Joiner, Arkansas Junior High School Band - National City (1960)

Charted at #53 on Billboard Hot 100 in May 1960. There is debate over whether this record was made by an actual high school band or not. However, music expert and record collector Jerry Osborne, in his column "Mister Music", stated that, in 1960, a Joiner Arkansas Junior High School did not exist. Therefore, the band did not exist. He goes on to state that this record was made by a group of studio musicians led by arranger Ernie Freeman. "Joiner, Arkansas" was credited because it was the hometown of the co-owner of Liberty Records, the label on which this record was released. The record is not included on the album in the photo I used.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Joiner
• Arkansas
• Junior
• High
• School
• Band
• 1960
• national
• city

[calindesmoines1]

TheLimePopsicle - You are absolutlely correct. I should have stated " There should be no debate, "TheLimePopsicle has the true story and here is some more info". Didn't mean to

cast aspersions on your initial comments, just wanted folks to know what a true artist Ernie Freeman was. He died in 1981 at the age of 58. Ernie recorded one of the most hauntingly, lush instrumental's of all time under the name Sir Chauncy. The song, "Beautiful Obsession", was a chart hit in 1960.

[TheLimePopsicle]

@calindesmoines1 That's all right, it's always good to have additional information. I actually hadn't heard of "Beautiful Obesseion" before so thanks for the reference to it.

[calindesmoines1]

There is no debate. There was never a "Joiner, Arkansas Junior High School Band". The group of studio musicians was led by master producer/writer/artist Ernie Freeman who had been making hit records since the 1950's. He is the one playing the piano on the million selling hit "The Great Pretender" by The Platters. He produced almost every hit for Bobby Vee, Johnny Burnette, Julie

London and others on Liberty Records. He was a session player for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and many, many, more!

[TheLimePopsicle]

@calindesmoines1 Although there is debate because many people don't know the facts, I explained the actual story behind the record in the description and how Ernie Freeman was the leader of the group of musicians. That's obviously why I also used a picture of him for the video. Thanks for the elaboration on these stated facts though.

[JOYOUSONEX]

BTW Lime, didn't this group also do a version of Pomp and Circumstance? "No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks"??

[TheLimePopsicle]

@JOYOUSONEX You are thinking of Adrian Kimberly, who was actually Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers who made that record with a chorus chanting "no more pencils, no more books" etc. There certainly is a similiar sound to the two records.

[calindesmoines1]

Ernie also recorded as B. Bumble and The Stingers ((Bumble Boogie #21 pop chart hit in 1961 ) and as Jack B. Nimble (original recording of "Nut Rocker" in 1962). FYI "Beautiful Obsession' by Ernie Freeman (Sir Chauncy & His Exciting Strings) is available on YouTube.

[luvrecords1]

I have always loved this record. Bought it when I was 15 in 1960. Still have all my 45's.

[ktsmith2557]

What a shame that today's "musicians" have no sense of humor! I.E., no "Charlie Brown," no Baja Marimba or Tijuana Brass bands, etc., etc.

[larrynealwaxmuseum]

If memory serves me right, and I think it does, this record made it into the top 10 on our local top 40 radio station here in OKC. Good Post.

Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA

[3windowcoupe]

I was cruising around with my friends one night in 1960 when I was a teenager and this song played two or three times on KOMA. I THOUGHT it was pretty damn good for a Jr high school band! Now I know! Never heard it again until now. Great song.

[JOYOUSONEX]

@TheLimePopsicle ahhh yes, thanks!!