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Here's some news... Unfortunately the Baltimore Sounds book is currently out of print. We thank everyone for your support over the years.

A new website is under construction that will include the entire book, along with the Baltimore Sounds website AND Don Lehnhoff's Baltimore Jam website.
Please send us any news or additional information regarding Baltimore area local artists circa 1950-2000. We would love to include in the new site!

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Announcing the new book about Crack the Sky by Tyson Koska:

In 1975, this unknown band from Weirton, West Virginia SHOCKED the Baltimore music scene becoming "The Beatles of Baltimore." Rolling Stone deemed their first album "one of the year's most impressive debuts." In 2015, they listed it as one of the "50 best prog albums of all time." Yet, Baltimore's Beatles are nearly unknown everywhere else even as, 50 years later, they continue to create new music and sell out shows in their adoptive home. How does an out-of-town band hit it SO BIG in one limited market and remain a staple for half a century -- while being virtually unknown everywhere else?

Available at: http://www.ALLTHINGSCRACK.COM

"I was a friend of a record buyer at Harmony Hut in the Columbia Mall around 1974-77. He was always receiving promotional albums, and he turned me on to many new records during that period. But one that really stood out was the Crack the Sky debut album. I was one of the first in the area to have the album and I played it for anyone who would listen, even convinced the band I was working for to learn "She's a Dancer" and "Ice".
Then when the local guys started joining the band, I remember the excitement when Carey of Crack the Sky fame came to sit in with the band at a little dive bar in Catonsville. Of course there were many others who passed through the CTS ranks.
This book is over 350 pages of history, interviews and photos.
Hard to believe its been 50 years since that first record! That album and the bands' subsequent releases and their unmistakable style still sound fresh today."
Joe V

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LEAF - superb Baltimore funk and rock band released a couple of 7" records in early '80s that are now highly sought after collector records.
The band made some recordings in the early-mid-'90s. Throughout some very unfortunate circumstances the tapes were lost (long story explained on drummer Joe Senger's website). In short, on a visit to True Vine Records, Ian showed Joe V. a recent acquisition of some LEAF records and tapes he purchased from someone who had brought them into the store. Joe V. contacted Joe S. and with help from Ian the tapes were reunited to Joe S.
Fast forward almost 20 years... the 30 year old tapes are out of storage and have been remastered and now available for the world to enjoy!
LEAF - Too Many Junkies (A Funk-Rock Time Capsule) is available on vinyl, CD, or by download through Joe's website:
http://www.fcfoffunk.com
Also check out the SALTYmf PODCAST interview with Joe Senger via the website.

LEAF album - LEAF band L-R: Billie Senger, Byron Bowen, Joe Senger
Posted December 2024

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Saying goodbye and remembering friends and musicians...

Jim Mays - Bass guitarist, keyboardist. Long-time employee and manager at Bill's Music House, always friendly and helpful. Jim's local bands included The Verdicts, Ebb Tides, Koffee Beans, Shadows, Silver Dollar Band, Dixie Wind... An inductee in the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Johnny Krause - keyboardist, led his namesake trio from the 1950's thru the '70s, while also working with The Genteels ('60s), Jimmy Oronson Trio ('60s-'70s), Superstars ('70s)... Johnny was also a keyboard instructor and worked at Keyboard City.

Vernon Snead - guitarist - bands included Trilogy, Staggerwing, Gigs, Main Event, studio work included recordings with Biker Joe Warren...

Eddie DiMarino - Bass guitarist local bands included Blackfoot Smoke, Al Rossi's Joy, and later went to Las Vegas where he was a member of Wayne Newton's backing band.

Steve Feldman - Singer/songwriter from L.A., locally a member of Trixter. Sang with Iron Butterfly '88-90. Inductee in Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame 2020.

Don Bellew, guitarist, singer, songwriter. Member of groups Bella Donna, The Xpressions, Snowblind. Also performed as a solo artists in local clubs and Ocean City. Don lost his battle with cancer on December 30, 2024.

Don Bellew photo borrowed from Facebook

Radio legend Jack (John Herbert) Edwards passed away December 17, 2024. The Kenwood High School graduate began his 15+ year career at WCAO-AM right out of high school taking over the all-night shift. He later went on to work at WCBM, WLPL, WYST, WTTR. Jack was 86.

