Magnum Studio-The Sound of The South

Jacksonville, FL in 1960 was a sleepy southern town of 200,000 presided over by Mayor Hayden Burns. The dirty, rat infested downtown was situated on the banks of the St. Johns River. The riverfront was dominated by rundown wharfs and dilapidated warehouses. If you worked at minimum wage (and a lot of us did) you earned $1.00 and hour. You could buy a loaf of bread for .20, a gallon of gas for .30 and a BSA Super Rocket for less than $1,000. Less than 4 miles to the south, across the river sat a 20 X 40 frame building, yellow with brown trim. An unlikely location for history making music to be created, but this was a creative center for rock & roll, country, bluegrass & blues. Magnum Studios, home of Magnum Records was right there with industry giants like Sam Phillips's Sun Records, Detroit’s Motown and Nashville’s Bradley’s Barn. 

The great, near great and could be great passed through the modest portals of Magnum. If there were a Magnum Hall of Fame, the names listed could include:

Slim Whitman, Johnny Folkston, Tom Shealy, Carter & Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Dave Meadows & the Neanderthals, Hoot Gibson, The King Crooners, Art Schill,
Rabbi Leftiwhitz, Johnny Tillotson, Ken Clark, Jim Sutton, Blair Springer, Elton Sewell, Jim Atkins, Harris The Welder, John Strickland, Franky Preston, Marvin Von Deck, John Rose, Godfrey McGiffin, Phil Cay & the Blue Notes, Lewis Weber, Ken Hodges, Charley Horton, Gertrude Doro, Little Junior Ace, Melanie Williams, Hoot Gibson, Bud Morrison, Helmet Ising, Robert "Ace" Lewis, Bob Newsome, Johnny Scoates, Mae Axton, Victor Ziggler, Red Henry.  

The engineering genius behind Magnum’s “Sound of The South” was Tom Markham who surpassed the rich sounds of the big NY, Hollywood and Nashville studios with real echo from “the tank out back”. Tom Rose was the chief financial officer behind it all with his pay less, get more dollar leveraging system.

Probably the best way to relive that time and place is through the sounds that came out of the little studio on Lovegrove Rd. in South Jacksonville.

The King Crooners: The King Crooners visited Magnum often, just to drop by and hang out. Believe me it was a special time when those guys came by. From just standing around in a normal conversation they would break into a song, complete with dance steps and perfect doo-wop harmony. A sleepy summer day turned into a Broadway musical! Great stuff!

The Last Day of School, this song shows off the Crooners acapella doo-wop style.

Ken Clark: If Ken Clark had not been so dedicated to his day job as a dispatcher for the Great Southern Trucking Company he would be a country music icon today. He was a combination of Bill Monroe & Ernest Tubb. You would have to say a little Hank Williams too be cause of his song writing talents. Ken wrote over 300 songs. Ken Clark and his band, The Merry Mountain Boys played lots of shows and recorded for Starday Records in Nashville. He had his own recording studio but many of his records were recorded at Magnum. His signature song was Buckskin Coat which tells a tragic story of a girl who gave up the true love of a country boy for the money and prestige of a boy from town—bad decision. In Ken’s unique writing style he weaves several sub plots into the main story—it could have been a novel.

Buckskin Coat, Ken Clark & The Merry Mountain Boys

The Neanderthals made their debut April 11, 1960 with the release of Magnum Records Mag41160 45 RPM Angel. The song was written and recorded by Jacksonville's own Dave Meadows with backing and unique sound of the lead guitar of Blair Springer, rhythm guitar Jim "Big Jim" Sutton and the stand up base fiddle of Ken Hodges.  The recording soared high on the charts, particularly in Jacksonville and the South. It was favorably reviewed by Billboard and featured on a national telecast of Dick Clark's Dance Party. Magnum partnered with the National Recording Company of Atlanta, GA for distribution. Listen to the echo on this tune, provided by funnelling the sound through the "tank out back" with compliments to Harris the Welder. The Welding Shop on Wheels, $5.00 double or nothing. Yes, Angel truly exemplified the Sound of The South, the Magnum sound and Jacksonville, Fl in the 1950s.

