REVISION NOTE : We have added scans of a yellow copy of Allegro 1463 by Claude McLin as well as scans of Zena Ayo's second 45 rpm on Allegro. And we have added a photograph of the Perry Trio.
The Cawthron label , the C&C label and the Allegro label were three small record companies run by one Dunlap J. Cawthron around 1959 (Cawthron) and in the early sixties (C&C, Allegro).
According to the Social Security Death Index, Dunlap J. Cawthron was born on August, 23, 1914. His card was issued in the state of Illinois.
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Dunlap J. Cawthron, unknown date.
With kind permission of John Phillips. |
The detailed activities of Dunlap J. Cawthron (the "J" is for James) and his companies remain somewhat unclear. According to a letter from Los Angeles Gospel DJ John Phillips to Armin Büttner, the "Allegro Recording and Music Studio" was run by Cawthron in Los Angeles from 1955 to around 1965. However most (if not all) records on his first – eponymous - label, Cawthron, were issued around 1959 with a St. Louis adress (4767 Maffit Ave.). John Phillips told researcher Opal Louis Nations that Cawthron had a day job as traveling government meat inspector in the late fifties and early sixties. So could it be possible that Cawthron had bases in both towns?
At least one of the Cawthron 45s was also issued with labels noting "distributed exclusively by Bingo Records, 6087 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood 28, Calif.", but giving no adress for the label itself. Maybe Cawthron first started out completely on his own and than later got in contact with a little larger company?
Bingo Records, according to McGrath's "R n B Indies", was owned by Los Angeles DJ and TV personality Jim Specs Hawthorne. During 1959 and 1960 it produced at least seven 45rpm records featuring acts like Bing Crosby soundalike Troy Cori or the Ponsi sisters, a teen vocal group.
In Bob McGraths "R and B Indies" there are two different listings for the Cawthron label - one under a wrong name. ("Cauthron" - located in St. Louis - and "Cawthron" - with the Bingo records adress), but the copies we have seen do not entirely agree with Mc Grath, regarding the adresses for each record (we will note this under each session).
In the Billboard of July, 27, 1959, Cawthron Records (under the wrong name "Cawthorne") is mentioned among "Seven new labels (that) joined the label parade during the last week". The adress is given as 4767 Maffit Ave., St. Louis.
Up to now there are five known 45 rpm singles on the Cawthron label:
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From the collection of Armin Büttner.
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St. Louis, probably late 1958 or early 1959.
| CP-1659 | Christmas Is The Best Time (Wynetta Lindsey) | Cawthron 501-A | |
| CP-1660 | Looking Ahead To Happiness (Wynetta Lindsey) | Cawthron 501-B |
Information from a copy in the collection of Armin Büttner. The sound quality of piano and Shirley Agnew's clear voice is very good - though from time to time it sounds like the sound engineer is dropping things and making other unintentional noises.
Unfortunately nothing is known about Shirley Agnew. Any information is very much welcome. The CP-prefix of this and all the other Cawthron matrix numbers indicate that they were Custom Pressed at Rite Records Productions in Cincinatti OH. Quoting 45rpmrecords.com,:
"for one set price, two songs could be recorded in the Rite studio. They would then be mixed, mastered and pressed all in the same building. Depending upon the package purchased, the customer would then receive a predetermined number of records ranging from as few as 50 to 1000 or more. At 8000 records minimum, Rite's price was as low as nine cents each."
Apparently this was an ideal arrangement for very small record companies like Cawthron! Rite numbers CP-1659 and CP-1660 indicate a pressing in early 1959 - which is quiet strange considering the Christmas theme of the A-side and the New Year's theme of the flip. Both tunes were written by Wynetta Lindsay who, according to Bernie Hayes' book "The Death of Black Radio: The Story of America's Black Radio Personalities" was "one of the first and most popular gospel announcers".
St. Louis, around 1959.
| CP-1781 | Does Jesus Care | Cawthron 7 A | |
| CP-1782 | Noah | Cawthron 7 B |
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Cawthron 7 from the collection of Robert Termorshuizen (www.recordconnexion.nl)
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All information from a copy in the collection of Robert Termorshuizen. Bob McGrath' s "R and B Indies" have this record under the heading Cauthron".
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From the collection of Armin Büttner.
