower”] live. In the summer of ’69, we were the house-band at Corpus Christi’s “Love-Street Light Circus and Feel Good Machine” club. I had just turned 16. Billy was 17. Coco was 21. And we opened for many great bands: Bubble Puppy to name one.
Billy Gibbons sat in with the band once. ZZ Top was in the formative stage, he mentioned the name “ZZ Top”. We knew his band as The Moving Sidewalk. We immediately thought of “ZIGZAG” and “TOP” rolling papers. And, also of R&B singers ZZ Hill and also of, BB King. Original in the rock world. Old hat in the R&B network.
Ric Gonzalez
from left: John Coco in yellow shirt, Billy King holding Ric Gonzalez’s guitar
Update: I’ve changed all instances of James Coco to John Coco, as I’ve had two people who knew him comment that is his correct name.
23 thoughts on “The Red House “Mary Ann” / “Sunflower” on Big-K”
So Ric was 15 at the time of the recording? THAT is amazing. The solo is ridiculous! Does anyone know why The Shoestring broke up?
Don’t get me wrong, the whole reason I’m a GH fan is a quest as to ‘why’ this band made it, while legions of more talented, creative and clear-headed musicians did NOT. It keeps me checking back all the time. My best guess is that those that found traction in the music biz during this era were not so much interested in becoming musicians ( as much as they were in becoming rock stars) No clearer case in point than Mick Taylor of the Stones.
Ahem, HOWEVER, where Billy Gibbons is concerned, no, NO such doubt should exist. None. I saw ZZ four rows back at the Int’l Amp. in Chicago in 1974. Actually… just a few years after your chance meeting w/ him.
Pure. Guitar. Animal. Such intensity. Unmatched, really to this day. Unlike wave after wave of well polished and infinitely more melodic players, then and now, Billy grasped the raw appeal of the instrument like no other. You can show plenty of talented bands that ‘should’ have made it ( just not ones w/ players Billy’s caliber )
Matt D. This is Billy King from Red House. I joined the band to make some money, record a record, and try something new. I had just come from The Dog House Blues Band. We were the first Blues Band in Corpus Christi. Playing everything from Sonny Boy Williamson, to Elmore James, to B.B King, to Little Walter, to Little Richard, to early “Peter Green’s” Fleetwood Mac. Anyway studied ALL of the great blues masters. We would turn out the lights and listen intently to every chord chage, every chord change, and every drum groove. So for me and Rick it was VERY MUCH about the music. So to say were trying to rock stars is bullshit.
Hi! How do we get ahold of John? Last time I saw him was in 1999 at Billy King’s birthday party near Robstown,Tx,, Also present was drummer Bobby Donaho…Thanks,Ric
Hi Ric, do you still have any copies of the record?
Hello ric Tommy durham was my brother if you get this email my family would love to have a copy of this record if possible. It was always something special to us. He went on to go into the air force then got a degree in music and became a band director in Missouri before passing away in 2011 from cancer. I was just a kid back when the record was released but will never forget how excited we were for him.
Hello Danny did you ever get a copy of the record of sunflower/Maryann guitar player Tom Durham was my brother and trying to figure out how I can get a copy of that record or at least hear it. I’m 66 years old and I haven’t heard it in 53 years.
The only person(s) I’ve found so far is Richard Lalor and the Shoestrings equipment manager Ashley Johnson, I don’t know where the rest are. Noe and Coco are the only two that have both bands in common, so it would be nice to speak to any of them!
This is Chris who runs this website. We spoke about Red House back in 2011. I’ve tried to email you since then, but haven’t heard back. Please try to contact me when you see this.