Angel, Dave Meadows and the Neanderthals

Lewis Weber wrote and recorded another tune that was significant in the Magnum history book and symbolic of the times. Jean and Sweater of Love was the only Magnum production not recorded at the South Jacksonville studio. With the generous backing of Gertrude Doro Weber and Tom Markham traveled to Nashville to record at Owen Bradley's famous Bradley Barn (Deca Studio).  The band was one of the icon studio bands of the time, the Harold Bradley Orchestra which combined musicians from the Nashville Symphony Orchestra with country music greats like Floyd Crammer, Hank Garland and Lightning Chance. Arrangement by Cliff Parman. Published by Southern Bell Music. Released August 22nd 1960

Jean, Lewis Weber & The Harold Bradley Orchaster

Carter and Ralph Stanley began their career as old time musical performers right after WWII, known as The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Clan, they were one of many bluegrass and country bands working show dates, radio, TV and recording in the 50s. When they scheduled their Magnum sessions who could have guessed that the Stanley's would become recognized as the premier example of the old time bluegrass and country music of the mountains. The Magnum sessions have become recognized as perhaps the finest recordings of the brothers and their band before the untimely passing of Carter in 1966. Here is one of the best known tunes to come from those historic Magnum Sessions, Rank Stranger

Rank Stranger. Recording Date:1960-05   Composer:York; Starday, BMI
Place:Magnum Studio, Jacksonville, FL  Master:3338 Instruments:Carter Stanley-g;
Ralph Stanley-bj; Curley Lambert-m; Ralph Mayo-g; Audie Webster-bs  Vocals:C. Stanley-L; R. Stanley-T; C. Lambert-B

The Beachcomber captured the very essence of Jacksonville Beach in the 50s.  The bar was patronized by a mixture of sailors from Jacksonville’s 3 Navy bases and the young civilian crowd. Live music and dancing, one of the most popular featured bands was Frankie Preston & the Beachcombers. Frankie and his group recorded at Magnum and their sessions were financed by record sales at the bar. The Magnum owners were frequent visitors and were always introduced as recording executives. It was a great atmosphere. Listen to a couple of their most popular recordings and relive a 50s Saturday night at The Beachcomber with Frankie Preston.

The Wall of Death-Part II

The Wall of Death - American Motor Drome Co. - "a motorcycle thrill show caught in a time warp!"- (Leesburg Bikefest – April 2015), story and photos by motorsport journalist Tom Rose 

note: I first wrote about the Wall of Death in 2008 and that article can be found elsewhere in this blog and in the Oct 2008 issue of Road Bike Magazine

The Wall of Death is a motorcycle thrill show that began appearing at traveling carnivals and fairs about 100 years ago. The riders perform on the inside vertical wall of a large wooden barrel. Spectators view the show from a platform around the top of the barrel, looking down into the barrel to see the show.

Author H.G. Wells published his science fiction classic The Time Machine in 1895. Through the novel and later the movie millions became captivated by the idea time travel. Of course, the whole premise is just as categorized, “science fiction”.   However, the idea is indeed intriguing. There are a few instances where it is actually possible to go back to an earlier time and relive history.






Jay Lightnin' Bentley tells the story of his
American Motor Drome Co.

I had the unique opportunity for time travel at the 2015 Leesburg Bikefest, drifting back through the past 100 years talking with Jay “Lightnin’ Bentley about his American Motor Drome Company and the Wall of Death. The show has not changed. It is the same show your father and grandfather saw at the traveling carnivals of the 20s, 30s and 40s. It is the same 1928 101 Indian Scout motorcycle. The same wooden barrel motor drome. A real live time capsule right there in Leesburg, FL. A motorcycle thrill show caught in a time warp!

