BRADLEY'S BARN

Bradley's Barn

722 Benders Ferry Rd

Mt Juliet, TN

1965-1980

Following negotiations with Columbia Records in NYC, Owen and Harold sold their "Quonset Hut" studio for $300,000 in February 1962.   Although Owen no longer owned the property on 16th Ave, he continued to produce his artists there up until renovations were complete on a barn near his lake home in Mount Juliet, Tenn., where he planned to create a new state of art recording facility.

"Bradley's Barn" opened its doors for business in early 1966 and proved as successful as the "Hut", cranking out hit recordings up until it was destroyed by a fire on October 20, 1980.

In 1981, Owen had rebuilt his studio on a smaller scale.  Many notable recordings were made here until its closure following Mr. Bradley's death in 1998.

 R.I.P. Julian

JULIAN P. MORALEZ

 May 7, 1937 June 4, 2023

 Julian passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He was born in Bakersfield, California to Edward Moralez and Lupe Polin Canchola. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force becoming a jet engine mechanic. He retired from Santa Fe Railroad after 25 years of service, later working as a truck driver for a postal contractor.

 He enjoyed playing guitar in several local bands including The Latineers, The Diamonds, Del Mar Combo, and his own band, Thee Marquis. He instilled his love of music to his two sons who also played in various bands in Bakersfield. He later acted as a Producer and Publisher for bands and produced various albums. His hobbies included photography, electronics, and carpentry. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with friends and family and helping others.

 He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo Lynn Tafoya Moralez, two sons, Mark (Michelle) and Neil, daughter Ronda Rosso (John), granddaughters Nicole Moralez, Sara York (Shawn), Brandi Rosso, and Anna Rosso. His grandkids also include Cameron Coursey, Kailyn Besag, and Gavin Besag, great-grandkids Capri and Collin Coursey. Brothers Eddie Moralez, Henry Moralez, and Johnny Ramirez; sisters Helen Simental and Lupe Sarmiento.

 

 WATCHMAN

I was not aware until this came to my attention that not only was "carrying the clock" still a reality but that also new, updated technology was in use for the job. "Carrying the clock" was a phrase used by someone employed as a Watchman back in the day. They used a gadget such as this current one. They were -- and, surprisingly, still are -- used for security purposes.

 "Joemop!" is what Danny Williams would yell to on-duty Joe at the pool hall when someone would spill their drink on the table where we were playing the game of pitch for change. Joe would arrive with his towel and gruff demeanor and clean up the liquid spill. Danny seemed to relish saying "Joemop!" on such occasions.

 Former Fort Scott Juco Star Running Back

 Lucky

Zinc Ore Built the Southwest Ozarks

By Bryce Martin

Charles E. Wood was in the right place at the right time. His area, catering to Webb City and Carterville during the decade from 1907 to 1917, was an especially prosperous niche for a hardware store owner and a beehive of activity. During this time frame zinc ore hit an all-time high of $135 a ton, and the district had the richest such deposits in the world.

It wasn’t just the steady pour of miners who were attracted to the diggings; it was the speculators with their moneybags and all the multifold and related industries attracted to the region, such as machine shops, foundries, carpentry units and a list that went on and on.

Just as Joplin ran into Webb City without much clear distinction of boundaries, a streetcar viaduct joined Webb City and Carterville over the railroad track of the Missouri Pacific. A.H. Rogers established the interurban system in 1893. The lines reached from Carthage to Galena, Kan., and later extended to Picher, Okla.

During the early 1950s I often walked the old carline track that took me deep in the woods heading west on 21^st Street near our Short Street home in Spring Grove. It was an elevated line covered with gravel. The iron tracks and wood ties had been salvaged long before.

…

My grandfather Martin had been a member of the Odd Fellows in Short Creek as far back at least as 1903, as indicated by his old paid receipts. Membership in some of the fraternal groups required strict standards and guidelines for entry. The Masons and Odd Fellows were steeped in religious rituals. Others were secular and more accepting. A joke at the time concerning exclusivity of the Knights of Pythias was that that they would take anyone who could pyth.