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St. Louis, 1959.
| CP-1833 | The Girl I Love-1 (McFadden) | Cawthron 505-A | |
| CP-1834 | Gal Crazy-2, 3 (McFadden) | Cawthron 505-B |
Original information (except date) from Bob McGrath' s "R and B Indies" (under the heading "Cawthron", with the Bingo Records note). We have only seen a St. Louis copy of this record though. "The Girl I Love" is a folky cha cha song whereas "Gal Crazy is a rocker. Rite numbers CP-1833 and CP-1834 indicate a pressing in 1959.
The Billboard of June 29, 1959 has this reord in a listing of new releases. The reviewer was not very enthusiastic. He gave two stars for "The Girl I Love": Feelingful rockabilly-styled delivery by McFadden on so-so tune with interesting backing". For the flip he had just one star left: "Routine rocker is sung in personable fashion." It cannot have helped that Billboard erroneously gave the label's name as "Cawthorne".
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From the collection of Opal Louis Nations.
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Unidentified vocalists, among them Electra Mitchell (lead voc-1) Connie West (lead voc -2)
St. Louis, 1959.
| CP-1905:506A | I Shall Wear A Crown*-1 | Cawthron no # (probably planned as 506?) | |
| CP-1906:506B | Jesus-2** | Cawthron no # (probably planned as 506?) | |
| Cook 1432 A | The Church on The Hill*** | Cawthron 508-8A | |
| Cook 1432 B | Oh Jerusalem*** (Wynetta Lindsey) | Cawthron 508-8B |
From the collection of Armin Büttner
Information about the CP-1905:506A/B record from a copy in the collection of Opal Louis Nations. Matrix numbers (which indicate a planned issue as No. 506) from McGrath's "R n B Indies" which have this one with the Bingo Records note. Opal Louis Nations' copy however has the St. Louis label. Note that the matrix numbers suggest that this was probably planned to be No. 506. Rite numbers CP-1905 and CP-1906 again indicate a pressing in 1959. Nation thinks that Electra Mitchell was "Cawthron's best gospel soprano".
Cawthron 508 was discovered by Armin Büttner in November 2011. It could well be that the "Cook" matrix numbers found on Cawthron 508-8 (as well as those on Allegros 1101/1102 and 3002/3003) come from the Cook Labs pressing plant in Stamford, Connecticut. Cawthron 508 is the last Cawthron before the name change to C&C. Note that it already carries the Los Angeles post box adress.
From the collection of Armin Büttner
The St. Louis Ushers Mass Chorus (it sounds like basically the same group) also can be heard on an EP on Leonard Morris' Len - Mo Spiriuals label. This one was recorded in 1962, according to the RCA matrix number.
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The St. Louis Ushers Mass Chorus on a Len - Mo EP. From the collection of Armin Büttner
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Sam Lazar's two-parter "Space Flight" with the St. Louis adress (from the collection of Armin Büttner) and with Bingo Records as distributor (courtesy of Todd Lucas). See below for yet another different copy (probably the third edition) of this 45 rpm single.
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Sam Lazar (org); Grant Green (eg); possibly Chauncey Williams or Phillip Wilson (dr).
St. Louis, late 1959.
| CP-2077 | Space Flight | Part 1 (Lazar) | Cawthron 507 | |
| CP-2078 | Space Flight | Part 2 (Lazar) | Cawthron 507 |
"Space Flight Part 1" and "Space Flight Part 2" by St. Louis organist Sam Lazar are two variations on the blues. They have the same key and tempo, but really distinct themes. Guitarist Grant Green (whose first issued session this was) is identifiable clearly. Matrix numbers CP-2077 and CP-2078 according to 45rpmrecords.com again indicate a pressing date of 1959. Cawthron 507 was first issued with the St. Louis adress. A second copy seems to have been pressed shortly after Cawthron's move to Los Angeles – this one carries the "Distributed exclusively distributed by Bingo Records" note .
Matrix numbers above taken from a St. Louis copy from the collection of Armin Büttner. Note that the St.Louis copy mentions Lyco Music as the publisher while it is Marmor Music on the Hollywood copy in the collection of Todd Lucas.
The release of Cawthron 507 was only announced in the Billboard issue of May 9, 1960. Most probably this pertained to the third issue of this record. In early 2011 Armin Büttner acquired a version carrying the "P.O. Box 11371" adress, found on all of Cawthron's C&C and Allegro records. Note that the publisher has reverted back to Lyco Music on this copy. This time the CP numbers are only printed on the label. In the wax the numbers are 1450-A and 1450-B which might suggest a connection to the Claude Mclin Allegro series which ran from 1459–1464. This is also the first of Cawthron's records in colored vinyl.
