Speck-Coulter

"I often wondered why Clayton, who seemed so good to me, never took his guitar and made it down in Tennessee." - Tom T. Hall (The Year Clayton Delaney Died)

Cecil Pryor once told me about the time that he - fresh out of the Army in 1966 - my dad and Gene Coulter went to Nashville and dad and Gene pitched some songs to Tom T. Hall. It was a pretty bold move to pitch songs to a writer such as Tom T. Hall, author of such hits as "Harper Valley P.T.A.," “The Year that Clayton Delaney Died,” “Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine” and “I Love,” but this was just after he had been hired as a writer for New Key Publishing in Nashville, in the days before Tom T. made a name for himself. According to Cecil, dad and Gene didn't take a back seat to anyone when it came to writing songs. Dad co-wrote "I Love Country (And I'd Rather Fight Than Switch) with singer Jack Barlow, who took it to #21 on Cashbox in 1965. Dad and Gene wrote "Big Singing Day." The Speer Family not only recorded it, they made it the title of their album, considered by many to be their best work. They also wrote "What'll I Do (If My 'Baccer Don't Sell) and "Duvall Valley," two very popular songs by the Singing DJ's. Cecil said if you listen to a lot of songs from back in the earl days of dad and Gene's songwriting partnership, a lot of their ideas were definitely stolen. Jerry Perdue likes to say there was Lennon-McCartney, there was Henley-Frey and there was Speck-Coulter.

Darrell Speck, left, and Gene Coulter

"Sid Scott, What A Man"

Laying Sid to rest yesterday was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but the service was exceptionally great, especially the words of Sid the Kid and Courtney. Loved it. Sid's death is the end of an era for me. He was the last of a group of a group of broadcasters I grew up with at WANY radio. It is an era that I did not want to see come to an end. Sid was such a huge part of my life and life is not going to ever be the same again. I am not looking for sympathy, but it has been a rough year, with the loss of my aunt Pat on June 3rd, followed a week later by the death of my sister. Sid was in the hospital during the entire month of July. He kept bouncing back, as he had done years before during a previous episode with sickness, but God's will is not always what we wish to happen. Sid came from Lillydale, Tennessee. His family were neighbors to my great grandfather Hige Boles and they were sharecroppers. Both families migrated to Clinton County when Dale Hollow Lake was created. Sid first met my dad during the middle school years and the rest is history. Both shared passions for basketball, baseball and music. But, Sid's biggest love out of those three things was basketball. He would stand on a crate and peer into the small window in the door and watch high school basketball games because he did not have enough money to pay the price of admission. Years later, he would become a local basketball legend. The great Kenneth Conner said not he but Sid was the greatest basketball player to ever play for Clinton County. He got into broadcasting, which led to him becoming the 'Voice of the Bulldogs.' There will never be another like him. For me, walking into Lindle Castle Gymnasium will never be the same. If I was not helping him broadcast the games, which I did for several years before he retired the first time, I was sitting beside he and Sid the Kid at court side. I was drawn to him and I loved him. Yesterday, the preacher said Sid is probably already trying to organize a basketball game in heaven. On the inside I had to laugh, because I knew that Sid's punchline to that statement would have been, "There are no basketball games in heaven, because there are no referee's in heaven." My first real memory of Sid is dad asking him to touch his nose to his chin (one of his early claimed of fame's). I thought, "What a freak!" It was wasn't too many years later that my opinion of him changed to, "What a man!"

In Memory of a Legend

I started in radio in the spring of 1976 and was blessed to work with or be close to many legendary on air personalities and radio executives around the area. People like my grandfather, Cecil Speck, my uncle, Wallace Allred, my dad, Darrell Speck, Welby and Mae Hoover, Elmer Goodman, Ray Mullinix, Eddie Neal, Bob Glover and Eddie Paul Coop. And then, after a couple of decades I started having to write most of their obituaries. Writing obits was part of my job, but what had been routine became difficult when I found myself writing them for the very people I had worked with and idolized. Today, I wrote one more and it was hardest of all. Hard because Sid Scott was like a second father to me. Hard because his passing marks the end of an era that I was not ready to shut the door on.

A Milestone...

The country classic, "I Love Country Music (And I'd Rather Fight Than Switch)" by Jack Barlow, made it to #21 on Cash Box 50 years ago this week (September 28, 1965). The song, co-written by my dad and released on Dial Records, was produced by legendary producer Buddy Killen, who owned the label. Killen also owned Tree Publishing, which published this song and two other songs co-written by dad, "I Love Her Still" and "Number One In The Nation," which were also recorded by Barlow on Dial Records. The records were distributed by Atlantic Records of New York. Barlow first sang "I Love Country Music (And I'd Rather Fight Than Switch)" on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry on November 8, 1965.

Killen shut down the Dial Records label in 1979 to concentrate on other music interests. Today, the Dial Records catalog is owned by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the largest music publishing company in the world with over 2 million songs under management. Sony/ATV Music Publishing is co-owned by The Estate of Michael Jackson.

