{"id":1823,"date":"2017-04-27T19:31:22","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T19:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/?p=1823"},"modified":"2019-06-16T16:34:24","modified_gmt":"2019-06-16T16:34:24","slug":"the-missouri-delta-nurtured-rock-n-roll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/?p=1823","title":{"rendered":"The Missouri Delta Nurtured Rock ‘n’ Roll"},"content":{"rendered":"

First\u00a0in A Series<\/em><\/p>\n

By Matt Chaney, ChaneysBlog.com<\/p>\n

Posted Thursday, April 27, 2017<\/p>\n

Copyright\u00a0\u00a92017 by Matthew L. Chaney<\/p>\n

In 1958 rock ‘n’ roll claimed the musical soul of young Steve Sharp, amidst prime setting\u2014the raucous, renowned B&B Club in Gobler, Missouri, a crossroads village at the state\u2019s southern edge.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was 15,\u201d Sharp recalls. \u201cI had a 16-year-old friend who had a driver\u2019s license, and we went down to the B&B. It was a dirt road\u2014not gravel\u2014I\u2019m talking dirt. And muddy<\/em>\u2026 the mud ruts were two-feet deep. But we went down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steeped in legend, the B&B showcased rockabilly stars<\/a> like Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and, a few years before, Elvis Presley. Artists of Sun Records, among players in rock and country music, regularly appeared at the roadhouse situated 80 miles from Memphis in Missouri delta farmland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Entering the B&B electrified Sharp, experiencing his rockabilly epiphany. Talented teen singer Don Hinton<\/a> commanded the stage but Sharp focused on the drummer, Clyde Lee Farrow. \u201cI\u2019d never heard the sound before, like the snare drum echoing around inside that joint,\u201d Sharp recalls. \u201cIt changed my life, right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

American youths were passionate about roots rock music, and many in southeast Missouri strove to be performers themselves. Sharp, of Gideon High School, resolved to play drums and bought a used set, practicing diligently.<\/p>\n

Today, Stephen R. Sharp<\/a> is a retired public servant of the Bootheel, known for his career as a state senator, circuit judge, and decorated Vietnam veteran. But his repute extends to accomplished musician, as a notable who appeared on stage with Fats Domino, Charlie Rich, Dale Potter, Narvel Felts, Jerry Foster and Bill Rice, among talents.<\/p>\n

Potter<\/a>, Felts<\/a> and Foster<\/a> were native southeast Missourians, leading a local music wave of the \u201950s and \u201960s that swept up Sharp. \u201cYou\u2019re talking about good<\/em> musicians,\u201d Sharp says, speaking during a recent interview at Kennett.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, there were some jack-leg musicians out there, but basically we\u2019re talking about people who were good<\/em>, playing these places of southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

In 1931 federal highway crews paved the last section of Route 61 from Cape Girardeau to Memphis, completing the \u201criver road.\u201d During\u00a0the same period, a massive levee and drainage system finally diverted the mighty Mississippi from its natural, wide spillways that had ravaged southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas in high water. Now the great flatland stood dry enough for human habitation and year-round commerce. Agri-business dominated.<\/p>\n

A cluster of roadside merchants materialized\u00a0at the Missouri-Arkansas border, the notorious \u201cstate line\u201d area. Vice and violence had thrived here for years and would remain. Following repeal of Prohibition, several bootleggers established legitimate ventures fronting Highway 61\u2014gas stations, diners, taverns\u2014to accompany their rackets of gambling, narcotics and prostitution. Police officers and a postmaster were convicted in the corruption, among criminals.<\/p>\n

Alcohol sales to minors continued openly, helping a boom of music venues along 61. Music evolved perpetually in the delta, with this route destined to be known as the \u201cRock n\u2019 Roll Highway.\u201d \u00a0First, however, jazz, blues, gospel and \u201chillbilly\u201d strains filled the river valley north from Memphis.<\/p>\n

A rhythm-and-blues joint gained prominence in Pemiscot County, Missouri, at the state line. The Casablanca Club was located near 61 on north side of a gravel road marking the border. Racial tension and conflict notwithstanding, Casablanca performers drew mixed-race audiences from several states. The Casablanca booked R&B names of the 1940s to become huge, like Chester \u201cHowling Wolf\u201d Barnett and McKinley \u201cMuddy Waters\u201d Morganfield, along with young cats Bobby Bland, Isaac Hayes and B.B. King.<\/p>\n

