Billy Sandlin came from Ocala, Florida, starting his recording career in 1959 with the tough-sounding “She’s Mean” b/w “Don’t Let Me Down”, released first on Vim Records then on Gala. From the start he showed an ability to sing a wide range of styles, from uptempo rock to melancholy ballads.
In 1961, Sandlin had a second single on Gala, “Teenager’s Dream” in a slow doo-wop style b/w the latin-ish “Cha Cha Bop”. Around 1962 he left for Germany, presumably for military service.
Next came a single on Viking Records, “You’ll Always Have Someone”, produced by Larry Montague and still very much in a teen style, released circa 1964, though I could use confirmation of that date.
In 1966 he found a tougher accompaniment by the Interns for the fine “Poor Rich Girl”, especially in the repetitive guitar line, and Sandlin’s voice really suits this hard r&b style. The b-side “Here Comes That Feeling” is very good downer garage. My copy is on Royale 1966.326, but others exist with the label name changed to Royala, which would match his next single.
Jack McGowan owned the Teen Time Club in Ocala, according to a short article in the Ocala Star-Banner from 1967, and I think Royala/Royale was his label. I believe he is the same Jack McGowan who produced the The Great Masquerade, also known as The AC/DC Caper, filmed in Miami in 1973.
Circa 1969, Billy Sandlin was the singer on two demo acetates recorded at National Guild Recording Studios as Sounds of Sandlin.
John Tabor sent in the photo seen here and gave the lineup of the group:
Henry Rawls – vocals & trumpet
John Tabor – vocals & lead guitar
Andy Facundus – bass guitar
J.W. Howell – drums
Billy Sandlin – vocals & rhythm guitar
“Come on Up to My World” and “Dream Train Ride” are solid psychedelic numbers, while “Sunshine” is a quiet ballad in a folk or country-rock style, and “I Need You” has fuzz guitar but is more of a pop song. All four songs feature two vocalists singing each line of verse.
National Guild Studios were located in Orange City about an hour and a half east-southeast of Ocala. I’ve heard clips of both thanks to Jameson Sweiger, who took the photos of the acetates seen here and gave me some background on them.
The acetates came from Larry Montague, who produced Billy’s single on Viking.
Jameson wrote: “Larry had a full album from the sessions of these 45s that was to be released but shelved after his death and never released. Larry had the original reel to reels when I met him. Sandlin apparently was in movies or working on movies at the time of these 45s.”
Sandlin next joined with Barry Winslow of the Royal Guardsmen for a single on Mega, “Have You Seen a Rainbow Lately” / “Peace Time” that got a good mention in Billboard in November, 1971.
Billy Sandlin also recorded two songs I haven’t heard, “Turn Me On” / “Country In The City” that exist on a Capitol custom 8″ demo, I’m not sure of the year.
Tragically, Billy and his wife Melinda were killed when their car was hit by a drunk driver fleeing the police in Ocala in February, 1973.
Billy Sandlin discography:
Vim Records 1006 – Billy Sandlin – “She’s Mean” (Sandlin, pub. by ThreeWay BMI) / “Don’t Let Me Down” (1959)
Gala Records 45-110 – Billy Sandlin – “She’s Mean” / “Don’t Let Me Down” (1959)
Gala Records 45-115 – Billy Sandlin – “Teenager’s Dream”/ “Cha Cha Bop” (Sandlin) (1960)
Strike Records S-103/4 – Billy Sandlin with the Strangers and the Bluetones – “My Little Twisting Baby” (Sandlin) / Billy Sandlin and the Strangers – “My Little Star” (P4KM-5346), recorded in Germany with a group also known as the King-Beats, but issued in the U.S. circa 1963.
