The above clipping was sent to me by Rollie Anderson of Dust, showing close to 60 bands that competed at the October, 1967 Texas State Fair in Dallas. Not all the bands were from Dallas or Fort Worth, though I suspect most of them were.

I think it’s worth listing all these groups to see how many we know anything about – I only know about a handful of these groups. To see photos of the Action Spot stage, see the article on the Mind’s Eye.

If anyone can help with info on any of these, please write to me at chas_kit@hotmail.com or leave a comment below.

Blue Green
Blue Moon
Brand “X” – There was a Brand X from El Paso that featured Ken Prichard of Danny & the Counts. However, Ken told me they didn’t play this event.
The Caretakers
The Coachmen – likely the group from Ft. Worth who recorded the instrumental “Splash Day” for Spotlight, though it could be the Coachmen from New Mexico who recorded “Grapes of Wrath” / “Summer Should Bring Happiness” for Sea-Ell. The Coachmen from Abilene had broken up by this time.
The Colonists
Dust – see Rollie’s article on this site.
The Destinations
Don and the Demons – according to a comment below, Don & the Demons came from McKinney, TX and recorded a version of “Walking the Dog” on the the Gibson label which I haven’t heard.
Execution of Time
Joey Farr and the Orbitors – As Tommy “Rockin’ Bones” points out in a comment below, this is probably a later band of Little Joey Farr who had releases on the Houston label Kangaroo and the Colorado label Band Box.
5th Amendment
John Foster’s Group
The Gentle Rebellion
The Gents – from either Dallas/Ft. Worth or as far away as Abilene – 45 on E.V.E. label in 1966
Gingerbread Blues
The Henchmen – definitely not this New Mexico band
The Herd
Hillsboro Group
HMS Blues
Hunters of Time
Images
The Jazz Informers
The Kaces
Kempy and the Guardians – Oak Cliff group named after vocalist Gary “Kempy” Rawlings, they recorded the legendary “Love For A Price” / “Never”. Larry Samford may have been another member
The Kicks
Killeen String Band
The Kolumn – from Lancaster, TX – see comment below
Lunatic Fringe
Main Street Prophets
The Merchants
Mind’s Eye – not listed in the article but see photos of the band onstage at the Action Spot
New World
Night Creepers
Noise Inc.
The Off Beats – There was an Offbeats who cut “Drenda Ann” / “Chaos” (both by John Brodie) on the Cherokee label from Arlington, but I don’t know the year for that. Another possibility is Jimmy & the Offbeats who recorded for Bofuz. Less likely is James De Fore, a San Antonio artist who cut 45s as Jimmy Dee & the Off Beats in the late ’50s.
Owsley
The Pagans – from Carrollton, NW of Dallas, according to a cousin of three of the members
The Playboys Five
Prisoners of Love
The Reasons Why – possibly the Temple group who recorded the excellent “Don’t Be That Way” for the Sound Track label. John Schwertner went into the Lavender Express.
The Reflections
Reining Daze
Satin and the Soul Men
The Sensations – see the article on this site.
The Shade – see the article on this site.
Sound in Motion – aka the Sounds in Motion – see Howard and Steve’s comments below.
Don Sperry Quartet
Starlight Group
The Tyme Keepers
The Unclaimed Freight
The Untamed
U.S. Bonds
U.S. Britons – (U.S. Brittons) Dallas group featuring fifteen-year-old Mike Jones. They cut two original songs “Come On” and “I’ll Show You a Man” that exist on demo acetate as far as I can tell. Both songs were highlights of Green Crystal Ties vol. 3. The band played throughout Dallas, including at the Studio Club. The band included Larry McNeny, Larry Meletio (drums), Herman Drees (guitar), Joe Cree (bass) and Mike Jones (guitar). See below for more info.
Walter Vaughn
The Westminsters
The Young Texans – likely from Grand Prairie, with Jim Koof (Kopf?), vocals; Dennis Stark, lead guitar; Don Booker, lead and rhythm guitar; Bobby Head, bass; Jerry Head, drums. See this clipping

Larry McNeny wrote to me about the U.S. Britons:

I had heard about that compilation but never heard the record. I started the band with Larry Meletio in Jr. High. Mike Jones was in a band with Joe Cree (Rowe’s little brother) and [both] eventually joined us. Mike was a fluent songwriter. He’d call me several times a week and play me a new song he’d just written for us. He also had a great 442!

Oddly enough I remember that State Fair gig. Also I noticed a pre-US Britons band of mine on a newspaper ad for a show for Jas. K Wilson (a clothing store) where we played with 5 of a Kind, The Galaxies & the Rogues. We were called the Roamers! I honestly don’t know where we came up with these names!

Larry McNeny

Thanks to Mike Markesich for the info on the Gents and for reminding me of the U.S. Britons.