January 1
New
Year's Day 1952 finds the Ravens and Errol Garner in the middle
of a three-week booking at the Cafe Society in New York. Also in
town, Tiny Bradshaw is currently at the Savoy Ballroom.
Dinah Washington with Cootie Williams and His Orchestra are touring the South and the West Coast. The tour started started December 24 and will wind up in Oakland February11th.
Ruth Brown and Willis Jackson's orchestra are completing two weeks on the road through Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Washington, DC.
Joe Liggins and Jimmy Witherspoon headline a New Year"s Day Show at the Oakland Auditorium in California.
The Howard Theater in Washington is hosting the Lionel Hampton combo through January 3rd.
Sarah Vaughn and Billy Ward and His Dominoes are in the middle of a week's stay at the Regal Theater in Chicago.
Peppermint Harris is currently on tour of one-nighters in West Virginia.
In Los Angeles, Willie Mae Thornton is in her ninth and final week at the Club Oasis.
Earl Bostic is currently hospitalized in New York City following a December auto accident in Tifton, Georgia, while he was in route to and engagement in Phoenix City, Alabama. During his six month recovery, Bostic's combo will be led by Burnie Peacock
Al Hibbler and Ivory Joe Hunter are at the Frolic Show Bar in Detroit, while across town at the Flame Show Bar, LaVern Baker will be sharing the bill with a number of other artists over the next six months.
Philadelphia's Club Harlem hosts Chris Powell and his Five Blue Flames.
In New Orleans, Professor Longhair and his shuffling Hungarians are in their third week of an extended engagement at the Hi-Hat Club.
January 4
At the Apollo Theater in New York, the headliners this week were
Cab Calloway and the Four Tunes.
Johnny Otis and Little Esther start three days at the Club Alabam in Los Angeles.
Jimmy Lewis, a guitar playing balladeer, begins a two day stay at New Orleans' Dew Drop Inn.
January 7
Roy Milton and His Solid Senders open at the Show Boat Club in
Philadelphia.
Early January
Jubilee Records signs the Enchanters, a female group, to
a contract. Their first record will be "Today Is My
Birthday."
Steve Gibson and his Red Caps have been extended at the Copa Room in Miami until April 11, making a total of sixteen weeks.
January 8
The
Griffin Brothers start a week at the Trocaveria Club in Columbus
Ohio.
January 10
In Los Angeles, T-Bone Walker begins three days at the Club
Alabam, while Treniers open for four days at the Club Oasis.
January 11
"Cry" by Johnnie Ray passes the million mark in single
sales. The Four Buddies join Errol Garner, Bette McLaurin and
Sonny Stitt as the headliners of the weekly show at the Howard
Theater in Washington, DC.
The Cabineers join the Dizzy Gillipsie show at the Apollo Theater in New York for the week.
In New Orleans, Willie Mae Thornton entertains at the Dew Drop Inn.
January 12
Jewel King
returns to the West Coast after eight months of club dates. She
is scheduled for a recording session with Imperial Records that
will produce at least two new singles.
Following a tour that included Texas, Mississippi and northern Louisiana, Fats Domino returns to his home of New Orleans to play a one-nighter at the Pentagon Ballroom.
Peacock Records purchases a record pressing plant in the company's hometown of Houston, Texas. Previously, the company has used plants on both the East and West coasts.
Billy Eckstine and Spike Jones headline the "All-Star Revenue" at Detroit's Frolic Theater.
January 13
Eddie
"Cleanhead" Vinson and his orchestra start a series of
one -nighters with a show in Nashville.
Ivory Joe Hunter opens at the Cotton Club in Cincinnati for a week.
Dinah Washington is the headliner at the Sunday night dance at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
January 15
The Owners
of Modern Records, Jules and Joe Bihari, leave the West Coast for
a trek through the South in search of both country and R&B
talent.
Mid-January
New York's Billy Shaw of the Shaw Agency, one of the
most influential promoters of R&B acts, opens a West Coast
office. Prior to this, Shaw had been working with other promoters
via split commissions.
Little Richard is currently on tour in Kentucky
Louis Jordan establishes a fund in his name to loan money to underprivileged students in Arizona.
January 16
The new
show at the Paramount Theater in New York City features Sarah
Vaughan and the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra for the week.
January 17
The Four
Tunes open at Montreal's Maroon Club for three weeks.
Jimmy Witherspoon starts a two week stay at the Club Alabam in Los Angeles, while Joe Liggins is at the Club Oasis for the weekend.
January 18
Roy
Milton Travels to the Apollo Theater in New York City for a week
stay
Ruth Brown backed by Willis Jackson's band, opens for ten days at the Celebrity Club in Providence, Rhode Island,
Sarah Vaughan receives the "Most Popular Female Vocalist" award from New Jersey's Upsala College, edging out both Doris Day and Patti Page. Vaughan was currently at the Paramount Theater in New York.
