RIVERS, JACK
Hoedown ad, "Seattle Post-Intelligencer" November 9, 1951 p.44
Homebase: Seattle, WA / Federal Way, WA / Scottsdale, AZ
Stats: b. December 16, 1917- d. February 1, 1989 (Apache Junction, AZ.)
ALSO SEE:
1.) Rivers Boys, Jack
2.) Rivers Singing with String Band, Jack [Coral #64072}
3.) Rivers and His Muddy Creek Cowboys, Jack [Trilon #18575]
4.) Rivers and His River Boys, Jack [MacGregor #LB57]
5.) Rivers and His Texas Tornadoes, Jack
6.) Rivers & The Detours, Jack
7.) Lewis, Texas Jim
8.) Lewis, "Sheriff Tex
9.) Lewis and His Rainier Rangers, Texas Jim
10.) Lewis An' Sons Texas Jim & Jack Rivers, Evangelist Fiddlin' Jim
11.) Rivers and Janie Tucker, Jack
12.) Rivers and His Rock-A-Kats, Jack
13.) Rivers and His J-R Ranch Gang, jack
JACK RIVERS - THE NORTHWEST'S HOTSHOT COUNTRY GUITARIST
by Peter Blecha, text copyright, the author.
Rivers “Tiny” Lewis was fathered by James Lewis (a one-time U.S. Marshall turned county-sheriff turned moonshiner and old-time fiddler, who finally ended up as a traveling evangelist. The Lewis family had a band that trailed along playing in churches and tent revival shows while working their way from Fort Meyers, Florida, to Texas. In time Rivers branched out, and at age 12 in 1932, took on his first secular gig playing in a “blind pig” speakeasy in a duo along with a mouth harpist remembered only as Bob. When the joint was raided “the police would get me out the back door with ‘Don’t ever let me catch you in here again!’” a couple years later he formed an actual band, along with his older half-brother, “Texas Jim” Lewis (bass), Eugene “Smokey” Rogers (banjo), and Kenneth Mill (fiddle). They worked their way up to Detroit where and scored a gig at WMBC radio. They also began working a nightclub run by the notoriously rough Purple Gang.
Jack Rivers and bandmate, Tacoma, August 9, 1957. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Public Library
Meanwhile James Lewis got hired to serve as a preacher for the Church of God in Toledo, Ohio, and the whole family went along – except brother Jim (and Smokey) who stayed on working clubs in Detroit. Rivers, age 15, couldn’t find gigs in Toledo but began teaching guitar at the Honolulu Conservatory of Music and playing a few private parties with a Hawaiian group. At age 16 he hired on with Roy Smith’s band doing a weekly program on WSPD radio, and playing for dances five nights a week.
By 1936 Texas Jim and the Lone Star Cowboys were touring widely and wound up in New York City. That’s about when the boys began recording for record labels including Vocalion Decca. Then when Smokey decided he wanted to take a break, he and Rivers traded gigs: Smokey joined Smith, and Rivers rejoined his brother’s band. While gigging in California – under the stage name of “Jack Rivers” – he began working with various country singers including Roy Rodgers, Eddie Dean, Jimmy Wakely and Spade Cooley, until the day he was drafted into the military. After three years overseas, he returned to the country scene in California only to discover that all those other guys – as well as brother Jim – were now recording and western film stars in Hollywood. Rivers quickly got in on the action: Jimmy Wakely offered him a spot in his band, the Saddle Pals and Rivers contributed guitar to their hits including “Easy To Please,” “Milkcow Blues,” and “Mine All Mine”. Next, he joined Stuart Hamblen’s band, doing their radio program on KFWB, and cutting hits including “It Is No Secret,” “This Ol’ House”, “I Won’t Go Huntin’ With You (But I’ll Go Chasin’ Women)”, and “Remember Me (I’m The One Who Loves You)”. After that Rivers made appearances on the Gene Autry Show and the Foy Willing Show. In 1942 Rivers appeared in his first Hollywood movie Laugh Your Blues Away, which was followed in 1946 by Song of the Sierras which featured Jimmy Wakely.