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What is probably the third issue of Cawthron 507 came in splendid blue wax.
From the collection of Armin Büttner. |
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Billboard gave the record four Stars and had this to say: "The trio is dominated by an organ lead which has a nice blues quality. Guitar and drums beat out a steady rhythm which could find favor with the dancers. Tune is basically a blues. Side two is more of the same with some improvising on the theme."
Maybe this record came to the ears of the Chess Brothers , maybe there was a different connection that led to them recording the Sam Lazar Trio on june 1, 1960 for release on Argo LP 4006, "Space Flight". A first single "Space Flight" / "Dig A Little Deeper" on Argo 5365 was advertised a very short time later in the Billboard of June 13, 1960:
Drummer Chauncey Williams, who like Lazar stems from St. Louis, plays on Lazar's first LP "Space Flight", we think he may also play on Cawthron 507. In 2012 Uptown Records published the CD "Grant Green / The Holy Barbarian, St. Louis, 1959", featuring a concert by the Sam Lazar Quartet with Grant Green, Sam Lazar, tenor saxophonist Bob Graf and Chauncey Williams on drums at the Holy Barbarian Coffee House on December 25th 1959 and February 20 1960.
It has to be noted though, that is also a small chance that drummer on the Cawthron 45 may also be Phillip Wilson of later AACM fame (born 1941) who also came from St. Louis. According to Dennis Owsley's book "City of Gabriels", Wilson joined Lazar when he was sixteen. "He went on the road with Lazar for four years until they eventually ended at Minton's in New York." Wilson also plays on Lazar's second Argo LP, "Playback", which was released in 1962.
Sam Lazar (from the cover of "Playback", his second Argo LP)
The Title track of Lazar' first LP, "Space Flight" is a new recording of "Space Flight Part 1" from the Cawthron 45, whereas the tune "Space Flight Part 2" from the Cawthron 45 appears on the Argo LP rerecorded under the new title "Big Willie" – in honor of Chess/Argo Blues session bassist Willie Dixon, who was added to the trio for this recording (it iss hard to hear Dixon on the Argo LP though).
We do not know exactly when Dunlap J. Cawthron decided to rename his label or when he moved to Los Angeles permanently, but this must have happened around summer 1960.
The Billboard of June 13, 1960 carries Cawthron Records in a list of record manufacturers. The adress is P.O. Box 11371, the same adress as on the labels of all known Allegro records. In the Billboard of November 28, 1960, this adress is given for the Allegro Recording & Music Studio. Maybe Cawthron had enough of seeing the name of his company wrong, Apparently for a short time Cawthron named his new enterprise C&C. We have seen a copy of Claude McLin's Allegro 1460A/1459B on this label (carrying the same numbers as the Allegro pressing, see below) and Herman McFadden has an apperance on C&C:
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Herman McFadden's second record for Dunlap J. Cawthron.
From the collection of Armin Büttner. |
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probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1959 or 1960
| CP-4077 | Mary Jane (McFadden) | C&C 509 A | |
| CP-4078 | My Life Is Yours (McFadden) | C&C 509 B |
All information from a copy in the collection of Armin Büttner.
For his new label Allegro, based in Los Angeles, Dunlap J. Cawthron recorded ex chicago tenor saxophonist Claude McLin who at this stage of his career in the early sixties seemed to be trying hard to get into the jukeboxes - at least the local ones. Cawthron also recorded one 45rpm single by blues singer and guitarist Curtis Jack "C.C." Griffin. The largest part of the Allegro records catalogue however consists of Gospel as recorded by Zena Ayo, The Perry Trio, Kathryn Adams & the Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church and Vermya Phillips . The latter also had the honor of recording the only definitely known Allegro LP so far (There might also be an Allegro LP by the Perry Trio).
Up to now we have information about five Allegro singles by ex chicago tenor saxophonist Claude McLin. We are sure though, that there must be a sixth (Allegro 1461). More details about these recordings can be found in the Claude McLin discography at the Red Saunders Research Foundation.
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Allegro 1459-A and 1460-B are two sides of one 45 rpm record ...