T-Bone Walker, Savannah Churchill and the Striders start a week at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC.
January 19
Roy Brown opens at the Circle Theater in Cleveland
In New Orleans, Ernie Fields plays a double date, entertaining from 8 to 10 PM at the Booker T. Washington Auditorium and from 10 PM at the San Jacinto Club.
Ivory Joe Hunter starts two days at the W.C. Handy Theater in Memphis.
January 20
Pee Wee
Crayton heads the bill at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
January 23
Ivory Joe
Hunter is playing starts four nights at the Liberty Theater in
Chattanooga.
January 25
Todd
Rhodes Orchestra moves into the Midtown Club in St. Louis.
T-Bone Walker and the Todd Smith Combo open at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Ivory Joe Hunter starts four nights at Atlanta's Royal Peacock Club.
The Howard Theater in Washington DC presents Roy Milton and His Solid Senders, with TNT Tribble, the Heartbreakers and Jimmy Nelson for a week.
The Ravens headline the Earle Theater Revue in Philadelphia this week.
January 27
The
Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles hosts Johnny Otis, Little Esther and
Mel Walker.
January 28
The Tiny
Bradshaw Orchestra follow Ruth Brown into the Celebrity Club in
Providence.
The Dominoes, backed by the Paul Gayton Orchestra, start a series of one-nighters with a show in Washington, DC.
In New Orleans, Roy Brown teams with Professor Longhair for one night at the L.B. Landry High School Gym.
Late January
Wynonie Harris plays at the Turner Arena in Washington, DC.
Savoy Records announces the signing of blues singers Dimples Harris and Columbus Perry, the Flamingos and the re-signing of Varetta Dillard.
Atlantic Records reports signing nineteen year old Odelle Turner, a female blues singer and Oscar "big Blues" Black, both from Richmond Virginia.
Allen Bunn, Larks' lead singer, records his first solo record, "The Guy with the 45," for Apollo.
February 1
Ella Fitzgerald and the Gene Ammons Combo start a week's
engagement at New York's Apollo Theater
Ruth Brown is robbed of an estimated $10,000 in jewelry and furs when he car is broken into while she is eating at the Bailey Hotel's cafe in Pittsburgh. She is enroute to Elizabeth, New Jersey, for a show that evening.
February 2
Roy Brown remains in New Orleans for a show at the San Jacinto
Club before going on a series of one-nighters through Ohio. Also
in town Lee Alan and Professor Longhair at the Hi-Hat Club for a
week.
Derby Records is moving into the pop field based on the strength of "Wheel Of Fortune" by Eddie Wilcox and Sunny Gale. The record eventually reached #14 on Billboard's pop chart.
Roy Milton stops for a weekend at Bragg's Club in Detroit.
February 3
Little Willie Littlefield, who is currently on a Pacific coast
tour, plays a one-nighter at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
February 4
Ruth Brown headlines a one week appearance at Calloway's in
Providence, Rhode Island.
Roy Milton and his Orchestra are at Gleason's Casino in Cleveland for two weeks.
Early February
Wynonie Harris and Larry Darnell play Turner's Arena in
Washington
New Orleans radio station WMRY hires Daddy-O to deejay the daily R&B show.
February 8
Billy Eckstine and Count Basie take in $2,500 against sixty
percent of the gross in Houston, They are on a thirty-five date
tour of the South until March 31.
The Orioles, the Paul Williams Orchestra and Peppermint Harris start a week long tour of Virginia with a show tonight in Newport News. Other shows include Portsmouth (9), Norfolk (10-11), Richmond (12-13) and Roanoke (14).
February 9
Jules Bihari of RPM/Modern Records is served with a $1 million
lawsuit by Diamond Records of Jackson, Mississippi, that contends
that the Bihari signed and recorded Leroy Holmes and His Darktown
Boys while they were under contract to Diamond.
The Clovers and Lynn Hope's combo share the stage for the evening at the New Orleans' Place Theater. Also in town, Jesse Allen starts a nightly engagement at the Tijuana Club and LaVern Baker is at the Hi-Hat Club.
February 10
Amos Milburn is at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
February 11
Buddy Johnson and his sister, Ella, along with vocalist Arthur
Prysock, play a one-nighter in Detroit at the Graystone Ballroom
February 14
The Joe Morris Cavalcade opens in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Joe Turner plays the CIO Hall in Muskegon, Michigan.
The Treniers are at Los Angeles' Club Oasis, while the Club Alabam hosts Dinah Washington in a record breaking engagement. Also in Los Angeles, Jimmy Witherspoon is the guest performer at the grand opening of the Cotton Club.
February 15
Sonny Thompson joins Arnett Cobb for a week at Washington's
Howard Theater.
Professor Longhair moves into the Caledonia Club in New Orleans for three nights.
