"Ft. Lauderdale" - Doug Powell with the Newports - 1962

Doug Powell was a Virginia-based rockabilly singer who produced five records in the late '50s -- early 60s, two of which (including this one) made it to major labels. The Newports were privileged to be the backing band on this gem, recorded at Edgewood Studios in Washington, D.C. in spring 1962. Players on the session included Bob Oberlander (organ), Bill White (bass), Paul Clarke (tenor sax), Pepper Archenbeau (drums), and me (Blaine Smith - guitar). (Because we lack photos from that era showing Bob and Pepper, I included two from about that time which show Dick Heintze on keyboard and Scott Mitchell on drums -- plus Paul, Bill and myself.)

The phrase "where the boys are" that recurs in the song refers to the hugely popular Connie Francis film of 1960, which was staged in Ft. Lauderdale and greatly boosted the city's identity as a Spring Break destination in the '60s.

Two of Doug's recordings, btw, are included in the outstanding collection "Virginia Rocks: The History of Rockabilly in the Commonweath" (2009, JSP Records, England). These include "Jeannie with the Dark Blue Eyes," and "Lord Made a Woman."

- Blaine Smith

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Music

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• Doug Powell
• Virginia Rockabilly
• Ft. Lauderdale
• Fort Lauderdale
• The Newports of Washington
• D.C.