In June of 1965, about the same time that Barlow was recording "I Love Country Music (And I'd Rather Fight Than Switch)" in New York, rockabilly legend Hayden Thompson walked into WJJD-AM in Chicago and recorded his version of the song, released as side A on a 45 r.p.m. record, with "Funny How Time Slips Away," written by Willie Nelson, which went on to become one of the all time great country classics, on side B. In 1986 both songs were included on an album Thompson released on SunJay Records, entitled 'Early Days.' The liner notes states the Willie Nelson classic" could almost have been a Sun Records' cut, as could the hot side, "I Love Country Music (And I'd Rather Fight Than Switch)," where Johnny Cash would have been proud of the sound." Hayden's versions of both songs had been long forgotten about until he included them on the Early Days album.

Darrell Speck & the Rebel Rousers Discography

Darrell Speck and the Rebel Rousers
Side A: "Take Me Back" (AV-45-100)
Side B: "How I Love You" (AV-45-101)

Written by: Darrell Speck

Label: Al Vic Records, Harrodsburg, KY

Date Recorded: June 1959

Pressed at King Records, Cincinnati OH

Discography

The Bop That Never Stopped, Vol. 11 - Bison Bop (Hamburg, Germany) 1981 LP 2014

1. Jimmie Martin Combo - Rock The Bop
2. Carl Mann - Gonna Rock And Roll Tonight
3. Jimmie Martin Combo - Red Bobby Socks
4. Howard Mayberry - This Just Can't Be Puppy Love
5. Jackie Goetroe - Raised On Rock
6. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
7. Charles Looper - She's My Baby Now
8. Alan Lee - Broken Hearted Baby
9. Don Hager - River Rock
10. Don Hager - Liza Jane Bop
11. Don Hager - Try Me Out And See
12. Glenn Johnson - Little Heart Attacks

Primitive Sound - White Label (Netherlands) 1981 LP 8830

1. Glen Barr & Roger Harrison - Only Cowgirl In Town
2. Glen Barr & Roger Harrison - I'm In No Position
3. Roger Harrison & His Jones Road Gang - Country Rock And Roll
4. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
5. Darrell Speck - Take Me Back
6. Norman Bullock w/The Southeners - Lies, Lies, Lies
7. Norman Bullock - w/The Southeners - Moanin' The Blues
8. Dan Johnson - My Ramblin's Over
9. Renfro Brothers/Playboys - Just Over A Girl
10. Renfro Brothers/Playboys - Every Ready
11. Jerry Cox - Lover Man
12. Joey Castle - Rock & Roll Daddy-O
13. Ray Scott & The Demens - Look Coming Yonder
14. Ray Scott & The Demens - Tennessee Shake
15. Evelyn Hopper - He's Headed South

The Bop That Never Stopped, Vol. 11 - Buffalo Bop (Hamburg, Germany) 1985 LP 2014

1. Jimmie Martin - Rock The Bop
2. Carl Mann - Gonna Rock And Roll Tonight
3. Jimmie Martin - Red Bobby Socks
4. Howard Mayberry - This Just Can't Be Puppy Love
5. Jackie Gotroe - Raised On Rock And Roll
6. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
7. Charles Looper - She's My Baby Now
8. Alan Lee - Broken Hearted Baby
9. Don Hager - River Rock
10. Don Hager - Liza Jane Bop
11. Don Hager - Try Me Out And See
12. Glen Johnson - Little Heart Attacks
13. Glen Johnson - Run Here Honey

Grab This And Dance, Vol. 22 - Club (Madrid, Spain) 1986 LP 022

1. Sundowners - Snake Eyed Woman
2. The Cals - Country Woman
3. Jimmy Copeland - Satellite Rock
4. Curly Coldiron - Rockin Spot
5. Invaders - Night Ride
6. Danny And The Galaxies - If You Want To Be My Baby
7. Turner Moore - I'll Be Leaving You
8. Hank Davis - One Way Track
9. Billy Wayne - I Love My Baby
10. Ral Donner - She's My Baby
11. Johnny Cooke And The Hy-Lites - Don't Knock No More
12. James Truck - Tootsie
13. Paul Perryman Satellite Fever - Asiatic Flu
14. Joey Castle - Rock And Roll Daddy O
15. The Crowns - Rebel Yell
16. Carl Phillips - Wigwam Willie
17. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
18. Earl Reed - Mama
19. Eddie Daniels - Whoa Whoa Baby
20. Ral Donner - Pray For Me

Rockabilly Ramblers Vol. 6 - Esso Records (France) 1996 Esso SP

1. Billy Lee Riley - Is That All At the Ball, Mister Hall
2. Ricky Coyne - Kaw-Liga
3. Johnnie Lee Wills - Levee Blues
4. Pat Davis - Spinner Hub Caps
5. The Polk Brothers - Caravan Rock
6. Coy Werley - Rock Bottom Luck
7. Jimmy Murphy - Granpaw's a Cat
8. Lanie Walker - Ennie Meenie Miney Mo
9. Darryl Vincent - Wild Wild Party
10. Mickey Barnett - Just a Memory
11. Dallas Wilson & Western Troubadours - High Steppin' Daddy
12. Buck Trail - The Blues Keep Rockin'
13. Mackey Beers & The Rockitts - That Jim
14. Billy Wagner - Hey Mama
15. Darrell Speck - How I Love You

