Jimmy Velvit
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Velvit is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...

 singer, who began his career in the 1960s. His real name is James Mullins, originally from Coalgate, Oklahoma
Coalgate, Oklahoma
Coalgate is a city in and the county seat of Coal County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,005 at the 2000 census.Morris W. Turner , a businessman and the mayor of Lubbock, Texas, from 1972–1974, was born in Coalgate.-Geography:...

, later from Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...

. He is best known for recording a white rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...

 version, in 1961, of Robert & Johnny
Robert & Johnny
Robert & Johnny were an American doo-wop duo from The Bronx.The duo's full names were Robert Carr and Johnny Mitchell; they released about a dozen singles for Old Town Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Two of them charted; "We Belong Together", which hit #12 on the U.S...

's 1958 hit "We Belong Together
We Belong Together (Robert & Johnny song)
"We Belong Together" was a 1958 American rhythm and blues hit by Robert & Johnny. It was written by Johnny Mitchell, Robert Carr, and Sam Weiss. It reached #12 on the R&B charts and #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.-Cover versions:...

". Velvit's first release was "Sometimes At Night" on Cub Records
Cub Records
Cub Records was a subsidiary of MGM Records started in 1958 for rhythm and blues releases.Artists who released records on Cub included The Impalas , Jimmy Jones , The Stereos , and Jimmy Velvit . The label lasted through 1968.-External links:...

 (a division of M-G-M). He also recorded under the name 'James Bell', in 1968, when he charted "He Ain't Country", a Country & Western
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...

 release, for Bell Records
Bell Records
Bell Records was an American record label founded in 1952 by Arthur Shimkin in New York, the owner of children's record label Golden Records, and initially a unit of Pocket Books, after the rights to the name were acquired from Benny Bell who used the Bell name to issue risque novelty records. A...

.

In 2001, his album Sun Sea and Sand (Seduction
Seduction
In social science, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage. The word seduction stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". As a result, the term may have a positive or negative connotation...

 SCD-103) was nominated for a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...

. Velvit was still recording and performing as of 2010.

Discography

45 RPM Singles (listed in alphabetical order)
  • A Woman In Bloom/Let Me Keep Your Love - Bell Records
    Bell Records
    Bell Records was an American record label founded in 1952 by Arthur Shimkin in New York, the owner of children's record label Golden Records, and initially a unit of Pocket Books, after the rights to the name were acquired from Benny Bell who used the Bell name to issue risque novelty records. A...

     692 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet)
  • Accused/Come On John - BI Records 201-S
  • California Good Times/Jack Frost Loving Company - Blue Records P-J-051
  • Donna/Her Love - Abnak Records
    Abnak records
    Abnak Records was a record label based in Dallas, Texas, owned by Fort Worth insurance man John Howard Abdnor, Sr., active from 1963 to 1971, begun mainly as an outlet for his son John H. Abdnor, Jr., primarily as Jon & Robin. The most success for the label came from the group The Five Americans. ...

     108
  • Drinking Champagne/I Like Her There - Tear Drop Records
    Tear Drop Records
    Tear Drop Records was a record label founded in Winnie, Texas in the early 1960s by record pioneer and radio personality Huey P Meaux. As a DJ, Meaux was known as the "Crazy Cajun", a name that stuck with him throughout his long, music career....

     TD-3383
  • Gotta Lotta Women/I Can't Help It, I Love You - Shane Records 40
  • He Ain't Country/Friendly Place To Go - Bell Records
    Bell Records
    Bell Records was an American record label founded in 1952 by Arthur Shimkin in New York, the owner of children's record label Golden Records, and initially a unit of Pocket Books, after the rights to the name were acquired from Benny Bell who used the Bell name to issue risque novelty records. A...

     710 (recorded as James Bell
    James Bell
    James, Jim, Jimmy and Jamie Bell may refer to:Entertainers*Jimmy Velvit, , US singer who used the pseudonym James Bell*James Bell , American character actor*Jamie Bell , English actor...

    )
  • Love Is Missing/How Sad Chicago - BI Records 5039 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet)
  • Sometimes At Night/Look At Me - Division Records 102
  • Sometimes At Night/Look At Me - Cub Records
    Cub Records
    Cub Records was a subsidiary of MGM Records started in 1958 for rhythm and blues releases.Artists who released records on Cub included The Impalas , Jimmy Jones , The Stereos , and Jimmy Velvit . The label lasted through 1968.-External links:...

      - K9100
  • Sometimes I Wonder/My Heart Is In Your Hands - Alta Records
    Alta Records
    Alta Records was a record label founded in Dallas, Texas in the early 1960s by pioneer, radio personality Jim Lowe. Lowe was a popular DJ who hosted a rhythm and blues program "Kat's Karavan" from the WRR-AM studios located at Fair Park in Dallas. He was one of the first DJs in the Southwest to...

     109
  • That's All I Got From You (with Bobby Hendricks
    Bobby Hendricks
    Bobby Hendricks is an American R&B singer who charted two hits in the late 1950s. However, before embarking on a solo career, Bobby Hendricks was a member of The Swallows and recorded with The Flyers before becoming a successful solo act...