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Claude McLin (ts -2, voc -1); unidentified (org); unidentified (eg); unidentified (b); unidentified (d).
probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1960
| 1459-A | Misty -1 (Burke-Garner) | Allegro 1459-A | |
| 45-1460-A (in the wax), 1460-B (on label) | Satin Doll -2^ (Ellington) | Allegro 1460-B | |
| 45-1460-B (in the wax), 1460-A (on label) | Swinging Bag Pipes -2^ (McLin) | C&C 1460-A, Allegro 1460-A | |
| 1459-B | Happy Hop -2^ (McLin) | C&C 1459-B, Allegro 1459-B |
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... as are Allegro 1459-B and 1460-A (from the collection of Armin Büttner).
This coupling (same matrix and issue numbers) also appeared on C&C (a short-lived forerunner of Allegro) with the same graphics and the same adress. . |
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Billboard in its December 5, 1960 issue gave three stars to both sides of the planned Allegro 1460. About "Swinging Bag Pipes" Billboard noted "Sock jazz-flavored ork treatment of swinging instrumental theme. Fine wax for hip jocks" and about "Happy Hop": "Bright, bouncy instrumental theme is wrapped up in lively arrangement. Spinnable".
The next mention of Allegro in Billboard is in the issue of April 10, 1961, in a short news item:
Heller Adds 3 New Labels
PHILADELPHIA - Bob Heller, head of Bob Heller Record Distributing Company, announced the addition of three new labels which made their bow in recent weeks. Added to the Heller line are Kip Records from New York City, Allegro Records which originate in Los Angeles, formed by Dunlap Cawthron, and Gene Gladson's Acts Records from Indianapolis, Ind."
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Allegro1462 from the collection of Armin Büttner.
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Claude McLin (ts -2, voc -1); unidentified (org); unidentified (eg); unidentified (b); unidentified (d).
probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1961
| ? | Wailin (?) | Allegro 1461? | |
| ? | ? | Allegro 1461? | |
| CP-6519 | Kansas City ("Harrison") -1 | Allegro 1462-A | |
| CP-6520 | The Growler (McLin) -2 | Allegro 1462-B |
Note: In the series of Claude McLin issues on Allegro, issue number 1461 is stil missing. In june 2009 DJ Steve Propes supposedly played a piece by McLin called "Wailin" on his radio show (see here). We suppose that this could be on Allegro 1461. Neither Allegro 1461 nor Allegro 1462 were mentioned in Billboard. Rite matrix numbers CP-6519 and CP-6520 for Allegro 1462 indicate a pressing in 1961.
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From the collection of Opal Louis Nations.
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Zena Ayo (voc); Evelyn Henderson (org), unidentified chorus
probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1961
| Cook-1621-A | How Great Thou Art (Stuart Hine) | Allegro 1601-A | |
| Cook-1621-B | Somebody He Can Use^ (Janie M. Cawthron) | Allegro 1601-B |
Allegro 1601 was among the new releases announced in the Billboard of October 16, 1961. The Cook numbers again point to the Cook Labs pressing plant in Stamford, Connecticut.
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Zena Ayo in a photo from "The Zena Ayo Story published in "Lyric" magazine in 1976. The complete article can be found here.
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At an unknown date, Dunlap J. Cawthron attended a program John Phillips had put together in an L. A. church and asked him to produce gospel singer Zena Ayo for him. Phillips remembers that Cawthron had seen Ayo sing the national anthem at the Dodgers Stadium and that this appearance made Cawthron want to record her (information from Opal Louis Nations). But this cannot be true, since the Dodgers stadium opened in 1962, after Zena Ayo's first Allegro record already had been released (It was announced in the Billboard of October 16, 1961.
Zena Ayo had recorded before: at an unknown date for F.W. Clark Sacred Recordings ("(I Dream't Last Night) Jesus Came" / "My Little Child") and in late 1959 for Mike Gradney's small label Case, based in Gardena CA, where she put down the teenage ditty "Dumb Bell" and the bluesy ballad "Long Long Gone".
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Zena Ayo on a very rare 78rpm
from an online auction in 2010. |
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Allegro 1602-A from the collection of Armin Büttner
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Zena Ayo (voc); unidentified chorus and small band (one or more violins (*), p, b, g (or banjo?), dr.
probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1962
| 45- Cook 1602 A CAW | You Can't Make It Alone (Janie M. Cawthron) | Allegro 1602-A | |
| 45 1602 B Caw | Touch Me * (Zena Ayo) | Allegro 1602-B |
Information from a copy in the collection of Armin Büttner. The release of Allegro 1602 was announced in the Billboard of May 19, 1962. It sems to come from another session than Ayo's first record on Allegro (see above). Both titles have a country pop feel to them. The "CAW" or " "Caw" in the wax of both sides clearly signify Cawthron's account at the Cook Labs pressing plant in Stamford.
