Above image is cover art from a demo album – 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands produced at Bee Jay Recording Studios in Orlando.
Images and audio clips from the Eric Schabacker archive.
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 & TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon. The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
See IMAGES and listen to AUDIO files – click on links below.
Side 1
Side 1, Cut 1 – The Starfires performing “Stop It”
This band was originally put together by Eric Schabacker, a freshman at Rollins College in Winter Park. Starting as a 5 piece band made up entirely of Rollins students, the band morphed over the years and grew to include 11 individuals from Rollins and the surrounding communities. The music track for “Stop It” was actually recorded by a group of throw together musicians other than The Starfires. Eric’s vocal and Tom Mclaughlin’s back up vocal were cut in the offices of Tener Records in Winter park.
Side 1, Cut 2 – The Swinging Temptations performing “I Feel Good”
The Swinging Temptations were headed up by two brothers: Gary Griffin on drums and Ben Griffin Jr. on guitar. With a lot of help from their father, Ben Sr., they become a power house horn band. Dave Miller was the lead guitarist in the band’s earlier years and was revered by many local musicians as being the best of the best. Dave would later go on to be killed in an unfortunate car verse train accident. This band was in no way related to the Motown Temptations. In fact, the Motown group tried to stop The Swinging Temptations from using the “Temptations” name but backed down after discovering that this Winter Park group actually was first to use it. Ben Griffin Sr. briefly acted as the business manager for The Starfires. “I Feel Good” was recorded at the Rollins radio station, WPRK-FM.
Side 1, Cut 3 – The Mysteries performing “My True Love”
My True Love is thought to have been recorded in Miami. Dayton Lang was the spokesperson for this Orlando area group. The Mysteries made several recordings over the years including an instrumental cover of “The Pink Panther.”
Side 1, Cut 4 – The Moonrakers performing “Out of Sight”
This was another Rollins College band. They no doubt recorded “Of Sight” at The College Radio Station, WPRK.
Side 1, Cut 5 – The Soul Tenders performing “Walkin’ The Dog”
Frank Domenico of Orlando was the leader of this band which, over the years, became very successful. They later became one of the area’s first integrated bands when they hired the Reverend Billy Jackson as their singer, a move that made them very popular on high school and college campuses.
Side 1, Cut 6 – The Maleman performing “Norwegian Wood”
Not much is remembered about this Central Florida Band. It is believed that “Norwegian Wood” was recorded at Pine Hills Recording Studio which was located in the back of an auto brake repair service owned by Don Gore.
Side 2
Side 2, Cut 1 – The New Englanders performing “Silence is Golden”
There were two known bands in the Orlando area that used “The New Englanders” name. One such group included a number of local musicians including drummer Bobby Caldwell, guitarist Nick Holmes (Kevin Bacon’s Cousin), guitarist Dave Miller and bassist Bob Johnson. Although it’s difficult to say for certain, it is thought that this recording was made at WPRK and was performed by those mentioned. The signing of the group by Tener Enterprises was found in the Rollins College newspaper “The Sandspur.” The article identifies Donna Mathews as part of the group.
Side 2, Cut 2 – The Nooney Rickett IV performing “She’s Not There”
There are no notes on this band.
Side 2, Cut 3 – The Fabulous Thunder performing “So Hold Me Tight”
There are no notes on this band. This recording was most likely made in South Florida or the Tampa Bay area.
Side 2, Cut 4 – The Wrong Numbers performing “The Way I Feel”
The Wrong Numbers were from Mt. Dora and were led by Clark Staton, son of the local barber with the same name. The band was very successful in their own circles and eventually would hire Gregg Shivley who later would go on to record with Orlando’s Al Leonard under the name of Leonard Shivley. This twosome had a chart record in 1976 on the Immunity Record label.
Side 2, Cut 5 – The Pratts Bottom performing “Woman”
There are no notes on this band other than a brief description on a promotional brochure – “Music with a kick and a hard driving beat is easily associated with the Big Five.”
