The Souncations made only one single, a version of “Respect” with a fine original song “Exit” by Jerry Rojas on the B-side, released on Head 1001 in 1967.
“Exit” features organ dominating the melody, but there’s a fine guitar solo and t he vocalist drawls his lines something like Jagger.
Earl Slocom produced, and the address 844 Pilot Dr, Dallas may have been his home. Usually spelled Earl Slocomb, he had been bassist with the Big Beats, who had cut instrumentals for Columbia, Liberty and other labels going back to 1957.
Despite the Kendall Pub. credit I cannot find a registration of copyright on “Exit”.
The origin of the Souncations is unknown, but I can find two notices on a guitarist named Jerry Rojas from Corsicana, TX, about 60 miles south of Dallas.
Both concern Navarro Junior College talent shows. The first show on December 2, 1965 is described:
Carol Kennermore was featured twice – singing … “Summertime,” and dancing to the strains of “Malaguena.”
Jerry Rojas on guitar, Danny Espedal on organ, and Roger Ballew on bass accompanied her song. The shaggy-maned Rojas himself later belted out a rock tune.
The second on March 24, 1966 notes:
Jerry Rojas, accompanying himself on his electric guitar, dipped into modern jazz for vocalizations of “Run for Your Life,” “Tombstone Blues” and “Ballad of a Thin Man.”
But so far I have no confirmation this is the same Jerry Rojas, or that the group actually came from Corsicana.
Thank you to Michael Robinson for alerting me to the Audiodisc acetate of the single.
Hello. I’m Terry Munn from Ennis, Texas. I was lucky enough to play drums for the Soundc(s)actions in the early to mid 1960s (I still have my Ludwig drums from that time).
I was not on that recording because I joined a different band at that time. We had about 100 musicians in my new band, and we all had matching clothes: it was the 2d Armored Division Band, U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, and I played drums for them as well! About a 3-year gig!!!!!
Great memories with Danny, Jerry & Roger, especially going to Texas A&M to play a dance after the Texas/Texas A&M game. What was dangerous was driving around A&M in our other organist’s black Buick Riviera with a
BIG BOLD “TEXAS #1” sticker on his rear window !!!!!
Those were the days!
I am at 1606 N. Gaines St,
Ennis, Texas 75119,
972-689-2419 .