Mystery 45 'Escanaba' surfaces

Just call it the great Escanaba record mystery.

The case involves a rarely seen 45 rpm single with a 1978 copyright.

The seven inch disc is topped with the attention grabbing song title, "Escanaba."

I first heard the tune in a Madison nightclub during a business trip to the Wisconsin capital when I was working as public relations director for the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) in the early 1980s.

The band billed themselves as the "Dopes." They performed "Escanaba" during their show, as my office-mates and I shouted our enthusiasm.

Band members sold the 2-minute 49-second disc during their performances and I bought a copy as a souvenir.

It's an upbeat rock song with a catchy chorus: "Escanaba, where are you; How did we wind up here? Escanaba let me go; I'll forget you in another year."

While "Escanaba" is the A side of the single, it’s backed by "There Are Ways."

There are no song-writing credits given on the nondescript black & white label, although it does have a line stating, "all rights reserved." In addition, the label credits "Duck Recordings" and notes the disc was recorded at Pepperhead Ranch.

Pepperhead was a recording studio and label located outside Madison. Little information is available about the facility, but various bands did record there, including an outfit known as Windjammer. The songwriter and rythym guitarist for Windjammer was Gary Sohmers. Now known as the "King of Pop Culture," Sohmers operates Wex Rex collector's shop, hosts his own national radio show and appears on the "Antiques Roadshow" television program on PBS. Another band which recorded for Pepperhead was a power trio called Radioactive.

Pepperhead 45s were privately pressed in extremely small quantities, received limited distribution and even less radio play. Sometimes the public can be extremely inattentive, even when a rock 'n' roll band puts its best efforts forward.

When I returned home from the Madison trip, I spun the "Escanaba" disc a few times and filed it away.

Then, surfing eBay, the giant Internet auction house a few weeks ago, I came across a 45 listing with a song called "Escanaba." The tune was credited to a band named "Zoom."

Not recognizing the band’s name, I decided to buy the disc from the seller who's account name was "fastedy." Fastedy is a record dealer who has been operating on eBay since 1998 with a positive feedback rating of 99.9 percent.

So, I sent off my $6.99 plus $3.50 postage and a week later the 45 record arrived. With a purple label, the disc didn’t look familiar.

Credited to "Zoom," the label also noted the record was a Wilcox Production. But, like a good detective, I noticed something else.

The record I bought in Madison years ago had a white label pasted over the original purple one. Lo and behold, I had two copies of the identical record, with different artist credits.

So, are "Dopes" and "Zoom" the same band? Why was the label changed?

Perhaps there were legal or contractual problems. Perhaps there was a rift in the band. Perhaps they just decided to change their name, after all it's a free country.

Or, perhaps the band was trying a marketing strategy to sell additional copies of the single to gullible people who had already purchased it.

The mysteries abound.

'Ski saga adds new chapter

They've got a new name, a new member and a new compact disc.

They're 'Ski. That's the truncated moniker for the musical Morski family. The new member is Brian, who joins his mother Kathryn and sister Caitlin to form a rockin' little folk outfit performing and recording original acoustic material.

The group unveiled a fresh recording, "Live at the Jo," during a performance April 14 at 8th Street Coffee House as part of Delta Folks' 2006 season.

'Ski is truly a family affair and that closeness shines through with the warm voices of Kathryn and Caitlin and the expressive conga work offered by Brian. Kathryn adds her distinctive finger-style guitar, while Caitlin occasionally lends gentle flute embellishment.

A songwriter and performer for over 25 years, Kathryn works at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center in Escanaba. As a former resident of Illinois, Colorado, California, Washington and Nebraska, she combines worldly experience with a homey feel on her dozens of songs.

Kathryn spent 36 months on her debut disc, "Voice From the Blue Feather Lodge," released in 1997. "Imagine being pregnant for three years," she muses about the recording which includes 14 self-penned tunes. The disc was recorded in Wisconsin and Marquette, with Melody Recording mastering all cuts.

That was followed in 2004, by "Dialogue," another full-length disc, credited to Kathryn and Caitlin. Caitlin, an English major at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, wrote the opening track, "Chameleon," as well as "Live Life Love." The 12 remaining tracks were composed by Kathryn. The album was recorded at Cabin in the Woods and More Skies Ranch, mastered and duplicated in Madison, WI.

