Johnny Rebel question (caution racism content)

Tyler Macy · Post by **Tyler Macy** » 30 Jan 2003 10:13 pm

I do not want to start a racism discussion (it has no place here), but I am curious to know some information about the MUSIC from the early 60's that was attributed to "Johnny Rebel". I am aware of the historical context, and do not wish to discuss it here! The music is interesting, though.

The musicianship is actually quite good on many of these songs; does anyone know who recorded these racist songs? There is a lot of steel guitar. Who played on this stuff?

Did the musicians remain anonymous, not wishing to be associated with the racism, or were they open and proud?

Tyler

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 31 Jan 2003 9:13 am

I'm not a music expert, but I'm in my 40's and I lived in the South 'til I was through college, and I've never heard of what you're talking about. I'd like to know more myself.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 31 Jan 2003 9:17 am

sounds fascinatin' (ONLY from a sociological/musicological POV.)

is this the guy? gotta be...yikes!

http://www.officialjohnnyrebel.com/
[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 31 January 2003 at 11:52 AM.]

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 31 Jan 2003 11:12 am

Tom,

I am with you. I was born and partly raised in the South. I never heard about this. Tell ya what I did hear when I was 14 yrs old. My mother moved me and my little brother to Chicago, and it was my FIRST experience hearing and seeing racial hatred. I had never heard it; or seen it before that time.

We were segregated in Tampa where we moved from, but I never saw any racial hatred. They were intergrated in Chicago. And the hate I saw against the blacks, was unmerciful by most of the whites I met at school; and in every facet of life. In fact, the first school chum I met was black. And wow, what I was called by all the whites in the school for that. Even got beat up a couple times for my making friends with them.

Taught me something about real "truth" that I shall take to my grave. I am sorry there is a song out that has racial hatred in it. I don't hate anyone. I pray to God I never will.

May God bless all of us,

carl

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 31 Jan 2003 12:48 pm

the vocalist on the "johnny reb" recordings was allegedly peewee trahan--a long time stalwart on the louisiana country scene, dating back to the 50s i think. these particular recordings are from the 60s. there were at least a dozen 45s under that name, and at least one LP. as far as i know, they came out of crowley, louisiana. and there were a lot of similar releases on other labels by other artists, generally under pseudonyms. i wonder if they got airplay at the time in the south? i know for a fact that they were sold at standard outlets in louisiana into the 1970s. i well recall driving into ville platte around 1972 and seeing a placard announcing the weekly klan meetings tacked to a greeting sign at the city limits, right along with the VFW, Lions club, etc. all very above board. [This message was edited by Mitch Drumm on 31 January 2003 at 12:51 PM.]

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 31 Jan 2003 2:10 pm

I don't know anything about Johnny Rebel, but I believe Hohnny Horton once recorded a song called "I hate n----rs".

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 31 Jan 2003 7:27 pm

"HOHNNY HORTON???"

Carl, I'm with you. I've never heard of this "Johnny Rebel" stuff, and I'm not sure I want to. We in the South are, far too often, painted as "racists," when other parts of the country are worse! I remember playing in Wyoming, folks heard our Southern accents, and thought we all had hoods and robes under our hats and vests---Then THEY started talking about Indians!
But, I drift. If this "Johnny Rebel" stuff has good musicians on it, then tell us about it. But if it's "little black Sambo" humor, keep it to yourself.
Just my colorblind opinion

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 31 Jan 2003 8:05 pm

Stephen, I followed the link that Dave found and wished I hadn't. Hateful, racist stuff that no degree of musical proficiency could possibly redeem. You called it right - you don't want to hear about it.

Bruce Bouton · Post by **Bruce Bouton** » 31 Jan 2003 8:20 pm

Totally disgusting. I sure hope it was nobody I know that played on this.
BB

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 31 Jan 2003 8:34 pm

Howard Stern (it figures) got onto these recordings last year (or the year before), finally tracked the guy down and interviewd him. It's a real guy, still doing his music and makes no apolgys. Despite the content, it is really well made and played tunes ---- For what it's worth.[This message was edited by Steven Knapper on 31 January 2003 at 08:35 PM.]

