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| Back row: Casey Green, Mike Milo, Larry Songer, Terry Hudson, Hosea Williams; Kneeling in front: Rick Grammer, Mike Ritchie |
- "Bird Train" / "She's Mine" [1963]
- "Lucille" / "I Just Lost The Girl I Love" [1964]
Band members of the group included Hosea Williams (vocals), Mike Ritchie (guitar), Rick Grammer (bass), Mike Milo (sax), Terry Hudson (sax), Paul McNalley (sax) and Larry Songer (drums). Additional vocalists in the group were Casey Green, Ernie Jennings and Joe Meriweather.
Both Chessmen singles were recorded at Technisonic Studios in St. Louis, Missouri.
The only other known release on the Riot-Chous label was a single by Joe Meriweather. It is likely that the Chessmen were the backing band on the single.
- "There's Nothin' I Wouldn't Do" / "Sweet Lorraine"
Prior to this release Meriweather sang and recorded with Preston Jackson & the Rhythm Aces. The group released singles on Vee-Jay and Hit Records (reissued on Hermitage).
Here is a rare TV performance circa 1966 of Joe Meriweather and the Chessmen on Marty's Dance Party (a live teen dance show hosted by Marty Roberts which aired on WTVP - Decatur and WICS - Springfield):
In 1966, Meriweather along with several members of the Chessmen merged with members of the Casuals (another Decatur group) to form the Reel Blues. The Reel Blues never released any records but several members did release a single as The Chosen Few in 1966.
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| The Reel Blues: Joe Meriweather, Rick Grammer, on top: Mike Ritchie & Larry Songer, Ted Dorman, Jim Gleeson, Mike Milo and Paul McNalley (1968) |
Music by the Chessmen and Joe Meriweather will be featured on the January 10th episode of the Downstate Sounds radio show.
Terry Hudson, with the Chessman, was my dad. Thanks for sharing this!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! What a great band. I wish they had made more records.
ReplyDeleteJoe Meriweather is my father. This was an awesome piece. Very cool to be able to experience this part of his life through this article. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMichael Milo was my father his Dad my Grandpa George Milo managed the group. I met Joe when I was younger, he stopped by to talk with my Grandma and Grandpa, what a great guy. Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteHi dad
Deletemy grandpa was Mike Milo he played sax, Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can’t help but to admire the songs “especially the songs my daddy sang(Sweet Lorraine) and many others. My daddy (Joe Meriweather ) he is gone and is missed, but NEVER forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI saw your dad sing with the Reel Blues at the Hayloft in Hoagland, IN several times. What an entertainer he was! Loved him & them. Some of the best shows I have ever seen.
DeleteSome of my best memories are of my dad, Joe Meriweather. Always singing. I hold them close until the time comes when we can see each other again.
ReplyDeleteSome of my best memories are of my dad, Joe Meriweather. Always singing. I hold them close until the time comes when we can see each other again. (Sorry for the duplicate comment. I forgot to add my name.)
ReplyDelete