Hi Jessica I’m Becky durham shrowder could you let your dad know that I saw his comment here and would love to talk with him my brother Tommy durham was in the band red house with him in 1969 give him my email address becky1956@comcast.net thank you in advance for your help
Hi Jessica I’m still trying to get in touch with your dad about my brother Tommy Durham regarding the record they did in 1969 if you could please have home get back with me I’m going to be going to Corpus Christi in March if he lives close to there I would love to meet up
Hi Jessica I’m looking to talk to you dad about my brother Tom durham that was in band with him back in 1969 could you please give him my email address bBecky1956@comcast.net
Hi I didn’t see my email was wrong til now it’s Becky1956@comcast.net please let your dad know I’m waiting to hear from him thank you Tom Durham sister Becky durham shrowder
Hello my name is Becky durham shrowder Tommy durham was my brother if there is a copy of the record my family and I would love to have one of them if there was anyway possible, we could get one Tommy passed away in 2011 of cancer I was just a kid when the record was released but we never got one if at all possible it would mean alto to the family that left
Becky,I informed John Coco and Billy King earlier today about the very sad news of Tommy’s passing.. Mercy ! Yeah,I got a handful of 45’s..And,I detest typing or texting..So,send me your proper E-mail address..And,I really want/need to talk to you about Tommy and his brother that played keyboards.. I’m looking forward to it..Many thanks, Ric.. P.S. If memory serves me right,your other brother’s name was James? 5/1/2023
Yay I’m so happy and so is my sister. Yes James was my other brother that played the keyboards. Can I ask where do you live now is it still Corpus Christi or somewhere else ? this is my email address becky1956@comcast .net if you will send me an email I’ll write you on it and give you my number. Thank you for getting back with me
Yay!!! Missing my brothers Tom Durham (and James), so what a happy surprise to see those pictures of young Tom. I remember those days so well… I still remember the tune to both songs… “Mary Anne” and “Sunflower”. So tickled to share this site and thread with his loved ones as well. He was so very dear to us and his musicianship continued throughout his life! He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree (from SWOSU -Weatherford , OK )with Guitar as his primary instrument! He was an amazing guitarist and loved sharing his music. Thanks for checking on that 45 for us… I have a feeling we are going to have to toss coins on who gets to hold on to it first! Thanks again for, Debora Durham Jaquess
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The arrangement of the vocals on “Mary Anne” is very much like the singing in the Stereo Shoestring’s “On the Road South”, but otherwise the songs are different. Songwriting credits to James Noe and John Coco. “Sunflower” has a country-rock feel to it, and a lot of fine guitar picking from Tommy Durham. It was written by Coco and Durham.
Lead guitarist Ric Gonzalez sent me a copy of the 45 and the photos seen here, and answered my questions about the band:
So Ric was 15 at the time of the recording? THAT is amazing. The solo is ridiculous! Does anyone know why The Shoestring broke up?
Don’t get me wrong, the whole reason I’m a GH fan is a quest as to ‘why’ this band made it, while legions of more talented, creative and clear-headed musicians did NOT. It keeps me checking back all the time. My best guess is that those that found traction in the music biz during this era were not so much interested in becoming musicians ( as much as they were in becoming rock stars) No clearer case in point than Mick Taylor of the Stones.
Ahem, HOWEVER, where Billy Gibbons is concerned, no, NO such doubt should exist. None. I saw ZZ four rows back at the Int’l Amp. in Chicago in 1974. Actually… just a few years after your chance meeting w/ him.
Pure. Guitar. Animal. Such intensity. Unmatched, really to this day. Unlike wave after wave of well polished and infinitely more melodic players, then and now, Billy grasped the raw appeal of the instrument like no other. You can show plenty of talented bands that ‘should’ have made it ( just not ones w/ players Billy’s caliber )
Matt D.
This is Billy King from Red House. I joined the band to make some money, record a record, and try something new. I had just come from The Dog House Blues Band. We were the first Blues Band in Corpus Christi. Playing everything from Sonny Boy Williamson, to Elmore James, to B.B King, to Little Walter, to Little Richard, to early “Peter Green’s” Fleetwood Mac. Anyway studied ALL of the great blues masters. We would turn out the lights and listen intently to every chord chage, every chord change, and every drum groove. So for me and Rick it was VERY MUCH about the music. So to say were trying to rock stars is bullshit.
