From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sat Mar 15, 2003  2:27 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Tommy McLain

TOMMY McLAIN (By Phil Davies)

Born Thomas McLain, 15 March 1940, Jonesville, Louisiana

Moved to Pinesville near Ferriday (Killerville) when 6 months old. Tommy
started singing in family house parties. Played in a high school band, there he
met with Gene Dunlap and his brothers, Dunlap went on to join Faron Young's
band. The Dunlap brothers played country music on the Louisiana Hayride.
Tommy's band the Crystals got on a tv talent show and played on local tv
regularly afterwards. After playing hillbilly, Tommy became heavily influenced
by the New Orleans sound of the day, Domino, Richard and Larry Williams in
particular.On club dates he met Bob Wills, Ray Price and played piano with Al
Ferrier & his Boppin' Billies (earning a cool $24 per gig).

Apparently he recorded with Al in Crowley. He then joined the Starliners and
eventually hooked up with Clint West after touring US military bases with Jack
Arnold & the Flames. Tommy played bass with the Rollercoasters who had a small
hit with an instro called Rimshot. Aound 1963 he played bass with Clint West &
The Boogie Kings on Jin. Tommy and Clint duetted on Try To Find Another man.
They recorded great songs like Another Saturday Night (Clint vocal) and Tommy's
song Who Needs You So Bad.

Tommy persuded label owner Floyd Soileau, to let him record a version of Don
Gibson's classic Sweet Dreams. He recorded it with a basic trio and the session
cost $90. Floyd delayed the release until he found out it was a favourite with
the staff at the local whore house (beats Pop Idol & Fame Academy any day!). He
licensed the record out on MSL and Tommy signed a deal with Huey Meaux. It
became a huge national hit, number 15 in the summer of 1966, swamp pop ruled
once again. He appeared on Where The Action Is ( a Dick Clark tv show) and
toured with the Yardbirds. Tommy reckons the song has sold 3 million plus,
unfortunately pills and managerial problems spoilt the broth.

A great shame that the stunning follow up, Robert Guidry's classic lament
Before I Grow Too Old (original by Fats) failed to click. He also turned down
Meaux's offer to record Before The Next Teardrop Falls, Freddy Fender did and
has been laughing all the way to the bank since. Freddy did record the original
flip of Sweet Dreams, I Need You So, written by Tommy, and the ensuing
royalties have eased the pain.

Tommy went back home and remains a star there to this day. Charlie Gillett
helped raise his international profile with the various artist Louisiana album
Another Saturday Night in the mid 70s, like Johnnie Allan he became a great
favourite abroad. Ace records have championed swamp pop/cajun well and Tommy
has a fine cd in their catalogue and appears on compilations too. He played on
the now legendary Another Louisana Saturday Night Show at The Grand In London
in 1993. The show was recorded, but alas, never came out.

Recommended reading:

Shane Bernard's fine piece in NDT, Sept 93 issue 126

Recommended Listening:

Tommy McLain - Sweet Dreams - Ace cd

Another Saturday Night - various artists - Ace cd