In May 1946 Jack Rivers and His Muddy Creek Cowboys recorded “Detour” and “At Least A Million Tears”, and that September he cut “Texas Tornado” with the Texas Tornadoes. In 1947 Rivers became one of the very first players to own an electric solid-body guitar. Custom-made for him by the fabled SoCal-based machinist, Paul Bigsby. Then in 1948 he recorded “Dear Oakie” and “My Daddy Is Only A Picture.” Meanwhile Rivers also began getting hired to record guitar lines for scores of movie soundtracks, becoming that era’s first-call studio guitarist. Rivers could be heard in 1948 on Capitol Records hits including Hank Thompson’s “Humpty Dumpty Heart,” Jimmy Wakely’s “One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart).” Then in on Gene Autry’s hits for Columbia Records, including 1949’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and 1950’s “Peter Cottontail”, as well as that same year’s “Cry of the Wild Goose” which a hit for Columbia by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Later that year both Lewis brothers headed up to Seattle where Jim soon gained notoriety as the host of KING-TV's kiddie show, Sheriff Tex's Safety Junction and Rivers also hosted KING's beer-fueled hillbilly music program, Rainier Ranch, as well as KIRO-TV's Raging River Ranch show. In 1952 Rivers entered Seattle’s Electricraft recording studio (622 Union Street) and recorded his “Navy Hot Rod” single for the studio’s Listen Records label. The song showcased his hot guitar licks and was a thematic knockoff of the then-trendy saga of racing jalopies – a fad that had been launched by Bremerton’s Arkie Shibley and the Mt. Dew Boys and their 1950 hit, “Hot Rod Race,” and was later followed up by Spokane's Charlie Ryan whose “Hot Rod Lincoln” broke out as a hit in 1955. Listen Records also released a 3-disc set of records that featured all three Lewis men and was credited to: Evangelist Fiddlin’ Jim Lewis An’ Sons Texas Jim and Jack Rivers. In 1953 Rivers was back in Hollywood where he appeared in another film, The Marshall’s Daughter which also included Jimmy Wakely and Tex Ritter. In 1954 he played guitar on Wesley Tuttle’ s hit for RCA Records, “Truck Driving Man.” Returning to the Seattle-Tacoma country scene and led his band around the area playing live at area roadhouses including Seattle’s Circle Tavern (9602 E. Marginal Way) and Coe's Country Club (NE 110th Street & 10th Avenue NE). They also began recording for some a few labels that Rivers launched including Ranch Records, JR Ranch, NOW, and MRM Records. It was in 1964 that Rivers moved on, resurfacing with a new TV show in Bakersfield, California, and leading a new band that for a spell included a young musician/singer named Merle Haggard. He and his wife Alsie finally settled for good in Apache Junction, Arizona, where they ran the Alsie Records company. Rivers kept on working the nightclub circuit, even taking his band The Detours over to Honolulu, Hawaii, where they cut the At The Sandbox album. Rivers Lewis passed away in Apache Junction on February 11, 1989.
MISC NOTES: This was recorded and released prior to Jack Rivers moving to the Northwest around 1950.
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL: Jack Rivers and his Muddy Creek Cowboys; The Plainsman (vocals)
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX: T 1005
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Cargill
B-SIDE MATRIX: T 1007
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Westmoreland
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
Blue Vinyl
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Jimmy Wakely
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: George "Shug" Fisher
B-SIDE PUBLISHER:
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
Vocal With Western Band / Vocal With Western Band
A-SIDE MATRIX: 3363 Y
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Doy O'Dell - Rudy Sooter
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: No Listing
B-SIDE MATRIX: 3364 Z
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Shug Fisher
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: No Listing
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
Vocal With String Band / Vocal With String Band
A-SIDE MATRIX: SA - 795
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Stan Jones
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: (ASCAP)
B-SIDE MATRIX: SA - 796
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Massey - Burge - Robinson
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: (ASCAP)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
Known Label Designs:
1,) A - B promo label. White background. Reddish disc logo, numerals and lettering including SAMPLE COPY NOT FOR SALE *
2.) A - B retail label. Orange background. Black disc logo, numerals and lettering. *
Singing With String Band / Singing With String Band
A-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) L 5900
2.) L 5900
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.)
2.)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Happy Wilson - Ruth Keener
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Acuff - Rose Publications (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) L 5902
2.) L 5902
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.)
2.)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Texas Jim Lewis - Sam Houston Allen
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Johnstone Montrei, Inc. (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
76074. A star follows this matrix number likely meaning this was the preferred recording
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - B retail label. Orange background. Black disc logo numerals and lettering.
Instrumental / Vocal With Instrumental Accompaniment
A-SIDE MATRIX: 76073
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Texas Jim Lewis
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: No Listing
B-SIDE MATRIX: 76074
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Neil Levand - Edith Cunnell
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: No Listing
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
Known Label Designs:
1,) A - B promo label. White background. Reddish numerals and lettering.
