Unknown religous song from old LP

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 16 - 03:35 PM

Thanks for the offer but I have a copy of the LP as well a CD with the same original artwork as the LP. The CD was gave to me by Robert Earl Lowery from a batch he had made. Robert Earl is Jim Lowery's son and played in THE ALABAMA BLUEGRASS BOYS after I left the group and also played with me in the WILDWOOD BLUEGRASS for a while. Herman Coker was also a member of the WILDWOOD BLUEGRASS until his death. At one time all the members of THE ALABAMA BLUEGRASS BOYS except Jim Lowery were playing together in WILDWOOD BLUEBLUEGASS, but that group is not a continuation of THE ALABAMA BLUEGRASS, but is a group started by Lomax Austin and a married couple (Bob & Jackie Jones) that the rest of us joined. Jim Lowery kept the AL. Bluegrass Boys going for a few years after I left it in the summer of 1974,but they did no more recording. During my time with THE ALA. BLUEGRASS BOYS we played a lot in ALA. & GA. at churches & festivals. We were the opening act for The Sullivan Family on several occasions and had a local cable TV program for a while that was broadcast by both the Phenix City Al & Columbus Ga. cable companies. I appreciate your interest in our LP and if you need to know more you can contact me at [e-mail]    Oh, and by the way "Dell McLendon" is a female rather than a man' but she understands how you could mistake it with the name.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 23 Jun 16 - 08:41 AM

Or really I should say, you can ask Dell so I can send you my digital copy of your recording of it. I converted the record into mp3, and I can send you the files if you don't have a copy anymore.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 23 Jun 16 - 08:40 AM

Thanks for the response, Dean, I always like to hear some of the history about the records I have, when possible. The Goodwill that I bought the record in was in Charlotte, NC, so the record did some travelling! If you don't have a copy of the record, you can ask Dell McLendon for my email and I can send you my recording of it.

It was interesting to hear that your version of Rank Strangers was so popular, because I've got to say that it's one of my favorite versions I've heard.

Originally, as you can see, I had a somewhat hard time understanding the lyrics. But once I managed to track down Hylo's version, I realized what they were. I think the small differences came up just as part of the "folk process" of listening to the song and slightly changing it.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: GUEST,Dean George
Date: 22 Jun 16 - 09:40 PM

I Played mandolin on the LP, which was recorded in Columbus Ga. at a all night recording session that started on Sat. Aug.7 1971 and lasted to the next morning. Herman Coker is the only member of the Ala. Bluegrass who is deceased, although Wayne Coker and Leion Lowery who played on the recording are also deceased. Lomax Austin and myself are currently playing in the Wildwood Bluegrass.   It was recorded by Burnice Rooks on a Wollensak-3M reel to reel recorder (I remember that because I owned one at the time,and it was pretty well state of the art at the time for a home recorder). Ronny Lowery who was also on the recording is still playing music and I believe lives in Geneva County Al. Jim (Earl) Lowery is still alive but no longer plays music.   The LP got quite a bit of airplay on WDAK Radio in Columbus Ga. (which had a far reaching signal in the early morning at that time) by a DJ called Cuzzin Al who played a lot of bluegrass and traditional country. He misplaced his copy of The Stanley Brothers "Rank Stranger" once and until he found it, everytime he got a request for "Rank Stranger" he played our version-- so we Really got a lot of air play then. I am going to go back and listen to our version of "My Savior Is Calling". Jim got it from the Hylo Brown record. You may be misunderstanding or he may have misunderstood when he heard it. What town was the Goodwill in where you bought the LP?

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: GUEST,gloria
Date: 05 Jun 16 - 03:47 PM

Lomax is actually their Brother in law. Robert Earl Lowery, Jim Lowery's son is still working as a musician in the columbus, phenix city area.He and Lomax are the Wildwood Bluegrass band i think. I found an interview on you tube of Robert Earl sharing some of his work. I messaged him about this post. The Lowery's which was My Dad, Leion, Ronny, Gerald, another brother, and Wayne Lowery, Gerald's son have several records from the 70's and 80's. Wayne Coker, and Tony Hobbs were also on some of them. I was searching the net to see if any of their music was online when I found this post. Leion, and Gerald have both past away. I remember hearing these old songs my whole life. Thanks for jogging my memory of my youth.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 04 Jun 16 - 10:09 PM

Glad to hear that Gloria, you should tell them about it, or is there anything else you want to share about them? Do they now play as the Wildwood Bluegrass Band like I found? Thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: GUEST,gloria
Date: 04 Jun 16 - 09:25 PM

