STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - JIM BALLEW - ROLL ON MANATEE

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Good morning vinyl enthusiasts and welcome back to the Thursday edition of Stuck In The Vinyl Again. Today we take a look and a listen to Florida folk musician, Poet,  and environmental activist, Jim Ballew. Jim was born in 1944 in Sylacauga, Alabama and moved to Orlando in 1947. After high school Jim published poetry and was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, which he did. Upon his arrival back in Florida he collaborated with  Gamble Rogers, Paddy Mitchell, Paul Champion, and Will McLean on the  Florida Sand : Original Songs Of Florida album. Sadly Jim passed away at the age of 43, (oddly enough I can't find his cause of death, anywhere) not long after this album was recorded. Roll On Manatee was released in 1986 on the Osceola Music label and was produced by Jim.  It is a decidedly Florida album with the title track "Roll On Manatee" ending up as the theme music for a PBS television show about the endangered species. On the album we see the song, "Don't Pet The Dog", arranged by our own local and national treasure, Jim Stafford. In fact we've seen Stafford perform it live. The version on this record was recorded before a live audience in Tampa, Florida. In the special thanks section Jim thanks Stafford, Jim Carlton, Paul Butterfield, Ed Bradford for the use of his bass, Frank and Ann Thomas and Blue Springs State Park for the use of photos taken in the park.  

Oh, our copy is autographed and personalized and reads:

To Shirley. Best Wishes. Sincerely, Jim Ballew.

A1 Roll On Manatee 3:25
A2 Don't Tell Mama 2:17
A3 Turtle Mound Jubilee 2:18
A4 Chance Meeting 3:57
A5 Fudgin' & Nudgin' 2:40
A6 Here I Am Again 5:10

B1 Don't Pet The Dog 3:33
B2 When I Die 2:53
B3 Orange Grove Blues 4:06
B4 Piece Of My Mind 2:29
B5 Big River Blues 3:00
B6 Stray Dog 2:52

Pervis Cooter - glass washboard on "Turtle Mound Jubilee" and "Piece Of My Mind"

Jim Ballew - vocals - harmonies, melodies, guitar, bass