My First Vinyl Vibe - Crankin' Up Earl Grants "Yes Siree"

Earl Grant and The Trout 

Hey everybody, it is Rick Troutman. Welcome to another episode of the Trout Show Podcast, Vinyl Deviral. Today we're going to talk about something that's important to me.

It includes the gentleman that you're listening to right now. Why I'm a musician, why I play the music I play, and a history lesson on one of the great musicians back in the 50's that sold millions of records, but people don't know who he is now. His name was Earl Grant, and his story, and how it changed my life.

Well that's next, and you know what it is? This is the Trout Show. Meet David Smith, your Edward Jones financial advisor. With years of experience, David's helped countless people shape their financial futures.

He takes the time to understand your dreams, whether it's a secure retirement, or a bold new venture, and builds a plan just for you. No matter where you are in the 48 contiguous states, David's expertise is there to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to David today at 469-372-1587, that's David Smith at 469-372-1587, your partner for financial possibilities.

David Smith, with Edward Jones, a proud supporter of the Trout Show. Now here's the Trout. The year, 1963.

A young, very young trout, me, loved music at a very early age. It was pointed out in one of my report cards, at the age of five, that me, Ricky, is what everybody called me back then, loved music. I guess that's never changed, after all these decades, but 1963 was an interesting year for me because of what happened that changed my musical stylings, I guess you could say.

You see, back in 1963, if you heard a song on the radio, you went to a record store, for young people, that's a vinyl store for you guys, and you'd go in and you'd ask to listen to the song that you wanted to hear. In other words, they'd give you the record, they'd put it on a record player, you'd put headphones on at a little booth, and if you liked it, you bought it. A single 45 back then was, I think, a dollar, and I had saved up, probably about four weeks, I think my allowance at the time was a whopping 25 cents, to buy that record.

So when I discovered Earl Grant Yeastery, years later, decades later, it made me start thinking about why that song was so important to me. Is it the melody? Yes. But is the fact more like the fact that it is a blues-based gospel song with upbeat sound? And as I listened to this particular version, which was only one out, I think that song was done in one take, in a studio.

I don't think they had any overdubs, I think they cut it and then they pressed it and went out. So, I thought after hearing it, I knew that it changed my life because I liked the blues so much, but what was it about Earl Grant? I knew nothing about Earl Grant, and I decided, you know what, it might be a little bit of interest in me and my musical history to learn more about him. Well, Earl Grant was a multi-talented American musician whose soulful voice and keyboard skills made him a standout figure in the 50s and 60s music scene.

He was born in 1931 in a little town in Oklahoma. Grant was one of 12 children, and his dad was a Baptist minister. No surprise there.

His musical journey started at the young age of four, playing piano and organ at his father's church services, laying a foundation for a career defined by versatility and passion. Grant mastered not only the piano and organ, but also trumpet and drums. A renaissance guy, you could say.

His formal training took him through four music schools, including the University of Southern California, where he honed his craft and later became a music teacher. Yes, he was in the Army, and when he was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas, he was a music teacher there. Grant then supplemented his income by performing in local clubs, captivating audiences with his dynamic stage presence.

In 1957, Grant signed with Decca Records, which was a huge label back then, and he had a breakout single. It was called The End. It soared to number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958, and people thought he sounded a lot like Nat King Cole when he sang.

In fact, so much was he like Nat King Cole, and some people thought they were brothers. In 1961, his album Ebb Tide, and other instrumental favorites, became a million-seller, earning gold disc status and cementing his reputation as a master of lush, instrumental pop and jazz-infused sounds. Tracks like Swingin' Gently and Sweet Sixteen Bars further highlighted his ability to blend vocals with intricate organ and piano arrangements, often incorporating unique touches like a tropical bird call produced on his Hammond organ.

Here's a guy that I really didn't know much about, and now when I look back on it, this guy produced 30 albums for Decca. His music ranged from heartfelt ballads to vibrant instrumentals, with hits like House of Bamboo and a soulful rendition of Stand By Me. Grant was so well-known that he was a global performer.

He would perform in the U.S., Japan, Australia, Mexico, Canada, and Europe. He also was in the movies, believe it or not. He was in a couple of movies, one of them called Imitational Life, and another movie in 1962 called Tinder is the Night, and he even appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.

But Grant was more than just a musician. He was a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement at the time. In 1963, he was right there with the other thousands of people on the March on Washington, and he is a champion of education as a tool for equality.

He was one of those guys that when he walked on stage, he always wore tailored suits and shiny patent shoes. And one of his places that people loved him a lot was Sydney, Australia, where he played regularly in the 60s. And when I go back and listen to Yesiree by Earl Grant, all those decades ago, I think about why that song changed me.

I can't explain it, but I can tell you, it hit a chord in me and my musical abilities. That's what music does, doesn't it? It reminds you of those times when you heard that song, and it takes you back to that moment, no matter what you were doing, no matter how you were dressed, because I remember exactly sitting in that booth, listening to that song, and coming out with my dollar, being so happy to buy that record. Unfortunately, Earl Grant died very young.

He was only 39. He died in 1970, when he and his 17-year-old cousin died in a car accident in New Mexico. And guess what he was driving? He was driving a Rolls Royce from L.A. to a performance in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Grant's vehicle veered off Interstate 10 and took his life. And despite his untimely death, his music endures. At least, I hope, if you're listening to this, you'll go back and listen to some of the Earl Grant songs.

You still can find some out there. He's a testament of his unique blend of jazz, pop, and soul that broke racial barriers and captivated audiences worldwide. I guess if I was sitting next to Earl Grant now, all these decades later, I would say to him, thanks, Mr. Grant.

Thank you for showing me the way in a musical genre that I've loved my whole life. Take a moment now and think about where you were when you were a kid and heard your favorite song. Remember, those moments will never be removed from your mind or your memories.

Well, that's it for this episode of Vinyl DeViral. Thanks so much for listening to The Trout Show. I appreciate it very much.

For more information about The Trout Show, always go to my website, thetroutshow.com, to find more information about all the podcasts, all the YouTubes, all the music that's produced here at The Trout Show. A shout-out, once again, to our guy that keeps the lights on, David Smith, with Ava Jones. So until next time, people, remember what I always say.

It's only rock and roll, but I love it. See ya!