Category Archives: Texas

The Images “My Kinda Woman” on Music Mill

The Images at Panther Hall, March 12, 1965

The Images played often around the Fort Worth, Texas region, including shows at Panther Hall and Holiday Skating Rink with the Motovators.

They released one excellent single on Music Mill 404, “My Kinda Woman” / “A Swingin’ Summer”, both by T. Martin and G. Carter, publishing by Levelland BMI.

I don’t have much info on the group, other than those two names T. Martin and G. Carter. Their drum head has a location, a short word ending in “t” – Hurst, TX maybe?

The Images came in third place out of 11 bands, at the July 25, 1965, Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands”.

Thanks to the meticulous scrapbook kept by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present the photo of the group and their set list from the July 25 battle-of-the-bands.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.

The Images set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965

The Visions “She’s the Girl for Me”

The Visions at Panther Hall for Panther-a-Go-Go, July 25, 1965

The Visions Combo card text
Less Hair BUT More Music

“Young Men With Big Talent”

Less Hair BUT More Music

The Visions were formed on June 15, 1965 in Mineral Wells, Texas. They launched their career at the local Youth Center on the night of June 23 …

Gary James, lead guitarist, from Possum Kingdom Lake. Gary is 16, attends Graford High School and also serves as vocalist with the group.

Billy Dalton, rhythm guitarist … is 15, attends Mineral Wells High School…

Frank Johnson, on the piano … is 17 years of age and attends Graford Hight School.

Charles Morgan, our drummer, hails from Fort Worth, is 17 years of age, and attends Technical High School.

The Visions played their first show a week after forming, and soon after, a major battle-of-the-bands at Panther Hall in Fort Worth, 50 miles east of Mineral Wells.

On July 25, 1965 the Visions were one of eleven groups at the Panther-a-Go-Go “Battle-of-the-Rock N Roll Bands” with Larry & the Blue Notes, the Jades, the Images, the Kasuals, the Motovators, the Naturals, the Barons, Chas Christy & the Crystals, Jack & the Rippers and the Coachmen. Emcee was Bill Warren of WXOL and Fred Slater hosted the show.

Visions Vimco 45 She's the Girl for MeThanks to an amazing scrapbook created by the mother of Motovators bassist Terry Hungerford, I can present a photo of the group, their promo card and even a partial set list.

Panther-a-Go-Go used as many as four stages, a main one in center, another up in a central balcony, plus stages left and right on the floor. The Visions were the sixth of the 11 bands, they played on the right side stage, and their nine songs included “Twist and Shout”, “Summertime”, “What’d I Say”, “Walk Don’t Run” and “The McCoy”.

The Visions came in last in this particular competition, but would have lasting success in the future.


Visions set list at Panther Hall, July 25, 1965

Visions Vimco 45 Take HerOf the three Texas records on their own Vimco label, my favorite is the fantastic “She’s the Girl for Me”, with the moodier “Take Her” on the other side.

In November the Visions would re-release “Take Her”, this time with a great version of “Route 66” on the flip. In March of 1966, they made their last Texas single, the heavy “Humpty Dumpty” backed with a version of the Beatles’ “You Won’t See Me”.

Visions Vimco 45 Route 66That summer of 1966, the group moved to Hollywood, CA, where they would record for Warner Bros. and UNI, make some TV appearances, and sign to Buddah Records with different group names, Sugar Canyon, and the Rock & Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Co. of Philadelphia.

More information, videos, and many very small photos can be found at Billy Dalton’s website.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.

The Party Line Club and the Tracer Club in Fort Worth

Tracer Club Gary Payne and the Play Mates Sept. 10, 1965

Tracer Club Fort Worth adsBo Yale, Garlin Holcomb (Garland Halcomb?) and Junior Allred ran the Party Line Club in Fort Worth, TX. The Motovators auditioned at the Party Line Club on July 1, 1965, but may not have received any bookings.