Teen Town - Buffalo Bop (Germany) 1998, CD 55071

1. Jimmy Ballard - Say You'll Be Mine
2. Howard Perkins - Lovin' Baby
3. Billie J. Killen - I Wonder
4. Dodgers - Poor Little Fool
5. Jules Blattner - Teen Town
6. Jim Murphy - I'm Gone
7. Ken Davis - Gone Again
8. Kim Irwin - All About Cha Babe
9. Brien Fisher - Fingertips
10. Jules Blattner - Green Stuff
11. Dante - Baby Baby
12. Ronnie Pearson - Deep Blue Sea
13. Al Denny - Just Say Bingo
14. Jackie O'Neal - You Broke My Heart
15. John Worthan - Evalina Malony
16. Francis Zambon - Our Love Will Last
17. Royal Rhythms - The Wayward Wind
18. Darrell Speck - Take Me Back
19. Butch St. Clair - Tell Me Quick, Tell Me True
20. Sparkles - He Can't Love You
21. Earl Dukes - Spin The Bottle
22. Catalinas - Be Mine
23. Echo Man - You Broke My Heart
24. Jules Blattner - Till I'm With You Again
25. Wayne Cochran - Cindy Marie
26. Joe Popiel - I'm Crying Again
27. Doug Loveless - What More
28. Del Rays - Star Light
29. Buddy Shepherd - I'm Hypnotized
30. Doug Loveless - Coconut Girl

Campus Cutie - Buffalo Bop (Germany) 1998 CD 55072

1. Dwain Louis, Dwain - That's All Right
2. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
3. Orbits - Queen Bee Space
4. Ken Reed - Suzanne
5. Chuck Mills - She's Mine
6. Butch St. Clair - Get-A-Little
7. Bobbye Shadle - Please, Pretty Baby
8. Skip Goodspeed - Only Two Me And You
9. Harold Lee - Blond Headed Woman
10. Ken & Roy - Umm Chicki   
11. Fretts - Rock'n
12. Bobbye Shadle - Come On Baby
13. Sparkles - The U.T.
14. John E. - That's My Baby 
15. Del Tones - Rockin' Blues
16. Dove, Ronnie - Lover Boy
17. Chuck Hunt - Barnyard Rock 
18. Rudy Preston - Don't You Go Chicken 
19. Orbits - My Rosa-Lee
20. Deans - Humpty Dumpty
21. Billy Perkins - Campus Cutie
22. David Starr - Teen Doll
23. Del Tones - Moonlight Party
24. Roy James - Rock & Roll Mama
25. Rock 'N' Rollers - For You
26. Larry Duncan - Romeo's Teacher
27. Franklin Brothers - So Real
28. Billy Perkins - The World Can't Roll Without Love
29. Joe Popei - I Can't Live Without You
30. Cameos - I'll Keep Your Heart Forever

16 Red Hot Rockin' Hits Vol. 5 - Rockin' Rarities (France) 2007 R.R-2007-5 (LP)

1. The Fabulous Thunderbirds - My Girl Sue
2. Dave Johnson - International Runway
3. Bobby Lee - I Got Some News For You
4. The Rock-A-Tunes - Woman Fever
5. Bobby Roberts - She's My Woman
6. The La-Sabers - Goodbye Johnny
7. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
8. Jaguars - Jaguar
9. The Prowlers - Bongo Rock
10. The Rock-Its - Frankie And Johnnie
11. The Rock-Its - Don't Stop Don't Stop
12. The Centurys - Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On
13. Richard Wylie - Money
14. Mike Sanchez - Wicked
15. Eddie Moore - Touch Of Your Love
16. The Rivies - You Know What I Like

Big Bad Rockabilly Boppers Vol. 11 CD 1 - Presto Records (UK) 2012

1. Rick Bounty - Folsom Prison
2. Lonesome Lee - Cry Over Me
3. Jim Roby - Be Boppin' Baby
4. Bob Davies - Rock To The Music
5. Don Boots - Big Foot Annie
6. The Nite Rockers - Baby Let's Play House
7. Gene Watson - My Rockin' Baby
8. Andy Wilson - Little Mama
9. Don Cole - Saturday Night Party Time
10. Ray Whisnant - Rock That Rhythm
11. Bash Hofner - Rockin' A Boppin'
12. Jimmy Kirkland - Cool Daddy
13. Lavern Stovall - Left Behind
14. Gene Davis - Curfew
15. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
16. The Prowlers - Get A Move On
17. Don Deal - Don't Push
18. Bobby Hicks - Hassle It Jack
19. Ray Burden - That Kind Of Carrying On
20. Lou Josie - Why Did You Leave
21. Ray Scott - You Drive Me Crazy
22. Johnny McAday - Is There No Love For Me Love
23. Ernie Barton - Stairway To Nowhere
24. Malcolm Yelvington - Rockin' With My Baby
25. Buddy Miller - I Got Me A Woman
26. Len Barrow - Hades Highway
27. Tracy Pendarvis - It Don't Pay
28. The Chavis Bros. - Love Me Baby
29. Rick Bounty - It Don't Hurt Anymore 30. The Road Runners - Rains