Viking Records 1001/2 – Billy Sandlin and the Embers – “You’ll Always Have Someone” / “I Kept on Walking” (Sandlin, pub. by Montague Music), produced by Larry E. Montague
Royale 1966.326 – Billy Sandlin with the Interns – “Poor Rich Girl” / “Here Comes That Feeling” (1966) prod. by Jack McGowan
Royala 1966.329 – Billy Sandlin with the Interns Orchestra – “I Kept On Walking” / “Sweet Loving” (sung by Ace Perryman), 1966
Mega 615-0044 – Winslow & Sandlin – “Have You Seen a Rainbow Lately” (Barry Winslow-Barry Sandlin) / same (1971)
Unreleased demos:
Sounds of Sandlin – “Come on Up to My World” / “Sunshine” (National Guild Recording Studios demo, late ’60s)
Sounds of Sandlin – “Dream Train Ride” / “I Need You Girl” (National Guild Recording Studios demo, late ’60s)
Billy Sandlin – “Turn Me On” / “Country In The City” (Capitol Custom 8″ acetate disc, date unknown)
Sources include That’s All Rite Mama
Great work! Thank you!!! I lived a block away from McGowan in Ocala. Billy and the Inters played there.
I was in the Sounds of Sandlin When we working with Capital Records
negotiating signing on with them. I am one of only two surviving members.
I have a publicity picture of the group if your interested, I had several but
lost in a fire in my recording studio.
John Tabor
10272 NW 27th Drive
Wildwood, Fl 34785
w
I am Billy sandlin jr I was named after my dad I am 48 years old I would love to talk to you please call me at 760-569-3981
Hey Billy,
My husband, Hank Whitmore, and I are visiting Williston this weekend. I’m currently doing some research for Hank in hopes of connecting with his former aviation students at Williston Airport–around the mid-60’s. One of the names Hank gave me is Billy Sandlin and that we was a local musician who would be around his early 70’s (?) right now. I’m not sure if this was your Dad. I was wondering if you would please contact me.
Much appreciated…
Hey Billy
My name is Frank i am from Denmark and I got at singel record Whit your dad i bellive
Whit i bellive is his autograf on it, i’ve got i from an old Lady who was the manager of a night Club i Copenhagen for 25 years,
The titler is “My little Twisting Baby”
And I Cant find much about it on the internet, so i would ask you if you know if your dad ever had been in Denmark on a gig
And it’s possible that it is his signatur
Manny thank’s Frank
John Tabor was once my brother in law and was awesome in his musical talents..John hope you and your family are well..Vicki (Bob) ex..
This was so awesum Donna Jones thanx for posting on facebook 🙂
My father is Henry Rawls, a band member. I still have hand written letters from Billy to me when he was in New York. He loved my mud pies. I have an acetate copy of Have You Seen a Rainbow Lately somewhere.
Billy sandlin was my dad please call me at 760-569-3981
http://www.google.com/url?q=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DjzwyB-vPsKs&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiij_7MsrLaAhVI_4MKHQxADpQQtwIwAnoECAcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0er94J0yJQRbXXPqFFMouJ
Henry Rawls was my uncle…and I have fond memories and Billy Sandlin and the band.
I grew up in Williston,Florida and Billy was two years ahead of me in school. Along with his brother Carroll we were all members of the high school band. He played for the Williston Red Devils Baseball team and was primarily a relief pitcher. His best pitch was curve and most batters on the opposing teams found it awfully hard to hit. While in high school he had formed a band called Billy Sandlin and the Carnations and I was one of the backup singers . We were on a Saturday morning show courtesy of Radio Station WGGG in Gainesville Fl for a few shows. I lasted during that summer as I recall. I found out while in the US Navy that his brother Carroll was a corpsman and we ran into each other while my ship had made a stop in Japan.Billy was a good guy and I always thought the world of him. I am sad to later learn of his passing.
i found another 45 by Billy Sandlin, Royala 330 Teach Her To Dance / My Little Star
Hi Billy I am Billy Sandlin from Atlanta Georgia I am a retired police Lieutenant and live in Dunnellon Florida. I knew Bobby from the CVS here in Dunnellon. He told me about your father and what had happened. I went to the cemetery in Williston. Bobby has also passed as you know. Enjoyed reading the info.