I don’t know the Party Line Club’s address, but the same owners opened another night club, the Tracer Club, located at 5123 E Lancaster Ave in Fort Worth, TX.

The Tracer Club opened on June 1, 1965, advertising “Table to table telephones • Closed Circuit TV • Carpeted walls • 4,000 square feet of luxury – Something New For Texas“. Kay Harris made her vocal debut with Jim Jones & the Chaunteys.

Gary Payne and the Play Mates appeared at the Tracer Club on September 10, 1965. This was the band Phil Reece and Jimmy Smith joined after the Motovators split up.

The Rondels appeared there in April and May, 1967.

If anyone has more info on these night spots, please contact me.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.

Rondels at the Tracer Club Denton Record Chronicle April 21, 1967

Holiday Skating Rink’s Holiday A-Go-Go, Haltom City, Fort Worth

Motovators at the Holiday Hop April 3, 1965
The Holiday Roller Skating Rink in 1965

The Holiday Skating Rink was located at 2920 Carson St. in Haltom City, northeast of downtown Fort Worth, and just a block away from Haltom High School (where the Jades, the Barons and the Motovators attended school). It was later known at the Holiday Skatium.

Starting in May, 1964, the Jaycees sponsored weekly teen nights at the rink called Holiday Hop or Holiday A-Go-Go, run by KFJZ DJ Mark Stevens. The Motovators played at there at least five times in 1965. Below is a partial list of Holiday A-Go-Go shows:

January 23, 1965 – “Battle-of-the-Bands” with the Motovators, the United Sounds, the Jades (2nd place), the Barons (1st place), the Coachmen and the Images.

February 13, 1965 – Valentine Dance “Holiday Hop” with the Motovators and the Images

March 6, 1965 – Motovators and the Barons

April 3, 1965 – Motovators and the Barons. Photos taken by Donnie Fisher. The Motovators are sporting their new striped coats and yellow shirts from Foreman & Clark, $13.84 each.

On April 25, 1965, the Star-Telegram ran a full-page feature on Holiday A-Go-Go, with photos of the audience and two photos of a band, likely the Creeps, who are mentioned in the article.

On May 29, 1965 – the Holiday a-Go-Go 1st Anniversary show included Larry & the Blue Notes, the Chaunteys, the Jades and the Barons, but not the Motovators.

July 10, 1965 – The Motovators and Larry and the Blue Notes. The Blue Notes ask Terry to join them for a three-day tour, but he turns it down because of two prior Motovators bookings.

September 18, 1965 – the Barons and Jack & the Rippers

December 4, 1965 – the Jades

April 2, 1966 – the Mysterians

April 8, 1966 – Battle of the bands with the Jades, the Esquires, the Mods, the Kasuals, the Nomads, the No-Names and the Cynics.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing this material.

Holiday Skating Rink, not sure if this is the Motovators or another group

The Motovators at National Hall in Fort Worth

National Hall, April 2, 1965, from left: Dale Morgan, Terry Hungerford, Mike Langston, and Terry Fagan with Roger Young on drums.
The Capris at National Hall, April 2, 1965
Charlie Christy & Crystals, National Hall, April 2, 1965

The National Hall SPJST is located at 3316 Roberts Cut Off Rd, Fort Worth, Texas. It still exists.

It was a popular spot for polka and western bands, but featured a few shows of rock bands during 1965. The Motovators played three shows here. Photos were taken at the first two shows.

April 2, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands with the Motovators, Charlie Christy & the Crystals and two groups I am not familiar with: the Capris, the United Sounds. Emcees were Bob Allen and Bill Warren of KXOL. Lineup at this show was

June 18, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands. The Motovators debuted their new stage suits. The lineup at this point was Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Mike Langston, Phil Reece on guitar, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or possibly Jerry Smith).

June 26, 1965 – Larry and the Blue Notes

July 2, 1965 – the Motovators played for 25% of door, DJ Bill Warren hosted

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.