Rare Rockabilly From Kentucky 2013

1. Eddie Gaines - Be-Bop Battlin' Ball
2. J.D. Orr - Hula Hoop Boogie
3. Tag And Effie - Baby You Done Flubbed Your Dub With Me
4. Jimmie Piper - Don't Play Around (With My Heart)
5. Dwain Bell - Rock And Roll On A Saturday Night
6. Dwain Bell - I'm Gonna Ride
7. Gus Pate - Kick Off
8. Gus Pate - Man Alive
9. Shadie Oller - You Sure Look Good To Me
10. Shadie Roller - Come To Me Baby
11 Dewey Rothering - Wild Side Of Life
12 The Rhythm Playboys - Wildfire
13 Jimmie Piper - Bonfire
14 Mike Page - Long Black Shiny Car
15 Hank Engkand - My Little Kangaroo
16 Darrell Speck - How I Love You
17 Gary Link - Rhythm Rock
18 Harold Montgomery - How Much Do You Miss Me
19 D.H. And The Downbeats - Bus Ride
20 Jay Fanning - It's Love
21 Buster Pack - Indian Boogie
22 Ked Killen - Crying Blues

Rockabilly Rock and Roll Nuggets Vol. 13 - Thundersqueak Records (England) 2014

1. Buddie Lillen - Whatcha Gonna Do Tomorrow
2. Kenny Loren - Brenda
3. The Accent - Lovin' At Night
4. The Relyea's - Country Boy
5. Reggie Olson - Lookin' Waitin' Searchin' Hopin'
6. Glen Pace - My Night Off
7. Merle Matts - Shake With Me Baby
8. Donald King - I Love My Baby
9. Chavis Brothers - Love Me Baby
10. Wayne Hammond (with The Starfires) - Can't See Why
11. The Rocks - Satellite
12. Darrell Speck - Take Me Back
13. Jesters III - Messed Up Woman
14. Billy Perkins - The World Can't Roll Without Love
15. Jack Rivers - Call On Me
16. The Temptations - Mad At Love )
17. Echo Man - You Broke Me Heart
18. Pat Davis - Spinner Hub Caps
19. Freeda Boxx - Havin' a Ball
20. Bill Sherrell - Kool Kat
21. Rudy Owen (with The Ravens) - Pretty Linda
22. J-keetie Clendening (with The Kats) - That's the Way
23. Coye Wilcox - You Gotta Quit Cheatin'
24. Ulysses L. Baxter - Beautiful Woman
25. Lee "Red" Melson - Mean Ole Bartender Blues
26. Deltones - Moonlight Party
27. Sonny Knight - Teenage Party
28. Johnny Shea - That's My Baby
29. Hiram Philmon - I'm Lonesome Baby
30. Bobby Bond - Sweet Love

Rockabilly Rock and Roll Nuggets Vol. 16 - Thundersqueak Records (England) 2014

1. Mark Damon - Party Crashers
2. Dennis Puckett - By By Blues
3. Jimmy Ford - You're Gonna Be Sorry
4. Tommy Lam - Blue Willow
5. Wendell & The Dreamers - That's Love
6. Roger White - Somebody's Stealin' My Baby
7. Lee Mcbridge - Confusion
8. Joe Welz - Boppin' the Stroll
9. Duane Schurb - Roly Poly
10. Billy & The Jokers - Katy D
11. Ray Whisnant - Rock That Rhythm
12. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
13. Sandy Scott - Mister Big
14. Harold Lee - Blond Headed Woman
15. Bobby Roberts - She's My Woman
16. Sammy Lara - Suzanne
17. Don's Rockers - Hold Me Tight
18. Dennis Smith - I Got That Queen
19. Joe Walz - Lovin'
20. J. Gale - Honey Moon Trip To Mars
21. Ronnie Knull - Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
22. Chancellors - Gonna Work
23. Billy Nix - How About a Date
24. Pete Ciolini - Baby Sittin' All the Time
25. Alan Page - Jennie Lou
26. Red Berry - The U.T.
27. Jeujene & The Jaybops - Betty Joe
28. Fred Cuno - Rhythm Guitar
29. Vic Gallon - Somebody's Got My Baby

Rockin' Through The Years Vol. 121 "A Mega Collection of Boppin', Jumpin', Jivin', Shakin' Rockers" - Pocatello Records

