Hoosier Daddy: Mar-Vel' and the Birth of Indiana Rockabilly (3-CD)

by Various Artists

Hoosier Daddy tells the story of the pioneering and industrious Indiana record man, Harry Glenn, and his importance in bringing country rock and roll to the state of Indiana. Indiana, the Hoosier State, is not one that immediately springs to mind when considering the great centres of American musical excellence in the mid-20th century. Although the celebrated Vee-Jay Records was launched there in 1953, within months it had relocated to nearby Chicago. A host of jazz legends graduated from the clubs of the state capitol, Indianapolis, which had also played host to a lively blues scene in the 1920s and 1930s, but musicians tended to seek their fortunes elsewhere. By the mid-1940s, with the war effort in full swing, the influx of those leaving the southern states to colonise the north-western corner of Indiana, in pursuit of well-paid jobs was at an all-time high. While these migrants may have considered themselves neo-sophisticates with fat bank rolls in their pockets, they were homesick and pining for some down-home entertainment which was willingly supplied by other, musically-gifted migrants from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama. Into this maelstrom of musical talent entered a man with the desire to supply this untapped market, but not another Southern migrant Harry Glenn was a Hoosier born and bred... Hoosier Daddy is a massive 105-track 3 CD set compiled and annotated by rock & roll authority Dave Penny. In addition to long-cherished cult rockabilly favourites such as Bobby Sisco, Herbie Duncan, Chuck Dallis and Harry Carter, Hoosier Daddy includes a host of rare tracks from other more obscure performers, among them the first recordings of Jackie de Shannon. In addition to Harry Glenn and his Mar-Vel and Glenn labels, we also look at the other bastions of Indiana rockabilly across the state. All in all, a must-have for collectors of rockabilly. Hoosier Daddy? It has to be Fantastic Voyage! a limited edition 32-track 2 LP vinyl set is also available.