The Scholars (1) (Houston, Texas)
Personnel :
Al Eisman (Lead)
Kenny Rogers (First Tenor)
Bruce Mosier
John Kirby
Discography :
1956 - Poor Little Doggie / What I Did Wrong (Cue 7927)
1956 - Waddie / Spin The Wheel (Cue 7931)
1956 - Rocky Road / Spin The Wheel (Dot 15498)
1956 - If you listen with your heart / Poor Little Doggie (Dot 15519)
1956 - Beloved / I Didn't Want To Do It (Imperial 5449)
1957 - Eternally Yours / Kan-Gu-Wa (Imperial 5456)
Biography :
At
Jefferson Davis High School, though, Young Kenny Rogers began to
develop his childhood interest in music. He put together his first band,
a four–part harmony group called the Scholars. Through his friendship
with 17–year–old Houston DJ Larry Kane, Lelan (His brother and manager)
was able to ditch it all and get a job promoting and distributing
records first for the local label Cue, then for Decca Records where he
specialized in rhythm 'n' blues music.
The Scholars played the hits of the day, the pop, rhythm 'n' blues and especially vocal–harmony stuff that Kenny and his three bandmates enjoyed. Kenny sang the high parts, and played stand–up bass. The Scholars cut a couple of singles that sold around Houston, and subsequently the ante was upped via a one–shot deal with Dot Records. In 1956, Dot released "Rocky Road" b/w "Spin The Wheel" and "If You Listen With Your Heart" b/w "Poor Little Doggie". The Scholars appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
After a long, hot drive,
with Kenny's bass strapped to the roof of the car, the Scholars recorded
four sides in a Los Angeles studio "Beloved," with a song called
"Kangewah" on the B–side. Improbaby, "Kan-Gu-Wa" had been composed by
Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons; the Scholars reasoned that
she'd plug their record on her radio show and wammo, instant hit. The
Scholars disbanded after Kenny Rogers moved on to a solo career. In
1957 Kenny recorded "Crazy Feeling " released by Carlton records. The
Song went to N° 1 in Houston.
Songs :
The Scholars (1)
Beloved Eternally Yours
Kan-Gu-Wa I Didn't Want To Do It
What I Did Wrong Spin The Wheel
If You Listen With Your Heart Rocky Road
Waddie The Poor Little Doggie
Kenny Rogers
That Crazy Feeling