From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Mon Sep 9, 2002  1:17 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Joe Clay
 
JOE CLAY (By Jean-Marc Pezet)

Born Claiborne Joseph Cheramie, 9 September 1938, Harvey, Louisiana

School bus driver and Rockabilly legend

Encouraged by his parents, young Claiborne took an early interest in
country music and by the age of 12, was competent on drums, rhythm
guitar and bass. He formed a trio and had a regular 30-minute spot on
local radio, leading to appearances in Louisiana. During 1954 and 1955,
his local reputation was such that he appeared on Shreveport's Louisiana
Hayride, along with Elvis Presley (for whom he played drums once).

In 1956, RCA was in search of new talents and Joe (he had dropped the
Claiborne!) sent a demo tape. RCA liked it and set up a first session on
April 25, at Houston Gold Star studios, with Hal Harris and Link Davis.
Joe cut frenzied versions of Link Davis' "Sixteen Chicks" and Rudy
Grayzell's "Ducktail" that came out as his first Vik single. Despite fair
reviews, this single failed to make the charts, occupied by the original
versions, but Joe managed to get a spot on the Ed Sullivan Show, singing
"Only You", as Ol' Ed didn't want the raucous "Ducktail" to be performed!

One month later, on May 24, Joe made a trip to New York to cut his
second and final session, this time with ace guitarist Mickey Baker. An
odd choice to record straight rockabilly but one which proved successful,
at least for the sounds produced. Alas, the single culled from this session
"Cracker Jack" b/w "Get On The Right Track Baby" sank without a trace.

His RCA contract not renewed, Joe then headed back to New Orleans,
took a day job and played night spots in New Orleans. When he was
re-discovered by Willie Jeffery in 1986, Joe had been the school bus
driver in Gretna for 15 years!
A true legend of rockabilly (his original Vik 45's going for high prices
among European collectors), Joe made his first UK appearance at the
Weymouth Festival in 1986, followed by a show in Holland. He has been
a regular visitor since.

*ESSENTIAL* listening:
"Ducktail" Bear Family BCD 15516 (complete RCA/VIK recordings)