John Spokus, 61, passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2024. John played bass guitar with Blunt Force Trauma, The Beltways (releasing several albums), one album with George Brigman, Bagworm, and other groups.

Photo: The Beltways - John on right

Aleta Greene, on November 7, 2024 (69) iconic vocalist performed rock, soul, jazz - solo or with countless bands and combos, studio work and commercial recordings.

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Announcing the 2025 Arbutus Record & CD Show schedule!

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Rumor has it that the MEHOF Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame may be returning in 2025. Stay tuned! The Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame honors individuals and groups who have made signifigant contributions to the history of entertainment in the State of Maryland.
Honorees include Musicians, Singers, Radio and Television Personalities, Promotional Icons, and all facets of entertainment.

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Congratulations to Jimmy Briscoe & the Beavers! . A street named in their honor!
The ceremony took place on October 21, 2023 at the corner of Bethune and Round Road in Cherry Hill neighborhood, Baltimore.

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Stan Gibson announces the release of his new book "The Adventures of Verdell Katmandu - Gansta Kitty" published February 2021 is now available...
"What do you get when a man in a wheelchair and his girlfriend take in a stray (Verdell / Max) cat that smokes catnip, runs a numbers game, and is always conjuring up a get rich quick scam?" website: https://verdellkatmandu.com/
Also available at Amazon

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Announcing a new book release: "Alias Emperor Rodger: A Majestic Memoir by Baltimore's Emperor of Insanity In The Crazy Daze of '60s Top 40 Radio" by Paul H. D. Rothfuss
"ALIAS EMPEROR RODGERS..." is a memoir of the crazy days of Top 40 Radio, the "new" format that launched like a rocket in the 1950s and blasted whacky DJs and Rock 'n' Roll music across America like a streaking comet. Top 40 hit Baltimore, Maryland in 1956 when WCAO "grabbed it and ran" - that story is told here through the journey of a high school kid from Pennsylvania who hopped aboard the juggernaut early and rode it to the top.
This radio history is filled with fun and frivolity, just as AM Radio was back then - with promotions people scheming up crazy stunts that would never be allowed today. The story combines insight into the business of radio, told with genuine affection for the many people who helped this writer build a radio career that reached heights far beyond his wildest dreams.
On a whim, seventeen year old Paul Rothfuss auditions for an announcer's job at a small AM radio station in South Williamsport, PA. While learning the business at minimum wage he cements a lasting bond, and begins a journey with a serious upward trajectory - first to WSBA in York, PA and WARM in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA as Paul Roberts (Alias #1), then to Baltimore's premier Top 40 radio station, WCAO, where he rises to prominence as Paul Rodgers (Alias #2), and where he is soon elevated to the exalted rank of 'Emperor Rodgers' (Alias #3).
Eventually the Emperor hung up his toga and laurel wreath (actually, they were plastic grapes). Yet another dream was fulfilled when he left Top 40 radio to join the staff of radio personalities at Metro Media's WCBM, an early adopter of yet another 'new' radio format called Hot Adult Contemporary - 'Hot AC' for short.
All along the way it was Paul's privilege to be working with the best, which enabled him to become one of the best.
"ALIAS EMPEROR RODGERS..." is also a story of friendship; a bond between two boys making a pact at an age when wiser observers would dismiss it as the silly musings of two clueless kids. But defying those odds, they followed it through in parallel careers that propelled them to achieving their ultimate goal. (That part of the story to be explored in our sequel: PAUL AND KERBY'S GREAT ADVENTURE.)
Finally, the book is sprinkled with links and images that illuminate the story and enhance the reader's experience.
If you enjoyed watching 'WKRP In Cincinnati' you'll love reading, or listening to, ALIAS EMPEROR RODGERS: A Majestic Memoir by Baltimore's Emperor of Insanity in the Crazy Daze of '60s Top 40 Radio.
Now available through Amazon Books!
6.10.18

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Anybody heard of a R&B group circa late-'60s-early-'70s called The Accents ?
Recently a demo acetate pressing of two songs has been discovered by this group. The tracks are "West Side" (similar to a mid-'60s Drifters sound), and "Elephant Jerk" (a R&B Watusi type dance record). The recording is from Accent Studios on Biddle Street. I don't know if the songs were ever released as a single. Please let me know if you know anything about this group.

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