KEKB Radio Grand Junction

Author's note: Just in case anyone thought I only collected Southern Colorado records, check out my other website, RadioUseOnly.com - my collection of radio station-produced recordings. It's where the record I feature in this edition first showed up in my stash.
Interview with Gary Smith conducted February 2011.

OldWest Hilltop 99 Country Album #1

(1984)

In the early 1980s, KEKB radio hit the airwaves of Grand Junction, playing the latest country hits. In an effort to promote the new station, the local Old West Recorders studios pitched an idea for an album featuring local performers.

"As part of the promotion, the LP was sold as a fundraiser for Hilltop, a local head trauma hospital," said Old West Recorders owner Gary Smith.

The OldWest Hilltop 99 Country concept began as an idea to support and promote musical talent that is "home grown" right here in Western Colorado. In a few short months, the concept has captured the imagination of Western Colorado so much that it has generated a tremendous wave of interest and enthusiasm. The result of this interest and enthusiasm is inside this album jacket. - Album liner notes.

The 11 songs featured were performed entirely by the Old West Singers (the studio singers for the local Old West Recorders studios - Jim Showalter, Dick Mullen, Sonja Makowski, and Vickie Wolfe), and other Grand Junction performers.

"The album also included Clyde Jorgensen and Ralph Smith, who performed locally as Ralph and Clyde, and Tom Bayne who had the FTM Band," said Smith.

Other singers included Geri Vaughn, Judy Lee, Doug Lenard, Mark Magruder, Cherie Slogar, Steve Back, and Johnny Garner.


Among the selections was a two minute jingle for the station. Composed by Gary Smith, "KEKB Song" was sung as a duet with Steve Back and Vickie Wolfe.

Listen to a sample of "KEKB Song"

Side One
Long Legged - Doug Lenard
You and Me - Cherie
I Had the Music - Ralph and Clyde
Whiskey Nights - Judy Lee
The Hustler - Steve Back

Side Two
Love Dorito Style - Tom Bayne and FTM Express
My Song is You - Jim Showalter and the Old West Singers
Paper Back Lies - Mark Magruder
KEKB Song - Steve and Vickie
All I Can Promise is Today - Geri Vaughn

Before Gary Smith moved to Grand Junction, he enjoyed a lengthy music career, working with a variety of performers, including Bernadette Peters, Frankie Laine, The Coasters, The Platters, and Danny and The Juniors. He has produced over 75 albums. In addition, he has produced music for the Nickelodeon Television Network.

While the album's title implied that there would be a second volume, Smith said the follow-up project never materialized.

COMING NEXT POST: Bill Goodwin

Rosa Lopez

At only 4'11" Rosa Lopez could belt out a song, often overpowering the mariachi who played behind her.

Born in Alamogordo, NM and raised in Roswell, she began performing at a very young age, touring throughout the southwest, Mexico and Hawaii, before settling down in Pueblo, with her husband Jesus, to raise their two children.

In 1985 she released two singles on her own Rosa label.


"Voy Cantinando" showcased her songwriting skills, while the b-side, "Amorcito" was credited to Lopez, Mel Romero and Lou Amella. The single was produced by Marcelino Noriega. The musicians on the record are not credited.

Listen to "Amorcito"

Her second record, "Chaparrito Consentido" and the b-side, "Toma Un Trago" (Rosa RL-11-31974) were performed with The Juniors Band, led by Juan Carlos Sanchez on keyboards, guitarist Tomas Jimenez, drummer Dario Rodriguez, and bassist Javier Fernandez. She again credits Lou Amella "for his constant support."

COMING NEXT POST: KEKB - Old West Hilltop 99

The Junk Yard Band

Interview with Dan Treanor conducted December 2010.


In 1979 Dan Treanor was living in Pueblo, doing a few gigs here and there, playing his harmonica with a young Carlos Crull on saxophone, and an even younger Jimmy Stuckey on guitar and vocals, drummer Mike Green and, on occasion, the Quintana brothers, Bob and Bernie.

"We were playing around at the usual joints, Jerry's, The Midtown Lounge, and The Red Rose," Treanor said. "It was a real casual band. I'd book a gig, call up the guys, and we would show up and play."