Leion Lowery was my Dad. Ronnie, and Jim are his brothers. Lomax is their uncle. They have several bluegrass records. I was just googling trying to see if any of them are on the net and found this.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 06 Mar 16 - 12:55 AM

Oops, when I said "If you don't want to have to deal with that you can PM me and I'll send you the recording" that was supposed to go next to the WFMU link

Subject: Lyr Add: MY SAVIOUR IS CALLING (Brown)
From: cnd
Date: 06 Mar 16 - 12:53 AM

I have found the song. It is called "My Saviour is Calling," and it was written by Hylo Brown. It was first released on his 1962 Starday album, "Bluegrass Balladeer" (Click here) If you don't want to have to deal with that you can PM me and I'll send you the recording.

I was able to find it thanks to WFMU's online radio. It is around 12:05 into this playlist: https://wfmu.org/flashplayer.php?version=2&show=9157&archive=116031

The lyrics here are a combination of Brown's lyrics and the Alabama Bluegrass Boys' lyrics. Where they are the same they are normal. When there are brackets, it is how Hylo sang it, and the ones in parenthesis are how the Alabama Bluegrass Boys sang it.

MY SAVIOUR IS CALLING
Hylo Brown, 1962

Oh I have heard a voice a-callin'
Come up here and (know His name) [live with me]
Jesus is His callin' for His children
Calling under that land (where true and free) [where's love and free]

I can hear my Master callin'
As I walk along my way
I can see the gates a-glowin'
That I will live there some sweet day

Will you be ready, friends and loved ones
On that celberation* day
Don't turn your back on Christ the Savior
(Just) [Please] walk the straight and the narrow way

I can hear my Master callin'
As I walk along my way
I can see the gates a-glowin'
That I will live there some sweet day

We read in the Bible of John the Baptist
We also read of (Matthew and Luke) [Saint Matthew]
But if you'll trust in Christ the Savior
He'll give us a crown when we all get through

I can hear my Master callin'
As I walk along my way
I can see the gates a-glowin'
That I will live there some sweet day

*for some reason they both say "celberation" instead of celebration

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: GUEST,#
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 11:57 PM

http://bluegrasstoday.com/i%E2%80%99m-going-back-to-old-kentucky-353/

Some info there.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 11:36 PM

Sorry, the one who passed was Wayne, not second Herman.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 11:32 PM

Other information I've managed to find on them is that someone I assume to be Herman Coker was alive as of November 2015 (source), though Herman Coker has passed. Source: http://fosterfollynews.com/2015/10/27/61845/

I found I comment made on an obituary by Dean George dating 2011 identifying himself as a member of the Alabama Bluegrass Boys here: http://lathan.tributes.com/obituary/print/90871620

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: GUEST,#
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 11:22 PM

No problem, cnd. I'm finding little on the 'net. I didn't know when I just posted whether the spelling of Phenix was presenting problems. :-)

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 11:05 PM

Sorry #, I thought I had included that originally, but they had it spelled both ways on the album sleeve, so I went with what I thought made more sense. The album was clearly poorly put together: they had on there both Phoenix and Phenix City, AL, they misspelled Lomax Austin's name, and they left off an entire song from the credits!

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: GUEST,#
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 10:57 PM

Phenix City, AL

Please note spelling.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 09:32 PM

An interesting development: I believe they know go as the (decidedly ambiguous) "Wildwood Bluegrass" band. I found an Angelfire blog site of a man who went to a bluegrass festival with a band of that name with members including Robert Earl Lowery (son of Jim/Leion /Ronny Lowery) [banjo], Dean George [probably the same mandolin player], and Lomax Austin [possibly the original fiddle player?]. Adding to the similarities, they're based out of Columbus, Georgia, which was where the record company was from. He left a phone number to contact them that I may or may not try at some point. If I don't post anything in a couple days, someone else can try calling them if they want.

Source: http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/ronrollins/page6.html

Once I found "Lomas's" real name (Lomax), I was able to find that he is still fiddling and playing in conventions as of 2014 at the ripe old age of 94!