1. Ace Brown - Starlight Rock 'N' Bop
2. Al Willis - Alone With You
3. Andy Lee Lang - High School Confidential
4. Bill Allen - Please Give Me Something
5. Bob & The Bearcats - Red Hot Rockin' Blues
6. Bob Silva - Weepin' And Wailin'
7. Bobby Mansfield - Rock At The Hop
8. The Bopshack Stompers - Kitty Rocks The Cradle
9. Carl Perkins - Honky Tonk Babe
10. The Catalinas - Why Oh Why
11. Chuck Miller - Boogie Blues
12. Conway Twitty - Shake, Rattle And Roll
13. Crazy Cavan - Gonna Leave This Town
14. Dale Hawkins - Gooblie Booblie
15. Darrell Speck - How I Love You
16. Earl & The Overtones - Blue Swinging Mama
17. Elvis Presley - Rock-A-Hula Baby
18. Frankie Avalon - The Bells Keep Ringin'
19. Gene Vincent - I Got A Baby
20. Harry Carter - Jump Baby Jump
21. Jack Baymoore - My Sweet Baby
22. Jackie Clark - Walkie Talkie
23. Johnny Angel - Rockin' At The
24. Johnny Watson - Let's Rock
25. The Marvellos - Boyee Young
26. The Masks - Polly Molly
27. Maureen Gray - Come On And Dance
28. The McCormick Brothers - The Billy Goat Boogie
29. Micke Muster - Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
30. The Ramblers - Come On Back
31. Ray Sharpe - That's The Way I Feel
32. The Ray Thompson Combo - Marching Through Georgia
33. The Rays - Louie Hoo Hoo

Darrell Speck

The American Revolution: Eight Generations Ago

"During the American Revolutionary War, almost every able-bodied man, who was not a part of the Continental Army, joined their local Milita to help protect the settlement in which they lived. Such was the case for Jacob Speck. On July 21, 1780, General Horatio Gates was at Camden, South Carolina commanding a force of 3,200 troops of which Jacob was a part of. The British general, Lord Charles Cornwalis, was also there with an army of 2,100. Even though Gates had Cornwalis outnumbered, most of the americans lacked experience and training. The North Carlina Militia had never been tried. Gates was advised NOT to go into battle under the circumstances. But, he ignored the warning.

Just before dawn on August 16th, the British troops opened the battle as the right flank fired volley's into the militia regiments, causing a significant number of casualties. When the remaining militia looked up, they saw British troops advancing toward them with their bayonets drawn. The militia did not have bayonets to counter the attack. As panic began to spread, most of the militia fled before the British regiments reached them. General Gates was among the first to run. Within a matter of minutes, the whole rebel left wing had evaporated. When the smoke and dust from the cannon volley's cleared, laying among the dead on the battlefield was Jacob Speck. My ancestor, George Speck, never knew his father, but I am reminded that God never closes one door without opening another. Before his death, He had allowed Jacob to plant the seeds that would produce many future generations of Speck family members, including me."
- Randy Speck

Son of:
Glenn Darrell Speck
Birth: 4 Jun. 1938, Overton Co., TN
Death:  29 Jun. 2003, Clinton Co., KY
Burial: Memorial Hill, Clinton Co., KY
Married to: Glenda Boles, 1 Sept. 1956 at Clinton County, KY.
Birth: Feb. 4 1939, Clinton Co., KY
Daughter of Elmer Boles (1918 - 2002) and Vada Frost (1916-2003)

Son of:
Cecil Speck
Birth: 22 Apr. 1917, Overton Co., TN
Death: 8 Feb. 1986, Jefferson Co., KY
Burial: Memorial Hill, Clinton County, KY
Married to: Dimple Means, 22 May 1937
Birth: 8 Mar. 1918, Overton Co., TN
Death:  22 Feb. 1986, Clinton Co., KY
Burial: Memorial Hill, Clinton Co., KY
Daughter of William Ezra Means (1879-1958) and Della Craig (1882-1958)

Son of:
Obed Speck
Birth: 11 Jan. 1888, Overton Co., TN
Death:  30 Oct. 1950, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Ledbetter Cemetery, Overton Co., TN Married to: Josie L. Ledbetter, 1910
Birth: 21 Mar. 1892, Overton Co., TN
Death: 27 Apr. 1936, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Ledbetter Cemetery, Overton Co., TN
Daughter of Al Ledbetter (b.1869) and Del Eads (1874-1927)

Son of:
James Wiley Speck
Birth: 2 Dec. 1859, Overton Co., TN
Death:  9 Jul. 1941, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Liberty Cemetery, Overton Co., TN
Married to: Margaret McDonald, 8 Aug 1882 in Overton Co., TN
Birth: 16 Dec. 1861, Overton Co., TN
Death:  10 Mar. 1905, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Liberty Cemetery, Overton Co., TN
Daughter of Henry McDonald (1828-1904) and Rebecca Dishman (1834-1912)

Son of:
William Calvin Speck
Birth: 3 Jan. 1840, Overton Co., TN
Death: 6 Jun. 1903, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Liberty Cemetery, Overton Co., TN
Private Co I 25 Tenn Infantry CSA
Married to: Martha S. Walker about 1860
Birth: 8 Apr. 1839, Overton Co., TN
Death:  5 Oct. 1920, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Liberty Cemetery, Overton Co., TN
Daughter of James Walker (1803-1858) and Elizabeth Snodgrass (1803-1879)

