Robertson County Connection
SPRINGFIELD WEATHER
physicians-mutual-dental-insurance-banners

Last Days Of “I Have A Voice”




James “Buzz” Cason

James “Buzz” Cason

The travelling exhibit that has been on loan from the Tennessee State Museum will soon be on its way to Humboldt. The First Friday Market on July 6 will be the last chance to view the exhibit – and admission is free.

What a pleasure this exhibit has been! How much has been learned!

There was Jimi Hendrix, who asked James Morris Townsend to be drummer with his band. Townsend’s grandmother advised him not to go, and he took her advice. One wonders…

In the exhibit, there is a photo of Tot Randolph playing his saxophone at a club in Memphis. The State Museum staff, in putting together this exhibit, had no idea how much Tot was loved in Robertson County. His first job as an educator, for example, was as band director at Bransford High School.

Clifford Curry is also locally known. His appearances with Steve Jarrell and Sons of the Beach provide good memories for many. Jarrell, known as “Daddy-O on the Patio” on WSGI until 2016, grew up loving oldies music. He and his band provided “Carolina beach music” beginning in the early 1980’s. Before that, in the late 1970’s, he was back-up singer for Donna Fargo. Steve Jarrell lived here in Springfield for a number of years.

Clifford Curry, known as the King of Beach Music, appeared with James “Buzz” Cason, who is also locally known.

A native of Inglewood, Cason graduated from Isaac Litton High School. He was part of a group named “The Casuals,” remembered as the first rock ’n’ roll band in Nashville. They became Brenda Lee’s back-up band.

Cason was a writer, a singer, a producer. He wrote (or co-wrote) “Everlasting Love” (Gloria Estefan), “Popsicle” (Jan & Dean), “To Love” (Placido Domingo).

He published (or co-published) “She Believes in Me” for Kenny Rogers, as well as “Little Green Apples” and “Honey.”

He was back-up singer for Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett, Kris Kristofferson. He recorded “Blue Velvet” with The Statues. And he produced such favorites as “She Loves her Truck.”

Among his many, many credits is his production of Clifford Curry’s “She Shot a Hole in my Soul” in 1967.

A photo in the State Museum exhibit shows Clifford Curry in Centennial Park in 1967. His back-up singers are Mac Gayden, Wade Conklin, and Buzz Cason.

Be sure to see the “I Have a Voice” exhibit at the History Museum. Whether you are viewing a photo of Ike and Tina Turner, a Bransford High School band uniform, or your great-grandmother’s choir robe, the memories of the music will be good for your soul.

In the Eagle’s Eye is sponsored by the Robertson County Historical Society. Call 615-382-7173 for comments and questions.

Leave a Reply