Live At The Cowboy Bar, 1958

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 2020

Label: Alternative Records

Originally compiled off a safety copy of the original reel from the 8.23.58 recording at the famous Cowboy Bar in West Yellowstone, Montana, this was recently updated to reflect five new songs that were not transferred originally onto the safety from the original reel for some mysterious reason. It was only when Randy Layton wanted to do a fresh transfer off the master tape in 2020 were these new songs heard.

That meant updating the artwork, liner notes, and importantly, deciding to have new ears remaster and Bruce Neher was chosen for that. It's a terrific recording for the era, recorded live and broadcast over local radio.

Why it's remarkable is the band-they were all very talented and played the circuit of the times for their area-Montana, The Golden Nugget in Nevada, Idaho, and elsewhere. They easily went from country to swing to flat out jazz tunes. Sonny Richter was the guitarist driving all this, but Randy Stewart had been around since the late 40's with the Hillbilly Jewels and Red and Sandy had also logged plenty of time elsewhere before this band came together in Idaho after Sonny's previous band, The K-Bar Ranch Hands, wound down.

All of them sang harmonies, not unlike the Sons of The Pioneers, and all took lead vocal turns. The end of the show finds Red's wife, Jeannie Thompson, coming on stage to sing two songs that featured her yodeling skills.

This is part of an ongoing series of cd projects that feature Sonny Richter in groups or solo.