"ROCKABILLY LEGEND"! A title highly regarded by Mac Curtis, especially since it was bestowed upon him by the True Rockabilly fans of Europe. They are the fans who are responsible for reviving his 1950's musical art form. A revival that began in earnest in the early Seventies and has kept the sound alive and well to this date.
Born Wesley Erwin Curtis in Fort Worth, Texas January 16, 1939, Mac spent his formative years under the guardianship of his grandparents near the farming community of Olney, Texas. From these humble roots, Mac would one day realize his childhood dreams of becoming a nationally known performer. It was far beyond his dreams, however, that the music he made during those early years would even- tually be recognized world-wide as a truly stylistic innovation. An American Original.
In 1954 Mac relocated with his grandparents to Weatherford, Texas It would become a key move considering the close proximity to Fort Worth and the nearest recording studio. Mac became acquainted with schoolmates Jim and Ken Galbraith. They shared a common interest in music and began playing together. While each had been steeped in Hillbilly and Gospel music, they had begun to be enthralled with the music of Rhythm and Blues acts . . . Big Joe Turner; The Midnighters; Piano Red. And, of course, Fats Domino; Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
The group's teenage peers slowly began to "dig" the hybrid sound. Rock and Roll was on the horizon. the teens were restless, even rebellious. Ironically, an appearance by the band on a high school assembly program became a turning point. By the completion of Mac's first two vocals, the kids were on their feet stomping and screaming. Teachers and school officials were enraged. The boys were on the brink of suspension from school for what was termed "lewd and suggestive gyrations". Fortunately, the student council intervened and even convinced officials to allow a repeat performance. Thus, was born "The Country Cats".
Mac and his band began to actually make money for their gigs. They experimented with studio demo recordings and added a drummer to enhance the beat of their music. And, in late 1955 while working a gig at a Fort Worth auto dealership they caught the ear of a popular local DJ. He was so impressed with the style that he got the group an audition with a visiting KING Records executive. The label representative signed Mac to a recording contract on the spot.
In the spring of 1956 Mac and the band stepped into the Jim Beck studio in Dallas for the first of several King Records sessions. As a result, the classic "If I Had Me A Woman" was issued as Mac's first single.
The singles "Grandaddy's Rockin" and "You Ain't Treatin Me Right" followed in rapid succession. The records caught the ear of the famous Alan Freed in New York. Freed booked Mac on his 1956 Christmas Rock 'n' Roll Revue at the prestigious Brooklyn Paramount Theater. Mac shared the bill with numerous stars including the Moonglows; Shirley and Lee; Cadillacs; Screamin Jay Hawkins; Jessie Belvin; Teddy Randazzo and George Hamilton IV. It would become one of the biggest highlights of Mac's career.
Throughout the 1960's, Mac's broadcast career took center state. He became a nationally known and respected figure in the Country Radio Industry. He served at stations in Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville and los Angeles. Simultaneously, he performed and recorded Country music. Stints with Epic Records and the GRT label produced a string of chart - placing singles and two albums. Along the way he developed his talent for song writing and succeeded in placing tunes with several other artists including his friend Bob Luman, Lynn Anderson and George Morgan.
MAC CURTIS with PHIL FRIENDLY TRIO
