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THE MADDOX BROTHERS AND ROSE-ON THE AIR: 1940 and 1945

The Maddox Brothers and Rose were one of the hottest acts in Country music during the late 1940s and early 50s. Not only did they gain enormous popularity via their radio and personal appearances, but by 1947 their records (note Arhoolie LPs 5016 and 5017) were heard on juke boxes and over radio stations all over the Southwest. Their music by then was real Honky Tonk, not only geared to dancing, but also to entertain with comedy, spe­cialty, and novelty numbers. They were a show band with custom tailored cowboy outfits and the family members were augmented by several other outstanding musicians. Young Rose Maddox was a special attraction and their outgoing presentations with a lot of humor have never been matched in the annals of Coun­try Music history.

This album presents for the first time two radio broadcasts recorded during the very early career of the Maddox Brothers and Rose and gives us an interesting and delightful insight into what their music was like before any of their commercial records were made. First we hear Rose with brothers Fred and Cal on February 19, 1940 over KFBK in Sacramento, California. This radio appearance was the result of the group's winning a talent con­test held at the California State Fair the previous fall where they won over fifteen other competing bands. Part of the prize was a one year contract to appear on KFBK which not only reached much of Northern California, but the broadcasts were apparently aired simultaneously over the California Network (including KFWB in Hollywood), the Arizona Network, the Oregon Network, and the Washington Network, giving the group exposure up and down the West Coast. According to Rose, the program was sponsored by Anacin, the headache medicine. This 15 minute acetate disc which was made of one of the broadcasts did not include the commercials, which apparently were given at the start and end of the program.

The other program which has survived is from December 29, 1945 and was broad­cast over KGDM in Stockton, Calif. This program was 30 minutes, but again no commercials although there is a station break midway. Cal and Fred had returned from the Service by this time and were joined by Henry on mandolin. Unfor­tunately the acoustics of this program are not as good as the KFBK transcription. Also the discs were somewhat worn at the end of each 15 minute side, and you have to excuse some surface noise.

FAMILY ROAMS U.S. FOR WORK

A hitch-hiking family of seven found shelter at Oakland's "Pipe City" after a cross-country trip from Alabama seeking work. The family comprises (left to right): Calvin Maddux, his father,

The first of these radio programs presents a fascinating glimpse at the sound of the Maddox Brothers and Rose in their formative years. We hear a mixture of old time singing, sentimental songs, blues, yodels, and Western cowboy songs. The later program from after World War II finds the group using their theme song which was to be their trademark for the next ten years of their successful career. The addition of Henry on mandolin hints at the sound which was yet to come and gave the music a fuller and even more southern hillbilly feeling. The singing also was more rural and southern than ever. Honky Tonk type songs became more dominant and we hear one of the first recorded versions of Woody Guthrie's now famous " If You Ain't Got The Do Re Mi" which the Maddox family knew as the

Charles; Rose, Fred (standing), Mrs. Lulu Maddux, Henry and Kenneth. They have "ridden the rails" in their westward trek, and hope to make their home in California,,_ Tribune Photo.

(reprinted from the Oakland Tribune, April 11 , 1933)

"Dustbowl Blues." They had met Woody and his brother Jack on several occasions before the war in various bars and picked up several of his songs including the "Reno Blues" which later became one of the Maddox Brothers and Rose's most suc­cessful records but re-titled "Philadelphia Lawyer" (on Arhoolie LP 5016).

For later music by the Maddox Brothers and Rose note Arhoolie LPs 5016 and 5017 which contain the original hits recorded in the late 1940s and early 50s. For Rose Maddox's more recent recordings note Arhoolie 5024: ''Presenting Rose Maddox with the Vern Williams Band" doing a lot of her all-time favorites and Arhoolie 5030: "Rose Maddox with the Vern Williams Band-A Beautiful Bouquet ," an album of gospel favorites.

(Chris Strachwitz- 1983)

THEME & A COWBOY HAS TO YELL LET ME RIDE MY PONY DOWN THE SUNSET TRAIL ONCE I HAD A DARLING MOTHER HOLD THAT CRITTER DOWN I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU I'M GOING TO THE HOEDOWN (Theme) THEME & SMALL TOWN MAMA MAMA PLEASE STAY HOME WITH ME

IF YOU AIN'T GOT THE DO-RE-MI I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN I'LL REAP BY HARVEST IN HEAVEN DON'T HANG AROUND ME ANY MORE A SINNER'S PRAYER IS NEVER ANSWERED THE GIRL I LOVE DON'T PAY ME NO MIND WRITE ME, SWEETHEART I'M A HANDY MAN TO HAVE AROUND I'VE RAMBLED AROUND & THEME

®1983 by Arhoolie Productions Inc.

Side A: 1-6 KFBK Feb. 19, 1940 The Maddox Brothers & Rose: Cal Maddox-guitar, harmonica & vocals Fred Maddox-bass & vocals Rose Maddox- vocals Side A: 7 & 8 and all of side .B: KGDM - Stockton, Ca. December 29, 1945 add: Henry Maddox-mandolin & vocals

Cover photo: Courtesy Fred Maddox Cover: Epop Productions: Wayne Pope, Art D irector; Dennis Kiernan, Designer Edited & produced by Chris Strachwitz and released by contractual agreement with Fred Maddox

For our complete 68-page catalog listing all selections and titles for over 250 Country, Folk, Cajun, Blues, & Ethnic albums and the latest copy of the Down Home Music Co. Newsletter please send $ 1.00 to cover postage to: Arhoolie Records/Catalog 10341 San Pablo Ave. , El Cerrito, Ca. 94530