From:   Flippar 
Date:  Fri Jan 18, 2002  3:37 pm
Subject:  Ric Cartey

 
RIC CARTEY

Born Whaley Thomas Cartey January 18th 1937 in Atlanta Georgia .

Atlanta Music man Bill Lowrey had recorded Ric`s band the Jiv-A-Tones at a
radio studio in Atlanta for his Stars label. The 45 Ooh-eee written by Jerry
Reed had scored a 90 in Billboard`s November 24 1956 issue. Lowery played the
song for Ken Nelson the Capitol A & R man, who passed on the tune and the
singer but literally flipped over the B side, Young Love . Ric had written
this teen lament for his current girlfriend Carole Joyner. Nelson gave the
song to new Capitol artist Sonny James and the rest is history, becoming a
multi million seller for both Sonny and actor Tab Hunter who`s Dot 45 reached
number 1, for 6 weeks.

Ironically then, Ric was the recognized as a songwriter but not as an artist.
Lowery approached Steve Sholes the RCA A&R man who promptly bought Lowery`s 4
masters - Young Love, Ooh-Eee, Heart Throb and I Wancha To Know and signed
Ricto a contract, the 4 sides were promptly issued on RCA but made not a
ripple.

Ric then recorded in Nashville in March 57 for RCA with Chet Atkins
producing, despite songs from Jerry Reed and Joe South, with Reed playing
guitar, there were no hits. In July Ric returned with Reed, Ray Stevens on
piano and Lightnin`Chance on bass but still no hit despite 5 45s for RCA,
despite 2 worthy Willie Dixon r&b covers

Ricand the Jiva-Tones cut the seminal Scratching On My Screen ( based on folk
blues classic Digging My Potatoes) on NRC 503 with Reed and South on guitars
(The Jiva-Tones also cut the stone classic Flirty Gertie on Fox, then
Felsted). Cartey`s career never took off like Lowery`s other protégés. He
recorded for NRC, ABC and El-Rico, maintaining his links with Lowery before
eventully assuming ownership of Lowery`s talent agency. Ric lives in Atlanta
having wisely invested the income fromYoung Love.

(Thanks to Jay Orr`s notes in the CMF cd booklet)

Recommended listening
Get Hot Or Go Home RCA rockabilly 56-59 CMF/BMG cd
That`ll Flat Git it vol 1 RCA Bear Family cd
Rocking From Coast To Coast Vol 2 Ace cd incs Scratching On My Screen
(Jiva-Tones Flirty Gertie is on Vol 1)