From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sun Aug 11, 2002  2:28 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Stan Kesler

STAN KESLER (By Shaun Mather)

Born Stanley A. Kesler, 11 August 1928, Abbeville, Mississippi

Guitarist / songwriter / engineer / producer.
Stan Kesler is one of the pillars of the Memphis scene who has probably
been denied some of the credit that he deserves. As well as his involvement
in the local scene, he was also fortunate enough to have five of his songs cut
by Elvis Presley.
His career kicked off as a steel guitarist with the Snearly Ranch Boys (the
band who gave Warren Smith his start) in the Memphis/West Memphis area.
Together with the band trumpeter Bill Taylor he wrote I'm Left you're Right,
She's Gone which became Elvis' 4th single for Sun Records. His involvement
with Sam Phillips developed and he became a utility man for the label. He
also co-wrote Elvis' next single, I Forgot To Remember To Forget, with
rockabilly legend Charlie Feathers which became a big country hit. He was
scheduled to have Elvis's 6th single as well but the future King moved to RCA
before cutting another Kesler-Feathers composition, We're Getting Closer
To Being Apart.
His steel work underscored some beautiful moments in Sun's country catalogue,
Charlie Feathers and Miller Sisters being fine examples. He co-wrote Barbara
Pittman's 1956 debut I Need A Man before he launched the Echo studio in
Memphis with Jack Clement and started up Crystal Records. When Sam
Phillips moved from Union Avenue to Madison Ave he seemed to lose interest
in the business and began to give more production work the way of Kesler,
Scotty Mooore and Charles Underwood. Whilst there, Stan cut the massive hit,
Woolly Bully for Sam The Sham and the Pharoahs (1965).
As well as the Sun singles, Elvis also cut three great Kesler scribes,
Playing For Keeps, Thrill Of Your Love and If I'm A Fool (For Loving You).
In 1973 he produced Jerry Lee Lewis, highlights being I'm Left You're Right
She's Gone and the Mack Vickery number Honky Tonk Wine. In 1986 he
joined the cast of Sunstalwarts in the Sun Rhythm Section. He reunited with
Charlie Feathers in 1991 for Charlie's album on Elektra.