Ronnie Lowery was alive as of 2010 but I can't find much else about him: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028312/00489

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Aug 15 - 02:44 PM

Thanks; I'll work on that hopefully this week or next.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 03:10 PM

Other info regarding the band and album

THE ALABAMA BLUEGRASS BOYS
Jim M. Lowery (Hartford, AL) - lead guitarist & lead singer, also plays dobro
Herman Coker (Graceville, FL) - lead bass, sings bass/tenor vocals
Lomas Austin (Black, AL) - fiddle
Dean George (Phoenix City, AL) - mandolin, sings bass/tenor vocals

Guests performers
Leion Lowery - dobro
Wayne Coker - bass
Ronny Lowery - guitar and tenor vocals on some songs

The Alabama Bluegrass Boys were from Phoenix City, AL

Album: A Beautiful Life by the Alabama Bluegrass Boys, Rooks Records RK 101
A1 A Beautiful Life
A2 The Old Country Church
A3 I Saw the Light
A4 When the Saints Go Marching In
A5 Rank Strangers
A6 (Uncredited) Unknown song
B1 Matthew 24
B2 Boat of Love
B3 I'll Have a New Body
B4 Over in the Gloryland
B5 I'll Fly Away
B6 Wicked Path of Sin

Rooks Records
Columbus, GA, FA 7-7652

Record and Jacket by Bayer Enterprises, Nashville, TN.

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 18 Aug 15 - 01:21 PM

I'll just post it as unlisted on Youtube, that way everyone can try.

Here it is on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56o4oB-rDos&feature=youtu.be

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Aug 15 - 08:15 AM

Would love to hear song and can prob help untangle lyric mysteries if you want to pm me for email address.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: maeve
Date: 17 Aug 15 - 01:55 PM

No worries, cnd, just didn't want you getting a firestorm and feeling unwelcome. I'm glad you understand the need for patience, and I do understand your eagerness to find help from this amazing group of musicians and music lovers!

Have you found and read the FAQs yet? Mudcat FAQs That might keep you busy while others dig around helping you. :)

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 17 Aug 15 - 01:16 PM

Well, it seems I'm 14 years behind the times!

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: Newport Boy
Date: 17 Aug 15 - 01:00 PM

Actually, it might be interesting to start a page of "unidentified/unfinished questions."

Your wish was answered some time ago - 'Unanswered Requests' on the Quick Links.

Phil

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 17 Aug 15 - 12:50 PM

Oh, I'm sorry if I'm coming off as impatient. I know they often take quite a bit of time to develop. I do see how I came of as impatient, but I didn't mean to. It's more of a challenge. Mudcat is renowned for its ability to find the most obscure songs. Actually, it might be interesting to start a page of "unidentified/unfinished questions." That way you know how few there are that this vast group of people can't reach.

I'm also aware it can a while. I saw an answer on Mudcat once that took over 10 years. I certainly hope it's not that long in the waiting, though! :)

Subject: RE: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: maeve
Date: 17 Aug 15 - 12:43 PM

To start, I'd suggest some patience. Some of us actually have work to do, and many of the most interesting and helpful threads have developed over years of effort. :)

All three songs look interesting, and I might have a go at one or two when I have time. Perhaps someone else in this skilled and knowledgeable pool will find time to lend an ear. :)

Regards,
Maeve

Subject: Unknown religous song from old LP
From: cnd
Date: 17 Aug 15 - 12:28 PM

Around a year ago, I got an old LP from Goodwill from a group called the Alabama Bluegrass Boys, titled "A Beautiful Life." It included numerous religious songs. It's from a very small-town label called Rooks out of Columbus, GA. It's Rooks RK 101.

Anyway, the album's back lists 5 songs on side 1, while there are 6. The final, unlabeled one has been rather difficult for me to track down (and even understand, in some places). Here are the lyrics I can piece together from it, and see if it rings a bell with anyone.

Oh I have heard a voice a-callin'
Some of us hear and know his name
He does his callin' for his children
Called ??[rattle]?? that land where true and free

I can hear my master callin'
As I walk along my way
I can take the ??[gates a-closin']/[
But I will live ??? to say

Will he be ready, friends ??[and neighbors]??
On that celebration day
Don't turn your back on Christ the Savior
And walk the straight and a-narrow way

I can hear my master callin'
As I walk along my way
I can take the ??[gates a-closin']/[
But I will live ??? to say

We read in the Bible of John the Baptist
We also read of ??[Matthew and Luke]/[Mathanieu]??
But if you'll trust in Christ the Savior
His ?people to crown? when we all get ????

I can hear my master callin'
As I walk along my way
I can take the ??[gates a-closin']/[
But I will live ??? to say

Let's see if I can go 3 for 3 at stumping the Mudcatters. If anyone wants to take a whack at my other "unknown" songs, they're here

Some Frogs Jump One Foot
Its Marked Within the Bible that my Daddy Gave Me