First State Bank Gladewater Mirror April 27, 1969

The First State Bank

First State Bank Gladewater Mirror April 27, 1969Here is a very early photo of the First State Bank, a band that would last into the 70s and record three highly-regarded hard rock singles. The article comes from the April 27, 1969 Gladewater Mirror.

Members at this early stage were:

Terry Clayton – keyboards
Randy Nunnally – guitar
Harvey Hanson – drums
Don Wilson – bass

The article lists Glen Sheridan as manager and Raymond Murray as stage manager.

The First State Bank won battle of the bands competitions in Tyler and Longview, and would be traveling to Shreveport, LA hoping for a chance to win a “paid trip to California to appear with Paul Revere and the Raiders on the Happening ’69 show.” I haven’t found the results of that contest yet.

The First State Bank originated in Gladewater, a town near Longview and Tyler, but moved to Dallas where they appeared on the club circuit, along with regular shows in Arlington and Houston.

Randy Nunnally wrote all six songs on their records. He seems to have been the only constant in the group, whose membership also included at times:

Donny Hyles
Terry Salyer
Shannon Day

Kirk Brewster – guitar
Michael Williams – bass
David Eppes – drums

Marty Warren
Rabbitt Scruggs
Brian Johnson
Kelly Kemp
John Windle

Discography:

Music Mill 1012 – “Coming Home to You” / “Mr. Sun”
Banke RHB 714 – “It’s Not Easy to Say” / “King Snake” (Sunnybrook Music BMI), recorded at Robin Hood Brians Studio in Tyler
Banke 91321 – “A Long Long Time” / “Before You Leave” Mockingbird Music Pub., “A Steve Wright Production”

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