Busy Line

Billy Williams Quartet
MGM Records K11117

1951


 Busy Line

 

Bio/discography can be found here

A Gruntin' And A Groanin' (The Wrestlers Song)

Maurice Tillet "The French Angel"

Scat Man Crothers's  recording of “A-Gruntin’ And A-Groanin’ (The Wrestlers Song)" backed by the Red Callender Sextet, combined R&B with professional wrestling, which was just getting some high profile popularity on TV out of the Olympic Auditorium in L.A.   It was issued on Intro in 1951, a subsidiary of Aladdin Records. The Billboard's reviewer wasn't that impressed by this side : "Another case of a good performance and flimsy material, here some nonsense about the wrestling matches" (Billboard, May 26, 1951)

The French Angel (picture above) was one of these wrestlers who appeared in L.A. at that time. Maurice Tillet (The French Angel's real name) is widely believed to have been the inspiration for the cartoon character "Shrek", although DreamWorks has never confirmed precisely from where Shrek's inspiration arose.

A Gruntin' And A Groanin' (The Wrestlers Song)

Shot Gun Boogie

 Rosemary Clooney

Shot Gun Boogie

Columbia Records

 1951

Tennessee Ernie Ford cover recorded in New York, January 27,1951 :   Rosemary Clooney: Vocal; Mitch Miller: Leader; Mundell Lowe: Guitar; Robert Haggart: Bass; Terry Snyder: Drums; Buddy Weed: Piano; Budd Johnson: Trumpet

Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002).   Born in Maysville, Kentucky. Along with her sister Betty and brother Nick, Clooney was shuttled between her alcoholic father and her mother who traveled constantly.   Eventually, the two daughters moved to Cincinnati when Rosemary was 13.  After collecting soda bottles for money to survive, the two sisters successfully auditioned for a spot on Cincinnati's WLW Radio in 1945.   Clooney's record, "Come On-a-My House," became a big hit in 1951. It also started her career as a star and headliner.

Mighty Ernie holding the Capitol Tower in Hollywood