Side 2, Cut 6 – The Nation Rocking Shadows performing “Time”
With their home in the Leesburg area, The Nation Rocking Shadows regularly played at the Orlando Youth Center and WLOF radio’s Funtown. They were a slick, well dressed band outfitted with loads of the latest Fender Guitars and Amplifiers. Ron Skinner was the group’s mouth piece.
Bee Jay Booking Agency brochure circa 1965.
This is a Bee Jay Booking brochure from about 1965. The bands included are the Swinging Temptations from Winter Park, The Rogues from Cocoa Beach, the Mor Loks from Miami, Mysteries from Orlando, Starfires from Yehaw Junction, Allusions from Tampa, Ce-O-Des from Orlando, and the Sensational Tropics from Madiera Beach. Other Bands mentioned in the brochure are the Villagers from Tampa, the Dynamic Deltas from Orlando, Nite Crawlers from Daytona Beach, Me & The Other Guys from Madiera Beach, Why’s from Orlando, Sarifrats from Orlando, Ron and the Starfires from Auburndale, the Invaders from Maitland, the Outkasts from Cocoa, and the Progressions from Orlando.
December 2023
In December 2023 Eric Schabacker sent the Orlando Public Library samples of three of the demo albums that Bee Jay Booking Agency sent to promote the bands they represented.
This is a demon-
The beginning of the only copy on the album cover certainly catches your attention: “This is a demon-” and then continues, “strational album designed to aid you in selecting and hiring entertainment for your various social functions. By means of the selections performed on the records as well as the enclosed pictures and biographies, we hope to make your job as easy as possible. Enjoy the album, make your choice and call us today … we’ll be glad to book your entertainment for you; there is no charge to you for our services.” View the album cover, record labels and liner notes with information on all the bands featured on the album.
Groups included on the demo album include Raintree County, Salvation Alliance, Wooden Spoon, East Coast Supply, Exit, Yocum Mucoy, Greased Lightnin’, Brewed, In the Beginning, The Electric Philharmonic, Ivanho, Sandpaper Castle, Epicure, Al Leonard, Drambuies, David Lawton, Tropical Merry Makers, and Moog Synthesizer Show.
Bee Jay Sampler
Groups included on the demo album include One Is (We the People), The Missin Links, The Image, Styrophoam Soule, Save, Riff, The Soultenders, Oxbord Blue, People’s Choice, The Barons, The Brewed, and Raintree County.
Bee Jay Does it again!
Groups included on the demo album include Micropolis, Image, East Coast Supply, Cinderblock, Exit, Brewed, Wooden Spoon, Salvation Alliance, Lead Feather, Ivanho, Patent Pending, Sandpaper Castle, and Al Leonard.
View additional documents found in the album jacket including promo sheets on New Days Ahead, In the Beginning, Stone Wedge, Music Shop, Eli, Hot City, Oz, Myth, Sensonic Magic Circus and Light Show, Shawn Foster, and Bee Jay Booking Agency’s flyer on national recording artists, regional groups and big bands.
Booking rates for bands listed on this album insert.
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Bee Jay Booking Agency Brochure 1965
This is a Bee Jay Booking brochure from about 1965. The bands included are the Swinging Temptations from Winter Park, The Rogues...
Eric Schabacker and Jimmy Page of the Yardbirds
Photo of Eric Schabacker and Jimmy Page of the Yardbirds (later with Led Zeppelin) at Bee Jay recording studios.
12 Groovy Bands - Bee Jay Recording Studio
Facts: Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands Produced: Spring, 1965 Label: Tener Custom Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155 Special Notes: T...
Swinging Tempations - Bee Jay Booking Agency
Bee Jay Booking Agency represented The Swinging Temptations from Winter Park, Florida. A promo brochure from about 1965 promoted them as the...
Pratt's Bottom 5 - Bee Jay Booking Agency
Bee Jay Booking Agency represented Pratt's Bottom 5 from Orlando, Florida. A promo brochure from about 1965 states "Music with a kick...
Soul Tenders - Bee Jay Booking Agency
Bee Jay Booking Agency represented The Soul Tenders from Orlando, Florida. The photo, taken from a brochure promoting local bands states: "Bee...
