Can’t find much about this group who did this one 45 in 1970. The Cross Tie Walkers included brothers Tony Goggans and Mike Goggans. From a signed copy I saw online, other members includes Patrick Stephens and Roger McDaniels (not sure I have Roger’s surname correct).
I’ve read Valley was an Alabama label, and apparently the Goggans came from Fort Payne, Alabama but Vance Pollack tells me they were often billed as “the Malabous Ron, aka Malibus / Malibous, etc. of Fayetteville” in North Carolina.
“Days I Recollect” is the standout, sounding much like Creedence, but with something original to it. Mike Goggans wrote both that and the flip, “Girl We Got a While Yet”, for Clay Music BMI.
Tony Goggans produced the 45, engineered by Jerry K. Black and arranged by Michael Goggans. The PRP 21841/PRP 21842 code indicates Precision Record Press in Nashville.
Any additional information about the group would be appreciated. Anyone have a photo of the group?
From left: David Moore, Don Willin, Carl Erwin and Joe Boyland
Here’s a record I don’t own myself, but after writing about the Marke 5, I heard from a member of another band from Fayetteville, the Symbols.
The Symbols released this one 45. The A-side is the Beatlesesque “Can I See You Tonight?” with an unusual guitar solo. Less restrained is the excellent flip “Give Me Time,” full of energy and originality, and written by David Moore and Joe Boyland.
Jerry Miller put me in touch with his brother George, who was the second lead singer of the group, joining right after the 45 was recorded. Prior to the Symbols, George was in the Taxmen, a rival band to the Marke 5 at Seventy First High School in Fayetteville.
George Miller wrote to me about the Symbols:
David Moore played lead, Don Willin bass, Joe Boyland (he was a preacher) rhythm, Carl Erwin drums.
Don Willin was a McCartney freak at the time and copied his style. Willin played a big red Gibson hollow body Bass, like Peter Tork of the Monkees. Moore and Boyland wrote their songs.
Johnny Betz did the original vocals of “Can I See You Tonight.” I have no idea why, but after the record was cut and got dist. going, Betts and the drummer quit. Carl Irwin, from Pine Forest H.S. and myself from 71st, moved into those to places and the Symbols really clicked. I sounded exactly like him doing that song so we did it all the time and I got the credit for making it a hit.
We did “Words” by the Bee Gees then; and the crowd always went crazy. We played all over N.C. The Symbols were the first to use strobe and stage lighting. Very limited at the time, but effective. We had that stage magic. I won’t ever forget the fun and work it took to be on the road in H.S.
Jimmy Capps Productions was in Raleigh, N.C. Capps produced “Can I See You Tonight” 600 copies (at total $625.00). We had a recording offer from ‘Colgems’ (Columbia/Gem) in California, four songs all original, and I was too young to go on tour without an adult chaperone. So I got in trouble and headed off to Viet Nam with Mike and Jim, who were the other getter-in-troubles …..and we got to be War Heroes n’stuff and be cool around Fayyette-Nam….
By the way it is Bradley Moffet, lead guitar – Marke 5, that was working at Edwards Music not Donnie Wofford. Wofford is retired from the Army as an E-7, and runs some convenience stores in Hope Mills.
The Taxmen: Bobby Williams – Lead, Jay Shepherd – Rhythm, Bob Holmes – Bass, George Miller – Vocals, Bill Palmer – Drummer # 1, ? – Drummer #2. Anyone know where Bob Holmes and John Holmes might be? Old Jr. High School band “The Barons” the best song we did was “Shapes” by ‘The Yardbirds’… Barons was ahead of their time.
The Marke 5 were high schoolers from Fayetteville, near Raleigh. Members were Donnie Wofford on vocals, Bill Muffet lead guitar, Pete Sanchez guitar, Steve Kellburg bass and Eddy Truman on drums.
“Pay” has a lot going for it: unusual staccato guitar work, a solo heavy on reverb, sharp drumming and good lead and harmony vocals. Great bass work stands out on “The Leader”, a solid shout-along tune. Both songs are credited to Donnie Wolford and Bill Muffett.
Ed Truman later played with a version of Minnesota band the Castaways (of “Liar Liar” fame) when Castaways’ guitarist Bob Folschow was stationed in Fayetteville while in the military.
Jimmy Capps was a very popular DJ on WPTF in Raleigh and started the JCP label in early 1965. He released records by dozens of groups including the Unknown IV,the Counts IV,the Symbols, the Vigilantes, the Nightwalkers, Davy Butler, and the Vibra-Sonics, recording in his studio behind the McDonald’s on Hillsborough Street. Jimmy Capps died in 1967 at age 47, and the label soon folded, ending a remarkable run at documenting the local Raleigh-Durham scene.