Several sampler discs have appeared as well-- one with an Upper Peninsula theme-- including the songs "Where I Live," "Harbor Town," "In Escanaba," "Downstate Girls," and "Superior."

Seeking to "drum up" interest in the group for touring this year, 'Ski recorded several gigs last November at Cuppa Jo Java in Rapid River. With the aim of waxing four originals for booking agents to review, 13 strong tracks emerged, enough for the family's third full-length compact disc.

That disc, which sparkles with charm, good humor and insight, premiered at last week's Delta Folks' performance.

And certainly, those traits are what the three Morskis stress in their live shows. Plus, you get plenty of intimate vocal harmony, courtesy of the ladies.

While humorous, witty tracks are special to the Morskis--take "Chicks With Swords," for example-- they also perform expressive blues and jazz-tinged originals with consummate craftsmanship.

Kathryn and Caitlin have been performing together for a decade and have toured the western and Midwestern United States. Now, after "concerted nagging," Brian is a full-fledged member. His musical contribution concentrates on the added resonance of his congas.

Despite the women's time-worn expertise in singing together, Brian has added a song from the Celtic band Gaelic Storm to the band's repertoire. In "Johnny Tarr," Brian tells the story of a hard-drinkin' chap, who notwithstanding his best efforts to the contrary, succumbs to thirst.

The Morskis, who have a cache of a hundred originals yet to be recorded, say they "love performing, in concerts and community festivals, at schools, libraries, and care residences, and presenting workshops on writing."

In fact, Kathryn and Brian sing for kids at the YMCA weekly, as well. That's when Brian isn't working at The Whiffletree or 8th Street Coffee House, booking gigs for the group, or doing construction work.

'Ski plans to tour this summer, adding another chapter in the saga of the musical Morskis. Go see 'em when you get the chance, buy their CD's, or even book them if you can.

You owe it to yourself.

'True Blue Bill' entertains

Call him "True Blue Bill" Charlebois. Bill's an Escanaba gentleman with considerable experience in the field of music.

He learned guitar at 14, and has recorded two compact discs-- a total of 33 songs-- since last fall. He performs, too, singing old country songs every Tuesday at 8th Street Coffee House.

And to top it off, Bill celebrated his 95th birthday on April 10. Yes, that's 95 years old. His family and friends marked the occasion during a surprise party at Rosy's Diner, 1313 Ludington St. Mayor Judi Schwalbach presented Bill with the key to the city and a proclamation from State Rep. Tom Casperson.

Bill and his wife Marieda get breakfast at Rosy's nearly every morning, walking to the restaurant from their southside home. Standing tall with a ready smile, Bill greets the diner's regulars.

But, many don't know about Bill's music career.

Guitar in hand, Bill appears at the coffee house most Tuesday evenings. On March 28, he donned a black cowboy hat and performed "True Blue Bill" and another song in French, no less. That saga details a bachelor's decision regarding which girl he should ask to marry him; a blond, a brunette, an Irish lass or a Canadian.

He was warmly received by the packed house which appreciated the clever humor presented in Bill's songs. A large entourage of the Charlebois family attended the show, watching Bill perform like a troubadour. The Charlebois' family, by the way, includes five daughters, two sons, 24 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren..

Born in 1911, Bill grew up in a French-speaking family in the Flat Rock area. In 1925, he took a correspondence course and taught himself to read music and play guitar. Bill said he "had a lot of fun playing as a teenager," and had a band in the 1930s called the Hay Shakers.

In his younger days, Bill played at townhall dances, church functions and house parties. He also performed with a lot of "old guys" many of whom played violin.

Bill fondly remembers a WPA (Works Progress Administration) Federal Music Project teacher sent here during the Great Depression. While Bill already knew how to play by this time the teacher taught many kids to play instruments and started a lot of bands.

Married in 1939, Bill and Marieda will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary on June 10. He worked for Birds Eye Veneer Co. for 30 years, retiring when the local plant closed in 1972.

Bill remembers old songs from his youth and has performed songs by Gene Autry, Jim Reeves and Eddy Arnold. Ask where his songs come from and Bill points and says, "They're in my head."

Bill's daughter Vickie Elie arranged for her father to record some of those songs at Wailin' Wayne Nault's recording studio. During sessions held last October and on Jan. 8, Bill recorded "Old Country Songs" Vol. 1 & 2.

