The Spring Singers

 

Photo courtesy of The Harmonizer - July/August 2019

Added this doo-wop LP to my stash, courtesy of my fellow Colorado digger Mike Stelk. I immediately noticed the KCMS notation on the label, which indicated that it was recorded at Bud Edmonds' Manitou Springs studio.

 Listen to "How Come You Do Me Like You Do / Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas"

Nice barbershop harmonies, with an evident doo-wop vibe. The label reads that it was recorded in 1956. It noted Bill Trego as the producer. The group included tenor Bill Butler. lead Bill Brooks, baritone Vic Holmes, and bass Monty Duerksen. I'm guessing this is a very limited edition release, as it notes "present for our friends" under the singer credits.

A quick search finds that Duerksen, formerly of Newton, KS, formed the Spring Singers when he arrived in Colorado Springs, while stationed at Camp Carson (later Fort Carson). According to his obituary (he passed away February 25, 2020), "While there, he put up a bulletin board notice seeking quartet singers and thus was born his first barbershop society quartet, the Spring Singers." In 2004 he was inducted in the Barbershop Harmony Society's Central States District Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on the three other members. Of course, drop me a line if you know more.

 

Emmett Ryder

Emmett Ryder and his Orchestra poster - no year (watermarked) 

Found this Emmett Ryder poster at an estate sale, up in Denver, recently. Great piece of ephemera, for a concert down in Manitou Springs.

I mentioned Emmett and his band in a piece I did on some University of Colorado newspapers.

 

Hiawatha Gardens postcard

Emmett Ryder was a very popular band leader. In doing research, I found his band mentioned in almost every college prom and dance announcement, of the era. 

For this concert (no date noted) he included vocalist Dominic Cesario, and vibraphonist Bob Hanna.  

Photos from the author's collection (watermarked)

I first found a mention of Emmett Ryder, in a 1933 story, in the Rocky Mountain Collegian, the Colorado State University student newspaper, as a student performer. The last entry I found, of his band performing, was in 1946. As is often the case, the trail goes cold, after that.

Hiawatha Gardens was a historic "gentleman's resort," beer garden, casino, ballroom, concert venue, and restaurant in Manitou Springs. The original Hiawatha Gardens main building was built in 1889 by F. L. M. ("Flimflam") Smith, and burned down in 1920. A separate open-air dancing pavilion (built in the late 1890s) survived the fire, and was incorporated into the current structure, which was built to replace the one that burned. The new building continued to operate as a dance hall and night club into the 1950s. In 2021, the structure underwent a partial demolition along Fountain Creek just east of City Hall. The city is tearing down additions to the original dance hall that were made between 1921 and 1955 and have become structurally unsound over the years. 

 

June Sproule(s) and Her Piano

 

Far too often, when doing research on Colorado records, I run into brick walls. It happens. As was the case with this instrumental LP from June Sproules, Junie's Moods. I couldn't find a thing on this album. I knew there had to be a Colorado connection, given the KCMS catalog number (1272), but I kept coming up with nothing. 

Listen to "I'll Remember April"

Then it dawned on me. Maybe her name is spelled wrong. The label shows June Sproules, but typos happen. Sure enough. Her name is June Sproule.

I noted that the label showed a Hutchinson, KS home address, which is now a vacant lot. Putting two and two together, I finally solved the mystery.

Hutchinson (KS) News - July 12, 1958

I found references to a June Sproule performing several years earlier, dating back to 1938, so no clue if the woman on this album is her, or a daughter, or some other relative. Apparently a June Sproule was a regular in the Colorado Springs club circuit, when I'm guessing she recorded her album at Bud Edmonds' Manitou Springs KCMS radio studio, during one of her visits.

 

Al French and Candlelight Cameos

Hey all! During my recent quick trip to the west side of the state, I added to my private issue cover collection, with this LP from Al French, Candlelight A Quiet Quarter Hour, found in a Cortez thrift store. The label showed KCMS (the Manitou Springs radio station and prolific local recording studio), so I knew it had to be something from the Colorado Springs area.

Upon getting back to my turntable, I discovered that the disc, which shows AUDITION ONLY on the label, was apparently a vinyl demo for a proposed national syndicated, locally-produced radio show, originating from KVOR / KFMH, in Colorado Springs. The LP is introduced by George Beatty, a popular local announcer. 

 "I worked for George at KFMH the last half of my high school senior year, and then some," said James House. "He had a wonderful radio voice and recorded announcements at Alexander Film once a year, the most he could do without joining the union."

Listen to the introduction of the demo (3:04).

"Al French was a teacher at Widefield High School in the 1960s," according to former student, Bobby Kiess. "He did late night radio shows on KVOR. His shows were very smooth and casual."

"Mr French was a new teacher my senior year. He was about six-feet tall and about 180 lbs., with black hair, and the shoulders of a football player," said former student Thomas Rieves. "Every girl in class swooned. He was a great teacher."

Widefield High School yearbook (1964)

Mr. French would often enlist his Widefield students, to assist with the show.  "For those of us who were in his speech class, we could go down to the station and help with the production," said former student Thomas Rieves. "He would read poetry and play mood music. I spent three or four nights at the studio."

 Listen to a sample of Candlelight Cameos (4:00)

Interestingly, I could find nothing on the show Candlelight Cameos, which apparently was never heard beyond the Colorado Springs market (not to be confused with the 1950s Davenport, IA WOC-TV show of the same name). No idea how many of these vinyl demos were made, as I can only assume they were discarded if a station wasn't interested in the idea. Or, is it possible only one of these records was made?  Either way, I'm guessing this is a very rare piece of recorded Pikes Peak radio memorabilia. Amazed it survived.

As always, if you have anything to add, please contact me.