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Sundazed Records is reporting that Richard Delvy, the drummer for first wave surf bands The Belairs and The Challengers has passed away. Richard later became a record producer and businessman and was involved in some of the great hits of the genre. An extensive interview with Richard conducted by fellow Belair Paul Johnson can be seen on the recent Pounding Surf DVD. More information will be posted here as it becomes available.

Sundazed Records has posted that they plan to reissue several Dick Dale albums and singles collections on 180 g vinyl in March! Check it out:

• Singles Collection ’61-65 2-LP Set
• Surfers’ Choice
• King of the Surf Guitar
• Checkered Flag
• Mr. Eliminator
• Summer Surf
• Rock Out with Dick Dale and His Del-Tones (Live at Ciro’s)

Thanks Sundazed!

My wife and I were talking about the earthquake in Haiti and decided we wanted to send a donation to help the people there during what is sure to be a long recovery process. I thought that maybe instead of just sending “x” amount of dollars, I’d tie it in with the record label. So from now through the end of January, we’ll donate $4.00 for every full-length Double Crown CD purchased through the Double Crown Records website. This includes any of the following releases:

My name is Robert J. Dalley, I am the author of 'Surfin' Guitars' Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties.  The first edition was in 1988 self-publish.  2nd edition was published by Popular Culture Ink in Hardback.   I am currently working on the 3rd edition which will include more bands, updates/corrections and color.  I am reaching out to all the bands who appeared in the first two edition to contact me so I can catch up on any additional information, discographies and of course color photos, handbills, fliers, record labels, business cards etc.   Some of the new bands I am looking at are the Trademarks, New Dimensions, Surf Teens, Rhythm Kings, Teenbeats, Velvetones, Manuel & the Renegades, Fender IV, Dave & the Customs and more.  I have seen some of the threads here about my book and appreciate the comments.   I think now is a good time to get it out again as there are a lot of people who would like to have it without paying through the nose to get it.  Any help appreciate, suggestions appreciated etc.     Please give me a jingle. 
Surf's UP!

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 25, 2009 ~ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, there will be a Memorial Service for George Fullerton who recently passed away. George Fullerton, along with Leo Fender helped revolutionize the electric guitar in the 1950's. Leo Fender, and George Fullerton later began another guitar brand, G & L. George and Leo. There will be music, and lots of music community guests, and of course, music. This is event is open to all. Western Attire.... Mr Fullerton loved Western Music. Where: Crystal Cathedral Arboretum Chapman & Lewis, Garden Grove, Ca. ~ dave

Whore-Hay at Radio Free Bakersfield has done it again. This time by turning over the mic to Jeff "Bigtikidude" and Baron von Shivers of The Ghastly Ones. Hmmm, not a wise move. But this time it turned out fantastic. Want to get pumped up for the August 2009 SurfGuitar101 Convention? Then listen to Radio Free Bakersfield Podcast #136. Jeff and The Baron spin some great tunes by bands that will be featured at the convention in August. Thanks guys and congrats on a brilliant and funny show!

Read more for the track list...

After months of work, we're ready to launch the brand new Double Crown Records website!

Check it out at: www.doublecrownrecords.com

It has a bunch of features that we're really excited about. It's easy to integrate video and audio into the website, both on the front page and in blog posts. We are still using CCNow for order processing, so for all of you long-time customers that part of ordering with us will be the same as usual. The shopping area of the website is much easier to navigate than the old site, and every item has a cover scan and track listing (for CD's and 7"s). There are options to view 10, 20, 50 or all items on a page, and best of all, there is a search function, so you can enter a band name or keyword, and get a list of every CD, 7" and magazine that features that band or keyword. For example, search for "The Madeira" and you'll see all 3 Double Crown CD's, plus the 3 issues of The Continental magazine that they appeared on the CD comp.

I have gone through the site and looked for any mistakes or broken links, but if you find one drop me an e-mail at: records@dblcrown.com. I would also welcome any comments or criticisms about the new site.

The old URL, www.dblcrown.com , will continue to work indefinitely. I will update both sites for the next few months or so, until I know that the new site definitely works. At that point I will then redirect www.dblcrown.com to the new site, so both URLs will work.

It's a big step - I haven't really ever updated the look and functionality of the old site, and it shows!

Order from either site until March 31st and take 20% off any order over $20.00 using coupon code: MARCH20
_________________
Sean
Double Crown Records
www.dblcrown.com
http://doublecrown.blogspot.com

Roasting marshmallows around a fire, a pristine mountain setting and rock & roll guitars...? That's right amigo, Los Straitjackets Rock & Roll Summer Camp is back! August 25th through 28th spend three days and nights with the men behind the masks!  Enjoy three great shows, get personal instruction in guitar and rock & roll showmanship, and share the camaraderie of fellow fans. At the spectacular Full Moon Resort located in the heart of the Catskills Mountain Preserve in upstate New York.

Package(s) include:

• Three nights of live music with Los Straitjackets and special guests. This year, Dieselbilly legend Bill Kirchen will sit in with the hombres and teach a workshop to boot. 
• Three nights of comfortable country inn accommodations at the Full Moon Resort with over a hundred pristine acres of mountains, fields and streams to wander and explore.
• Opening night cocktail party. 
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared each day by Full Moon’s on-site chef.
• Guitar workshops with Eddie Angel, Daddy-O-Grande and Bill Kirchen.

Check out all the details at www.losstraitjacketssummercamp.com!

Surf guitar legend John Blair of Jon & The Nightriders, who is responsible for starting the second wave of surf music, has joined The Eliminators Surf Band.

Jon & The Nightriders electrified music lovers in 1979 when their maiden effort "Rumble At Waikiki" exploded on to the Hollywood scene and ignited what music historians now call the "second wave," or modern school of rock & roll's first electronic revolution: "instrumental" surf music.

In addition to reintroducing the nearly-forgotten style of guitar-based, instrumental surf music that laid the groundwork in the late 50s and early 60s for heavy metal and fusion styles, Jon & The Nightriders inspired classic "first wave" bands such as The Ventures and Dick Dale to resume touring.

REAL GONE GASSERS

Surf and Hot Rod Music LPs of Interest

This book presents the real stories behind some of surf and hot-rod music’s more interesting record albums. In all, over 40 surf and hot-rod music albums are discussed in detail, detail that includes a look at the group/individual responsible, the music recorded, the artwork and any other interesting side stories that are relevant in some form or another to the record album discussed.

Groups featured in this book run the gamut from instrumental surf bands (such as the Tornadoes, Surfaris, Challengers, Pyramids, Sandals, etc.) to vocal ensembles (such as the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Super Stocks, Hondells, Risers, Fantastic Baggys, Roadrunners, etc.) to even Annette Funicello and Candy Johnson!

It is all here … everything you ever wanted to know!