According to the authoritative Rockin’ Country Style website, Johnny and Jonie are Johnny and Jonie Mosby — he, born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and she, born Janice Irene Shields in Van Nuys, California. Married in 1958, released two 45s that same year.
“Some of Them Bones are Mine” – whose ghostly vocal accompaniment and lyric about “dry bones in the valley” where “blue and grey lay side by side” make for a classic Halloween soundtrack – is actually the B-side of their 2nd single for Challenge Records:
[Pssst: Click the triangle to play “Some of Them Bones Are Mine” by Johnny & Jonie.]
Johnny & Jonie recorded three singles for Challenge, the Gene Autry-founded indie label, whose first big hit was “Tequila” by The Champs. “Some of Them Bones Are Mine” was paired with Harlan Howard’s “Still Going Steady” for the A-side. The single failed to chart.
Johnny & Jonie later released a Top-20 country album in 1965 for almighty Columbia – Mr. & Mrs. Music – whose songs had been recorded at CBS Nashville between the years 1962-1964. Curiously, Johnny & Jonie released an album later that same year for Starday, The New Sweethearts of Country Music. Had Columbia really released Johnny & Jonie from their contract, even after their debut album hit #18 on the country charts? Apparently, they had, since by May 1967 Johnny & Jonie were recording at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood with six albums to follow on the Capitol label in rapid succession: Make a Left and Then a Right (1968); Just Hold My Hand (1969); Hold Me (1969); I’ll Never Be Free (1969); My Happiness (1970); and Oh Love of Mine (1971).