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER:
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER:
B-SIDE PUBLISHER:
MISC NOTES: Also released in Canada: Coral #64084
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL: Singing With String Band
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
A-SIDE MATRIX: L 5901
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Jack Rivers
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX: L 5902
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Jack Rivers
B-SIDE PUBLISHER:
MISC NOTES: This disc is listed in the Listen / J R Ranch Records catalog -- with a note informing: "To be re-issued on Listen Records." Circa 1952.
LOCATION: Seattle
RECORDING PERSONNEL: Jack Rivers (guitar);
RECORDING STUDIO: Electricraft
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX: ME 1427
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ME 1427
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Young-Harris
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Shapiro -Bernstein & Co., Inc.
B-SIDE MATRIX: ME 1427 +
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ME 1427 +
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Laverne-Guiger
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: J R Ranch Music
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
B-SIDE MATRIX: ME 1421B
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Lavern - Dick Guiger
MISC NOTES: Reviewed in Billboard magazine (9.13.52).
LOCATION: Seattle
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO: Electricraft
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES: Also issued in 10" / 78 rpm format.
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER:
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER:
B-SIDE PUBLISHER:
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
A-SIDE MATRIX: 1144
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: J. Rivers - O.P. Gaut
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Glad Music (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX: 1145
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: J. Rivers - O.P. Gaut
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Glad Music (BMI
MISC NOTES:
1.& 2.) Monarch Records delta (^) numbers point toward these discs having been pressed May - June, 1960.
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1,) A - B promo label. White background. Black disc logo, numerals and lettering.
2.) A - B retail label. Orange background. Black disc logo, numerals and lettering.
A-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) S - 1133
2.) S - 1133
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) S - 1133 ^35550 (etched)
2.) S - 1133 ^35550 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Ashlock
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Mono (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) S - 1134
2.) S - 1134
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) S - 1134 ^35550 - X (etched)
2.) S - 1134 ^35550 - X (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER:
Roberts - Darnell
(New Lyric By Red River Dave)
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Bob Miller Music (ASCAP)
MISC NOTES:
Monarch Records delta (^) numbers point toward this disc having been pressed January - February, 1962.
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE:7"
SPEED:45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX: S - 1190
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: 45 S - 1190 ^41810 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Peggi & Ken Griffith
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: J.R. Ranch Music (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX: S - 1191
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: 45 S - 1191 ^41810 - X (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER:Jack Rivers
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Mono Music, Inc. (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1RA.) A - B retail label. Black background. Silver accent lines, numerals and lettering.
A-SIDE MATRIX:
1RA.) MRM - 1013
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1RA.) MRM - 1013 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: N. & J. Sherman
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Sweco Music Corp.
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1RA.) MRM - 1014
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1RA.) MRM - 1014 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Arr. by Jack Rivers
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Public Domain
MISC NOTES: The "D.O.W." portion of this song title was a reference to the phrase "Dirty Old Witch." As "D.O.W.," it appeared on the Alsie album Europe At Night (#501).
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT:Disc
SIZE:7"
SPEED:45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER:J. Rivers
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER:J. Rivers
B-SIDE PUBLISHER:
MISC NOTES: Audiodiscs sleeve & labels.
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
RECORDING PERSONNEL: Jack Rivers (vocals, guitar);
RECORDING STUDIO: Northwest Recorders
RECORDING ENGINEER: Oliver Runchie (?)
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: acetate
A-SIDE MATRIX: J-R Ranch ME 1427 [handwritten on label]
B-SIDE MATRIX: J-R Ranch ME 1427 [handwritten on label]
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:*
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER:
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER:
B-SIDE PUBLISHER:
MISC NOTES: Rivers' "If You Would Only Be Mine", the A side of this disc, was included in the soundtrack of the Hollywood western film, The Marshall's Daughter (1953).
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Jack Rivers
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER:
B-SIDE PUBLISHER:
MISC NOTES:
Artist as printed on disc labels: JACK RIVERS and STRING BAND
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER:
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 10"
SPEED: 78 rpm
DISC NOTES: *
A-SIDE MATRIX: SA - 805
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Leon Rene
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: No Listing
B-SIDE MATRIX: S - 832
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Hank Williams
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: No Listing
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER: Fred Rasmusson
FORMAT: Disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER:
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER:
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: