According to the authoritative Rockin’ Country Style website, Johnny and Jonie are Johnny & 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 opening tremolo guitar and ghostly vocal accompaniment, with a lyric about “dry bones in the valley” where “blue and grey lay side by side” make for a classic horror film soundtrack — is actually the B-side of their second 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)
- Oh, Love of Mine (1971)
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(image courtesy of Discogs)
Aside from the original 45, this song is only otherwise available on 1968 Liberty compilation LP Original Golden Country Greats Vol. 3.
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