Jay Lightnin’ Bentley began riding the wall with traveling carnivals over 45 years ago. After 25 years riding for other shows Jay decided it was time to go into business for himself. He took out a 2^nd mortgage to buy materials and went to work in his back yard. His neighbors thought he was building an ark.  No plans or blueprints, it was all in his head. The primary material is Douglas fir. It took 2 years but from Jay’s dream and hard work the American Motor Drome Co. was born.

Once completed Jay took the show on the road to bike shows, fairs, carnivals and race tracks. Crossing the continent keeping the tradition alive. Jay puts 2 riders on the wall at the same time, crisscrossing, requiring the ultimate in skill, precision and concentration.  He used have 3 riders on the wall but a tragic accident resulted in the death of a rider and Jay cut the 3^rd rider from his shows. “Too dangerous!” says Jay. Over the years there have been accidents and injuries to riders. Wall of Death riders are not eligible for insurance. Bentley maintains a fund for injured riders financed by donations from spectators. During the show riders race within inches of the top of the wall and pluck donations for the fund from the hands of spectators in their teeth! He has been at it with his wall for some 20 years now. It is a dieing from of entertainment. His American Motor Drome is one of only 2 that work full time. In total only 4 such shows exist (once there were over 40).  

 

“We’re here to keep the Wall of Death tradition alive. When old timers show up with kids and grandkids memories are made that will last a lifetime. That’s why we are here. That is why we do it. To preserve history and let the youngsters of today see just what it was like in the 20s at the county fair.” Jay Lightnin’ Bentley

And that’s the way it was in Leesburg last week-end. Among all the rock bands, bikinis,  tattoo artists, and Harley-Davidsons…..Jay Bentley’s American Motor Drome time warp, a history lesson, physics class (centrifugal force) and a very entertaining thrill show all for on $5.00 ticket. Long live The Wall of Death!

Wall of Death

Rhett Rotten & The Wall of Death as reported in RoadBike Magazine October 2008

The Wall of Death is a true motorcycling classic. It is as much a part of

motorcycle history as Indian and Harley Davidson, Triumph and BSA. It is an outgrowth of the board track racing of the

early 1900s, a form of racing so dangerous and deadly that it was eventually outlawed.

"I'm no daredevel. A daredevel blasts off into the air over school buses & canyons. I am a racer & a stunt rider, I have a plan for everything I do." Rhett Rotten

AHRMA at Daytona 2011 - Racing the way it should be, the old time way!

Most people have some interest in history, and like to know how the world of our fathers and grandfathers worked. If you fit that mold you have to attend an AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) race meet. The racers of the past built and tuned their own bikes at home and went racing on the week ends. They loaded their bikes and tools in the back of their truck or on a trailer, picked up their buddy who served as pit crew and mechanic and headed for the races. They raced a circuit that included National Championships at places like Milwaukee, Springfield, Laconia, Langhorne and Dodge City. In between there were races every week end at local tracks and county fairs. Once a year, since 1937, there has been the big race at Daytona.  An AHRMA race is as close as you can get to those good old days of racing.

Daytona Beach, FL - October 2011: I have been attending the Daytona AHRMA races for over 10 years. I have a formula for having fun and catching the excitement of motorcycle racing the way it used to be. Just walk around, look, listen and above all talk to people. Talk to other spectators, officials, mechanics and riders. It is the people that make the sport.  Some observations gathered from walking around Daytona International Speedway on Oct. 15^th, 2011........

Nobby Clark: It was good to see the Nobby in the pits working on the bikes again. Illness caused him to miss several events this past year but he tells me he is feeling much better and back on the circuit now. Nobby is arguably the greatest motorcycle mechanic and tuner to ever turn a wrench. His bikes earned 13 world championships and 4 Daytona 200 victories. He has worked with the motorcycle legends of our time including Kenny Roberts, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and many others.

