The Tunes (4) (Minden, louisiana)




Personnel :


Jerry Frasier (Lead)


Don Holt (Lead)

Bobby Morehead


Jeralyn Shipp


Travis Towns


Discography :

1959 - My Heart / Close The Door (Swade 102)
1959 - The Lie / Only Time Will Tell (Pel 101/345)


Biography :

Vocal and instrumental group from Minden, louisiana, The Tunes cut two singles. The band formed of Bobby Moorehead (gtr), Jeralyn Shipp (pno), Jerry Frasier (vcl), Don Holt (vcl, gtr, bass) and Travis Towns (dms). Don Holt had at first a solo release on Buddy 102, a record label out of Marshall, Texas,around 1956. He's backed by The Ranch Boys on " My Baby Still Loves Me" and "Let Me Love You", two song he wrote. Don Holt was also member of The Tunes, a musical combo that started at Minden High School and continued at Northwest Louisiana Tech College.

   
Jerry Frasier                                                                                             Don Holt

They played local events, dances, Telethon but also opened for "Shake, Rattle and Rock" movie when screened at the Louisiana Tech Theatre. The Tunes played ArkLaTex area as well as Mississippi; In May 17, 1958, they played the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport sharing the stage with Johnny Horton and Fred Carter. Later that year they were featured on a big rock and roll show set by WNOE-TV in New-Orleans sharing the stage with Jack Scott, Huelyn Duvall and Dale Hawkins just to name a few.

The Tunes recorded in January 1959 at Cosimo Matassa studio in New-Orleans two songs that were issued in September 1959 on Swade 102. "My Heart" was sung by Don Holt and "Close The Door" by Jerry Frasier that was also a fullback from Louisiana Tech. Their first single has no vocal accompaniment. Their  second single is more in the vocal style of doo wop group of the time.

They recorded "Only Time Will Tell" (Don Holt) and "The Lie" (Jerry Frasier) issued around June 1959 on Pel 101. None of these records get more action than regionaly. Making it in the music business took lots of talent, the right contacts, and lots of luck. All these guys who stayed local glories belong to the Louisiana musical history and deserve to be remembered.




Songs :
(updated by Hans-Joachim) 

  
The Lie / Only Time Will Tell                       Close The Door        

My Heart

...