 Great CD

 

Carolina Cotton

Hillbilly and Western Scrapbook 1950 Thurston Moore COUNTRY MUSIC stars photos

 Brown's Standard Gas Station  Galena, Kansas

Merle and Fish

NEW STAR 

 

 Elvis leaves the building -- Bakersfield Californian newspaper

 Galena Great George Grantham

George Farley Grantham was born May 20, 1900 in Galena, Kansas, a town named for the lead-bearing mineral found nearby. He was the only child born to Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Grantham, a lead prospector from Indiana, and his wife, Anna, who went by Emma. Before George was nine, the family moved to the gold-mining town of Goldroad, Arizona. There Frank worked as an engineer in an electric plant at one of the local gold or quartz mines.

At the age of 14, George played shortstop and right field for the Rays Consolidated industrial team. The next year, Grantham began attending the Northern Arizona Normal School in Flagstaff, where he played football and first base. By the end of 1916 he was the shortstop for a club in his new hometown of Kingman, Arizona. The following spring, the Kingman nine played an exhibition game against the visiting Chicago Cubs in which Grantham subbed and went hitless in his lone at-bat, against George Zabel.

In 1917 Grantham excelled in left field and at third base for the Kingmanites, and as a shortstop for the Lovin and Withers industrial team. In July, he received an invite from W.W. McCredie, owner of the Pacific Coast League Portland Beavers, to a tryout in California. That same day, Grantham’s father died from tuberculosis.17

Grantham reportedly attended a tryout, but it’s unknown if he got an offer. By the following August he was in the Navy. A case of the mumps kept Grantham from being shipped out to France weeks before the fighting ended in World War I. He was discharged ten months later.

A few months after his return home, Grantham signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers. Unsure about leaving his mother alone, he waited to report to Tacoma of the Pacific Coast International League until just before the 1920 season.

(The above is an excerpt I compiled from SABR, a bio titled “George Granthan,” by Larry DeFillipo)

…

Footnotes/Attribution 

Frank had found enough success working a mining lease to marry the former Annie Wagner, a Galena native, in July 1896.

Galena (Kansas) Evening Times, May 22, 1900:; “A Big Strike,” Galena Times, July 30, 1893:  “Local Happenings,” Galena Times, July 10, 1896.

   It’s unclear when the Granthams moved from Goldroad. They’re listed in the 1920 U.S. Census as residing in Kingman.

“Kingman Ball Stars Victorious,” Mohave County Miner (Kingman, Arizona), December 23, 1916.

 

He's been to Hollywood, he's been to Redwood... and he's been to Bakersfield.

 

 

 

When I think of Lewis Tally (Talley; the correct spelling) sports does not come to mind.

However, to see him honored makes my heart glad.

Great fellow.

 

 

 EARLY PUB

LOST AMERICA

Dog 'N' Suds ad...  and George Lindsey's Steakhouse

GOOBERLICIOUS!

 STUDIO MASTER

Nashville's Billy Anderson, recording engineer, producer, pianist, and all-around good guy

 

the “Buck Owens Pledge” he posted in Music City News

 

 AMEN TO GREATEST EVER

 

Roy Rogers

"King of the Cowboys"

 Shepherd, George W. 