Jimmy Stuckey and Dan Treanor

Treanor began writing original compositions. He felt the band could record a few as "something fun to do." They met at Treanor's home and recorded on a 4-track Teac machine. They invited Curley Dockins, a Nashville pedal steel player, Rodney Shields on percussion, Doyle Thrantham on fiddle, and Pete Leri on harmony vocals.

"The recording session kinda turned into a party, if I remember correctly, but it turned out great - so we decided to put out a record," he said.

They dubbed themselves The Junk Yard Band.

Treanor had 300 copies of the countrified instrumental "Chicken Lips" and the bluesy flipside "Big Fat Mama" pressed.

Listen to "Chicken Lips"

Listen to "Big Fat Mama"

"We sent copies to the local radio stations, and it was played a few times on KKFM radio. About a year later I was in Grand Junction doing a gig. We went into the local Wal-Mart, and suddenly I hear "Chicken Lips" being played over the store sound system. Evidently it was a hit in Grand Junction."

In 1980, the band was invited to play with George "Boogie Woogie" Daniels at Pueblo's first annual Juneteenth concert. Shortly thereafter, the group disbanded.

"I moved to Denver. Carlos still lives and plays in Pueblo (The Crew, Carlos Crull Trio and Abraxas). Jimmy moved to Kansas City and continues to play music there. Mike moved to Arizona and I lost track of him. Bob Quintana passed away a couple of years ago."

In 1983 Treanor became a member of the short-lived Strange Cargo.

"I continued to play 'Chicken Lips' and 'Big Fat Mama' in many of the bands I worked in over the years," Treanor said. "In 1994 I re-recorded 'Big Fat Mama' with my band Arc Light for the Cold Shot Of The Blues CD.

Dan Treanor currently keeps busy with Dan Treanor and the Afrosippi Blues Band – considered one of the top blues bands in Colorado, playing about 200 concerts a year.

His latest solo CD, My Blues Diary was released last year.

COMING NEXT POST: Rosa Lopez

The Pringles

Interview with Rod Pringle conducted November 2010.


Rod Pringle and his brothers grew up in probably one of the most unique settings in Colorado - on a dude ranch. Located almost 30 miles north of the nearest "big city" (Gunnison), the isolation was hardly solitary. Waunita Hot Springs, entertains thousands of guests every year.

When Pringle wasn't helping his parents, or going to school, he gravitated toward music. "I was playing the piano when I was five. When I was ten, my dad bought me a guitar."

He instantly took to composition, writing songs prolifically. "I’m a passionate, emotional person. I had 15 songs for each girlfriend I was madly in love with," he said.

But the singular interest didn't last for long.

"I remember, oh I must have been a junior in high school, I was sitting on the stairs of my home, playing the guitar, and my middle brother Wes picked up the harmonica. I thought that sounded pretty good together. Then my younger brother Ryan picked up an old stand-up bass, and being brothers our voices blended."

But before the brothers could really pursue their musical destiny, Rod Pringle had another calling - college. He enrolled at Abilene Christian University, in Texas, and was almost instantly homesick.

"When you are growing up in the middle of the mountains, and you leave, I was thinking 'What the heck was I doing leaving Colorado?"

So he came back home.

"I went to school a few other places, and then my brothers Wes and Ryan decided to go to Abilene Christian - so I went back to Texas."

The reunited brothers picked up where they left off. The group also expanded, adding Wes Pringle's wife, Kari. "Wes married Kari when they were in school. She is a great singer, and there was the fourth part we were missing."

While performing at Crystal's Pizza in Abilene, they were approached by local producer Carlton Dillard, who suggested that the group record an album.

"We thought it would be a good idea, and something our parents could give their guests as a souvenir."

Pictured: Rod Pringle, Ryan Pringle,
Wes Pringle, and Kari Pringle

The album, Going Home to Colorado, was financed by their parents, and featured eight original Rod Pringle compositions.

"We recorded it in a tiny studio, Castle Sound. It was produced by Michael Henry Martin - he was a musical and arranging genius."

