Town Hall Party

Personnel: Joe Maphis (vocals, guitar, banjo); Rose Lee Maphis (vocals, guitar); Freddie Hart, Jenks "Tex" Carman, The Collins Kids, Dortha Wright, Bobby Charles (vocals); William H. "Billy" Hill, Jelly Sanders (fiddle); Dudley Brooks (piano); Marion Z. "Pee Wee" Adams (drums).
Liner Note Author: Deke Dickerson.
Recording information: Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA (02/28/1956-08/26/1957).
Illustrator: R.A. Andreas.
Photographer: R.A. Andreas.
Town Hall Party was released as an LP in 1956 as a showcase set. The name performers were the Collins Kids, the blazing guitarist Joe Maphis, Tex Ritter -- yes, he did cut a couple of rockabilly sides, Johnny Bond, Jenks "Tex" Carman, Dortha Wright, and others. Musically, this set has more than its share of fine tunes; all three of the Maphis contributions are solid, as are those by the Collins Kids and the then-unknown Bobby Charles, whose "Kentucky Waltz" is the album's true gem. ~ Thom Jurek