Venues for country musicians and dance orchestras flourished in southeast Missouri of the early 1950s, according to available newspapers, local recollection, further evidence. Underage drinking and backroom gambling carried on commonplace. Nightspots of wild Pemiscot County included the B&B in Gobler and Club Zanza at Highway 61 in Hayti. Elsewhere a music scene burgeoned around Malden town, driving crowds to Smitzer\u2019s and Pop Werner\u2019s, a pair of establishments along Highway 62 in New Madrid County.<\/p>\n

Regional radio stations broadcast records and live music from morning until night. Following suit, television stations brought in solo artists and musical groups for studio shows on the fledgling medium.<\/p>\n

Cutting-edge rock n\u2019 roll, meanwhile, percolated from Missouri to Louisiana with an impact from Billy Haley\u2019s band in Pennsylvania, whose 1952 record \u201cRock The Joint<\/a>\u201d reached the Midwest. \u201cBeat\u201d music reverberated throughout the Mississippi River Valley.<\/p>\n

The musical vacuum was drawing distinctly different genres toward a broad, driving sound that would revolutionize pop culture and marketing. Delta artists both black and white accelerated their beats of guitar, piano and vocals. Forerunners included Fats Domino<\/a>,\u00a0Ike Turner<\/a> and Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton<\/a> of R&B; “Sister” Rosetta Tharpe<\/a>\u00a0in gospel blues; and Eddy Arnold<\/a> and Tennessee Ernie Ford<\/a>\u00a0from Nashville\u2019s Grand Ole Opry.<\/p>\n

In Jackson, Tennessee<\/a>, Carl Perkins and his brothers cranked-up tempo on their guitars, savoring a sharp newness above familiar twang picking. \u201cI don\u2019t think none of us even ever quite knew what it was,\u201d Carl later recalled. \u201cIt didn\u2019t have a name; we called it feel-good music.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few guys got brave enough to get out and start playing it in the honky-tonks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Series continues soon at ChaneysBlog.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

Special thanks to Al Jordan, Al Jackson and Joe Keene for their lists of historic nightclubs in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas<\/em><\/p>\n

Select References<\/strong><\/p>\n

24 SEMO Persons Arrested In Raids Now Free On Bonds. (1952, July 21). Sikeston Daily Standard<\/em> MO, p.1.<\/p>\n

A Tennessee Editor Visits Charleston, Sikeston And Vicinity. (1931, June 12). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p.3.<\/p>\n

Bedell, T. (2017, March 8). Interview with author in Van Buren MO.<\/p>\n

Brains Behind The Tigers. (1957, April 3). [Photos with cutline.] Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.11.<\/p>\n

Builds Station At State Line. (1934, March 13). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.5.<\/p>\n

Caruthersville Boy Is Gaining Popularity As Rock And Roll Singer. (1960, June 14). Sikeston Daily Standard<\/em> MO, p.6.<\/p>\n

Constable In Auto Is Shot From Car. (1931, Sept. 29). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p.1.<\/p>\n

Crawford Asks Gas Tax Zones. (1935, Feb. 1). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Edgar Pullen Dies of Wound Inflicted Saturday. (1933, Nov. 3). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

English, B. (1994, Dec. 21). Interview with author in Poplar Bluff MO.<\/p>\n

Former Postmaster At Leachville Sentenced. (1934, May 10). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Friday Night. (1950, May 25). [Display ad for Club Zanza.] Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.6.<\/p>\n

Grand Opening. (1947, June 13). [Display ad for Club Velvet.] Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.11.<\/p>\n

Harry Bailey Is Coming Home From Uncle Sam\u2019s \u201cBig House.\u201d (1934, June 28). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Highway 61 Officially Opened. (1931, June 23). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, pp.1,5.<\/p>\n

Hilburn, R. (1981, April 7). Rockabilly survivor looks back. Los Angeles Times<\/em>, p.G1.<\/p>\n