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 31 Jan 2003 9:25 pm

Tyler, why are you asking about this junk, anyway?

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 1 Feb 2003 6:43 pm

just to clarify... the link I found was the first or second item that appeared in a google.com search on "Johnny Rebel" that i ran when the thread topic piqued my curiosity. I only posted it to clarify the discussion, not to perpetuate or promote the views of Johnny Rebel.Like others, I had never heard of nor imagined such material exists. And like others,I feel that no matter how "good" the music may be or the production values, the content is reprehensible.

but it does fascinate me perhaps in the same way watching the results of a car crash on the interstate , or repeated video of shuttle disasters.
Only human I guess.

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 01 February 2003 at 07:53 PM.]

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Feb 2003 7:32 pm

Tyler, there is NOTHING interesting about this music, or hatred in general. What is your agenda? The Steel Guitar Forum is not the place to discuss racial subjects and particularly racial hatred. This is inappropriate and I am going to ask Bobby to close this thread. It doesn't
belong. Who are you?

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 1 Feb 2003 8:06 pm

Once again Kevin jumps in with both guns blazing and both feet in his mouth! Read his opening to this topic!! He said

"I do not want to start a racism discussion (it has no place here)"

but he does ask some pertinant questions regarding the musicians who played on this stuff.
I too would like to know just who would lend their talent to this kind of tripe!

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Rebel™
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R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 1 Feb 2003 9:23 pm

These records do exist, I have seen them. I live here In Louisiana, These recordings do not reflect the feelings of the people of this state. They are reflections of some ,who sought to make a few bucks on them. You can always sell some trash to some who think this is humorous. Sorry ,but it is trash and not worth losing any sleep over.

They did not do too well, people here are not bigots. I guess I`ve said enough about this, I dont even think about it

R. L.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Feb 2003 9:54 pm

Grahm, the very nature of the subject is racist. Maybe you want to talk about it but the rest of us don't. As Bruce said, its disgusting. It doesn't belong on the forum.

Ricky0ne1 · Post by **Ricky0ne1** » 1 Feb 2003 10:12 pm

It's just some crap..
Don't give it so much power... it's just crap.. drop in the bucket, too

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 1 Feb 2003 11:08 pm

I haven't listened to any of it, but,
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
Maybe you want to talk about it but the rest of us don't.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
If it's quite permissable with Mr. Hatton, I'd prefer to speak for myself.
-John

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 2 Feb 2003 1:25 am

I was eating dinner in a Louisiana truck stop in the summer of 1967 while on a road tour and someone kept playing some of those records on a juke box. I remember that they were utterly disgusting and actually not that good musically.I noticed on the way out that there was KKK literature on the counter beside the cashier.The records I heard also had a lot of banjo and were almost a sort of lame primitive bluegrass type thing.These type of records were covered in depth in one chapter of Nick Tosches' well researched book: "Country - The Twisted Roots Of Rock & Roll" There was always plenty of racism in hillbilly music from the days of slavery up thru reconstruction,and after the turn of the century and then up thru the 20s,30s and 40s with blackface minstrelsy and that sort of thing.Then it started to die out but only after the 60s did it become completely uncool and even now you can find a few diehards. Hey - it ain't pretty but there it is. -MJ-

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 2 Feb 2003 4:17 am

I too was sorry to have followed the link and discover that this kind of ignorant, hateful stuff still exists and that so much time and energy went into to documenting it. Makes me want to go find the eye wash.[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 02 February 2003 at 06:06 AM.]

BDBassett · Post by **BDBassett** » 2 Feb 2003 7:51 am

I was going to mention the work and writings of Nick Tosches but Michael Johnston beat me to it. He (Tosches) had a book out in the late 70 that went into great detail and quoted lines from a number of disgusting racist songs. It's been many years since I've even seen my copy of this book, don't recall the title even but it was interesting. Tosches was also a feature writer for Penthouse Magazine. Or so I've been told, er, I wouldn't know first hand because I never, well, aaaa, I couldn't say...
BD

Post by **b0b** » 2 Feb 2003 11:29 am

I'm closing this topic. No good can come of it.

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