The Wilshire Express is an interesting release that deserves a quick look. Despite the Austin Records label name, this was one of Major Bill Smith’s labels such as Charay and Le Cam out of Fort Worth, TX, almost 200 miles from Austin.
The Wilshire Express version of “Lose Your Money” is actually identical to the Ron-Dels hit on Smash, except for the lead vocals. Hard to say if it’s an alternate Delbert McClinton vocal, or merely someone imitating him. In any case the backing is identical, even the guitar solo and harmony vocals. The Wilshire Express version of “Lose Your Money” made it onto Highs in the Mid Sixties Vol. 23 without the compiler realizing it was basically the same recording as the Ron-Dels.
The Ron-Dels were from Fort Worth, the lineup on their Smash singles consisting of Delbert McClinton, Ronnie Kelly, Billy Wade Sanders, Jimmy Rogers on bass, and possibly Jerry Foster or Dahrel Norris on drums.
“Lose Your Money” was written by Mike Pinder and Denny Laine and was in fact the Moody Blues’ first UK single. “Lose Your Money” would get more exposure as the B-side to the US release of “Go Now”, where the Ron-Dels took their version.
The Wilshire Express B-side “Carla” is an easy listening instrumental and obviously from a completely different source. Both sides list “A Maridene Production”, and “Carla” has Freddy Crane on piano.
I’ve seen a September 1966 release date for the Wilshire Express single. The runout has “Maridene” “M 107” suggesting it was intended for Maridene Records, another Bill Smith label. If so it would have fit between Gene Summers remake of his earlier hit “Big Blue Diamonds” and Zuma’s “Hot Pants”, and the proper release date should be 1970 or 1971.
To make matters more confusing, on youtube I find a Wilshire Express single with the same release number, Austin Records A-322 with a version of Bruce Channel’s “Hey! Baby”: another Texas artist with a hit on Smash produced by Bill Smith. This time it’s a new recording actually done by the Carolina Tikis, a group who had recorded as Sunny & the Carolina Tikis for Charay (Sunny Threatt).
Just one more
I forgot about this one
Major Bill did all kinds of crazy things with our music
His theory
Throw it against the wall
Delbert McLendon
I’m sure you know is from here
It’s like the song where we backed Sonny Theart
Go to YouTube and look at my band
Butch Hendricks The Carolina Tikis
22 original and covers from the 60s and 70s
We recorded for Major Bill Smith
And he released our records under
Austin Label and Wilshire Express
Hey Baby
And others
Sonny Threat and Darryl McLendon sang on some of the songs
Major Bill did crazy things with our music
Delbert McLendon and this guy’s in the Ron Dels are from this area
The Carolina Tikis
Sonny Threat of Sonny and Phyliss
Rudy Wyatt and The Wyld
Rudy and The Roots same guys
Pic and Bill
All of us were here recording out of local recording studios
MARK V of Greenville SC was the most used
Will Hammond was another artist from here that moved to Nashville and worked with Greentree Publishing
Another writer and preformed
Along with Moses Dillard and his Dynamic Showman Sonny and Phyllis had the first hit that went to Uni Records
If I had to do it all over
Was the title Major Bill Smith started getting as many groups around the area to record and send him the material
He changed The Carolina Tikis to Wilshire Express , TKeys , and what other names he decided .
I had promotional copies I can show you if his craziness
We redid Hey Baby by Bruce Chanel
For him
Sonny and Phyllis and The Carolina Tikis did Teen Angel at his request
My phone is 864.380.0174
It would be easier for me just to tell you in person .
Also Vance Pollock in Asheville NC does a Thursday radio show all about the 60s band in the area from 11am-1pm
I have been on his show 2times talking about all this 103.3 fm and he streams it
If you decide to call text me first , then I will be able to add you as a contact ony phone.
I don’t answer numbers I don’t recognize
Contact me I’ll give you photos and show you records that one picture will explain what Major Bill Did with our music .
After his HIT with Paul and Paula
HEY HEY PAULA
He tried to do it again
I don’t think he ever did and he stole our music and used it then sold everything to Sony
Talk to you when ever you decide
Noah “BUTCH” Hendricks
noahhendricks51@gmail.com
864.389.0174
Easley SC 29640