Fabulous Thunder - Bee Jay Booking Agency
Bee Jay Booking Agency represented the group Fabulous Thunder from Orlando, Florida. A promotion brochure merely states: "Been around along time -...
The Fantastic Puzzle
Bee Jay Booking Agency band promo photo for "The Fantastic Puzzle."
Bee Jay Booking Agency - Bee Jay Sampler
Bee Jay Booking Agency - Bee Jay Sampler album cover.
Bee Jay Booking Agency - Bee Jay Does it again!
Bee Jay Booking Agency - Bee Jay Does it again! album cover.
Bee Jay Booking Agency "Demon-"
Bee Jay Booking Agency "Demon-" album cover
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tenor Custom
Record Number: TC 154 & TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon.
The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 1 - Cut 1
Stop It / The Starfires.
This band was originally put together by Eric Schabacker, a freshman at Rollins College in Winter Park.
Starting as a 5 piece band made up entirely of Rollins students, the band morphed over the years and grew to include 11 individuals from Rollins and the surrounding communities.
The music track for "Stop It" was actually recorded by a group of throw together musicians other than The Starfires.
Eric's vocal and Tom Mclaughlin's back up vocal were cut in the offices of Tener Records in Winter park.
Swinging Temptations - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name:12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tenor Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon. The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 1 - Cut 2
I Feel Good / The Swinging Temptations.
The Swinging Temptations were headed up by two brothers: Gary Griffin on drums and Ben Griffin Jr. on guitar. With a lot of help from their father, Ben Sr., they become a power house horn band.
Dave Miller was the lead guitarist in the band's earlier years and was revered by many local musicians as being the best of the best.
Dave would later go on to be killed in an unfortunate car verse train accident. This band was in no way related to the Motown Temptations. In fact, the Motown group tried to stop the Swinging Temptations from using the "Temptations" name but backed down after discovering that this Winter Park group actually was first to use it.
Ben Griffin Sr. briefly acted as the business manager for the band.
The Mysteries - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon.
The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 1 - Cut 3
The Mysteries / My True Love
My True Love is thought to have been recorded in Miami. Dayton Lang was the spokesperson for this Orlando area group. The Mysteries made several recordings over the years including an instrumental cover of "The Punk Panther."
Moonrakers - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 & TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon. The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 1 - Cut 4
The Moonrakers / Out Of Sight
This was another Rollins College band.
They no doubt recorded "Of Sight" at The College Radio Station, WPRK. This was another Rollins College band. They no doubt recorded "Of Sight" at The College Radio Station, WPRK.
Soul Tenders - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name:12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon.
The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 1 - Cut 5
The Soul Tenders / Walkin' The Dog
Frank Domenico of Orlando was the leader of this band which, over the years, became very successful.
They later became one of the area's first integrated bands when they hired the Reverend Billy Jackson as their singer, a move that made them very popular on high school and college campuses.
Maleman - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and; TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon.
The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 1 - Cut 6
The Maleman / Norwegian Wood
Not much is remembered about this Central Florida Band.
It is believed that "Norwegian Wood" was recorded at Pine Hills Recording Studio which was located in the back of an auto brake repair service owned by Don Gore.
New Englanders - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tenor Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon. The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 2, Cut 1
The New Englanders / Silence Is Golden
There were two known bands in the Orlando area that used "The New Englanders" name.
One such group included a number of local musicians including drummer Bobby Caldwell, guitarist Nick Holmes (Kevin Bacon's Cousin), guitarist Dave Miller and bassist Bob Johnson.
Although it's difficult to say for certain, it is thought that this recording was made at WPRK and was performed by those mentioned.
Nooney Rickett IV - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon.
The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 2, Cut 2
The Nooney Rickett IV / She's Not There
There are no notes on this band.
The Nooney Ricket IV seem to have enjoyed some degree of success as they appeared several times on Shindig and in "B" movies like "Winter A Go Go" and "Pajama Party."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2nJFpfKHTA
Fabulous Thunder - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and C 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon. The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 2, Cut 3
The Fabulous Thunder / So Hold Me Tight
There are no notes on this band. This recording was most likely made in South Florida or the Tampa Bay area.
