J.R. Williams Is Boss

Peter Bagge & J.R. Williams

A million thanks to J.R. Williams for updating the Ichiban blog header!!  You can catch his act at the Stumptown Comics Fest later this month in Portland, Oregon.  Fix up your pads, Dads, with some fab original art!

I'm Not Crazy Yet (MP3)

Ray Price - I'm Not Crazy Yet

I Can't Run Away From Myself (MP3)

Ray Price - I Can't Run Away From Myself

Ray Price Month

Ray Price - All Right (I'll Sign The Papers)

Another day in April, another Ray Price classic. This one, written by Mel Tillis, examines the crumbled ruins of a broken marriage. Image courtesy of Pure Country: The Leon Kagarise Archives, 1961 - 1971.

Jayne Mansfield Learns To Monkey

Rocky Roberts schools Jayne Mansfield on how to properly do The Monkey, June 1964. From the priceless JET archives.

Editor's note: She almost couldn't stop!!  (Thanks to Bob the Sponge)

Ray Price Tells It Like It Is

The interview below, published in the October 1969 issue of Country Song Roundup magazine, features Ray Price taking stock within the context of an in-depth discussion of his life and career up to that point. One of the central topics is the firestorm of controversy that arose in the late 60s when Price's records began to shift stylistically and more prominently feature backing vocals and string sections, flourishes that caused great consternation among some of his long-time fans, well-known for their passionate appreciation for Price's signature honky-tonk sound.

The Bunnies of London

The Bunnies of London - Gimme Some Lovin'
Captured live at the Playboy Club in London in 1969! Playboy Bunnies! Singing! About what you'd expect! Entire Album Here

Ray Price Month

Ray Price - Walking Slow (And Thinking 'Bout Her)

Image courtesy of Pure Country: The Leon Kagarise Archives, 1961 - 1971.

The !!!! Beat

For the whole scoop on this program, be sure to check out Robert Wilonsky's article in the Dallas Observer from a few months back. The image was borrowed from the Ebony archives.

Ray Price Month!

Heartaches By the Numbers

Heart Over Mind

Kissing Your Picture (MP3)

Ray Price - Kissing Your Picture (2:41)

From 1959, here's Ray Price achieving honky-tonk perfection with a song written by Wayne Walker and Mel Tillis.

In the photo: Ray strikes a pose with his fiddle player, Shorty Lavender (on the left) and his manager, Hubert Long (on the right).