Great info! I think “Mary Anne” is better than “On the Road South.” Less manic, more polished and focused.
Please let me know if James Noe can be reached. also several typos for John Coco (James Coco) . John Coco is correct. the only James is Noe…
Hi! How do we get ahold of John? Last time I saw him was in 1999 at Billy King’s birthday party near Robstown,Tx,, Also present was drummer Bobby Donaho…Thanks,Ric
Ric – do you have some copies left of the record?
Yes…I’ve got 20 or so mint copies…I’ll be glad to send you one…Ric
Hi Ric, do you still have any copies of the record?
Hello ric Tommy durham was my brother if you get this email my family would love to have a copy of this record if possible. It was always something special to us. He went on to go into the air force then got a degree in music and became a band director in Missouri before passing away in 2011 from cancer. I was just a kid back when the record was released but will never forget how excited we were for him.
Hello Danny did you ever get a copy of the record of sunflower/Maryann guitar player Tom Durham was my brother and trying to figure out how I can get a copy of that record or at least hear it. I’m 66 years old and I haven’t heard it in 53 years.
The only person(s) I’ve found so far is Richard Lalor and the Shoestrings equipment manager Ashley Johnson, I don’t know where the rest are. Noe and Coco are the only two that have both bands in common, so it would be nice to speak to any of them!
Hi Ric,
This is Chris who runs this website. We spoke about Red House back in 2011. I’ve tried to email you since then, but haven’t heard back. Please try to contact me when you see this.
RChrisBishop@gmail.com
Hi Chris I’m going to let my dad know you’re trying to reach him! You can email me if need be as well, thank you!
Hi Jessica I’m Becky durham shrowder could you let your dad know that I saw his comment here and would love to talk with him my brother Tommy durham was in the band red house with him in 1969 give him my email address becky1956@comcast.net thank you in advance for your help
Hi Jessica I’m still trying to get in touch with your dad about my brother Tommy Durham regarding the record they did in 1969 if you could please have home get back with me I’m going to be going to Corpus Christi in March if he lives close to there I would love to meet up
Hi Jessica I’m looking to talk to you dad about my brother Tom durham that was in band with him back in 1969 could you please give him my email address bBecky1956@comcast.net
Hi I didn’t see my email was wrong til now it’s Becky1956@comcast.net please let your dad know I’m waiting to hear from him thank you Tom Durham sister Becky durham shrowder
Hello my name is Becky durham shrowder Tommy durham was my brother if there is a copy of the record my family and I would love to have one of them if there was anyway possible, we could get one Tommy passed away in 2011 of cancer I was just a kid when the record was released but we never got one if at all possible it would mean alto to the family that left
Becky,I informed John Coco and Billy King earlier today about the very sad news of Tommy’s passing.. Mercy ! Yeah,I got a handful of 45’s..And,I detest typing or texting..So,send me your proper E-mail address..And,I really want/need to talk to you about Tommy and his brother that played keyboards.. I’m looking forward to it..Many thanks, Ric.. P.S. If memory serves me right,your other brother’s name was James? 5/1/2023
Becky, If you get this, pls respond, with a yay. Thanks,Ric
Yay I’m so happy and so is my sister. Yes James was my other brother that played the keyboards. Can I ask where do you live now is it still Corpus Christi or somewhere else ? this is my email address becky1956@comcast .net if you will send me an email I’ll write you on it and give you my number. Thank you for getting back with me
Yay!!! Missing my brothers Tom Durham (and James), so what a happy surprise to see those pictures of young Tom. I remember those days so well… I still remember the tune to both songs… “Mary Anne” and “Sunflower”. So tickled to share this site and thread with his loved ones as well. He was so very dear to us and his musicianship continued throughout his life! He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree (from SWOSU -Weatherford , OK )with Guitar as his primary instrument! He was an amazing guitarist and loved sharing his music. Thanks for checking on that 45 for us… I have a feeling we are going to have to toss coins on who gets to hold on to it first!
Thanks again for,
Debora Durham Jaquess