Jordan, A. (2017, Jan. 11). Interview with author in Hayti MO.<\/p>\n

Keene, J. (2017, March 9 & April 20). Interviews with author in Kennett MO.<\/p>\n

Kaiser, C. (2013, Jan. 9). Respected judge closes the book on lengthy career. Daily Dunklin Democrat<\/em> MO [online].<\/p>\n

Man Shot, Refuses To Name Assailant. (1935, May 14). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p.6.<\/p>\n

Missouri Man Killed At State Line Joint. (1930, April 7). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Missouri Night Clubs Raided. (1952, July 19). Alton Evening Telegraph<\/em> IL, p.1.<\/p>\n

New Year\u2019s Eve Bill Haley With Haley\u2019s Comets. (1952, Dec. 29). [Display ad for Berky\u2019s Seafood House.] Delaware County Times<\/em> PA, p.3.<\/p>\n

Night Club Operator Held For Murder. (1938, April 21). Sikeston Herald<\/em> MO, p.12.<\/p>\n

Official Raked For Routing Road Along Own Land. (1927, Sept. 13). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p.1.<\/p>\n

Pharmacy Now Serves Missouri Resort Patrons. (1933, Sept. 15). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Piazza, T. (1996, Nov. 13). Lost man of R&R rediscovered. Salina Journal<\/em> KS, p.27.<\/p>\n

Push Pemiscot County Cleanup. (1937, Feb. 20). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.3.<\/p>\n

Roadhouse Problems. (1931, July 31). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p.6.<\/p>\n

Russell, R. (1973, March 23). Black blues giants once made state line club a port of call. Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.7.<\/p>\n

Seize Whisky, Stills and Beer at State Line. (1930, Nov. 21). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Sharp, S. (2017, March 9). Interview with author in Kennett MO.<\/p>\n

Shooting Case Defendant Dies. (1931, Jan. 16). Blytheville Courier<\/em> News AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Shootings Mark Pemiscot Election. (1934, Nov. 6). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Shotgun In The Southeast. (1923, March 9). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p.4.<\/p>\n

Sikeston A City Of Opportunity. (1924, May 6). Sikeston Standard<\/em> MO, p.1.<\/p>\n

Southeast Missouri Conquered By Years Of Toil. (1930, June 6). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.3.<\/p>\n

Ten Arrested In Raid On Highway 61 Resort. (1934, Sept. 10). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Tentative System Of Main Roadways For State Mapped. (1920, Dec. 19). St. Louis Post-Dispatch<\/em>, p.3.<\/p>\n

The Gasoline Tax. (1936, May 20). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.4.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow Night Bill Haley And The Saddle Men. [Display ad for Berky\u2019s Seafood House.] Delaware County Times<\/em> PA, p.13.
\nTrial Of Bailey And Companions Is Nearing End. (1932, Feb. 25). Blytheville Courier News AR, p.1<\/p>\n

Trimble, B. (1973, March 27). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.6.<\/p>\n

Tucker, B. (2017, March 10). Interview with author in Marion AR.<\/p>\n

U.S. Jury Indicts Pemiscot Sheriff. (1931, April 17). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Whiskey Stills Seized Just Over State Line. (1930, Feb. 19). Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Youth Found Slain Near Night Club. (1936, Oct. 26), Blytheville Courier News<\/em> AR, p.1.<\/p>\n

Matt Chaney is a writer, editor and publisher in Missouri, USA. For more information visit\u00a0<\/em>www.fourwallspublishing.com.\u00a0Email:\u00a0<\/em>mattchaney@fourwallspublishing.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First\u00a0in A Series By Matt Chaney, ChaneysBlog.com Posted Thursday, April 27, 2017 Copyright\u00a0\u00a92017 by Matthew L. Chaney In 1958 rock ‘n’ roll claimed the musical soul of young Steve Sharp, amidst prime setting\u2014the raucous, renowned B&B Club in Gobler, Missouri, a crossroads village at the state\u2019s southern edge. \u201cI was 15,\u201d Sharp recalls. \u201cI had … Continue reading The Missouri Delta Nurtured Rock ‘n’ Roll<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":""},"categories":[374],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4ywFp-tp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1823"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1823"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1823\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3582,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1823\/revisions\/3582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/fourwallspublishing.com\/BlogMChaney\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}