I decided to stay with Jerrel and I am happy that I did! Jerrel had decided to quit the road and stay in Houston to concentrate on writing music and recording albums. We also pooled our money to start a recording studio.
We were immediately hired to perform at a Village Inn in Webster, Texas (South of Houston). While performing as a duo, a fan of HEW (Gerald Bennett) showed up at our gig with his electric piano. It was a match made in heaven. We called ourselves, Elliott, Walter, and Bennett. (EWB)
Gerald (Jerry) Bennett was a fine keyboard musician and he had a eye for business. During our years together, we started a company called American Record Corporation (ARC). Since Jerrel had really learned the intricacies of being a recording engineer, we could perform in the evenings and work in the studio during the day. We produced several albums ourselves and also produced albums for other groups.
During this time, the Houston Oilers were enjoying success on the NFL playing field. Our company was able to produce several recordings which capitalized on the Oilers popularity. One of the local entertainers was Mack Hayes of "Love Ya Blue" fame. He had success with a song parody called the "12 Days of the Houston Oiler Christmas". In the song he mentioned many of the current Oiler players. Well, EWB took that idea and recorded similar "12 days" songs for several other NFL teams. We gained national press coverage (AP, CBS, ABC) with our version of the "12 days of the Cleveland Brown Christmas". We sold many 45rpm records in Cleveland. However, we did recordings for San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Dallas Cowboys which were not as successful.
18 comments:
Hello Mr. Walters,
My name is Dan and I run an 80's show in Erie PA. I found this blog by searching for the Houston Oilers 12 days of Christmas. I currently own the Bengals, Browns and Steelers version of the song. I wanted to spotlight the 4 versions from the old AFC Central in December on the show. I've come to find there were many other versions. I was hoping you might be able to help me out. I'd love to find all the versions of this song, whether it be on 45, mp3 or whatnot. Please e-mail me at hott80s@hotmail.com if you could.
Thank you,
Dan
Mr. Clark Walter -
I am having such a great time listening to Elliott, Walter and Bennett's Albums. I have 6 of them and recently just got them transferred to Mp3. Listening right now to I Know How You Feel - She. Wow.. what memories these are bringing back. I was a young teenager of 13 when I first saw you guys. Listening to these albums which I have not played in gosh, at least 25 years, all the lyrics came back like it was yesterday. You guys were immensely talented and nice guys to boot. Just wanted to let you know your music lives on. Thanks for all the great memories.
Lynn
ps. Any chance you could upload tunes to Youtube? Your music needs to be shared!!
Hi Clark -
I have your music, now separated into each individual track from the Elliott, Walter and Bennett Albums. The only one I did not get transferred to Mp3 was the Double "Jam" album. I want to share EWB music but I do not want to infringe on any copyright issues. Any chance you could send me an email? And let me know your thoughts and all? I just want to do what is best for you guys.. and honestly, the more I listen, the more I realize just how good you guys were. Your music needs and should be shared! Oh.. My full name is Lynn Durkee and my email is pldurkee@att.net. This comment you do not need to post. You will never remember me but I had to move away to Central Texas.. from Missouri City, TX in the summer of 1978. My Uncle went and saw you guys and got "We Could Go on Forever" for me. You signed it "Best Wishes to the Water-Ski Champion". Reading about Jerrel.. I am just beside myself.. I cannot imagine how hard that was/is for you and also his family. I hope to hear from you. Thanks for the time.
Lynn
I remember the Philadelphia Eagles version of the Twelve Days. I even had it on cassette tape (in terrible quality, recorded off of an AM station by holding the recorder next to the radio) at one point, but I've long since lost that tape. Every now and then I go looking for it online, but I can never find it.
I'm glad to know that I'm not crazy, at least.
Hey Clark Walter, how are you? My wife and I used to follow EWB -- even before Jerry Bennett joined the group -- first at Village Pizza in Pasadena and later the Steak-n-Ale on I-59S. We were there the night Emery delivered the first copies of your first 33 1/3 rpm vinyl album. My daughters and grand-daughters grew up hearing our nightly renditions of "Ragedy Anne." Thanks for the good times. George and Janet
Hi Clark! I'm so thrilled to have found your blog. I have often wondered what became of you. Thank you for the many years of wonderful music through all of your various incarnations. I loved them all. Sincerely, Robyn Bain
Hi Clark! Hope you are still sharing your voice at church or somewhere. I recall the loss of Jerrel and then Scott. Scott taught me to play guitar and I used to come see you guys with friend like Cindy and Diane Porter. I still have my EWB records and cassette tapes and listen to them now and then. I still play for run with friends ... I loved your music and comedy ! Can’t find it anymore at the level you guys were at Holiday Inn Crown Plaza
In the 1980s. jf.frantz@yahoo.com. Would love to hear from you.