Martin brought in studio musicians to enhance the week-long recording, including John Woodle on piano, Stan Smith on guitar, Randy Rigney on bass, Mark Edwards, drums, and Mark Kalson on fiddle (see note below).

The cover art was shot near Buffalo Gap, Texas – ten miles south of Abilene. An estimated 1,000 albums were pressed.

Listen to "Going Home to Colorado."

"The album was played on the radio in both Abilene and back home, in Colorado," Pringle said. "They played the song "Abilene" a few times, but even at that time playlists were pretty controlled. They would play the song "Goin' Home to Colorado" on the local Gunnison station."


In 1982 Rod also married, and he and his wife Elisabeth later moved to Nashville to try to break into the music business. To support his family, while he pursued his dream, he bought a lawn care business.

"I was mowing the lawns of some of the people I was hoping to write songs for like Dave Loggins, Barbara Mandrell, and Sylvia."

But after three years in Music City, he decided that the life he had once dreamed of was not all that it was going to be.

"I think it’s God's way of saying that I wasn’t meant to handle that kind of life. I don’t have to be famous for my songs to bless one person."

Ironically his next move was not going back home to Colorado, but back to Abilene.

"Abilene is a great town, and my wife’s family is from here. We’ve been real happy here."

The couple would go on to release two Christian music CDs The Race and The Flame, as Rod and Elisabeth Pringle.

Their son Logan has followed in his family's footsteps, playing bass in the Austin-based band, Hunters and Gatherers.

(Note: Before backing up The Pringles on guitar, Stan Smith played for the influential 1960s garage bands, the Lubbock-based Sparkles, and later the Abilene-based The Chevelle V. Randy Rigney would go on to perform in the band Canyon, who scored the 1989 Top 40 country song "Hot Nights." Drummer Mark Edwards would go on to play drums for Lee Greenwood, Dottie West, and T. Graham Browne. Mark Kalson spent time playing fiddle for Janie Fricke. John Woodle would write music for Floyd Cramer).

Waunita Hot Springs Ranch

COMING NEXT POST: Junk Yard Band

Solve The Mystery: Shanon

Sometimes I stumble upon a Southern Colorado record that is literally a mystery.

When I've exhausted every possible means of locating any information, I'll post these finds here - in hopes that someone who reads this blog can help out.

As is the case with a group (or person) named Shanon.

Shanon recorded this country twanger on the Pueblo-based Has record label (BH-20-304) in 1975.

Appears it was produced by John Huff.

Side A ("Fool Behind the Glass") is credited to Shanon, while the flip side (the rockabilly tinged "You're My Woman") is credited to Aden Charles.

Ring any bells?

Give a listen to these. If you know anything, drop me a line.

Listen to "Fool Behind the Glass"

Listen to "You're My Woman"

COMING NEXT POST: The Pringles

Songs of Praise - Pueblo Style (Part Two)

Continuation of the various Pueblo gospel albums unearthed on my last trip back home. Again, if you can share any information on these LPs, let me know.
Happy Holidays!

1966 Choirs of Ascension Episcopal Church

(Century Records 24952)

Miss Janet Hall - Organist and Choirmaster
James Clark - Assistant Conductor
Doyle Muller - Tenor
Terry Newton - Treble
Stewart Abbot - Treble
Sarah Mullennix - Soprano
Harvetta Woolverton - Soprano

Listen to "Away in the Manger"
Stewart Abbot - Solo

In the fall of 1964, the Junior Choir Ascension Church, which had developed strength over a period of years, separated into two groups and chose the names of St. Cecilia and St. George for their new organizations. With the addition of men's voices, St. George's Choir sang as a unit for the first time at the Christmas Eve midnight service, in 1964, and twice more in the Spring of 1965.

Miss Janet Hall, organist and choirmaster, has directed Ascension Choirs since 1957, and is a graduate of Smith College and Union Theological Seminary in New York, where she earned her Master's degree in sacred music. She is an assistant professor in music at Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo. James Clark, is a 1966 graduate of S.C.S.C., who has specialized in choral conducting. Doyle Muller is on the music faculty of S.C.S.C.