The Motovators on stage at National Hall, probably June, 1965
Haltom High School friends at National Hall, April 2, 1965
National Hall, June 18, 1965, Roger Young (on drums), and Mike Langston with maracas
The Motovators, June 18, 1965: Phil Reece on guitar, Roger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith
Roger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or Jerry?)
from left: Mike Langston, Terry Hungerford, Roger Young (on drums), Phil Reece and keyboardist Jimmy

The Motovators at Jolly Time Skating Rink, Fort Worth

The Motovators at Jolly Time A Go Go, July, 1965

exterior of Jolly Time Roller Rink, 1001 Miller, Fort WorthThe Jolly Time Skating Rink was located at 1001 Miller on the east side of Fort Worth. A scrapbook kept by Terry Hungerford’s mother shows the Motovators would play at the rink at least nine times between February 27 and July 31, 1965.

Jolly Time Sock-Hop Club membership card

The Barons, the Kasuals, and the Coachmen appeared with the Motovators on certain dates. Other than her scrapbook, I can find almost no documentation of other shows at the rink. Jim Jones and the Chauntays also played there according to an interview Jim Jones did with 60sgaragebands.com.

Motovators at Jolly Time Sock Hop, April 24, 1965

February 20, 1965 the Motovators auditioned with KXOL DJ Bob Allen and rink manager Doyle Goodwin

February 27, 1965 – First Motovators show at the Jolly Time Skating Rink, with the Barons

March 13, 1965 – with the Kasuals. The Motovators played an original by Terry Lee Hungerford, “She’s Gone” that they had recorded earlier that month. This was Phil Reece’s last show with band, the following Monday he announced his departure to Bobby Crown’s band.

The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965

April 24, 1965 – “one band, 10 to 12, $8 per man”

May 15, 1965 – with the Coachmen (“one of the Coachmen played as 5th member of Motovators”)

May 29, 1965

The Motovators and Bob Allen from KXOL at Jolly Time Roller Rink June 26, 1965

June 26, 1965 – after the show Terry, Roger and Donnie left to Villa Acuna, Mexico at 4:15 AM, returning home later than they expected on Monday causing some trouble on what was Terry’s 18th birthday.

July 9, 1965

July 17, 1965

July 31, 1965 – last Motovators show at the Jolly Time

The Motovators at Jolly Time A Go Go, July 1965

Terry Lee Hungerford would join Jerry Williams & the Epics in 1966. Starting in the 1970s he would be part of several bands including Ripe Chops, the Freedom Band, the Other Brothers Band, No Respect, Road Crew, and the Terry Hungerford Blues Band. He worked for Pacific Bell and even opened his own BBQ restaurant, Hungerford’s Finest in Watsonville.

Terry passed away on February 20, 2019.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.

Terry Hungerford and Marena Kelly, Jolly Time Skating Rink, June 1961

Another shot of the Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965
The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965. Note what appears to be Terry Lee’s Gretsch “bikini” bass with a teardrop body.

The Hi-De-Ho Lounge, short-lived Fort Worth venue

Hi-De-Ho Club, December, 1964

There’s not much information on the Hi-De-Ho Dancing night club, also known as the Hi-De-Ho Lounge. It was located at 3406 Azle Ave in Fort Worth, and as of 2020, the building still exists as the Rodeo Tavern.

The Motovators auditioned with manager Andy Anderson on December 4, 1964, then played ten shows at the Hi-De-Ho Lounge between December 5, 1964 and January 1, 1965. They received $10 per person except for New Year’s Eve, at $25 each.

On December 24, Jimmy Moore left the Motovators, and Dale Morgan joined on lead guitar. Terry Fagan moved to rhythm guitar.

I have no photos of the interior. An ad to sell the business appeared on July 27, 1965 in the Star-Telegram.

Any info on the club would be welcome.

Le Joli Roger Lounge – the Jolly Roger, Fort Worth

Le Joli Roger Lounge, also known as the Jolly Roger, Fort Worth

The Motovators played the Jolly Roger Lounge on May 29, 1964. It was one of the band’s first live shows, with the original lineup of Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Terry Fagan, and Jimmy Nobles.