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Allegro 1602-B from the collection of Armin Büttner
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A red wax pressing of Allegro 1463-A from the collection of Armin Büttner
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A yellow wax pressing of Allegro 1463-A
from the collection of Armin Büttner |
Claude McLin (ts -2, voc -1); unidentified (org- 3, p -4); unidentified (eg); unidentified (b); unidentified (d).
probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1962
| 1463-A | I'm Breathless (Pierce D. Mathews)-1, 3# |
Allegro 1463-A | |
| 1463-B | Ruff (McLin)-2, 3# | Allegro 1463-B | |
| 1464-A | You Are Nobody until Somebody Loves You -1, 3% (Morgan-Stock-Cavanaugh) | Allegro 1464-A | |
| 1464-B | More Than You Know -1, 4% (Eliscu-Rose-Youmans) | Allegro 1464-B | |
| Cook-1465 | You Go To My Head (Coots-Haven-Gillespie) | Allegro 1465 | |
| Cook-1466 | When Sunny Gets Blue (Segal-Fisher) | Allegro 1466 |
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A yellow wax pressing of Allegro 1463-B
from the collection of Armin Büttner |
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A red wax pressing of Allegro 1463-B from the collection of Armin Büttner
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Allegro 1464 from the collection of Armin Büttner.
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Allegro 1464 has a yellow label and is pressed on black vinyl. In the vinyl 1464-B carries "C[DELTA]W / ? E C,". There are also the notations "Coot" and "7-2-62" (or is that "1-2-62"?). One might be tempted to read this numbers as a date, but note, that the release of Allegro 1463 was announced in the Billboard of May 19, 1962. There is no mention of Allegro 1464 in Billboard.
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Allegro 1465/1466 from the collection of Armin Büttner.
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Allegro 3001 from the collection of Armin Büttner
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probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, probably early 1962
| 45-# 3001 A (C) | Walk With Me (traditional) -1, -2 | Allegro 3001-A | |
| 45-# 3001 B (C) | There'll Be Sunshine After The Rain (Janie M. Cawthron) -1 | Allegro 3001-B | |
| COOK-3002 | Those Golden Bells-1 (Rose M. Perry) | Allegro 3002 | |
| COOK-3003 | I See Him-1, 2 (Janie M. Cawthron) | Allegro 3003 | |
| unidentified tracks | Allegro LP? |
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Note that what apparently is the second Allegro issue by the Perry Trio carries
two different issue numbers. From the collection of Armin Büttner. |
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Original information about Allegro 3001 from Bob McGrath's "The R&B Indies". Detailed information from a copy now in the collection of Armin Büttner. According to the label, this record is part of the "Religious Series".
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From Los Angeles Sentinel, October 11, 1962.
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An article (with photo) in Los Angeles Sentinel from October 11, 1962 (see above) mentions records by the Perry Trio. No recordings by the Perry Trio for other labels have been found and our best guess is that the article is referring to the Allegro outings. John Phillips does not remember anything about the Perry Trio but is sure, that they made an entire LP for Allegro. Further information is very much welcome!
Janie M. Cawthron, composer of "There'll Be Sunshine After The Rain and "I See Him" (and some other songs recorded on Allegro) was label owner Dunlap J. Cawthron's mother. John Phillips told Opal Louis Nations (in oct. 2008) that Janie M. Cawthron hailed from Chicago. The Social Security Death Index mentions a Janie Cawthron who was born on November 27, 1888. Her card was issued in Michigan and she passed away in Chicago in May 1975. In 1985 Dunlap J. Cawthron published a collection of poems and other texts by his mother, "The legacy of Janie M. Cawthron" (Cawthron Enterprises, ASIN: B0007266L8) - to be researched. "There'll Be Sunshine After The Rain" as sung by Vermya Phillips was later recorded by Dunlap J. Cawthron for the Credence label, also Cawthron's enterprise (see appendix).