Dunlop Tires: I asked the Dunlop tire man “Can you comment on the Daytona 200 tire controversy?” Dunlop is the exclusive supplier of tires for the Daytona 200. Last March the race was plagued by widespread tire failures that caused serious crashes and resulted, long delays, a shortened race and a questionable winner. The delay enabled a racer with a blown engine to install a new engine and ultimately win the race.  “Multiple situations led to the less than satisfactory performance in the 200. Our scheduled December tire tests were set for 3 days but limited to one partial day due to rain. The tests were especially important because the track had been resurfaced. Also, to change from a night race to day resulted in an increase of 30+ degrees track temp.  We are working hard on the tires for Daytona. We will have it right for the 200 in March 2012.”

Pat Mooney: Pat is known as AHRMA’s Mr. Daytona for his multiple victories in several classes over 10+ years. Approaching Pat on Saturday morning, his comment “I haven’t won a race yet! But today will be a better day”. Pat went on to win the 500 Premier after a thrilling duel with Tim Joyce and Doug Polen. Mooney pulled away on the 11X Manx Norton after Joyce went wide into turn 1 and hard charging Polen and Canadian Nick Cole could not keep up. Pats son, Pat Jr also won his Battle of Twins Formula 3 race so it was indeed a better day for the Mooney family.  

Ron Hulloman of Titusville, FL racing his Suzuki GSX 100 in the Championship Cup Series: I asked, “How’s it going, Ron?”  All he could say was, “This thing is FAST, I’m having fun!”

Richard Chambers always gives a stellar performance as the PA announcer who is everywhere at once! Think that is impossible, you have to see and hear it to believe. A former racer who knows and loves the sport, Richard covers the action and interviews the participants with his portable mike and a Vino 125 scooter. It would be difficult to replace his one man show with 5 others.

David Aschenbrener, David & Mike Carter at the International Horseshoe

Infield: A great place to watch the races and hang out with old friends and make some new ones. I watched several great races with David & Mike Carter of the legendary Carter Brothers Garage, custom tank fabricator David Aschenbrener. Jacksonville publisher Sam Taylor provided lunch, bratwurst on the grill, chips & dip, cookies and beer.

There are always the crashes, that's why you can't go racing without CORNER WORKERS!

That's the way it was, October 15, 2011 AHRMA & CCS racing at Daytona.

Learn more about AHRMA at their web site: http://dev.ahrma.org/

Riding Into History - May 2011 - Grand Marshal's Historic Ride

Riding & Dining with Number 34! Kevin Schwantz



I have had the great pleasure of participating in the numerous facets of this outstanding event over the years. On Friday May 20th I checked off one area that I had missed, the Historic Ride. Arriving at the World Golf Village at 9 AM RIH Chairman Larry Meeker was busy registering riders as former Chairman Bill Robinson lined up the riders & bikes on the starting grid. The green flag was scheduled to drop at 10 AM for a 55 mile Florida back road ride into the Ancient City of St. Augustine, FL. The destination Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill on the waterfront in the shadow of the Castillo de San Marcos (the fort built by the Spanish in 1762). How fitting that we are indeed Riding Into History in the nations oldest city. Yes, old bikes, old riders, old city and the old fort all adding up to a great ride.

The ride did not disappoint. We followed 2 lane blacktop roads along the banks of the St. Johns River and then through farmland and Florida jungle to the ancient brick streets of the old city to Harry's.  I picked a couple of my favorite bikes and positioned to ride with a BMW R60 and a beautiful 67 Velocette 500 Single. Ahhh, the sound of that big thumper! It was motorcycling at it's best, 50 bikes and riders lead by the legendary World Champion road racer Kevin Schwantz riding a Suzuki GS 1000 E.

Lunch was a treat, the best of company, conversation and food. I took the opportunity to talk with Kevin about some racing topics as he remains a part of the highly successful Suzuki AMA Pro Racing teams.  A real insight on the tires and new pavement at Daytona, cooling the fuel, etc. 