The sign in the photo reads Le Joli Roger Lounge, but one ad I’ve seen lists it as the Jolly Roger, located at 4016 White Settlement Road on the west side of Fort Worth. I believe it has since been demolished.

A December 25, 1964 classified ad to sell the business.

The Baby Cakes of Austin, TX

The Baby Cakes, July, 1965. From left: Don Lupo, Chuck Bakondi, Pat Russell and Tommy Hill

The Baby Cakes were a legendary Austin band that lasted from 1965 until August, 1967. The Baby Cakes never recorded under that name, but they may have been the first Austin group with long hair, they won the first Aqua Festival Battle of the Bands, and they were a big influence on later groups. Two of their members would go on to form the Lavender Hill Express.

John Schwertner of the Reasons Why told Not Fade Away about the Baby Cakes:

We had always looked up to them ’cause they were the first band I remember to play English style rock and roll. A real scruffy looking band, sort of the Texas Rolling Stones I guess. They helped us get some bookings and they’d come to our shows and tell us how to improve our band, really helped us alot.

Early lineups included:

Chuck Bakondi – vocals
Leonard Arnold – lead guitar
Tommy Hill – rhythm guitar, 12-string guitar
Don Lupo – bass
Pat Russell – drums

At some point Layton DePenning joined on guitar and vocals.

After drawing crowds of University of Texas students to their rehearsal space, a woman named Paula started booking the group for parties. Michael Lucas would become their promotions and business manager.

Baby Cakes, Austin-daily-texan, July 27, 1965

The Austin Daily Texan ran a feature on the group on July 27, 1965:

Austin Goes Liverpool
Or, Little Church by the Drag: What Gives?

There’s a new beat in Austin … you can hear it resounding from the basement windows of the Congregational Church almost any week night. Call it the West 23rd Street sound — that’s where the “Baby Cakes” hang out.

Practicing in a church basement is probably a unique idea for a rock-and-roll group. But Pat Russell, the Baby Cakes’ drummer, lives there. An English major at the University, Pat hopes to be a Congregational minister …

The group has been together about a month and a half under the name of the “Baby Cakes.” The first members were Pat Russell, Don Lupo on bass, and Leonard Arnold, lead guitar player.

Chuck Bakondi of the Baby Cakes at the Union, September 1965

Then they met Dave Biondi a former KNOW disc jockey. Dave is from Phoenix, Ariz. and had managed a group there. Deciding that the “Baby Cakes” needed a singer, Dave wrote Chuck Bakondi in Phoenix. Along with Tommy Hill, rhythm guitar player, the group was complete …

Sometimes it’s difficult to get together since Don is in the Air Force and stationed at Bergstrom, Leonard is presently going to school in Kingsville and has to commute …

Chuck is the Englishman (sans accent) of the group, complete to his hairstyle and boots. Pat, with his fantastic red hair and beard, looks like a musician, but hardly a potential minister. don, Tommy, and Leonard just look like they enjoy music. Seeing them blast out lines from “Satisfaction” and “For Your Love” you can tell.

The average age of the group is 20. But as Pat put it – “we’re all teenagers at heart.”

Performing on the job, the Baby Cakes wear Beatle boots, black shirts, gold jackets and white lace shirts. They play for about $120 a night.

“We’re expecting a baby organ,” said Pat. The group wants a baby organist and a guitar player to substitute for Leonard on week nights.

Dave got the idea for the group’s name from an old DJ friend of his in Phoenix – broadcasting over the radio he would often say – “what’s happening, Baby Cake?”