I am listening right now to a vinyl album of yours from HEW (with Roy Prince on the drums). I was a little kid enjoying your music and comedy at the Village Inn Pizza Parlor like every weekend(?) with my parents and my annoying brothers. Listening to "Don't say goodbye to a friend.". I must have been 6 or 8 years old. You guys autographed and aign d the album for me, a little brat kid. I remember Roy Prince playing the drums with his elbows, he was so good. And all of your music and comedy being so awesome. I miss those days with my parents and brothers and you guys. My parents later found y'all with Bennett who is also awesome and they gave me that autographed album which I am fixing to listen to. Love you guys!! Miss y'all!!
Dear Clark,
I’m so glad I found this blog! My husband and I use to come to hear y’all at Steak and Ale off 59 and Hillcroft!
Last night we were in the pool talking about EWB and your version of London Homesick Blues. Today we had to get your album out to listen to your songs!! I really like Love lifted me. I remember my grandma singing that song when I was a kid!
Such great memories 😁. Hope you are well and staying safe. God bless you and have a fantastic Easter. He Is Risen✝️
Frank and Sally Cario
Thank you, Frank and Sally. If you would like a CD sent to you. Let me know (free). Cwaltertx@gmail.com
Clark,
Just found a SIGNED copy of Zeta Reticuli at a record store in Arkansas and we’re trying to find more about the band. Do you happen to remember signing “Darrel, best wishes and happy birthday”?
PS, the bass is groovy
Hi my aunt and mother used to take me to bars to hear your music as a child. I have fond memories of singing the song “my dream came true it looked like you it felt moved and walked like you” but I cannot remember the name of that song. I liked all the songs on your album. I played them until the right track split. I had a couple of your eight tracks actually. I don’t have them anymore because they broke. Do you have your title album and any other albums available on cd or digitially? Or I will take a vinyl record if needed. I would be happy to pay for them. I really want to her your music agajn. It reminds me fondly of my childhood and my parents. Thank you. Sabrina. I can be reached at sword7137@gmail.com
Fond memories of you at Steak and Steak and Ale on Southwest Freeway when my husband of 43 years next January and I were dating. One night one of our group, a parrot head , asked, for a Jimmy Buffett song. The response: “ We don’t do Jimmy Buffett, but his little brother “seafood” is playing at the Holiday Inn down the street.” Yeah, drinks were three for one.
Hey, Clark, I am not sure if You Remember Me, ai am Sean"Sharp Dressed Man" Neumann, Son of Rick and Elaine Neumann from Houston, Texas. My Father is in Hospice. If you remember our Family email me at saneumannmo@gmail.com
Hey Clark - it’s Bonnie Steele. I don’t even know how your blog showed up while I was searching for something else. I didn’t know u had a blog. It was fun reading all of them. . I have thought of EWB often over the years. Loved your performances and friendships. Would love to catch up sometime. Hope your family is well. I have 4 grown kiddos and 7 grandkids! Love it!
My mom, Carolyn Lowen, used to bring me to EWB shows when I was around 10-11 at the Steak & Ale I’m Houston. I had a few of your albums as well.
Good to see you’re still out and about. An ex-girlfriend and I, along with another couple (Ronnie & Peggy Smith) used to partake in an alcoholic beverage (or 2) when EWB played at The Railhead and Steak n Ale on the Southwest Freeway back in the day. Fortunately, I got custody of the albums when the ex and I split up. Since then, my Beautiful & Charming new wife, realizing how much I enjoyed them, had them put on CD years later. It’s great to be able to slip in one of the cds while on a road trip. Still enjoying the music, And the trip down memory lane 40+ years later.
I saw you guys at Steak and Ale early Jan 1979 in Houston. Still have 2 eight tracks we bought from you after the show. It was a pleasure hearing your music.
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