Clifford Fry
“For the Players Of Nights Game”
1979
Dr. Clifford fry was an Economics professor at the University of Houston. On the side he had a decent little country rock band, and apparently stayed up late playing “nights game” and getting drunk.
“Drunk Again”:
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The last I can find, Dr. Fry and his band the Texas Medicine Band still play. He has a few cd’s on Amazon
I even found a pic of him, his hat, and Ventures records from 2011:
Ben Swett
“Riding the Range For Jesus”
Sacred Recordings, St. Paul, MN
“Riding the Range for Jesus”:
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John Gunter, the Singing Sheriff
“Captive Audience”
Captive Audience #0001
This guy was sheriff of Madison County, Indiana.
John Gunter, “Prisoner of My Heart”:
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Apparently, the Singing Sheriff is still available to sing and speak at your event.
Jimmy Ellis aka Orion was the most successful Elvis impersonator (who claimed not to be an Elvis impersonator) of all time.
For years Ellis tried to make a career as a country singer, but his voice and manor were so similar to Elvis’ that he was dismissed as an imitator. His voice and appearance apparently caused enough confusion that fans thought he might actually be The King himself performing. One of his early singles was titled, “I’m Not Trying To Be Elvis”.
from www.orionjimmyellis.com
After Elvis’ death, he finally stopped resisting the comparisons and developed the “Orion” persona, named after the title character of a book about a rock star who fakes his own death. Orion’s ultimate coup was getting signed to Sun Records, Elvis’ original label, for his first album. As one might expect, many fans apparently believed that Orion actually was Elvis Presley.
Orion released several albums in the early 80′s and even had a few charting singles. He then quit the Orion/Elvis charade until the early 1990′s, when he released several more records. He died in 1998, when he was gunned down in a robbery of his convenience store in Selma, Alabama.
Roy Thackerson “Fingerless Fiddler”
Ovella “volumn 1″(sic)
From the Back Cover:
If you have never met Roy or listened to him play his fiddle you have certainly missed out on a real treat. He is amazing. As you may not know, he lost his fingers when a dynamite cap exploded in his hand, destroying his fingers and doing great bodily damage. This did not destroy his desire and determination to play the fiddle.
–Roy Acuff
MAILBAG:
I typed in my name and I not only found my website, but saw my album cover in your collection of ‘Collectible Records.’ I lived in a time when children were “cruel” and laughed and made fun of other children with deformities or handicaps. Society has changed, Thank God, toward any person with a disability or handicap.
I lost the fingers on my left hand and the sight in my left eye, at the age of 5, when a dynamite cap blew up in my hand. Nothing but the grace of God let me live. I was a pretty hard-headed kid and was determinded to let nothing stop me from doing whatever it is that I chose to do. My entire family was musically inclined, so I decided I did not want to be left out of our family musicals. Many dedicated hours were spent on my guitar.
It was only at the age of 30 that I decided I could play the fiddle and my ‘good friends’ told me, ‘you can’t play the fiddle, you’re fingerless!’ After 5 years of learning to play the fiddle, I became ‘The Fingerless Fiddler.’
Now, at 65 years of age, I am still playing my guitar and entering many flat top picking contest. I also play the fiddle in many fiddle contests and judge at State Fiddle Championships. I am also booked for various events as special entertainer thoughout the United States.
Little Jimmy Henley “Bluegrass Banjo Instrumentals”
Woodrich #ARP 9141
1974
Cover Photo: Mrs. Tom Bell
From the Back Cover:
“You will find it hard to believe when you hear the Bluegrass sounds produced by Little Jimmy Henley and his banjo in this Nashville album. The uncanny skill and mastery displayed by this very young musician would do credit to one twice his age. In short, his performance at such an early age is truly incredible.”
Clifford Fry
The last I can find, Dr. Fry and his band the Texas Medicine Band still play. He has a few cd’s on Amazon