The Austin American wrote on July 29, 1965:

“‘Way Outers’ ‘Baby Cakes’ Booked for City Teen Dance”

The Baby Cakes – a newly organized rock-and-roll group of the “way out” variety – will provide half the dance music Friday night at the Parks and Recreation Department’s first annual City-Wide Teen Dance in the City Coliseum …

The second band scheduled for the evening is the popular Imperials group led by Frank Nunez and featuring vocalist Little Joe Castillo. The Imperials are known for their vibrant pop-Latin style and their recordings on the Valmon label …

A special guest appearance by the Petites – sisters Suzanne and Janice Dillingham of Brownwood – will be another highlight …

The Petites recorded the recent “Baby Blue Mustangs” hit for Troy Records, and have another current poll climber – “Baby Heartbreak”.

Frank Nuñez and the Imperials made eight Spanish-language singles for Valmon. I’ve heard an early version of the Baby Cakes backed Ronnie Cells on a single for Valmon: “My Love Is Haunted” / “Chicken” as Ronnie Cells and His Continentals on Valmon VN-1-067, issued circa May 1965.

Ronnie Cells had been performing in Austin since 1967, and used the Continentals name for his backing band from 1962 until 1970, when he changed to Ronnie Cells and the Fidels! Members of the Baby Cakes may have been part of the Continentals for a time, but if so, they struck out on their own by summer of ’65, even as Ronnie continued with a group called the Continentals for years to come.

The Austin Statesman reported on September 8, 1965:

KHFI cameras and tape recorders will be on the prowl this weekend to pick up the sounds at local fraternity houses. The taping, headed by Mike Ginn, is in preparation for a special program called Talent in Central Texas to be aired probably the following weekend.

Local Rock ‘n’ roll groups scheduled for recording include The Babycakes … a college group known as the Cavaliers, and a high school group called the Pack.

The Austin American on December 16, 1965 names their early manager: “Booked Friday at the Circleville Hoedown Club in Taylor – the Baby Cakes, a popular Austin rock band. Manager Leroy Ponkoney says the band returns by ‘popular demand'”.

Baby Cakes Reasons Why Wig Zakary Thaks Mustangs Tower Fund Benefit, Austin Daily Texan, Aug 16, 1966
Tower Fund benefit with bands including the Baby Cakes and the Wig.
Wow! April 14, 1967: Baby Cakes with the Playboys of Edinburg, 13th Floor Elevators, Zakary Thaks, Chevelle V and Chandells for the All-night Round Up Party at the City Coliseum

On March 4, 1966, the Austin American wrote:

New feature at the Jade Room on Tuesday and Wednesdays is a big dance contest. With the Baby Cakes supplying the music, couples vie for free movie passes and record albums. This week, KNOW program director, Chuck Boyle, who also manages the Baby Cakes, was on hand along with staffer Richard Moore to judge the event. When asked how he managed to pick his winners from all the high-stepping young girls on the dance floor, Doyle confessed: “I watch the boys.” Oh well, to each his own, Chuck.

In August, 1966, the Baby Cakes participated in a benefit for the Tower Fund, to aid families of the victims of the University of Texas tower sniper. KNOW DJs hosted the event, and other bands included the Wig, the Mustangs, the Zakary Thaks and the Reasons Why.

The Austin American reported on August 4, 1966 “they are scheduled to being a European tour this fall, and are now negotiating the release of a new recording.

Baby Cakes Georgetown Megaphone, May 12, 1967
1967 photo of the Baby Cakes, a few months before their split

The Austin American on April 6, 1967 reported:

The Baby Cakes … will be back in town to perform (along with The Wig) outside the Paramount Theater Wednesday night for the world premier of “Good Times” …

And starting Thursday night, the group will be appearing weekly at the New Orleans Club. Lately, however, the Baby Cakes have been all over the place – at Texas Tech in Lubbock, at clubs in Dallas and Abilene, at the Catacombs in Houston … in Corpus Christi and at Texas A&I College in Kingsville. They’ll also be sharing the bill with the Playboys of Edinburgh at a Friday night bash in City Coliseum.

The last notice I can find for the Baby Cakes is from August 2, 1967, and ad stating they would be playing at Ozone Forest on 3405 Guadalupe “each and every Wed.”

