Still an obscure band, the Shooting Stars had two very good 45s in 1967 and 1968 then disappeared. Their location is sometimes given as Winchester, Indiana, a small town north of I-70, about halfway between Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio.
Their first single is the very catchy “I Love Her Anyway”, written by Robbins and published by Bo-Ann Publishing, BMI. The flip is a blues workout, “After 3 A.M.”, credited to Huff, Perry and Sipe, those names likely members of the band. Teen Beat Mayhem dates the 45 to 1967.
It was released by Randolph Records of Winchester, which may be the reason the band is usually cited as from that town. Randolph had at least a couple other releases, notably “Cherrie – 42553” / “Come Back Baby” by the Ferris Wheel (formerly the Ecstatics) of Union City, Indiana. Members of the Ferris wheel included Danny Percolosi, Tim Skiver, Dick Gaddis, Roger Graham, Bob Lykins, and Nick McNutt. Producer on that 45 was Ed Roehling, Captain Bob Jinkins was engineer, and Jim Dempsey did A&R.
The Shooting Stars 45 on Randolph lacks all these credits, but like the Ferris Wheel, the labels read “Distributed by Sims Recordings.” Randolph also released a country gospel single by Harold Hawley.
I’m not sure I’ve heard the Shooting Stars’ second release, “I Watch the Clock”, an original by the group published by Club Miami, BMI. The flip is a version of Ritchie Valens’ “Donna”.
Airtown Custom Records started in Dayton, Ohio, but had moved to Richmond, Indiana by the time of the Shooting Stars 45. According to Buckeye Beat, here were about a dozen other releases on the label. The Shooting Stars may date to about 1968.
Information on Randolph label from Indiana45s.com
When I was on the road in ’65, I crossed paths with a group out of, I believe, Indianapolis. It was Donny Sanders and the Shooting Stars. Donny played sax, the band was very good. I think Donny still has a website under Donnie “Sax” Sanders. Could this be the same group?
Same band. I joined Donnie in 1966 and worked with him off and on until about 1971. Harrahs Reno, Tahoe, Caesars Vegas and about all the states in the US etc. Used to go to his parents home in Indianapolis, on the road all over the US and Europe. Always a beyond great band. I went on to a fantastic professional touring and studio musician career well into the 80’s. Donnie was one of THE best R&B tenor sax players ever to pick up a horn.
Don Allens Sandpipers, Donnie and the Don Juans, Scherri St James and Company as well. Never personally been to Winchester Ind. Band built and rehearsed in Indy and Noblesville Ind a lot.
“The Shooting Stars” with these people are from the Lynn, Indiana which is about 10 miles South of Winchester Indiana in Randolph County.
“Robbins and published by Bo-Ann Publishing, BMI. The flip is a blues workout, “After 3 A.M.”, credited to Huff, Perry and Sipe, those names likely members of the band. Teen Beat Mayhem dates the 45 to 1967.”
Members names were Marty Robbins, Steve Huff, Bobby Perry and ? Sipe.
Kirk Sipe, This is Bob Perry. Thanks for posting
Bob Perry, this is Zeke Robbins. A few years ago I was upstairs above the lab and found 2 unopened boxes of this 45 as well has several reel to reel. If you or any other members would like a copy let me know and I will get them to you.
Wasn’t Kim Thorn in your group as well?