“Larry, I just don’t know what country music is these days.”
That’s what Mel Price said to the owner of the Believe In Music store in Easton, Maryland not too long ago. Or so Larry himself told me and some friends as we were passing through town the other day.
We were on our way to pick some old country tunes on the shore for the weekend and had stopped at the shop to discuss tech specs for an upcoming gig. As we strolled around the shop, pickin’ on banjos, marvelling at lovely sunburst-laden arch tops and laughing at NASCAR electrics, I happened on a small stack of home-printed CDs on the front counter top. “Mel Price: Just Me & My Guitar” it read. Below that: “1 man, 1 guitar, 1 mic, 1 take.” Next to the stack of CDs was a newspaper cutout picture of an old guy playing guitar at an old folks’ home, his flower-printed white guitar strap thicker than Hank Williams’ southern accent. I asked Larry (my buddy Tim’s old man): what was the story with Mel Price?
Turns out Mel is an old country artist who spent most of his life (if not all of it) in Easton. He and his Santa Fe Rangers enjoyed some modest success in their day, even opening for Elvis Presley when the 21 year-old King-to-be played his first gig here in DC, on board the S.S. Mount Vernon. Mel still plays music in Easton, and stops by Believe In Music from time to time.
One day in the shop, between griping about the current state of country music and the younger generations’ disinterest in real country, Mel was persuaded by the folks at Believe In Music to lay down some of his favorite songs. Joe Grimaldi of Believe In Music played Rick Ruben to Mel’s Johnny Cash in the production, recording him in one of the back rooms. One man, one guitar, one mic, one take. And one heck of a voice, especially considering it’s coming out of an 86 year-old man.
The CDs sell for ten bucks each. There was a stack of five of them on the front counter when we went into the shop that day. There were three left when we walked out.
“Butter And Egg Man” by Mel Price
“Old Dogs And Children” by Mel Price
“18 Again” by Mel Price
Mel hosts a Sunday radio show on Delmarva’s WAAI. I’d love to hear it sometime. According to Larry– who discovered it by chance, scanning through stations while working in his garage– the show is largely Mel telling stories from the good old days at the Grand Ole Opry and such. I hope to hear it one of these days. Part of me wishes it was a podcast, but that wouldn’t be right. I think there’s something to be said for letting some things stay ephemeral in this day and age, lest we talk (or blog) the coolness right out of them.
yeah, my grandfather was in his band, his name was Merritt Murphy
My mother knew Mel and Merritt and I have an old “Promo?” photo of them with the Santa Fe Rangers that belonged to her. She once told me that Merritt was the only good looking one of them:)
She was with The Blue Hen Ramblers back in those days.
My mother was in The Blue Hen Ramblers during that time and knew Mel Price and Merrit Murphy. I have an old photo of the Santa Fe Rangers that was her’s. She sometimes was called to get up and sing with Mel when she was at one of his shows. My aunt told me Mel always had her sing “If You Got The Money Honey, I Got The Time” (Hank Williams song).
I wonder if any of those CDs are still available of Mel? Sure would like to hear something of The Blue Hen Ramblers too!
Hey. would you happen to have a picture of Mel and Merritt? Id really like to see a picture of my grandfather.
Yes Tiff,
I can send it via email or however.
Hey Rick and Tiffany, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your connections to Mel! This is really cool, interesting stuff.
Rick, send me an email at the address on the top right of the page here if you want a zip file of that CD… I’d be happy to share it.
Thanks mgdistrict,
I sent an email to you (I hope it is the correct one!!). I’d love to hear Mel. I find soundbytes of his older recordings occassionally online and that band was fantastic! I think some may have been for sale, but I no longer have a turntable device…I never seemed able to care for those old 45′s, 33′s and 78′s properly!
I know the Blue Hen Ramblers had at least one 45 out. My mother had it, but she was no longer in that band then, but I know there must be some old tapes or recordings somewhere of her.
By the way, there is a photo of Mel and the Santa Fe Rangers for sale on ebay now…the asking price…129.00!
hooksets at gmail
I played with Mel Price from the late 40′s until the 60′s, playing rhythm guitar and later bass fiddle. I live about four blocks from Mel and see him allmost every week. I also give him a rating of 1 to 10 on each of his radio shows each week. I’m trying to get him to play one or two of Uncle Dave Macon’s or Stringbean’s songs, but he thinks that no one would remember them or appreciate their music. He has a terrific show, doing a lot of the older Opry stars, like Faron Young, Ferlin Husky, Red Foley, Eddie Arnold and Ernest Tubb. The station is WAAI-FM, 100.9 FM, and the show airs from 5:00 till 7:00 P.M. on Sunday (Eastern Time).He also uses a lot of Justin Trevino, Johnny Bush, Tony Booth and Curtis Potter. If you are ever near the central part of the Eastern Shore of Maryland about that time, listen in, I’m sure you will enjoy it.
Do you rember the Caroline Rangers…….Bill and Bob Fluhearty ans Bickling (Fiddle Player) from Greensboro….?
Excellent! Thanks for the info, Bill. I hope to catch it someday.
I kwow Mel, Bought my first amp from him when he was on Goldsboro St in Easton……I took lessons on steel from Gene Long…….and still play Dobro. I now live in Wildwood FL. but still play so old Mel tapes I have……..Guess I need to send and get a CD…
Do you have Mels Address…….I used to but so many years.ya Know…….want to order a CD…Jim
hey mr.mel how are you doing i talked to you a while back im in the army and in iraq my good friend is mr.bill smith so anyway i just wanted to say hi and please drop a line when you can see ya
I have One Man’s Love by Mel Price ( a 45) I also have signatures on it, besides Mel’s. Luke Jone’s,is one and four others with a 3/30/1968 date. Were they the Sante Fe Rangers?
what is on the flip side of your 45
Hell, I’m Rick Palmer. I moved to the eastern shore from Southern MD about three years ago. I was sure happy to hear we had some good country music here even if it is only a 2 hur show. That was when I first heard Mr Mell Price play the music he lives and I grwup loving. I am onmsecong month of advertising on his show now and today I finally had the chance to get over to meet him and his wife. What tqo wonderful people they are. Mr Price is a real Gem, an American treasure. We talked for over three hours about the music. WOW. He is still active doing Dj shows around town and nearby counties. In a few months he will be 90. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed meeting him. Rick Palmer, Cordova MD
Mel,
Don’t know if you heard that Fran Daniels passed away on February 18, 2011. She had been in hospital since December, 2010. Please call me at 410-532-7050 so we can talk.
Tex Daniels information:
427 N. Green St.
Georgetown, OH 45121
937-378-4526
Ronnie King
I recently found a picture of my Grandfather Merritt Murphy and Mel Price in their band uniforms. So happy!
anyone remember Joan Toomey who played with Mel Price
really enjoy music mel price plays on waai. as a musician myself i enjoy the older music i grew up on from the 40s and 50s todays country music IF YOUCALL IT THAT is not country to me. mel is a treasure