On September 3, 1967, the Austin American announced a September 9 benefit for KMFA-FM, Austin’s classical music station … “making its debut will be South Canadian Overflow with former Wig [sic] Chuck Bakondi, Baby Cakes ex [sic] Johnny Richardson, and former Reasons Why John Inman, Tommy Langford and Dennie Dolan.”

You can read more about South Canadian Overflow on the Sonobeat site.

At some point in 1967, Leonard Arnold and Layton DePenning formed the Lavender Hill Express with John Schwertner of the Reasons Why and two members from the Wig, Jess Yaryan and Rusty Weir. Baby Cakes manager Michael Lucas would continue with the Lavender Hill Express.

The first Lavender Hill Express notice I’ve found is from the Jade Room on November 7, 1967.

Don Lupo would go on to play with the Georgetown Medical Band, Liquid Glass with Bill Campbell and Virgil Harris (lamingo Lounge at 3709 Lake Austin Blvd on April 1, 1968) and other groups before moving to Tucson in 1971 and continuing in music.

Tommy Hill moved to Nashville but returned to Austin to form Tommy Hill and the Country Music Revue (also covered on Sonobeat).

Sources include: Arizona Blues Hall of Fame

1st notice I can find for the Baby Cakes, with the Outcasts and the Greenmen, KNOW show at the Municipal Auditorium, July 9, 1965

Partial list of live shows:

1965:

July 9: KNOW show with the Outcasts of San Antonio, and the Greenmen at the Municipal Auditorium.

July 18: Cimmaron at 4900 S. Congress

July 30: City-Wide Teen Dance at City Coliseum with the Imperials

August 10: Austin Aqua Festival Battle-of-the-bands with Rob London & the Rogues, the Outcasts, the Emerals, the Pack and the Spades.

September 19: Union Week Ice Cream social

November 6: The Adolphus Hotel in Dallas for a North Texas State College fraternity party

December 18: TCU Fraternity party at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth

Baby Cakes play the Bat Dance, March 12, 1966
February 22, 1966: The Baby Cakes at the Jade Room, while upstarts Roky and the 13th Floor Elevators are at the New Orleans Club

1966:

January 16: The Circleville Hoedown Night Club

January 22: Austin High School senior party at A.L.A. Hall

February and March: The Jade Room

March 3: The Orange Bull (followed by Oedipus and the Mothers the next night).

March 6: opening for Sonny & Cher, with the Outcasts and Scotty McKay, at the Municipal Auditorium

March 12: “Bat Dance” at the Municipal Auditorium

March 14: at the New Orleans Club

March 19: Gunsmoke a Go-Go at ALA Hall
March 20: Austin Livestock Show

April 7: at the New Orleans Club

April 27: at the New Orleans Club

April 29: Club Westerner Teenage Dance, Victoria, TX

May 5: at the New Orleans Club

June 1: at the New Orleans Club
June 1: with the Nomads at a midnight screening of Hold On!

June 10: Club Westerner Teenage Dance, Victoria, TX

June 19: Swinger’s Club Sunday Jam Session

June 29: Swinger’s Club

July 6: The Swingers Club “with go-go girls Leslie and Maggie”

July 18: Club Westerner, Victoria

August 4: Starlight Revue series at Zilker Hillside Theater

August 11: Austin Aqua Festival at the Municipal Auditorium: “Last year’s winner, ‘The Babycakes,’ will be back this year as the house band hosting the visiting bands.”