--------------------
  Enlisted in the army at age 15, under General Albert Sidney
  Johnston, to fight the Mormons in what was then Utah Territory.
  Fought at Wilson's Creek (Springfield, MO) and at Pea Ridge, AR.
  Rode with Quantrill, and went with him to KY, where he was
  surrendered by Capt. Henry Porter to Capt. Young, US Army, at
  Samuel's Depot, Nelson County, KY, on 26 July 1865. Participated
  in the Russellville, KY, bank robbery, 20 Mar 1868. Caught and did two
  years in prison. Attempted to help law officers catch Jesse James
  after the Glendale, MO, robbery. Was shot at Short Creek (Galena),
  Kansas by Jim Cummins because of it. Fell out with Jesse when
  Jesse, along with James Anderson for killing his nephew, Ike
  Flannery over Ike's inheritance. Tracked James Anderson to Austin,
  Texas, where he slit his throat on the lawn of the State capitol
  building. With the support of the population, he escaped back to
  MO.
  In 1865, married Martha Sanders Maddox, the famous Confederate
  spy. Martha first married Richard Maddox. She disguised herself as
  a man, called herself "Matt Sanders", and rode with her husband.
  Richard Maddox was killed shortly after the war ended. Martha married
  George Shepherd and tried to help him escape from prison. Gave up
  on Shepherd, and married McMackin, a wealthy neighbor of her
  father. When Shepherd got out of prison, she chose to stay with
  McMackin. Shepherd charged her with bigamy, but she gained a pardon
  from the governor, and the charges were dropped.

Where Lipstick & Rhinestones are a Part of the Uniform

“White Doilies For The Couch Arms”

While Grandpa cut fresh timber to reenforce the walls of the barn

Grandma was busy crocheting white doilies for the couch arms

Life was always busy living in the country come every single day

Doing on your own as a family and a trust in God made it that way

Seeds to plant for food now and to store for a winter food bank

Seeds for Grandma’s summer flower garden and its aroma of lilac

Grandpa’s wood chopping to feed the wood-burning cook stove

Water buckets to carry from the spring down the hill in the grove

While Grandpa cut fresh timber to reenforce the walls of the barn

Grandma was busy crocheting white doilies for the couch arms

Life was always busy living in the country come every single day

Doing on your own as a family and a trust in God made it that way

With food now on the table Grandma took off her kitchen apron

A country meal prepared as great as could ever be possibly done

Grandpa eyed the peach cobbler cooling on an open window sill

A corner slice would soon be on his dinner plate for his belly to fill

While Grandpa cut fresh timber to reenforce the walls of the barn

Grandma was busy crocheting white doilies for the couch arms

Life was always busy living in the country come every single day

Doing on your own as a family and a trust in God made it that way

© Godot Boys Music (BMI)

Words and music by Bryce Martin 2023

 Jess Martin Pitched for Henryetta, Oklahoma

It was a dream of his come true
He had finally found his avenue
No more in those Missouri hills
would he be roamin'
'Cause now Jess Martin pitched
for Henryetta, Oklahoma

Jess's biggest problem created strife
Fightin' off the women and the bar life
His good looks attracted gals by the dozen
And drinkin' just seemed to keep 'em comin'

He found him a good woman and settled down
He chased that dream upon the pitcher's mound
Lord, let me pitch in pro ball and you'll see
The Lord granted him his dream in ninety twenty-three

Repeat chorus (first verse)

Jess toiled on that mound all spring and summer
Giving it all he had but he began to falter
Old problems he had would give no sympathy
Jess ended up back home in his Missouri

To the big leagues he was never bound
But somewhere there's a dusty, forgotten
pitcher's mound
And there, deep in the soil is still 
the sweat from his brow
And the wind never blows away that dream

Spoken:
They called the league the Western Association
Hens was the nickname for the organization
Though his dream lasted but that one single year
It was a dream he forever held dear

For that was the year...
Jess Martin Pitched for Henryetta, Oklahoma

©Godot Boys Music (BMI) 2003

Words and music by Bryce Martin

 SEEN ON INTERNET: Book Size Matters?

Who knew?

