Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino

Subject: Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino
From: GUEST,Kent in Oklahoma
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 06:23 PM

Hello!

In 1984, when I was a wee lad of 21, I emceed a live radio broadcast with Jim Ringer and Mary McCaslin when they played Oklahoma City. Each did a short solo set, then of course they did a set together. Lovely people and a terrific show.

In Jim's set, he did a song that included these words in the chorus: "Out in San Bernardino, where nobody calls, and being lonesome don't matter at all."

I've been searching for it for years, trying to find a recording. When Googling, everything comes back with Mary's song "San Bernardino Waltz." It's definitely NOT the same song, and I'm afraid I can't remember the rest of the lyrics. What stands out in my mind is that Jim told the story before the song of when he and Mary first moved to San Bernardino, and none of their friends ever called them. It took them a while to realize their phone had never been connected! Hence, "San Bernardino, where nobody calls..."

Anyone have any clues about this song? I've love to get hold of a recording, if one exists. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino
From: cnd
Date: 30 Jan 21 - 10:42 AM

I haven't found anything definitive yet, but according to my research they moved to San Bernardino in 1978, so that helps at least approximately date the age of the song.

He only produced 2 albums under his name after that point. He didn't have writing credits for any of the songs on The Bramble & The Rose, but on Endangered Species he wrote
- Dusty Desert Wind
- Still Got That Look
- Brand New Jole Blon
- Linda's Out There On Her Own
- Bayou Blues
- Whiskey And Cocaine

Albums from Mary McCaslin after 1978 with self-written (either her or Jim) songs include:
Sunny California (1979)
- Sunny California
- The Emigrant Song
- Old Man From Missouri
- Dust Devils
- The California Zephyr
Blue Ridge Epitaph (1981)
- Time To Wonder
- Set Me Free
- Jamie
A Life And Time (1981)
- Northfield
- The Band Of Jesse James
- A Life And Time
- Santana Song

As well as most of Broken Promises and all of Better Late Than Never

Do any of those ring a bell? Several songs from Sunny California seem to have pretty promising titles but I haven't listened to all of them yet.

Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino
From: GUEST,open mike
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 07:22 PM

There is at least one album of Jim Ringer Songs from the recording company owned by Sandy and Caroline Patton. name escapes me right now.

Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino
From: Elmore
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 09:06 PM

Sandy and Caroline owned Folk Legacy Records.

Subject: Tracks: Waiting for the Hard Times....(Jim Ringer)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 10:10 PM

Jim Ringer's only Folk-Legacy album was Waitin' for the Hard Times to Go (1972)

This was his first recording, and he was recorded by Sandy Paton. At the time of this album's recording in 1972, Ringer did not posses a steady address and had spent much of his life as a traveling laborer, working various construction jobs as he drifted through the West.

Track Listing

1. Waitin' for the Hard Times to Go
2. Paradise
3. Every Bush and Tree
4. Towser Jenkins
5. I Gotta Get Drunk
6. Granny's Song
7. California Joe
8. Dreary Black Hills
9. Ground so Poor That Grass Won't Grow
10. Old Bill Pickett
11. Going Away
12. The Girl I Left Behind
13. Black Waters
14. I Believe If I Lived My Life Again (Hymn Song)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m2V8CY6fmlJR6XzzX_fI8sFWU0T2Knf8Y

Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino
From: Deckman
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 11:29 PM

JOE .... THANKS FOR POSTING THIS. I LISTENED TO THE ENTIRE ALBUM AGAIN ... WHAT A SIMPLE, YET GRAND STYLE. BOB(DECKAN)NELSON

Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino
From: voyager
Date: 14 Sep 22 - 09:17 AM

Jim Ringer - an authentic voice of the West. Thanks for posting JO.

Subject: RE: Origins: Jim Ringer/San Bernardino
From: voyager
Date: 14 Sep 22 - 10:12 AM

Waiting for the Hard Times to Go (Liner Notes - intro by Sandy Paton)