There are no mentions of the Perry Trio in Billboard. Judging from the typography of the label (and the hue of the red wax) Allegro 3001 was released around the same time as Claude McLin's Allegro 1463. A second 45rpm by the Perry trio was found by Armin Büttner in a second hand record shop in Berne, Switzerland in spring 2007. This one is pressed on black vinyl and carries two different issue numbers (3002/ 3003). It has a slightly different typography compared to 3001.
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From the collection of Armin Büttner
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Vermya and John Phillips doing broadcasts at Radio KTYM (1958). Photos taken from http://jvpromotions.com with kind permission from John Phillips.
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| This photo of Vermya Phillips with The Robin-Aires appeared in "The California Eagle" of April 25, 1963. with the following caption:
"IN HARMONY – The team behind the latest release of the Allegro recording by Vermya Phillips, shown seated center, pauses to announce the initial release of the record over the Moments of Decision Broadcast over KTYM, 1460 on the AM dial next Sunday at 6:45 to 7:30 a,m, The record made with the famous Robinaires is entitled, "Somebody Bigger Than You and I" and "There's Not a Friend". From left seated: John Phillips, producer; Vermya Phillips, recording artist; D. S.(sic!) Cawthon (sic!), president of the Allegro Recording Co.. Standing from left: Tommy Robinson, pianist; Carolyn Johnson, Bessie Anderson, [her husband] Jessie Anderson [director of the Mt. Tabor Senior Choir, from which the Robin-Aires were drawn], Ethel Scott and Johnnie B. Gipson [probably "Gibson"?] Veenie Johnson serves as organist for the group. Photograph courtesy of John Phillips. |
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Allegro 9003/9004. The copy in the collection of Armin Büttner was pressed in black vinyl. It is well possible that there was also a colored wax version.
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probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, spring 1963 (possibly two sessions)
| AR-9777 | There's Not A Friend Like Jesus (Roberta Martin) | Allegro 9001, Kris K8150 (CD) | |
| AR-9778 | Somebody Bigger Than You And I (Lange-Heath-Burke) | Allegro 9002, | |
| AR-9003 | He's a Friend Of Mine-1 (Kenneth Morris) | Allegro 9003, Kris K8150 (CD) | |
| AR-9004 | Somebody He Can Use | Allegro 9004, Allegro ALM 1189/1190, Kris K8150 (CD) | |
| ???? | Precious Memories | Allegro ???? | |
| ???? | unidentified title | Allegro ???? |
For the date, see caption of the Robin-Aires' photo above. It may well be that the tracks with the Robin-Aires (9001 and 9003) were recorded on a diffrent date than those without (9002 and 9004). For a picture of Allegro 9001 go to the top of this page.
Allegro 9001/9002 was mentioned as a new release (under the "Country & Western" heading) in the Billboard of May 25, 1963. Most copies we have seen have a yellow label and blue wax, but some copies were apparently pressed on regular black vinyl.
All Allegro recordings by Vermya Phillips were produced by her husband, John Phillips. Information about Allegro 9001/9002 from a copy in the collection of Armin Büttner. Information about the identity of The Robin-Aires from a letter by John Philips. According to John Phillips Allegro released three 45 rpm records by Vermya Phillips, but he mentions only one title for the other two. Allegro 9003/9004 was acquired by Armin Büttner in January 2011. The third Vermya Phillips 45 rpm mentioned by John Phillips (supposedly 9005/6) has still to be found.
Allegro ALM 1189/1190, "Meditating Moments" is the only known LP on the Allegro labels. For further tracks from this session see below.
Kris CD K8150 "You Can't Replace God For Man" is a compilation of Vermya Phillips tracks from different time periods released on Mel Alexander's Kris Label around 1998. Thanks to Opal Louis Nations for a copy. Unfortunately the liners give "recorded live at Woody Woods Studio, Las Vegas, 1998 for all tracks - which may be true for most of them.
The liner notes of Vermya Phillips' Allegro LP (see below) convey that Vermya Phillips started singing as a child at a Baptist church in Franklin, Texas. Vermya and her sisters then formed a quintet and traveled the state with them. She moved to Waco, Texas and became a soloist with Toliver's Chapel Baptist Church while attending Paul Quinn College. She moved on to singing with The Echoes of Toliver Chapel Singers and traveled with them extensively. Upon moving to Los Angeles, she joined the Tabor Baptist and became a leading soloist with the senior choir.