Sources include: Tobacco-A-Go Go vol. 2, and Fuzz, Acid and Flowers.
The Sound System, circa 1969-1970. Standing left to right: Barry McNeill, Ray Barnes, Teddy Ray and Jimmy Harris. Seated from left: Ralph Melvin, Faye Williams and Lynn JenkinsSound System Romat 45 Take a Look at Yourself
The Sound System had the first 45 on the Romat label. The label credits this as a Carl Lineberger Pitt Sound Studio Production, from Greenville, North Carolina. Band members on the 45 were Barry McNeill on keyboards, Alan Knight drums, Alan Wright bass, Faye Williams guitar and Lynn Jenkins lead singer.
The haunting organ sound, solid drumming and buzzing psychedelic guitar work give the b-side, “Take a Look At Yourself” great tension to match Lynn Jenkins’ excellent vocals. I think it’s safe to say the top side, “Serenade”, will never be resurrected.
In 2009, Lynn Jenkins gave me some background to the band:
The first band that I was a member of was called the Intruders (not to be confused with the band who recorded “Cowboys to Girls”). Later I joined the Sound System. There were four members; Barry McNeil on keyboards, Alan Knight on drums, Alan Wright on bass guitar, Faye Williams playing lead guitar.
They were searching for a lead singer and I was approached for the position. As rehearsals continued for many weeks, we began to receive numerous bookings. Our band played at many locations including Duke University, Williams Lake, YMCA, local clubs, Fort Bragg’s Dragon Club, Pope Air Force Bases’ Officers’ Club, E-4– E-9 Drop Zone Club, the local skating rink and recreation centers. We felt we were gaining when we made several appearances on The Homer Briar Hopper Show hosted by Clyde Moody. Great times!
The Sound System won several Battle of the Bands, the most memorable was at the Hope Mills High School in Fayetteville, NC. Competition included Chico Carter and The Playthings, Digger Odell and The Undertakers, and numerous other groups.
Our manager Bernie McNeil (Barry’s dad) approached me and Barry on a Sunday afternoon and asked how quick we could write a song. Thirty minutes later “Take A Look At Yourself ” was complete, including the music. The following Monday it was recorded in Greenville, N.C. at Pitt Sound Studio. Our producer was Roy Matthews. It was a pleasant experience to work with Mr. Matthews. Several members of the band; “The O’Kaysions” who recorded “I’m a Girl Watcher” were present at the time of our recording.
Our record was sold at live gigs, at all of our schools, and distributed throughout the state of N.C. One copy was even sent to Viet Nam and was played over the air in DaNang. Radio play was unbelievable! The DJ’s were overwhelmed with requests, that the record was broken over the air waves … literally (WFLB radio station in Fayetteville).
The band broke up upon my entrance to the U.S. Army in which I have retired Sgt. first class after 22 years in 1993 (82nd Airborne Paratrooper). I have no information about Alan Wright, Barry McNeil is the NC Assistant State Attorney General, Faye Williams has been teaching music in Iraq for several years and Alan Knight owns and operates a recording studio in Lenoir, N.C.
The Romat label lists the song writers’ names incorrectly: “Take a Look at Yourself” is listed as by J. Jinkins and B. McNeal, which is also rendered as Barry McNeil on the credits to “Serenade”.
After a few years together they evolved into a larger soul/top 45 revue with horns. Barry McNeill sent me some examples of this later sound including a version of the Tams “Untie Me” and “Love Is a Beautiful Thing”.
Barry wrote:
These recordings were made in a small sound studio on Haymount Hill in Fayetteville NC, probably circa 1969 or 1970. Lynn Jenkins is the lead vocalist; Faye Williams is on guitar; Ray Barnes is on bass guitar; Alan Knight is on drums; Barry McNeill is on organ; Jimmy Harris is on trumpet; and Teddy Ray is on tenor saxophone. Ralph Melvin replaced Alan Knight for a period of time as the drummer.
The Sound System eventually changed their name to the Expressions, which included Warren McDonald as a member.
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Can’t find much about this group who did this one 45 in 1970. The Cross Tie Walkers included brothers Tony Goggans and Mike Goggans. From a signed copy I saw online, other members includes Patrick Stephens and Roger McDaniels (not sure I have Roger’s surname correct).
“Days I Recollect” is the standout, sounding much like Creedence, but with something original to it. Mike Goggans wrote both that and the flip, “Girl We Got a While Yet”, for Clay Music BMI.