Produced by Nault, Bill's discs feature his charming vocals and and guitar accompaniment on many rarely heard old country gems such as "Can I Sleep in Your Barn Tonight," "They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree," and "Lamp Lighting Time in the Valley."

The 95-year-old musician even gets a personal name-check in "True Blue Bill," a song who's author is unknown. In this comical ditty, the singer makes some outrageous claims and then adds in the chorus: "Oh, I'm a truthful fellow, they call me True Blue Bill. I have never told a falsehood, and I bet I never will."

Son-in-law Larry Elie first met Bill when his future father-in-law was performing at a country jamboree in the early 1950s on Escanaba radio station WDBC sponsored by local business Wise Brothers Jewelry. Larry later met and married Bill's daughter Vickie.

For a copy of Bill's compact discs, call Vickie at 789-9366.

By the way, Happy Birthday, Bill. And, best wishes with your musical career.

When songs recall memories

To say music can be the soundtrack to your life is a bit of a cliche, but it's true nonetheless. Hearing certain songs can bring back memories you might have otherwise forgotten. For your edification, here are some songs which recall memories for me.

"Blue Velvet," Bobby Vinton, 1963- Nothing takes me back to junior high school days better than this song. We even had a program in the William W. Oliver auditorium during which student Judy Pepin sang a memorable version of this hit.

"Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," Lesley Gore, 1965- From the film, "Ski Party," this wasn't one of Leslie's bigger hits. Still it reminds me of the crowd of kids going to Saturday matinees at the Delft Theater to see the teen movies starring Frankie Avalon and the titillating Annette Funicello. Following the show, I raced home to do my paper route.

"Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)," John Fred and his Playboy Band, 1967- A parody of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," I loved his song and bought it as a 45. And, I snickered when I heard it on the radio, due to the salacious lyrics: "Cross your heart, yeah, with your livin' bra." Nothing takes me back to 10th grade like this song.

"This Magic Moment," Jay and the Americans, 1969- Our Escanaba High School graduating seniors picked this tune as the class song. Few probably realized it was actually a remake of a 1960 hit by the Drifters. We didn't pick the perennial "Color My World" by Chicago because it wasn't recorded yet.

"Bang a Gong (Get It On)," T-Rex, 1971- This song was a favorite, apparently, of our dorm neighbors at Central Michigan University's Herrig Hall. They played it disturbingly loud 24 hours a day. My roommates and I learned to detest the tune. In retribution, we played aboriginal chants and pounded beams into the walls. We probably annoyed ourselves as much as them.

"Wildlife," Wings, 1972- My friend Bob Nygaard and I kept this tape in the eight-track player during a road trip to Minneapolis. Thinking we were going to class-up ourselves by attending Shakespeare's plays "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "King Lear" at the Guthrie Theater, we instead became hooked on Paul McCartney's first disc with his new band. Critics, on the other hand, hated the album, but loved the plays.

"Angie," The Rolling Stones, 1973- This song broke out fast and received heavy airplay everywhere including the Green Bay market. It rang in my ears when, as a recent college graduate, I submitted job applications around Packerland hoping to secure work at the Green Bay Press-Gazette or one of the area's television stations. I didn't get a job, but the Rolling Stones scored a number one hit.

"Flat As A Pancake," Head East, 1976- Many local folks have fond memories for this album because it serves as a souvenir of the band's concert at the newly constructed Ruth Butler Exhibition Building. The place was jammed for one of the only major shows in Escanaba from that era not having to do with the U. P. State Fair. If you don't recall, Head East's hits included "Never Been Any Reason" and "Love Me Tonight." Unfortunately, most of their albums are out-of-print today.

"Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," Gordon Lightfoot, 1976- This classic about the tragic sinking of an ore carrier on Lake Superior on Nov. 10, 1975, brings me clearly back to that day. As city editor for the Daily Press, I heard the news from wire editor Bill Cadeau, who was visibly shaken, upon reporting to work that morning.

"(Just Like) Starting Over," John Lennon, 1980- After a five year break from recording to raise his son Sean, Lennon had released a new LP, featuring this song. At 6:30 a. m. on Dec. 9, my mother-in-law, Helen Hahn, called to tell us she heard one of the Beatles had been killed, but she didn't know which one. During his 7 o'clock broadcast on WDBC, Dave Andrews delivered the heartbreaking news that Lennon's return was cut short by a crazed assassin.

Well, those are some of the songs that trigger memories for me. Now, review your own.