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Another shot from the same photo session: Tommy Robinson, Ethel Scott, Vermya Phillips, Johnnie B. Gipson (Gibson?),
Carolyn Johnson, Bessie Anderson and Jessie Anderson. Photograph from the collection of of Opal Louis Nations. |
The following is a biographical scetch for Vermya and John Phillips, taken from John Phillips' website (http://johnverm.com):
John and Vermya Phillips were both born to large families in Texas. John had five sisters and 1 brother. Vermya was the seventh of 10 children. Both unfortunately lost parents during their formative teen years. In his late teens after the death of his father, John knew he was ready to leave Texas. After some conversation of two aunts in California with a friend and the flip of a coin, John headed out to California in 1940. John was part of a quartet until 1942 when he was inducted into the Army. John served in the military from 1942 through 1945 as part of the 532N Quartermaster Company; supplying food and ammunition to front line troops in the European Theater of Operations. John was discharged in December of 1945 and recounts that, as being when his radio career took off.
While John was off in the war, Vermya was pursuing her education and being blessed by God with people such as Mrs. Willie Ray Anderson, her god-mother, through whom she was blessed immensely. Vermya attended and graduated both, Wardell’s Beauty School and Paul Quinn College. At one point she worked in a restaurant and as a cosmetologist. After finishing college Vermya went on to teach 8th and 9th grade. Along the way, she became a member of the Tolivers Chapel Baptist Church.
Upon his discharge, Christmas day 1945, wanting to be a radio announcer, John attempted to use the GI Bill to further his education, but was told Blacks could not be radio announcers. After some time John found himself working for the City of Los Angeles. Meanwhile Vermya went on teaching. In the early fifties, while visiting her sister in California, the sister told Vermya that she had seen John recently as he used to live across the road from them as children, and he told her that if Vermya came to California, to let him know. In June of 1955 John and Vermya were married. In 1957, John and Vermya took on the responsibility of being church announcers at Progressive Baptist Church, then Mt. Tabor in 1958. The late Rev. J.T. Stewart was recently called as pastor and John served as sound engineer.
On March 2, 1958 John and Vermya started at as a husband and wife team with an hour and a half program. John went on to the Don Martin School of Broadcasting. Going on to work at various stations across the country, John and Vermya joined the Gospel Music Workshop of America started by the King of Gospel, the late Rev. James Cleveland. On March 14, 2004 the Lord called Vermya home.
The journey continues to be rich and rewarding as John continues to be a force in Gospel Music. While Vermya is greatly missed, the high standards of excellence, the created together, continue today as John faithfully and skillfully brings listeners the very latest and best in Gospel Music. John was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall Of Fame November 4, 2007 in Akron, Ohio. Please feel free to join John on KTYM, Saturday mornings and remember that God loves you and so does John Phillips.
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John and Vermya Phillips around 2000.
Photo with kind permission from John Phillips. |
According to Opal Louis Nation's article "John and Vermya Phillips - Trailblazers of the Gospel Airwaves" in Real Blue No.23 (2000), John Phillips was born in Ranger, East Texas on April 26 1922. His father, Louis Phillips Snr., was deacon of the local Baptist church.
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The Dave Weston Singers, unknown date. (back row, left to right): Cleonis Thurman, bass: Esther Coleman, soprano; James Irving, second tenor; Dave C. Weston, baritone/director, Grace Bryant, alto and Robin or Willis Tate, tenor (Robin's name was used for naming the Robin-Aires). Front row from left to right: Dunlap J. Cawthron, Vermya Phillips and John Phillips .
Photo with kind permission of John Phillips. |
possibly Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1962
| AL-1101 | Call Him Any Time (Janie M. Cawthron) | Allegro 1101 | |
| AL-1102 | He's Mine (Davis Sisters) | Allegro 1102 |
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Allegro 1101/1102. This previously unknown Allegro 45 turned up on ebay in June 2012.
From the collection of Armin Büttner. |
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Nothing is known about The Internationals. Judging from the typography, Allegro 1101/1102 seems to have been manufactured around the same time as Vermya Phillips' Allegro 9003/9004. While "Call Him Anytime" is yet another compposition by Janie M. Cawthron, "He's Mine" comes from the famous Davis Sisters.