Wrong Numbers - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon.
The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 2 - Cut 4 The Wrong Numbers / The Way I Feel
The Wrong Numbers were from Mt. Dora and were led by Clark Staton, son of the local barber with the same name.
The band was very successful in their own circles and eventually would hire Gregg Shivley who later would go on to record with Orlando's Al Leonard under the name of Leonard Shivley.
This twosome had a chart record in 1976 on the Immunity Record label.
Pratts Bottom 5 - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Facts:
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Special Notes: This was the first of many demo records released by Bee Jay Booking Agency (Winter Park / Orlando) and was used exclusively to secure work for the bands thereon.
The album was made prior to the installation of Bee Jay Recording Studios and is a collection of recordings made at various studios as noted.
Side 2 - Cut 5
The Pratts Bottom 5 / Woman
There are no notes on this band.
Nation Rocking Shadows - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Album Name: 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Produced: Spring, 1965
Label: Tener Custom
Record Number: TC 154 and TC 155
Nation Rocking Shadows - 12 Groovy Hits, 12 Florida Bands
Bee Jay Booking Agency, Inc. "Demonstrational album designed to aid you in selecting and hiring entertainment for your various social functions. By means of the selections performed on the records as well as the enclosed pictures and biographies, we hope to make your job as easy as possible. Enjoy the album, make your choice and call us today ... we'll be glad to book your entertainment for you; there is no charge to you for our services." Groups included: Raintree County, Salvation Alliance, Wooden Spoon, East Coast Supply, Exit, Yocum Mucoy, Greased Lightnin', Brewed, In the Beginning, The Electric Philharmonic, Ivanho, Sandpaper Castle, Epicure, Al Leonard, Drambuies, David Lawton, Tropical Merry Makers, Moog Synthesizer Show.
Groups included on the demo album include Micropolis, Image, East Coast Supply, Cinderblock, Exit, Brewed, Wooden Spoon, Salvation Alliance, Lead Feather, Ivanho, Patent Pending, Sandpaper Castle, and Al Leonard.
Groups included on the demo album include One Is (We the People), The Missin Links, The Image, Styrophoam Soule, Save, Riff, The Soultenders, Oxbord Blue, People's Choice, The Barons, The Brewed, and Raintree County.
Promotional materials included with demo recordings.
Booking fees are listed on this album insert.
would love to hear about and get a live tape from East Coast Supply! used to be a bartender at the Mariners Pub at NTC, they used to play there all the time, did the first and best cover of ‘Smoke On The Water!’ Once to tried to tape the band with a tape deck but a recruit stole my deck off the bar! Side note, once Special Services installed this big cabinet in the pub, for a quarter you could play ping pong on a screen…it was Donkey Kong, the first video game!
Greetings Michael! You may be able to at least listen to the demo albums of the groups that were represented by Bee Jay Booking Agency soon. The donated record albums are being processed so we can add them to the library’s collections and a digital record player will be purchased to permit patrons to make an appointment to come into the Orlando Public Library at 101 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando and listen to the records. We don’t have a firm date on when all this will be possible, but it is in the works. We’ll let you know when we are able to make appointments. THE ORLANDO MEMORY TEAM
Eric created or helped create what I call the underground musicians scene in Orlando that continued to be prevalent even into the 70’s. I was a part of that scene for a while. I really liked Eric’s influence in the Rock That Never Rolls Christian movement in Orlando, which I am proud to have witnessed and been a part of.
Greetings Reynolds! Thank you for visiting our post on Eric’s Bee Jay Booking Agency and sharing your memories with us. We hope you will find other posts of interest and continue to add your Orlando Memories! THE ORLANDO MEMORY TEAM.
I’m a good friend of one of the guitar players of Nation Rocking Shadows. Do you need to contact him?
Thanks for visiting Orlando Memory! That is so cool that you are friends with the guitar player in Nation Rocking Shadows! The information we posted was given to us by Eric Schabacker. I hope the photos and snippets of songs bring back memories. It was certainly an exciting time to be in high school during that era and have live bands each week at dances after the football games! We had so many great local bands in Central Florida.