AZMD

A fantastic Jazz album by American jazz guitarist and composer LLOYD ELLIS, titled "Ellisintonia," with 26 tracks, many unreleased,on 1 CD, from the archives of Audio Recorders in Phoenix Arizona. Great takes on many standards, along with some Ellis originals, captured on tape in 1959-67 by Jack Miller and Dave Oxman. Ellis worked with: Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Red Norvo Trio, Page Cavanaugh, Liza Minnelli, Steve Lawrence, Phil Harris, Pete Fountain and many others as well as a long solo career. With beautiful packaging and extensive notes by Jazz historian Jim Carlton, this deluxe CD will not disappoint. On Fairmont Records #3881. Available now: eBay & Amazon. [...]

Mid-Century Sounds: Deep Cuts from the Desert is the story of Phoenix, AZ-based studio operator, label owner, and publishing entrepreneur Floyd Ramsey, but per its title, it’s simultaneously a tour of music history spanning 1957 to 1973. Light on mindblowers but consistently engaging, the set offers 29 selections from an assortment of artists; the biggest name included is Waylon Jennings, as Duane Eddy twangs behind the scenes. There’s also Sanford Clark, Al Casey, Tommy Strange, and even a young Wayne Newton. Danke Schoen! Beginning in a honky-tonk and ending in a psychedelic soul shack, the limited-edition double 140gm vinyl in a gatefold sleeve is out now through Fervor Records. Read the rest of [...]

At last, something that I have been working on for many years is finally realized. BDI has placed a beautiful bronze headstone on Ernie Johnson’s grave at Resthaven Cemetery in Phoenix.  As you know he was half of the great Eddie & Ernie soul duo that made so many great (and collectible) R&B recordings in the 60’s. Ben Dover Inc. hosted a headstone unveiling recently, where we premiered a wonderful 22 minute interview that I had with Ernie at The Elks Club shortly before his untimely passing in 2005.  That video is now up on You Tube for the world to watch and appreciate and you can view now it by [...]

On Lee Hazlewood's 72nd birthday in 2001, the legendary singer, songwriter, and producer performed at a party at The Rhythm Room. The night's curator was Arizona music historian and legendary DJ John "Johnny D" Dixon, who recently assisted the independent label Light In The Attic in compiling a collection of Hazlewood's earliest demos titled 400 Miles From L.A. 1955-1956. "That early time was not successful," says Dixon, recalling the interview he had with the "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" writer included in the release. "So he wasn't glossing over what a wonderful time it was when he was pitching the songs and taking the Greyhound bus over to L.A. and getting [...]

Release Notes 2xLP pressed at RTI & housed in a deluxe Stoughton “tip-on” jacket Tracks mastered from original Viv Records analog tapes Featuring many previously unreleased compositions and an early draft of Trouble Is A Lonesome Town Liner notes by Hunter Lea with an interview from John Dixon Includes archival photos and ephemera Deluxe Bundle (Color Set) includes a treasure trove of Hazlewood rarities created especially for this release: 2x Gold LP, a travel journal, 18×24 silkscreen print, shot glass, and a set of ‘Labels of Lee’ drink coasters, all approved by the Hazlewood estate. Click here to buy

Stan Devereaux isn’t in any hall of fame, and he’s never topped the Billboard charts. But the R&B singer is an important player in Arizona's rich music history, an unsung talent deserving of his time in the sun. On July 5, President Gator Records pays homage to Devereaux with Stars of the Southwest, featuring four previously unreleased songs. Devereaux and his band, The Trendsetters, recorded "Merry Go Round" and "All Over Now" at San Diego’s Quad Room in 1967, and later cut two covers of "This Diamond Ring" and "Conjure Woman" with Phoenix percussionist Steve Forman. Continue Reading... Purchase on eBay

Propelled by his 1956 Lee Hazlewood-produced hit “The Fool,” Sanford Clark was already a rockabilly legend in his own right by the time he swapped his hair gel and switchblade for a pair of cowboy boots on They Call Me Country. Recorded between 1965-67 and originally released as a series of singles for Phoenix’s Ramco label, the 12 tracks on this LP borrow Bakersfield’s outlaw sound and ignore Nashville’s countrypolitan flair, standing as a true lost masterpiece of country music’s third generation. Purchase on eBay

Available now on eBay and Amazon, the brand new CD of Vintage Arizona music by Arizona's great unknown guitar hero Don Cole.  He played uncredited guitar on many 50's and 60's sessions, at times in the style of Duane Eddy, and gained national exposure with his bass playing wife, Alleyne as Don and Alleyne Cole. Their soulful cover of "Somethings Got A Hold On Me" was heard on many radio stations across the country in 1964 with enough success to spawn a live album for Vee Jay Records. When producer Lee Hazlewood was at Audio Recorders, he tapped Cole when he wanted a "Twangy" Duane sound or as a featured [...]

Arizona’s music scene has produced several well-known singers like Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Waylon Jennings, Dierks Bentley, Alice Cooper and Ce Ce Penniston. Phoenix and Arizona have also played prominent roles in many songs from “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” performed by Glenn Campbell to “By The Time I Get To Arizona” by Public Enemy. Recently, we picked up on a 50-year-old song many Phoenicians don’t know about, and we learned about it — believe it or not — during a discussion of street names at a Phoenix City Council meeting. The council was discussing how to handle a citizen’s request to officially rename Broadway Road in south Phoenix [...]

Dixon, along with Fervor Records executives David Hilker and Jeff Freundlich, will be presenting the first check to PCM on May 6th, 2018 at the Scholarship Celebration Concert. The donation will be made under Floyd and Mary Ramsey Scholarship Fund.  See below for more information on the Ramsey legacy. […]