Joe Goldmark is not only a musician but also a scholar, whose International Steel Guitar and Dobro Discography — “a resource book that attempts to list every steel guitar and Dobro instrumental ever recorded” — is a fascinating reference tool for those interested in Syd Nathan’s King Records legacy.
Jerry Byrd, one-time steel guitarist for Hank Williams, recorded four songs at Cincinnati’s King Records studio on October 29, 1954 as part of The Country Cats (with Al Myers on guitar). “Mountain Mambo” is the A-side of a King 45 that playfully incorporates Latin elements within a hillbilly jazz framework:
“Mountain Mambo“
The Country Cats (featuring Jerry Byrd)
(1954)
Audio clip includes excellent B-side, “Hot Strings.”
Thanks to The Jerry Byrd Fan Club website, we are now privy to some of the trade secrets that helped distinguish Byrd’s steel guitar sound:
“During the 1950s, Jerry Byrd upgraded to a seven-string, pre-war model of the same Rickenbacker Bakelite steel guitar (as pictured below). He was playing this fine instrument while on WLW radio in Cincinnati, Ohio, and recorded his popular Decca album, Hi-Fi Guitar, using this guitar.”
Steel Guitarists –
= And The Music Historians Who Love Them =
Listed below are the other King/Federal/Deluxe/Audio Lab recordings referenced in The International Steel Guitar & Dobro Discography, with the names of the featured steel guitarists – where known and/or applicable – indicated in parentheses.
Click on song titles for streaming audio
Paul Blunt & His Islanders
King LP
(1960)
The Buckeye Pals
Deluxe 78
(c. 1952)
The Country Cats (featuring Jerry Byrd)
“Mountain Mambo” b/w “Hot Strings“
King 78
(1954)
“Sun Shadows“ b/w “Hop Scotch“
King 78
(1955)
Eddie Chamblee Orchestra
Federal 78 [leased from Miracle]
(1951)
Cowboy Copas (featuring Slim Idaho)
“Jamboree“
King 78
(1948)
Included on this various artists LP disguised as a Moon Mullican compilation
Mel Cox And His Flying X Ranch Boys (featuring Lefty Perkins)
“Guitar Jump” b/w “No Suh“
King 78
(1950)
King Curtis
King & DeLuxe 45s
(1957 & 1962)
Andy Iona & His Islanders
King EP
(1950)
The Kiddie Ka-Dees
“Remington Ride”
King 45
(1959)
Freddy King
1965 King LP
Closing track on this album
Krazy Kris And His Swinging Gentlemen (featuring Floyd Smith)
“Floyd’s Guitar Blues” / “Wishy Washy“
King 45
[rec. Oct. 1956 in NYC]
produced by Henry Glover
Eddie Martin & His King Serenaders
“Echoes of Hawaii”
King 78
(Dec. 1946)
“Pineapple Polka”
King 78
(Nov. 1947)
Leon McAuliffe (featuring Leon McAuliffe)
“Faded Love” b/w “Panhandle Rag”
Gusto 45
(1983)
Canadian 45 release
Hank Penny & His Radio Cowboys
~ featuring Noel Boggs (c. early 1946)
“Steel Guitar Stomp” b/w “I’m Counting the Days“
“Steel Guitar Stomp” b/w “Merle’s Buck Dance“
Hank Penny & His Radio Cowboys
~ featuring Bob Foster (1947)
“Hillbilly Jump“ b/w “Kentucky“
Hank Penny & His Radio Cowboys
~ featuring Ralph Miele (Oct. 1946)
“Penny Blows His Top” b/w “Locked Out“
“Steel Guitar Polka” b/w “Won’t You Ride In My Little Red Wagon“
Hank Penny & His Radio Cowboys
~ featuring Herb Remington (Mar. 1950)
“Jersey Bounce” b/w “Wham! Bam! Thank You Ma’am!“
“Remington Ride” b/w “I’m Gonna Have My Picture Took“
Hank Penny & His Radio Cowboys
~ featuring Speedy West (Jul. 1949)
“Hillbilly Be-Bop” b/w [b-side from 1947]
Webb Pierce (featuring Shot Jackson)
4 Star 78
(1960)
Charlie Ryan (featuring Neil Livingston)
Hot Rod King LP
includes 1960 track “Steel Rock“
Cecil Surratt & Smitty Smith
“Liza Jane” / “The Words You Say“
King 45
(1960)
T. Texas Tyler (featuring Noel Boggs)
“Tell Your Lies To The Man In The Moon“
4 Star 78]
1946
Also included on this 1959 King LP
Jimmie Widener (featuring Earl “Joaquin” Murphy)
“Jimmie’s Jump” b/w “She’s Done And Left Me“
King 78
(1949)
BONUS HISTORY!
Steel Guitar on King
LINK to Notable Steel Guitarists Who Recorded For King Records
– A L S O –
Jerry Byrd & The Pleasant Valley Boys on King Records:
LINK to “The Pre-Nashville A Team” at Cincinnati’s Herzog Studio
LINK