Son of :
John Speck
Birth: 3 Oct. 1812, North Carolina
Death:  7 Sep. 1886, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Highland Cemetery, Overton Co., TN
Married to: Nancy Ashburn
Birth: 3 May 1818
Death: 22 Dec. 1896, Overton Co., TN
Burial: Highland Cemetery, Overton Co., TN
Daughter of Jesse Ashburn (1787-1860) and Martha Patsy Lanier (1785-1864)

Son of:
George Speck
Birth: 1781, Stokes Co., North Carolina
Death: 22 May 1846, Overton Co., TN
Married to: Barbara Foreman
Birth: 1779, Stokes Co., North Carolina
Death: 1850-1860, Overton Co., TN
Daughter of John Foreman (wife unknown)

Son of:
Jacob Speck, Sr.
Birth: 29 Apr. 1753, Lancaster Co., PA
Death: 16 Aug. 1780, South Carolina
Battle of Camden, South Carolina
Burial: Believed to be in a mass grave on the site of the battlefield
Married to: Catherine Keefer
Birth: About 1758, York Co., PA
After 4 Jan. 1783, Rowan Co., NC
Daughter of Abraham Kieffer (1728-1765) and Christina Sprinkle (1737-1778)


 

Darrell Speck: Behind The Record (Rockabilly)

Blog Recognizes Song Written By My Dad

I wish I had seen this earlier.

On March 6, 2012, a popular gospel music blog, Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row, rated the Speer Family's 'Big Singing Day' LP as the groups' number one album. That makes me smile because two Albany boys wrote that song, my dad and Gene Coulter. And, not only did the Speer Family record the song, they made it the title of their album!

The Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row blog regularly publishes a 'Ten On Ten' feature and the March 6, 2012 blog highlighted the the Speer Family, which has always been referred to as 'first family of Gospel music.' Mom and Dad Speer (George and Lena Speer) started singing in 1921. Eventually, the article states, all the kids would be a part of the group and Brock and Ben Speer would go on to spend their entire singing careers with the Speer's.
The blogs writer, Steve Eaton, wrote "In trying to determine the Speer Family’s pinnacle recording, it came down to the top four. Big Singing Day, from 1968, ended up at #1. Brock and Ben Speer along with Harold Lane, Ann Downing, Jeanne Johnson and Bob Johnson were members during the time of this recording. Some of the best singing from the Speers was found on this recording. "There’s Nobody Like Jesus", "Salvation In My Soul", "When Jesus Breaks The Morning", "Joy In The Camp", "I Don’t Want To Walk In The Darkness" and "Going Home" all highlight this album."

What excites me about this article is Big Singing Day beat out the 1971 album The King Is Coming, which ended up at #2. The Speer Family were the group to popularize the Bill and Gloria Gaither's classic song. It became a signature song for the group and many groups would go on to record the song over the course of the last 40 years. 

Here is the rest of the top ten....

3. He’s Still In The Fire (1989)
4. Especially Warm (1975)
5. In Concert (1972)
6. The Speer Family Album (1955)
7. Between The Cross And Heaven (1976)
8. Sacred Hour (1963)
9. Touring That City (1973)
10. The Singing Speers (1960) Eaton concluded in his article, "Rarely do you have an artist in any genre of music that has released a 60th anniversary recording, a 70th anniversary recording and even a 75th anniversary recording, but the Speer Family has. They are a true Southern Gospel institution that should never be left out of discussions on Southern Gospel music’s biggest trend setters."

Thanks Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row for recognizing an album that my dad had a part in, The Speer Family's Big Singing Day. Click PLAY below to listen to dad's group, The Gospel Servants, sing Big Singing Day....

http://sogospelbackrow.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/

The Apple And The Tree

In 2005, country music singer Travis Tritt released a song entitled, "I See Me." Written by Atlanta Falcons punter Chris Mohr and famed songwriter Casey Beathard, the song tells the story of a rambunctious child as seen through his father's eyes. It was written about Mohr's young son, Garrett, but whenever I listen to the song, I cannot help but think about my own life, my children and my dad.



It used to aggravate me when my kids would not stop playing in the pew and turn around and sit up straight, like my dad always wanted me to. And, then I realized that they were just being me, and when I think of them in that aspect, it puts things in a whole knew perspective.

I see so much of me in them, and to be honest that scares me.

"...I look at him and I'm so amazed, I'm so proud and then so afraid that the apple didn't fall quite far enough from the tree."

That line in the song haunts me. I've felt most of everything that life can throw at a person: roadblocks, heartbreak, mistakes, happiness and yet...lots of stupid stuff. Most of the bad things were my fault. My dad and mom raised me like a child should be raised. My Church family did that same, so all the stupid things were definitely my fault.

