LOYD HOWELL AND HIS MUSIC
Loyd Howell was born near Waynesboro, Tennessee in November of 1932. By the time he was 8 years old,
he had acquired a "Gene Autry" guitar. He learned a few chords and would play along with the Grand Ole Opry radio show on
the family's Philco battery radio.
During his early teens, Loyd began to play music for square dances with a local
fiddle player in and around Waynesboro and Clifton. The first time he heard Hank Williams music, he said music took a different
turn for him. Carl Smith also made a big impact on his music. You can still hear those influences in his style of singing
and playing today.
At age 17, Loyd left small town life behind him and joined the U.S. Navy, life
would never be the same. While in the Navy, he formed a band and played honky tonks around Newport, Rhode Island. After completing
his term of service, he returned to Waynesboro and picked up where he left off playing music locally. A band from Nashville
that toured the area playing shows at schools took notice of Loyd's talent and asked him to join the band and play the circuit.
One of the band's musicians included fiddle player Dale Potter.
It wasn't long before Loyd's head was turned by a local girl, Josephine Griggs.
They married in 1954 and the couple took up residence in Detroit, Michigan. Like many southern boys, he found work in the
car capitol at Cadillac Motors, a division of industry giant General Motors.
Shortly after adjusting to life in Detroit City, Loyd formed a band with co-workers
that he called "The Blue Stars." The band quickly became very popular around the Detroit area. In the early 60's, they were
featured in a lead story in the "Detroit News" paper showcasing a big talent show at the famous home of the "Red Wing" hockey
team - the 30,000 seat Olympia Stadium. The band won the contest but the promoter skipped town without awarding the promised
prize winning record deal and cash awards.
After the Olympia show, Loyd and the boys headed to Nashville to make a their
own record. Recording at Starday Records for the "Nashville" label, Loyd Howell and The Blue Stars recorded "Froggy Went A-Courtin,"
a song that has since become a cult classic among rock-a-billy record collectors. At the time, however, it was merely Loyd's
brand of country music - Hank and Carl with the beat and tempo of other music of the late 50's and early 60's, like Elvis,
Chuck Berry and others.
Loyd cut a half dozen records during the 60's and early 70's, including Rosilita,
Don't Hang Around, and Truck Driving Jack, among others. He recorded on Detroit's Fortune Records on their "Hi-Q"
label, and later formed his own label with band mate, Don Rye, called "Ry-Ho Records." The label began to record several local
artists, including Jack Earls, who had previously recorded on the "Sun" record label in Memphis, an artist who has also acquired
notoriety as a rock-a-billy favorite.
Eventually Loyd's three children became old enough to join the band, the former
band members were out and "The Family Band" was born. Loyd and daughters Vicky (bass guitar), Pam (drums and percussion),
and son, Jeff (lead guitar and keyboard), played numerous clubs, parties and special events in the Detroit area, as well as
opening for Grand Ole Opry stars booked through Ry-Ho Records.
Loyd and his family moved back to Tennessee in the late 70's and opened "The
Family Music Center" in Waynesboro, a business still in operation today, along with a recording studio where Jeff and Loyd
record and produce area artists making demos and CDs to promote their own music.
The Family Band continued to play music around middle Tennessee, including
an appearance on former cable country music giant, The Nashville Network (TNN). Jeff, Vicky and Pam appeared on the forerunner
to today's popular Nashville Star, a talent contest called "Be A Star." The group went as
far as the semi-finals and appeared again two seasons later.
Loyd and the family band continued to play music bookings during the 80's and
90's, as well as pitch songs and knock on doors in Nashville. In the late 90's, Loyd's daughters moved, eventually landing
in Nashville themselves. Though the band hasn't officially disbanded, the 100 mile separation curtailed the band's live performances.
Loyd continues to operate the music store, along with his wife and son, and
is still active in the music business with their 24 track recording studio. One of his Detroit singles was used in a movie
in the late 90's about the Motor City in the early 60's. In recent years, his early recordings have become a favorite of rock-a-billy
collectors in Europe and the U.S. His records can often be found on E-Bay for $200 plus! He's also been contacted by writers
researching the rock-a-billy era preparing books on the music genre' and seeking information on the infamous artist who recorded
"Froggy" - a song one dealer in record collecting called the "Holy Graille" of rock-a-billy record collectors.
Still making his home in Waynesboro, Tennessee, Loyd has served two terms as
Mayor and currently serves on the Waynesboro City Commission. He says music is still going to be a part of the Howell family
through the 3rd generation of Howells - Jeff's two children, Kelbie (age 13) and Jace (age 9) both play...but not Hank Williams!
Vicky Howell is current wrapping up work on a DVD documentary of Loyd's career
in Detroit in the early 60's. If you want to know more about Loyd, go to his website at www.familymusiccenter.com or stop
in person at The Family Music in Waynesboro. You can also find out more about Loyd Howell and his rock-a-billy years on line
by going to Google and searching Loyd Howell.
The Family Music Center
305 Highway 64 East
P.O. Box 48
Waynesboro, Tennessee 38485
(615) 722-5219
