Ram Records

RAM RECORDS
 
 
Ram Records  (Royal Audio Music) was a Shreveport, Louisiana, based record label, founded by Myra Smith (1926–1989) in 1955.  The label lasted into the 1960’s.  The label recorded regional rhythm and blues, rockabilly, blues, and country music artists.  Ram’s pressings were made by RCA.  The label later moved to Nashville, Tennessee.   (More from Wikipedia)
 
 
On an impulse, I ordered another Norton Records LP at the same time as the Hasil Adkins album White Light/White Meat, which is a 2010 compilation of a man from northern Louisiana who calls himself The Lonesome Drifter called Eager Boy (subtitled:  “Rockabilly and Hillbilly Bop from the Vaults of Ram Records 1958-59!”).
 
Ram Records was the hub of rockabilly music in northern Louisiana and also seemed to be about half women, half men – much rarer in those days.  Guitarist Mira Smith, with help from her cousin Alton Warwick started the Ram Recording Co. in Shreveport; and this was where the man born Thomas Johnson – who became known as The Lonesome Drifter – and his band headed. 
 
The second and last single, “Honey, Do You Think of Me” b/w “I’ll be Lonesome When You’re Gone” came out on Ram Records itself.  The B side had been written and recorded by Linda Brannon on Ram two years earlier.  
 
(May 2011)
 
Last edited: March 22, 2021