Dean Beard
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Dean Beard (August 31, 1935 - April 4, 1989) was an American rockabilly musician, known as the "West Texas Wild Man".[1]
Early life
Beard was born in Santa Anna, Texas. He was the son of Raymond and Opral (Baker) Beard. He lived in Coleman most of his life. In high school, he and his friends formed a band called the Crew Cats.
Career
He played at a night club with Elvis Presley. Beard's first record "Red Rover"/ "Wake Up Jacob" was released a week later for Fox Records. The record had very little success and so did the label. Months later, they released another single, "Time Is Hangin' Heavy On My Hands" /" Sing, Sing, Sing", to a little more success.
Sun Records
In 1956 and 1957, he recorded for Sun Records, but none of his songs were released.
Rakin' and Scrapin'
In 1957, he recorded "Rakin' and Scrapin'" on Edmoral records, and another version a month later at Atlantic Records. He recorded it with, Jimmy Seals on Saxophone and drummer Dash Crofts. He kept making records for Atlantic such as "Party Party". Earlier that year, he teamed up with Slim Willet to write songs together.
Challenge Records
He recorded for Challenge Records in 1958, and was also a pianist with The Champs, who also had a contract with that label.
In 1959, he got fired from the Champs because he was accused of taking part of the cut meant for Seals and Crofts, but made one more record for Challenge that year.
Later life
He kept recording for different labels, with less success.
His last single was in 1966 for Sims records. It was called "Are There Honkey Tonks In Heaven" / "Pocketfull Of Stardust". He achieved recognition in the 70s and 80s playing live music.
Death
He died in Coleman, Texas Hospital on April 4, 1989 from health problems.
Discography
| Year | Title | Label # | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Red Rover / Wake Up, Jacob | Fox 45-405 | |||
| 1955 | Sing, Sing, Sing / Time Is Hanging Heavy on My Hands | Fox 45-408 | |||
| 1957 | Rakin and Scrapin / On My Mind Again | Edmoral 1011-45 | |||
| 1957 | Rakin and Scrapin / On My Mind Again | Atlantic 45-1137 | |||
| 1957 | Party, Party / Stand By Me | Atlantic 45-1162 | |||
| 1958 | Hold Me Close / Take Time to Love Me | Atlantic 45-1182 | |||
| 1958 | Egad, Charlie Brown / Keeper of the Key | Challenge 59033 | |||
| 1959 | Little Lover / Holding on to a Memory | Challenge 59048 | |||
| 1959 | Little Koko Herrera / Moon Over Mexico (B-side by Chris & Paul Herrera) | Villa 101 | |||
| 1962 | (Ciudad) Villa Acuña / The Day That I Lost You | Gaylo BM-112 | |||
| 1962 | Villa Acuña / The Day That I Lost You | Candix 341 | |||
| 1962 | Tropical Night / Coffee Break | Joed JT-715 | |||
| 1962 | The Red Rose / I Don't Know How | Winston 1063 | |||
| 1963 | That's How It gets Sunup / Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes | Winston 1073 | |||
| 1963 | My Roberta / No Love for Me | Winston 1074 | |||
| 1964 | Strawberry Shake / You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven | Gina RT-1116 | |||
| 1965 | Party, Party / You Don't Have to Go Home (But You Can't Stay Here) | Sangelo 1/2 | |||
| 1966 | Pocketfull of Stardust / (Are There) Honkytonks in Heaven | Sims 299 | |||
| Unreleased songs | |||||
| 1956 |
|
Sun | |||
| 1958 |
|
Challenge | |||
|
|||||
|
[status unknown] | ||||
References
- ^ Dean Beard. Texas State Historical Association.