The Man On Red Mountain

The Man on Red Mountain is looking up from on high

The Man on Red Mountain is looking up toward the sky

You can see him up there when you enter the town

There’s not much else to see as you look around

There’s played-out gold mines and a rusted building or two

A few hangers-on still around who didn’t skiddle-dee-doo

Back when gold and riches untold provided the big lure

Red Mountain was the place to go for that permanent cure

The Man on Red Mountain is not a tourist attraction

Though he’d likely welcome any kind of reaction

And a little action around here is all you might expect

Here in Red Mountain a little action is all you can get 

There’s played-out gold mines and a rusted building or two

A few hangers-on still around who didn’t skiddle-dee-doo

Back when gold and riches provided the big lure

Red Mountain was the place to go for that permanent cure

Red Mountain all those big dreams are now all but dead

Yet, the Man on Red Mountain still raises his head

A head one must feel is still filled with faith and hope

Why else does he still search the heavens…

Could it be for… for those streets paved with gold

© Godot Boys Music (BMI) 1970

Words and music by Bryce Martin

--1971--

 

OLD BAKERSFIELD

My drinking days are long behind me (Jan. 3, 1993). The former Idle Hour location near Belmont Church was my hangout starting in 1988. Harlan Howard was a regular, as was Billy Large, and Donnie Qualls. Bobby Herald, the owner, kept an old bus parked in the back with black and gold Vanderbilt colors. The tires were always flat, an irony I felt that was wholly suited to VU's football team.

 

Graphic by Bryce

FUZZTONE, MY NICKNAME FOR HIS NICKNAME: AN ARKIE IN OKIELAND

 Buck and The 'Roos

When we had real stars

I won't show the photo of Jane Fonda a decade later carousing and smiling with our foes while our military personnel were spilling blood on the same soil she walked on to lollygag with the Cong. 

Little Lousy Jane

Marilyn Monroe. Korea 1954

 

HITTING HOME SONG

"Choctaw Bingo" by James McMurtry

Don't Ever Get Your Whisky At A Place Called Papa Joe's

My parents gave me a road map and a smile 

Said hit the road and try life for a while 

Well it was a big change I must admit  

A change I didn’t like not one little bit 

I had to get a job and find it real quick 

Who’d hire some kid from the hickory sticks 

I sorely needed someone to give me a boost 

Because I really needed a place to roost

I’m telling you all this because I want you to know

Don’t ever get your whiskey at a place called Papa Joe’s

I met a call girl named Shirley who gave me a place to stay

For protection against those who might misbehave 

She sent me out to get her her favorite whisky blend 

She liked to have a sip or two sometimes between men

It was at that place I mentioned called Papa Joe’s

A place for sure one should never even once ever go

I got Shirley’s bottle of whiskey she liked so

But just as soon as I was getting ready to go

Papa Joe said son do you want a taste of pure delight

It’s on the house to try and see if you like

An offer from a stranger it seemed reasonable after all

Still, I’m only human and us humans have our flaws

So I took a swig of what he called a pure delight

And I must admit right off it suited me just right

Well you can probably guess that one little swig

Wouldn’t do me, the next one had to be big, real big

Smooth as clear creek water and sharp on the tongue

This pure delight encounter had just begun

I rolled on the floor all the time crying more, more, more

Praising Jesus for leading me to this glorious whiskey store

Some like it hot some like it cold but never has it been told

This pure delight sent from the heavens in my hands I now hold

I was soon guzzling with a funnel found lying around

And taking my heavenly liquid lying on the ground

Papa Joe was now just a blur lost in the background

I sensed that though my brain was now whisky bound 

My brain was on hold from the reality I had known

All thanks to the generosity a stranger had shown

This rank stranger I only met, one known as Papa Joe

Should I consider him a new friend or a dangerous foe 

 

Because it’s for sure this pure delight will never let go

I’ll be its slave and it my master for ever and ever more 

I won’t be able to get a job or work even mopping floors

I’ll have to rob and steal to buy it at Papa Joe’s store

So dear lads and lassies too

If  your parents give you the boot 

Leave, but don’t stop, just scoot

Pass on by Papa Joe’s on your route

©Godot Boys Music (BMI) 2023

Words and music by Bryce Martin

It's Baseball Season!

The Bakersfield Blasters

 🎸🎶⚾

[Baseball cards]

Note: All of the players would probably want No. 7. That wish is granted since all images are frontal views.

