Betty Nickell was recently inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and she told me over the phone today that it's the best thing to ever happen to her, next to "finding Jesus." She's thrilled to be in the company of such greats as Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, though she's quick to note that, unlike Cash and Perkins, she's still with us. At 72, Betty--who was born in Kentucky but has spent most of her life in nearby Mansfield, Ohio--is still singing and composing, though killer rockabilly numbers like Hot Dog are no longer her specialty--she writes gospel songs these days. Betty hopes to record a CD of same at some point in the hopefully not distant future.
To help celebrate Betty's recognition by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, I've reposted her very fine Snap label recording I'm Ready in a new rip, with the flip included this time (a very nice ballad called Tomorrow). Both are Betty originals. Betty reports that these were recorded in either the late Sixties or early Seventies. My thrifted copy is barely G+ in condition, but after an application of the MAGIX declicker, manual removal of the louder pops, and the placing of the quieter right channel on both sides, I got these sides sounding practically VG. The performances themselves? Perfect.
First-rate female rockabilly awaits you. Click here to hear Betty:
I'm Ready--Betty Nickell and the Mystics (Snap SN058)
Tomorrow--Betty Nickell and the Mystics (Snap SN058)
I've been loving this record for years, and it's so nice to speak to the lady who made it for us. Anyone with any info on Snap Records of Nashville (a division of Varsity, says the label), please share it with this blog. I'm wondering if Varsity was THE Varsity label of old bought up by new owners in the Sixties or so.
Lee
8 comments:
The Varsity label was established in Nashville around 1965 by Ben McCloud, a former DJ, who owned also the Varsity Recording Studio on Church Street. Snap label was a Varsity subsidiary, as you wrote. Another sub was Map Records.
Regarding Betty Nickell (and thanks for the Snap audio files), another 45 (not mentionned by her in a RAB Hall of Fame message) is "Lonely Hearts/Sending My Heart" on Advance label (California).
Wow--thanks. I just found out about the Advance label 45 via an eBay ad, though only one title was listed.
So the Nashville Varsity had nothing to do with the mega-cheap label of old? Cool. There's a similarity in lettering that made me wonder, as unlikely as any connection seemed to be.
Many thanks.
Thanks for this. The A-side was wonderful, but, upon hearing the B-side, I was officially in love. Together... Well, not to sound like the old fogey I am, they sure don't make records like that anymore.
They definitely do not.
Thank God for recordings!
Wonderful stuff! Thank you so much!
For further Bettyfication, the rockin' "HOT DOG" was out (West) on the Ca. ABBEY label...
Abbey (CA) 45 - 102: Betty Nickell & the Rockets - Hot Dog / I'll Never Love Again (1958)
- B_B
Hello all, my name is Shannon. I grew up with all of Bettys music and know most of them by heart cuz she is my aunt. My father Rick, is playing the guitar solos after coming back from the army. In fact there is a song aunt Bett wrote for him just before he returned, I ?think? it is called
"To Rick With Love". And then that might just be then name I gave it. Well I was just surfing and saw the posts and wanted to let it be known aunt Bett has a new album out! We are all so proud of her f/the family. --
ATER Shannon
Hi, Shannon!
Thanks for dropping by. Betty has let me know about her new album, and I'll be letting my readers know about it when it shows up on line.
It was great meeting your Mom and getting to write about her.
Thanks again,
Lee
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