    )/I Got A Feeling - Alta Records
    Alta Records
    Alta Records was a record label founded in Dallas, Texas in the early 1960s by pioneer, radio personality Jim Lowe. Lowe was a popular DJ who hosted a rhythm and blues program "Kat's Karavan" from the WRR-AM studios located at Fair Park in Dallas. He was one of the first DJs in the Southwest to...

     108
  • The Pretty Boy/Poor Old Me - Bell Records
    Bell Records
    Bell Records was an American record label founded in 1952 by Arthur Shimkin in New York, the owner of children's record label Golden Records, and initially a unit of Pocket Books, after the rights to the name were acquired from Benny Bell who used the Bell name to issue risque novelty records. A...

     45003 (recorded as James Bell
    James Bell
    James, Jim, Jimmy and Jamie Bell may refer to:Entertainers*Jimmy Velvit, , US singer who used the pseudonym James Bell*James Bell , American character actor*Jamie Bell , English actor...

    )
  • We Belong Together/I'm Gonna Try - Cub Records
    Cub Records
    Cub Records was a subsidiary of MGM Records started in 1958 for rhythm and blues releases.Artists who released records on Cub included The Impalas , Jimmy Jones , The Stereos , and Jimmy Velvit . The label lasted through 1968.-External links:...

     - K9105
  • We Belong Together/I'm Gonna Try - Witch Records 115
  • Wisdom Of A Fool/I Want To Be Loved - Startime Records (Abnak Records
    Abnak records
    Abnak Records was a record label based in Dallas, Texas, owned by Fort Worth insurance man John Howard Abdnor, Sr., active from 1963 to 1971, begun mainly as an outlet for his son John H. Abdnor, Jr., primarily as Jon & Robin. The most success for the label came from the group The Five Americans. ...

    ) - S-103


Album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...

s
  • Jimmy Velvit - Tear Drop Records
    Tear Drop Records
    Tear Drop Records was a record label founded in Winnie, Texas in the early 1960s by record pioneer and radio personality Huey P Meaux. As a DJ, Meaux was known as the "Crazy Cajun", a name that stuck with him throughout his long, music career....

     LP
  • Bitches I Have Known - Seduction
    Seduction
    In social science, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage. The word seduction stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". As a result, the term may have a positive or negative connotation...

     Records SCD-101 CD
  • Rockin' With Velvit...the 1960s - Seduction
    Seduction
    In social science, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage. The word seduction stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". As a result, the term may have a positive or negative connotation...

     Records SCD-102 CD
  • Sun Sea And Sand - Seduction
    Seduction
    In social science, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage. The word seduction stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". As a result, the term may have a positive or negative connotation...

     Records SCD-103 CD
  • Paranormal Events - Derrick Records DRC-1003 CD
  • Jimmy Velvit - The Original - Collectables Records
    Collectables Records
    Collectables is a reissue record label founded in 1980 by Jerry Greene. Greene was previously associated with New York City's Times Square Record Shop, Philadelphia's Record Museum retail chain, and the Lost Nite and Crimson record labels....

    COL-5530 CD
  • The Best Of JIMMY VELVIT - Key-Loc Records CD


Compilation albums (albums including at least one Jimmy Velvit track)
  • Sounds Like Elvis VA, Collectables COL-5700 (Mystery Train & Rockin' With Elvis Tonight)
  • Big 'D' Rock - Vol One, VA Collectables COL-5553 (Rockin' With Elvis Tonight)
  • Big 'D' Rock - Vol Two, VA Collectables COL-5554 (Look At Me)
  • Super Rare Doo-Wops - Vol One, VA (Wisdom of A Fool)
  • Rare 60's - Collection of Texas Artists, VA Collector's Choice (We Belong Together)


CD singles
  • 2000 President Elect Blues - Derrick Records DRC-2000

Reviews

ROCKIN' WITH VELVIT (Seduction SCD-102)
An authentic American early rock & roll hero, Jimmy Velvit is re-discovered in this 22-song digitally restored 1960's collection. "Rockin' With Velvit" contains all 11 of his national and regional rock hits plus 11 recently discovered unreleased gems. From hot rock & roll, to malt-shop pop, to dreamy teen ballads, Velvit proves why he's one of the era's most venerable entertainers. Recording session notes, vintage photos and radio charts mark the highlights of this early rock & roll pioneer. - Texola Music

Media

"Jimmy Velvit was born in Coalgate, Oklahoma on January 11, 1941. After living there a short time he moved to Dallas with his parents. It was Jimmy's father who introduced him to the guitar and singing. Jimmy decided to give up singing to serve a short hitch in the Air Force. After completing his military service he cut a record Sometimes At Night (1961) which really gave him his start in the entertainment field. He then went on to record a song titled We Belong Together which made musical history from coast to coast. Its release has since caused even more demand for his personal appearances throughout the country." - Excerpt from a February 14, 1964 concert tour program starring Jimmy Velvit, Bill Black Combo, Gene Summers, Arthur K. Adams and The Imperials

Sources

  • Osborne Record Guide (Osborne, Jerry, Fifteenth Edition, 2001)
  • CD liner notes from "Jimmy Velvit - The Original" Collectables Records, 1995
  • CD liner notes from "Rockin' With Velvit...the 1960s" Seduction Records, 2000
  • Dallas Public Library
  • KBOX Radio Chart/Survey Archives
  • Dallas Times Herald
  • Texas Music Industry Directory (published by The Texas Music Office) Office of the Governor, Austin, Texas


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