My dad did all the things that a dad should do with his children...fishing, ball playing, swimming, eating watermelon under the shade tree. He made sure we were always in Church. He picked us up when we fell and wiped the dust from our jeans. Somewhere along the way, as I grew older, I stumbled and fell and sometimes made a pretty big mess of things. My prayer for my children will always be that the apple has fallen far enough from the tree that my kids won't be like me, that they won't do the stupid things I did, or stumble and fall like I did. Someone once said that we all fall short, and while I cannot say for sure about you, I do know for a fact that I fail miserably.

"...I look at him and I'm so amazed, I'm so proud and then so afraid that the apple didn't fall quite far enough from the tree."

I can't help but wonder if my dad were alive today and heard this song, would he think the same thing about me? One thing is for sure...before I die, I want to be just like my dad.

In the song, "Life Ain't Always Beautiful," Gary Allan sings..."life ain't always beautiful, sometimes it's just plain hard." and..."but the struggles makes me stronger and the changes make me wise." That reminds me of dad. He had his share of struggles, but he overcame and I thank God for that.

Happy Father's Day!

The Pinch Hitter

Bill Kidd played center for the University of Louisville and the school's legendary coach Bernard 'Peck' Hickman. After graduating from college, he entered the Army, where he was a star player on the Fort Knox team.

After the Army, Kidd began a coaching career, which led him to Clinton County High School, where he coached both basketball and baseball. Bill Kidd was the first coach at Clinton County to take both the basketball and baseball teams to the regional tournament in the same year. Just like his coach at the University of Louisville, the legendary Peck Hickman, Kidd was a strict disciplinarian, who never used profanity of any kind, and did not allow his players to use any. In fact, his players did not use words of any kind, because Coach Kidd required complete silence during practice, while traveling to games and during games.

What is it that makes a man forgo everything he believes in just to get himself out of a bind? Is the desire to win so strong that a man will rise above his principals for the sake of one single victory? I guess it all depends on how important that one game is. Obviously, whomever said winning isn't everything never won.

The year was 1955. The district baseball tournament that year was being played at Tompkinsville. The old Clinton County School Bus had just passed Marrowbone heading west on Highway 35. Little did anyone know that things were about to change for a couple of players on the bus -- Sid Scott and my dad, Darrell Speck.

Now, Sid was one of the best athletes to ever come from Clinton County. He is a Clinton County High School Wall of Famer. He was once named as one of the top five basketball players ever at CCHS. To say that Sid and his childhood friend, Darrell Speck, were rambunctious would be putting it mildly. Teacher Martha Brummett, who taught school for more than 30 years, said they were the meanest students she ever taught. Sid and Darrell weren't really mean, they just loved to entertain. Darrell would bring his guitar to school and the two of them, along with Deanie Dyer, would go from classroom to classroom entertaining. Sid loved to sing Hank Williams' songs.


Your cheating heart will make you weep
You'll cry and cry and try to sleep
But sleep won't come the whole night through
Your cheating heart will tell on you

Sid and Darrell would be driving down a road at a speed way past the legal limit and would change drivers without slowing down, and not from inside the car, but out the passenger door, over the hood and in through the drivers side door.

They were hanging out at The Snack Bar at three in the morning when up pulled a man with a truck load of chickens. As the man went inside to eat, Sid, Darrell and Robert Page went outside and were attempting to 'borrow' some chickens when the man caught them. He told them that he would give each of them a chicken if they didn't tear up his truck. Soon, the three boys were standing in the parking lot wringing those chickens' necks. One of them accidentally let go of their chicken and it went sailing across the intersection and into the parking lot of the New Palace Motel. It wasn't long before they were sitting inside The Snack Bar eating fried chicken.

Darrell's dream was to be a singer and a musician. In 1954, his band, The Rebel Rousers, had a 15 minute radio show every Saturday morning on WAIN in Columbia, In 1955, the group took their act to the area's brand new radio station, WFLW in Monticello. Sid would accompany Darrell and his band to the radio station. He became acquainted with station manager Welby Hoover, just like Darrell had, and later in 1955, when Darrell decided to quit school and join the Navy, a position came open and Sid was hired as a disc jockey at WFLW. When Darrell returned two years later, it was so the two could help put WANY on the air.

Before they reached their 20th birthdays, both Sid and Darrell had become extremely popular. Both men continued to broadcast and entertain for over 30 years and became two of the regions best known broadcasters and entertainers. But, it was on that Clinton County School bus on that day in May of 1955 that their talking and entertaining got them into a whole heap of trouble.

As I stated earlier, Coach Kidd did not allow talking on the bus while traveling to a game. Just past Marrowbone, Sid and Darrell broke the silence and began talking. If they thought they would get by with it, they were wrong. Coach Kidd stopped the bus near Fountain Run and ordered the two boys off the bus. Fortunately for them, a fan who was traveling to the game stopped and gave them a ride. They took a shortcut to Tompkinsville, pulled up at an intersection the same time the bus did, turned in front of the bus and beat Coach Kidd to the baseball field. The coach was furious. He ordered Sid and Darrell to sit in the stands and watch the game as spectators, instead of allowing them to be on the field as players.

