The Early Years











My career has been enjoyable, and I'm glad to have a chance to share some of my experiences with you.  The beginning of my music career started like most other musicians.  When I was young, I began playing with local bands at dances and parties in and around Corpus Christi, Texas. 

My dream was to be able to make a living at writing and playing music.  Maybe I would be able to record a few albums? 

The dream became a reality, and I've enjoyed my career.  I started out as a pop music singer/song writer, and I wound up in country music.  It's been a wild ride at times, but I think that I've experienced a lot, and I've met writers, composers, and other   entertainers from most walks of life.  I feel lucky to have been able to have done that.  I hope you find some of my experiences  interesting.

Here I Am Playing In The Early Seventies
1964 - 1969

Having fun, and making a living doing what you love to do the most.  You can't beat it.

It all has to begin somewhere, and here I am (far right) with the group "The In Crowd".  We were a local band playing at dances and parties, and we were just beginning to learn about the music business.  

The popular pop music of the time included; The Doors, The Animals, The Beatles, The Yardbirds, Cream, Traffic, etc. Click HERE to view an early picture of me playing my guitar. I don't remember how old I was at the time.

That's me on the far right

Later I was in another local band called "The Buckle".  It was then that I found myself in a recording studio for the fist time.  The result was my first record.  After the Buckle, I continued to play in local bands while gaining experience.

During the sixties, there were other local musicians in the Corpus Christi area that made it nationally.  I've included a list below, and some have their own web pages.  

Zackary Thaks Rod Prince - Bubble Puppy Don Williams - Pozo Seco Singers
Sonny Ozuna - Sonny And The Sunliners Freddy Fender Doug Sahm - Sir Douglas Quintet
Tony Joe White Susan Taylor / Taylor Pie Laura Canales
The Official Bubble Puppy Web Site Dave Fore More Zackary Thaks
Kubla Khan Liberty Bell Eric Quincy Tate
   

A Publicity Photo When I Was In My Twenties

A Little Luck, And A Lot Of Hard Work

I was watching the Merv Griffin show, and one of his guests was a  movie producer.  During the interview, the producer asked for some music submissions for his next movie.  I  immediately sent him a demo tape.  And to my surprise I was contacted. 

That was the beginning of my career in the music industry.  I was now at a new level, and as it turned out, I had a lot to learn.  


My career took off like a rocket and I found myself in L.A. recording my first album "Long Road To Texas" with Capitol Records.  It was  immediately removed from the record stores when the executives heard "Loving You Just Crossed My Mind".  Two songs were removed and "Loving You Just Crossed My Mind" and one more song was added to the album.  It was then re-released with the new title, "Loving You Just Crossed My Mind". 

Here I am (photo to the right) playing for the movie "Tilt".  Tilt is where I met Brooke Shields.  Brooke and I became friends, and she and her mother visited my family several times after the completion of the movie. 

While at Capitol Records, there would be additional releases like "Rosalie and Gentle People". While at A&M, the song "Sanctuary" would be released.  I would eventually have 13 songs on Billboard's top 40 chart.  I also appeared on several national television shows: Two apperances on ABC's - American Bandstand in 1973 and 1974, NBC's - Midnight Special, and Nashville Now, with Ralph Emery.  In most national TV markets, I sang "The Party's Over" (a tribute to M*A*S*H) at the conclusion of the final episode of the TV series M*A*S*H. 

Sailing

Here I am sailing in Corpus Christi Bay.  This photograph was taken after the release of one my songs, "Sail Away", released through Electra in 1977.  

The photograph was used for one of the local radio stations (KEYS) as a cover for their weekly handouts listing the top 40 hit songs.    

 

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Last Updated
Sunday, September 15, 2002 12:09 PM