August 19: The Circleville Hoedown Nite Club in Rockdale, followed by Ronnie and the Farrells the next night

The Swingers Club, after Leo & the Prophets, October 1966

October 7: The Swingers Club

October 24: Texas Federation of the Blind variety show in Town Hall at Hancock Center

October 30: Lanier High gym

November 12: The Same Place (managed by Burt Womack)

December 30: The Swingers Club

Baby Cakes and the Wig opening the premier of Sonny & Cher’s “Good Times” at the Paramount, April 12, 1967

1967:

At the Carousel on May 11, 1967 preceded on May 7 by the Zulus, the Second Story and the Grim Reapers
February 10: Rockdale Teen Club (American Legion Hall)

April 7: at the New Orleans Club

April 12: Baby Cakes and the Wig at the premier of Sonny & Cher’s “Good Times” at the Paramount.
April 13: at the New Orleans Club
April 14: Baby Cakes with the Playboys of Edinburg, 13th Floor Elevators, Zakary Thaks, Chevelle V and Chandells for the All-night Round Up Party at the City Coliseum

April 27: at the New Orleans Club

May 4: at the New Orleans Club

May 11 and 12: The Carousel, Corpus Christi

May 19: Richard King High School senior dance at the Corpus Christi Country Club with Kit and the Outlaws

June 6-11: The Pusi-Kat, San Antonio, with Joe Thomas

Baby Cakes, July 2, 1967, at The Dunes, Port AransasJune 17: at the New Orleans Club

July 2: The Dunes, Port Aransas

July 5: at the New Orleans Club

July 18-23: The Pusi-Kat, San Antonio

August 2: at the Ozone Forest on 3405 Guadalupe “each and every Wed.”

August 9: at the Ozone Forest

One of their last advertized shows, at Ozone Forest, Wednesday, August 9, 1967

The Deuces Wild from Amarillo “Come Easy Go”

Dueces Wild featured in the Amarillo Sunday News-Globe on May 28, 1967

The Deuces Wild formed in high school in Amarillo, Texas in 1965. They continued at least through 1967 and cut one 45 on their own Deuce Records label, “Hey Little One” / “Come Easy Go”.

Members were:

Mark Fenlaw – lead vocals
Freddy Johnson – bass and vocals
Donnie Rae – lead guitar
Mark Hart – rhythm guitar
Tommy Pena – organ
Bill Hegedus – drums

AY a Go Go: DJ Rick West emceed, and local youngsters were featured in fashion photos by Lonnie Sutherland. Models included Malee Miller, Sally Lewis, Suzanne Thompson, Dennis Coyne, Jane Pangburn, Lynn Hagemeier, David Spooner, Melissa Cox and Susan Elliott.

First mention I can find for the band comes from August 12, 1965, announcing their participation in the Allied Youth’s AY a Go Go at the Amarillo Little Theatre, along with the Illusions, the Windthieves, the Others and the Echoes. I haven’t heard of these other bands.

The group’s ages ranged from 16 to 20 at the time of their 45 release. “Hey Little One” is the Dorsey Burnette song. Freddy Johnson wrote and sang the B-side, “Come Easy Go”. The songs were recorded at Larry Cox Studio on N.E. 24th Street, formerly Ray Ruff’s Checkmate Studio.

On May 28, 1967, the Amarillo Sunday News-Globe ran a feature on the band by Gloria Denko:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Band Cuts First Record

The Deuces Wild started about 2 1/2 years ago …

This week the group joined the ranks of performers on record. Their first release, “Hey, Little One,” on Era, with Mark Hart on the vocal, was produced and reocrded by Larry Cox Recorders, 3412 NE 24th, and hit the airways at KGNC, KPUR, KIXZ and other Panhandle radio stations.

“Come, Easy Go” on the flip side, with Freddie Johnson on the vocal, is an original by Johnson. He wrote the ballad, his first, about two years ago and since has written about 15 others. Johnson said about a third of his songs are ballads and the rest are rock ‘n’ roll.

Deuces Wild Deuce 45 Come Easy Go

The Deuces Wild count their appearance following Paul Revere and the Raiders at an all-city dance last fall as the high point of their career to date…

Bobby Harper, the buyer at Cooper & Melin, has been their manager for the past year …

They have performed … at Amarillo Air Force Base, for groups in Hereford, Spearman, Dumas and Vega, as well as in Amarillo.

The Dueces Wild had a stage show that included black light, a siren-whistle, flashing lights in time with music and a strobe.

This Amarillo group should not be confused with the Deuces Wild from Houston.

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