The concept of vanity or custom record pressing was certainly not originated by Starday Records in 1954, but it was a no-brainer to a new record company; rural artists without a recording contract could pay upfront to have the record company press a limited run of discs (usually 300), which the artist could then use to promote live appearances with local radio stations and, sometimes, sell to fans at their gigs. It was a no-risk venture for the record company as they would not lose any money if the records didn’t sell, but they were in prime position to take advantage if the song, the recording or the artist began to achieve wider popularity, while the advantage for the artist in having your record custom pressed was that you were not placed at the mercy of a record company A&R man trying to guide you into producing something that would be more commercially viable – you could keep your own style, produce the music you wanted to make and, thus, keep your musical integrity.
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In the period 1953-1970, there were well over 700 singles pressed by Starday in this fashion, and the compiler has cherry-picked 101 of the best in the rockabilly or hillbilly bop genres. Because of their absolute rarity and extreme collectability, they are some of the most sought-after and, thus, expensive singles of all time and we feel comfortable in suggesting that, track for track, Teenage Blues contains probably the most valuable set of recordings you will ever own.
Disc 1
Beamon Forse - You Better Go Now
Joe Bryant & The Mississippi Woodchoppers - A Man Ain't Nothin' But A Woman's Slave
Buddy Livingston & His All Girl Band - Back When She Was Young
Beamon Forse - Rest Of My Life
The Musical-Aires - Wildcat Boogie
Carl Tanner & His Southern Pine Boys - Sweet Talking Baby
Joe Gibson - Puttin' On The Dog
Tommy Castle - Wanderlust
Leo Ogletree - Crooked Dice
Tommy Castle - I've Done More Accidentally
Jack Morris - Cooing To The Wrong Pigeon
Alton Guyon & His Boogie Blues Boys Bop Bobby Socks Bop
Luke Gordon - Baby's Gone
Alton Guyon & His Boogie Blues Boys - Coffee Baby
Luke Gordon & His Lonesome Drifters - Big New Dance
Cousin Arnold & His Country Cousins - Be My Baby, Baby Doll
The Hodges Brothers - I'm Gonna Rock Some Too
Mack Banks And His Drifting Troubadours - You're So Dumb
Cousin Arnold & His Country Cousins - Sweet Talking Daddy
Mack Banks And His Drifting Troubadours - Be-Boppin' Daddy
Curly Sanders - Brand New Rock And Roll
Roland (Ra) Faulk - My Baby's Gone
Jimmy Simpson & His Oilfield Playboys - Can I Come Home
Gene Terry & His Kool Kats - Tip, Tap And Tell Me
Leon Holmes & His Georgia Ramblers - She's My Baby
Gene Terry & His Kool Kats - The Woman I Love
Buddy Shaw - No More
Tom Crook & The Rock'n Roll Four - Weekend Boogie
Jimmy Stewart & The Night Hawks - Nuthin' But A Nuthin'
Ralph Johnson & The Hillbilly Show Boys -Henpecked Daddy
Ernie Nowlin & The Blue Shadow Boys - Tally Ho
Carl Trantham & The Rythm All Stars - After I Go Away
Disc 2
Carl Trantham & The Rythm All Stars - Where There's A Will (There's A Way)
Bob Varney & Stoney Mt Playboys - Stoney Mt Boogie
Chandos Mcrill & The Perryville Melody Boys - Money Lovin' Woman
Leon Holmes - Half A Chance
Bill Floyd - Hey, Boy!
Billy Match & The Starfires - I Want My Baby
Dave Brockman & The Twilight Ramblers - Feel Sorry For Me
Curly Sanders & His Santones, Joyce Love - Peace Of Mind
Lee Voorhies & His Ozark Country Boys - Load Up My Blues
Gene Ray - Love Proof
Al Sims & The Alpine Two - Party
Gene Ray - Rock & Roll Fever
Al Sims & The Alpine Two - Party
Plez Gary Mann - Cheer Me Up
Earl Durrance & His Blue Sky Ramblers - Jeanie Christie Flying High
Plez Gary Mann - I Want To Be True
Dick Dorn, Harry Peppel & His Shenandoah Valley Rangers - Thermostat Baby
Lewis Pruitt & The True Lads - Pretty Baby
Leroy Martin & The Rebels - Keen Teen Baby
Tony And Jackie Lamie With The Swing Kings - Sunset Blues
Jimmie Dale - Darlin'
Tony And Jackie Lamie With The Swing Kings - Wore To A Frazzel
Jimmie Dale - Baby Doll
Dappa Smith - China Doll
Bill Goodwin - Teenage Blues
Jesse Stevens & The Big Sandy Boys - Mama, Mama
Jerald Boykin, The Three Ramblers - Walking, Talking Babydoll
Jesse Stevens & The Big Sandy Boys - No Bluebirds In The Sea
Jerald Boykin, The Three Ramblers - If You Call That Love
Olen Little - The World Belongs To Me
John Worthan - The Cats Were Jumpin'
Art Ontario - Wiggle Walkin' Boogie
Warren Robbe - My Chicken Pen
Gilbert Headly - I Tried To Be Fair
Arvel Lewis - Pine Mountain Boogie
Disc 3
James Gallagher - Ford And Shaker
Gary Link & The Rock-A-Fellas - Don't You Know
Daniel Nix With The Compensation Boys - Compensation Blues
Ray Strong - You're Gonna Reap What You Sow
Gary Link & The Rock-A-Fellas - Rhythm Rock
James Gallagher - Are You The One
Jeff Daniels - Switch Blade Sam
Dickie Damron - Gonna Have A Party
Leon Kelly & The Rhythm Rockers - Rockaway
Junior Gravley With The Rock-A-Tones - You Lied To Me Honey
Dickie Damron - Rockin' Baby
Junior Gravley With The Rock-A-Tones - Take My Hand
Chandos Mcrill & The Excellons - Poor Me
Bill Loop & His Seneca Indian Boys - My Foolish Heart
Chandos Mcrill & The Excellons - The Toddle
Warren Robbe - Single Man
Jimmy Dane And His Great Danes - Please Have Mercy
Blankenship Brothers With The Sundown Playboys - Lonesome Old Jail
Jimmy Dane And His Great Danes - Tattle Tale
Johnny Harris - Tired Of Crawling, Gonna To Run
The Hi-Tombs - Sweet Rockin' Mama
Lonnie Irving - I Got Blues On My Mind
The Hi-Tombs - Weeping Willow Rock
Red Moore & His Rhythm Drifters - Crawdad Song
Love Brothers - Baby, I'll Never Let You Go
Romeo Sullivan & The Serenaders - Haunting Rhythm
Larry Hollis - Oil Field Rock And Roll
Beck Brothers - Big Rocker
Ralph Collier - You'll Come Runnin' Home To Me
Beck Brothers - Just Like You
Missouri Walker & The Ozark Ramblers - Lonesome Guitar
Jorris Hennessee & The Roundup Boys - Jorris Boogie