C Biff Adam — A solid block of granite behind the plate.

1B Lew Talley — Tall and rangy, able to scoop up short tosses.

2B Merle Haggard — Makes smooth pivot to start double plays.

3B Bill Woods — Infield leader with Hot Corner skills.

SS Jelly Sanders — Can go to the hole with ease.

LF Buck Owens — Dependable flycatcher patrolling his space.

CF Mayf Nutter — Fluid ball tracker with great speed.

RF Don Rich — His strong arm a threat to base runners.

Pitchers, and their “out” pitch:

Tom Brumley, sinker

Red Simpson, screwball

Billy Mize, fastball

Jerry Wiggins, knuckler

Utility Roy Nichols — Scrappy fill-in master.

Bullpen catcher — Doyle Holly  — Keeps pitchers, and everyone else, loose.

Manager — Jimmie Thomason — Has herd (band) organizing skills

Coach — Oscar Whittington — Sound judgement in game situations.

Coach —  Norm Hamlett —  Tuned to a soft approach.

Batting Order

1. Nutter
2. Talley
3. Owens
4. Adam
5. Woods
6. Rich
7. Haggard
8. Sanders
9. (Pitcher)

       BakersfieldBiscuits.com

I like Dwight Yoakam's music. Like it a whole bunch. So do a lot of people. So it makes me wonder, why does he need to keep riding that Bakersfield theme in so many commercial directions? Hellfire, it makes me mad. He's not from Bakersfield, never lived there, and his only connection to the city is having sung a song -- one he didn't write nor did Buck Owens -- titled "Streets of Bakersfield." You would think he owned the copyright to all things Bakersfield. Why I really hate his Bakersfield-grab is because whenever I mention to anyone how I was a journalist covering Bakersfield's country music scene back in its heyday as a reporter for the daily newspaper, the response is always, "Oh! Dwight Yoakam." Not often, not more often than not, but 100 percent always, "Oh! Dwight Yoakam." Not Merle Haggard, who was born in Bakersfield. Not Buck Owens, who came to Bakersfield in 1951 and stayed. Not Red Simpson, Billy Mize, and so on. And it's from every age group, even from people from my age group who you would think had more awareness. "Oh! Dwight Yoakam, my ass!"

Original photo made from a glass plate for my weekly country music column in early 70s for the Bakersfield Californian

Californian/Alan Ferguson

                                              TOMMY COLLINS AT HIS BEST

 Carolina was a school teacher in her later years in Bakersfield and in summer months she worked the sales floor at Brock's in Valley Plaza. I worked with her part-time on weekends stocking the various departments, and I'd see her at the many charity events where she'd perform as a volunteer.

WHITE HAT GOOD GUY

 

                                                                     Door Mat

Arrest me, IRS, I dare you

                                                 © World Wide News   April 7, 1981

Paul Bell ran a small print shop in Taft, Calif., where I first met him. I had made an order for a dozen or so bumper stickers of my own design. I soon realized he was the man who made a trip each year from his home in Taft to the Internal Revenue Service in Bakersfield and demanded that officials arrest him for not paying his income tax, which he said the IRS had no basis for requirement by individuals, based on religious and Constitutional overriding authority. I asked him for details and he had plenty to offer, speaking in a serious and confident tone and with an edge of anger in his voice. National attention came in the above clipping from a grocery story tabloid, one in the vein of National Inquirer and with actor Tom Selleck on the cover. Each year the Californian newspaper carried the story. Each time it was the same. No arrest. Until one year... click, click, went the handcuffs.

 The Buckaroos -- Don Rich's final days

Back L-R: Ronnie Jackson, Jerry Wiggins, Jim Shaw

Front L-R: Don Rich, Doyle Singer

 Moseying along...

From Deke Dickerson website

 "Mrl" by artist Brian Demarest

More Bakersfield Art

The Plunge on Union Avenue