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From the collection of Armin Büttner. Up to now, Allegro 1189/1190
is the only known Allegro LP. |
"Bro. Henderson's Studio", Slauson and Normandie, and another studio in Hollywood, Los Angeles, 1963 or 1964
| ALM 1189 |
Have you ever Tried Walking by Faith? (James E. Irving) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190, Kris K8150 (CD) | |
| ALM 1189 |
I'm Going Trough (trad.) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1189 |
His Hand Is Outstretched Still (Janie M. Cawthron) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1189 |
Danny Boy (Fred E. Wheatherly) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1189 |
If Jesus Goes With Me (C. Austin Miles) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1190 |
Precious Lord (Thomas A. Dorsey) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1190 |
We Got a Job To Do (Dave C. Weston) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1190 |
My Choice (Virgie C. Dewitty) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1190 |
Marvel Not (Janie M. Cawthron) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1190 |
I See Him (Janie M. Cawthron) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190 | |
| ALM 1190 |
Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray (trad.) | Allegro ALM 1189/1190, Kris K8150 (CD) |
Initial information about this very rare LP, from a copy in the collection of Armin Büttner. Information about the personnel from John Phillips and the liner notes. Samuel Calloway was Minister of Music at the Second Community Baptist in Pacoima, California. According to an october 2008 conversation between Opal Louis Nations and John Phillips, the Dave Weston Singers were formed in Santa Monica in 1955. They also sang background with basso Cleonis Thurman, behind Helen Henderson and Elizabeth Hall of Chicago. John Phillips told researcher Opal Louis Nations that the "Meditating Moments" album was cut at Bro. Henderson's studio at Slauson & Normandie and also at another studio in Hollywood. The recording date of 1963 stems from John Phillips. The release of this record was announced in the Billboard of May 30, 1964, so maybe Cawthron waited some time before he released the LP or it was recorded in 1964. Thanks to Opal Louis Nations for a copy of Kris CD K8150 "You Can't Replace God For Man", a compilation of Vermya Phillips tracks from different time periods released on Mel Alexander's Kris Label around 1998.
See the first entry for Vermya Phillips to find another track released on this LP.
Note that the labels give two different issue numbers, but on the Cover only 1189 is mentioned.
Dunlap J Cawthron also recorded Vermya Phillips for a label called Credence in the late sixties. The title of the Credence LP is "Sunshine after Rain" - see Appendix.
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The Dave Weston Singers, unknown date. Back row: Cleonis Thurman, bass; Esther Coleman, soprano; James Irving, second tenor; Grace Bryant, alto and Robin or Willis Tate, tenor. Front: Dave C. Weston, baritone/director.
Photo from the collection of Opal Louis Nations. |
probably Allegro Recording and Music Studio, Los Angeles, 1964
| Ain't That Good News |
Allegro 3012 | ||
| Jesus Is Calling | Allegro 3012 |
All information about this rare 45 rpm from Steve Propes via Opal Louis Nations.
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The gorgeous Allegro 2001 from the collection of Victor Pearlin.
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Another copy of Allegro 2001, from the collection of Armin Büttner
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Los Angeles, 1964
| 2001-A | I Do Believe (C. C. Griffin) | Allegro 2001-A | |
| 2001-B | Sitting Here Waiting (C. C. Griffin) | Allegro 2001-B |
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| Side 1 of Allegro 2001. From the collection of Armin Büttner. |
The C.C. Griffin 45 seems to be the last record on the Allegro label. Some years after it's release, Cawthron made an effort with what probably was his last label (see appendix). Dunlap J. Cawthron passed away in Jackson, Rankin County, Mississipi on July 7, 2004.
Credence LP 1191 from the collection of Armin Büttner
Credence Recording & Music Studio (see note), Los Angeles, late 1960s
| There'll Be Sunshine After the Rain (Janie M. Cawthron) | Credence LP 1191, Kris K8150 (CD) | ||
| Touch Somebody's Life (Raymond Rasberry) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| He Chose Me (Janie M. Cawthron) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| I Know Who Holds Tomorrow (Ira Stanphill) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| Call Him Anytime (Janie M. Cawthron) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| If Jesus Goes With Me We'll Understand It Better (composer unknown) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| Jesus Is Real To Me (composer unknown) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| Oh Lord What Is Next (Janie M. Cawthron) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| The Little Wooden Church (Thomas A. Dorsey) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| Let Go Let God (Juanita J. Smith) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| I'll Tell It Everywhere I Go (Thomas A. Dorsey) | Credence LP 1191 | ||
| He's Everywhere (Doris Akers) | Credence LP 1191 |
© jazzdocumentation 2011
Any further information about the Cawthron, C&C and Allegro labels will be very much welcome. Please mail to abuettner (at) woz(dot)ch