Riding Into History is without question one of the premier motorcycle events in the US. The all volunteer leaders and staff present a world class event and do things the right way. Put RIH on your schedule.

All this for the benefit of The Wounded Warror Project: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Photos of the Grand Marshal's Historic Ride: ttp://rides.webshots.com/album/580203777gkltyb

Riding Into History - May 21, 2011



Riding Into History is the premier motorcycle event in Florida, bringing classic and vintage bikes together with motorcyclists all for the benefit of a most worthwhile charity, The Wounded Warrior Project. This years 12th edition promises to be one of the best. You can be there and be part of this great event for as little as $10!

Laura Allen, The BSA Girl, displays her '67 Thunderbolt at the 2010 RIH

Meet legendary world class racing champion, Kevin Schwantz, this year's Grand Marshal.

You'll see over 300 vintage, classic & custom motorcycles displayed in the pristine setting of the World Golf Village near the ancient city of St Augustine, FL. This is an event that you must experience first hand. Once you do you'll be back year after year.  

for details of Riding Into History 2011: http://www.ridingintohistory.org/home

for photos of past RIH events, check my photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/tomrose101

Poster from 2010 featuring the art of world class motorcycle artist Don Bradley.

I will publish photos of this years event on Monday May 23rd.

Fishing with Gavin Marchal Andrews

Freshwater fishing action in Central Florida!

           

I have been fishing Florida’s freshwater lakes and streams all my life. I have been on the water with come great guides and fishing buddies over the  years. However, the last few years I have had the opportunity to pair up with a guy that just seems to know how to catch fish under all conditions. Last week Gavin took me to his favorite spot. We’ll just call it Lake X, somewhere in Central Florida. No, he will not allow me to share his secrets. But if you ever have to opportunity to go on a fishing trip with Gavin Andrews, don’t pass it up. I guarantee you’ll have the time of your life. And you will catch fish!

  

   Don't pass up a chance to go fishing with Gavin----------------

You will catch fish!



The Daytona 200- Great Day for The Italians at Daytona!

The Daytona 200- Great Day for The Italians at Daytona

 March 12. 2011

The 70^th edition of America’s most historic motorcycle race has gone into the history books with a spectacular finish seeing 6 riders in competition for 1^st place on the final lap. Two of those riders crashed (uninjured) at the finish line as Jason DiSalvo rode the Ducati 848 to a first ever victory for the Italian manufacturer. All this with a light breeze, temperature in the 70s and a sunny Florida sky. Sounds great, doesn’t it. Well it could have been had it not been for the promoters, AMA Pro Sports & Daytona Motorsports Group who managed a great race to mediocrity.

1. Competitors were provided (sold) tires that were unreliable and unpredictable under race conditions. This after live tire tests, one in January and another “secret test” in February.

2. At about 18 laps, the first of 2 pit stops, front tires showed excessive wear and began to fail. The seriousness of the situation was emphasized when Danny Eslick crashed due to a front tire failure on lap 25 of the scheduled 57 lap race.

3. AMA & Dunlop got together and decided to stop the race (red flag) for a mandatory front tire change for all riders. (can’t argue this from the standpoint of rider safety, but, it should not have been necessary, see # 1)

4. Mounting and changing a front tire should take a maximum of 15 minutes.   Teams that I talked to said they were ready to go in 30 minutes. However the red flag lingered for almost 2 hours. Then the controlling AMA people shortened the race to 142 miles because they did not have enough tires to go the 200 miles, particularly considering the questionable tire reliability.  

5. The long delay allowed for the eventual winning Ducati/DiSalvo team to replace the engine that blew out on the final green lap before the race was stopped.

6. The delay resulted in SPEED TV abandoning the race leaving viewers to a tape delay late night continuation.

Summary: Some great riding and racing overshadowed by poor race management resulted in the Great American Motorcycle Race being relegated to a 15 lap sprint with no live TV coverage. The winner required 2 engines to run for 142 miles. They should have had a DNF/blown engine instead of the winner’s trophy.