But then something happened to Coach Kidd. Something about him changed. It was something so obvious that it was probably talked about for a long time. It was the fourth inning and there was a runner on base. The Bulldogs were down one and a weak hitter was headed to the plate. Suddenly, Coach Kidd called time-out. He walked over to the stands and motioned for Sid to come to him. And, standing there silently before the coach, Sid was ordered to come out on the field and pinch hit.

What is it about a pinch hitter that is so special? Usually, a pinch hitter is the best hitter on the team that is NOT in the game at the time he's called to bat.

Someone wrote that each time a pinch hitter walks to the plate, for a brief moment, a split second, he sees a vision. A crane flies slowly over a dusty road, over a line of birch trees, over a bog, and swoops downwards to a vast lake, the sun nearly blinding. The image just visits him whether he wants it to or not. Then he takes a practice swing, and is ready. After the pinch hitter has made the big hit to score the run, he stands on second, hands on hips. The runner points at him, an acknowledgement of success. The crane stands knee-deep in water, feeling the cool water lap around him.

Without saying a word, Sid grabbed a bat and walked toward the batters box in street shoes and clothes. When the first pitch was thrown, he smacked a line drive deep into the outfield. The runner scored to tie the game.

The May 19, 1955 edition of the Clinton County News stated that Clinton County defeated Austin Tracy 4 to 2 in the opening game of the tournament and that Sid Scott got a pinch hit in the fourth inning to tie the game. The Bulldogs defeated Glasgow in the second game to win the tournament. It was the school's first ever district baseball tournament championship.

48 years later, almost to the day, I called Sid at home to tell him that dad had slipped into a coma and was dying. Both had been retired for several years and hadn't seen much of each other, but on that Sunday afternoon, Sid sat beside dad's bed and, as he held the hand of his now lifelong friend, he assured dad that it was okay for him to go on to his reward in heaven. I'm glad I was there to witness that. I kinda wish Coach Kidd had seen that, too.

WANY: The Early Days

WANY-AM went on the air for the first time 50 years ago this Saturday, October, 25th. This is the story of how it all began.

The year was 1947. Nine-year-old Darrell Speck told his mother, Dimple, that he wanted to learn how to play the guitar just like her. So, she began teaching him the chords. Soon, he was singing and playing anywhere and everywhere he could. Darrell had a best friend. His name was Sid Scott. Like most young boys, they could be a little rambunctious at times. School teacher Martha Brummett said it was more than a little. Of the hundreds of students that sat in her classroom, she said Darrell and Sid were the meanest. Once, they were kicked off the team bus on the way to a baseball game at Tompkinsville. Apparently, they had become so unruly that the coach had the driver pull over, and Darrell and Sid were left standing on the side of the road. Luckily, someone they knew came along and gave them a ride to the game. They managed to beat the bus to Tompkinsville, which infuriated the coach even more. He refused to let them play. But, soon the Bulldogs were down and in desperate need of a rally. The coach had no choice but to summon Sid from the stands. He came straight out of the stands and walked directly to home plate, where he promptly hit a homerun. Darrell and Sid did everything together and entertaining, one way or another, was the number one thing for them to do. They LOVED to entertain. Darrell would take his guitar to school, and he and Sid would sing and play in front of the students and faculty every chance they got.

(Sid Scott, left, and Darrell Speck during a live broadcast at CCHS.)

By the age of 16, Darrell had gotten a job performing on WAIN-AM in Columbia. He and his band, Darrell Speck and the Rebel Rousers, would drive to Columbia every Saturday morning to do a 15 minute radio show. A record would later be made that would eventually put Darrell into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

In 1955, Darrell left WAIN and began a show on a new radio station that had signed on the air in Monticello. The first time he went to WFLW, Darrell met the station's general manager. His name was Welby Hoover. Darrell auditioned for Welby right on the spot. Welby liked what he heard and agreed to let Speck have a weekly show on WFLW.

(The photo to the right shows Sid Scott, left, Darrell Speck and Welby Hoover at WFLW in 1956.)

Darrell did not attend high school past 1955. In 1956, he joined the Navy and married his high school sweetheart, Glenda. He would later get his GED. Sid graduated from Clinton County High School in 1956.



Just as Darrell was leaving WFLW to go to the Navy, Sid was being hired there as a disc jockey. He went to work for Hoover in June of 1956. His show was called "The Albany Hour." It aired from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and originated from Dr. William C. Mann's chiropractic office in Albany, which is the building next door to Burger King today. Sid was popular, and good, at everything he did. He graduated from CCHS as one of the all-time great basketball players. Along with being a popular disc jockey, Sid also sold tickets and was in charge of security at Clinton Theatre. But, it was through his radio job that Sid learned that the Federal Communications Commission had made an AM frequency available for Albany. He told theatre owners Cecil Speck and Wallace Allred and plans for a radio station in Albany began to be made.

The application authorizing construction of a new standard broadcast station in Albany was granted on May 7, 1958. The following month, Sid left WFLW. Darrell had returned from the Navy, and soon Hoover would leave WFLW to become WANY's first general manager. WANY-AM officially went on the air on Saturday, October 25, 1958.