The Voice of Park Hill Baptist Church - Through it All
(Crusade 567)

It is with great joy that we of the Park Hill Baptist Church present this album for your listening enjoyment. Our church is a fundamental, Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church which still subscribes to the "Old Fashioned Gospel." We believe in the universal need of mankind everywhere to accept Jesus Christ as his perfect, all sufficient Saviour.

Listen to "Through it All"

Pictured: Jim Baize, Youth; Bob Pentecost, Music; Mike Haley, Buses; Gary Brown, BBC Student; Al Workman, College and Career; Margaret Horn, Secretary, and Gary W. Grey, Pastor

The First Commandment - Extra Hear All About It
(no label information)

Recorded at Associated Recording, Oklahoma City.
Album production - Evergreen Records, Oklahoma City.
"Special thanks to Pueblo Christian Center for supporting this project and being home."

Let me introduce to you The First Commandment - not the singers heard on this album, but the principle of God that they live by. We are commanded by love - first God, then other people. Jesus referred to the law of love as the first commandment. - Larry Moore, Director of Music, Pueblo Community College

Listen to "What a Difference You've Made in My Life"
Solo - Greg Boyce

Sitting on floor: Steve Gowing
Sitting in/on chairs: Julie Bard, Mike Ruggieri,

Greg Boyce, Cassy Ross
Standing: Jerri Moore, Larry Moore, Lori Mendell

Songs of Praise - Pueblo Style (Part One)

On my last trip back home I picked up numerous Pueblo gospel LPs. Given the holiday season, I thought now would be a good time to share them.

Unfortunately, I can't offer much information on these recordings. If you can offer any help, please contact me.

Pinnacles of Praise - Willis and Velma Baldridge
Pinnacle Records LPR-1201 (no year) Pueblo, Colorado label

Willis offers a rich, classically-trained voice to these standard gospel songs. Accompanied by church organ and piano by Velma.

Listen to "If Jesus Came to Your House"

Having been reared in parsonage homes, Willis and Velma derived a love for music of the church early in life. This love led them to their church college where each was graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree.

The Baldridges have had a wide and varied background in gospel work - much of it in Christian radio including WMBI - Chicago, KFUO - St. Louis, KJLT - North Platte, and KFEL - Pueblo, Colorado.

They have directed the musical programs of several churches and were also connected with the Family Altar of the Air - a broadcast released over some 20 radio stations in the continental United States, Hawaii, and a missionary station in Haiti. Their own weekly radio broadcast "Pinnacles of Praise" is now in its third year.

(Author's note: Velma Baldridge was Professor Emeritus of Music, 1971-1995 at Nazarene Bible College, Colorado Springs.)

I Searched For Him - The Sounds of Life
John Law 730101 (no year)

Gospel standards with heavy four piece harmonies. Lots of piano here. The guitars pictured on the cover are almost nonexistent.

Listen to "Oh Happy Day"

The Sounds of Life will bless your hearts and your home as they sing a variety of gospel numbers inspiring your lives with the love of Christ, the joy of the Lord and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Their music will be a blessing to you as it has been to us and our church.

- Rev. and Myron Corser, Jr. - Pastor
Sunny Heights Foursquare Church, Pueblo

Holy Spirit, Speak to Me - The Sounds of Living Waters
Sons of God, Inc - Pueblo Colorado (no year)

Special thanks to Brother Roberto Nieves, whose love and concern helped us get started on our way, and to Brother Pat Blea for all of his encouragement and help, and may we add patience. We also want to thank our pastor, Brother Jess Fuentes, and Bethel Temple Church for all their encouragement and counseling.

Lead singer Carol Fuentes and the Sounds of Living Waters appear to be fresh out of high school. The group offers up gospel standards, and sound like they're having a pretty good time at it.

Listen to "Holy Spirit Speak to Me"

Carol Fuentes - Lead vocals
Rose Rivera - Keyboards
Henrietta Santiago, Carol Fuentes, Diane Martinez - Percussion
Donny Sepulveda - Drums
Diane Martinez - Bass
Henrietta Sanitago, Diane Martinez, Rose Rivera - Background Vocals


COMING NEXT POST: Songs of Praise - Pueblo Style (Part Two)