Jimmy Minor "DEATH ROW" story of Caryl Chessman Mercury Records 1960

Here is my dad, singer songwriter Jim Minor with Chet Atkins on the lead guitar and the Jordanaires on the backup vocals, Murrey Harman drums, Junior Huskey dog house bass. This is an original Mercury release record. Ive saved the original sound of these recordings. Jim's music sounds like it was suppose to, they have not been remastered. I made sure of that. This song is titled Death Row, and its a gripping song of a man on death row who meets his fate. Death row was written about the "Red Light Bandit", Caryl Chessman, who was convicted on circumstantial evidence, on the basis of the testimony of two policeman.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mayflower music

[razorbackman1]

Jim Minor owned Colt "45" Records of Flint, MI 1959. Artists on the label were: Connie Dycus, Eddie and Don, Paul and Larry and Donna Chrysler. Jim Minor published Narvel Felts, Jimmy Edwards, Connie Dycus and Vada Belle and Alice Berry through Mercury Records all in the 1950s all rockabilly. Jim played on the Grand Ole Opry Oct. 1961

[razorbackman1]

Jim Minor was approached by Art Talmadge of Mercury records in 1960 and Art wanted a song about Chessman. Jim wrote DEATH ROW and it was released in the Spring of 1960 by Mercury Records. The song was played on the radio some but for most it had to of a morbid title to it for DJs to play. When Chessman was executed in 1960 the song kinda died with it. Marlon Brando approached Art and wanted a song for one of his movies but that never happened.

[IndianaProperty]

Jim,

I've been listening to your old songs on U-tube. You have a GREAT voice. A little Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves and Ernest Tubb all wrapped up in one sound.

I just cant figure out why you were not on the Grand Ole Opry and well known like the singers I mentioned above.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas...and Have a happy New Year!

Great singing

Dan

[IndianaProperty]

Forgot this Jim...must have been really something to play with all the session players from this era. Chet, Floyd Cramer, Grady...etc did you ever meet Hank Garland?

[razorbackman1]

@IndianaProperty Hank Garland plays banjo on my Song "Reveille" 1960

[razorbackman1]

@IndianaProperty Jim was on the sat. night Grand Ole Opry in Oct. 1961

[dc1890]

Anything Chessman is kick ass, It's so awesome that your dad wrote a song about him.

The song depicts it quite well, I mean the vibe fits very well.

[dennisr765]

Hello There What a briliant video I have enjoyed it I love the singer and the song you have done very well on this my friend.

I am subscibed to your channel but I am not getting your uploads

Take Care and God Bless my Friend and keep making your video's

Dennis P.R.

[cw85739]

The Red Light Bandit lives on...thanks...what a voice!!!

[yeauxxx]

Chessman never killed anybody