Pee Wee Crayton opens at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles for the weekend.
Mid-February
Recent record companies signing new talent include
Peacock Records contract with Lafayette Thomas and Savoy Record'
acquisition of Melvin Evans of Atlanta. Also, Okeh Records is
overjoyed in announcing its newest acquisition, Hadda Brooks, who
previously recorded for Modern and Victor.
The Griffin Brothers and Peppermint Harris play sixty one-nighters throughout the West and Texas in February.
February 16
The Orioles move into the Holiday Inn in Newark, New Jersey for a
week
February 17
Charles Brown plays the Sunday night dance at the Elks Ballroom
in Los Angeles
Johnny Otis, Little Esther and Willie Mae Thornton appear at the Rosenwald Gym in New Orleans with Gatemouth Brown and Marie Adams.
February 18
Roy Milton and His Solid Senders start a two weeks in Atlanta at
the Royal Peacock.
February 20
Billy Eckstine and Count Basie split the bill for one show at New
Orleans' Booker T. Washington Auditorium.
February 22
Sarah Vaughan shares the bill with Bull Moose Jackson's band for
a week at the Apollo Theater in New York..
Ivory Joe Hunter entertains for a week at Speedie's New Musical Room in Philadelphia.
The Orioles Hal "Cornbread" Singer and Lowell Fulson open for a week at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC.
Billy Bunn and His Buddies with comedian Pigmeat Markham start a week long tour of Virginia with a show in Newport News. Other stops include Portsmouth (23, Norfolk (24-25), Richmond (26-27) and Roanoke (28).
In Los Angeles, the 5-4 Ballroom presents Charles Brown for the weekend.
February 24
The Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles hosts to Percy Mayfield for the
evening.
In New Orleans, the three day weekend finds Smiley Lewis fronting the Dave Bartholomew band at the Hi-Hat Club.
February 25
Todd Rhodes Combo start four weeks at the Cotton Club in
Cincinnati.
February 27
Roy Milton opens at the Royal Peacock in Atlanta.
February 28
Birdland in New York City presents Ivory Joe Hunter for two
weeks.
February 29
Lowell Fulson starts a week at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Also on the show is Hal "Cornbread" Singer's Orchestra.
Late February
Sarah Vaughan opens at the Rendezvous Room in
Philadelphia.
Okeh Records reactivated six months ago as a subsidiary of Columbia Records to promote R&B artists, is made a full fledged operation by the parent company. The latest acquisition for the company is the Four Lads.
March 1
It is reported in the music press that song publishers are now
willing to submit songs to independent record companies following
the success of "Cry" by Johnnie Ray on Okeh and
"Wheel of Fortune" by Eddie Wilcox and Sunny Gale on
Derby. Companies likely to benefit by the move are
Jubilee, King and Okeh, as well as a number of West Coast labels
including Imperial Aladdin and RPM/Modern.
March 4
Sonny Thompson opens at the Ebony Lounge in Cleveland for two
days.
T-Bone Walker plays a one-nighter at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
March 4
Bull Moose Jackson is in Philadelphia at the Club Harlem.
March 6
Ivory Joe Hunter plays a one night stand in Richmond,
Virginia.
March 7
Sonny Thompson and His Orchestra, with Lulu Reed and the Ravens
open for a week at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Dave Bartholomew is back at the High-Hat in New Orleans sharing the stage for two weeks with Tommy Ridgely.
The Tiny Bradshaw Orchestra and the Tab Smith Combo entertain for the week at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC.
March 9
Roy Milton is the evening's entertainment at Los Angeles' Elks
Ballroom.
The Rosenwald Gym in New Orleans is the scene of a show featuring the Buddy Johnson Orchestra with sister Ella and Arthur Prysock.
March 12
In New York City, Ella Fitzgerald opens at the Paramount Theater,
while Sara Vaughan is the headliner at the Birdland.
March 14
Charles Brown starts a tour of forty-one play dates throughout
Texas.
The Cardinals join Bull Moose Jackson and Maxine Sullivan at the Earl Theater in Philadelphia.
Washington's Howard Theater offers patrons the talents of the Ravens for this week's entertainment.
March 15
Pee Wee Crayton plays the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Mid-March
Arthur Prysock continues on the road with a series of
one-nighters and theater dates backed by the Buddy Johnson
Orchestra. Dates include Philadelphia, Cleveland, Boston and and
New York City. The tour runs through May
Talent scouts from New York's Apollo Records, in Memphis searching for another Rosco Gordon or B.B. King sign two artists: Bill Harvey, Formerly with Peacock Records and Bonita Cole.
March 16
Roy Milton moves into the Lincoln Theater in Los Angeles for a
week. Also in town, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson is at the
Elks Ballroom for the evening.
March 17
Ruth Brown entertains at the Hi-Hat Club in Boston for a week.
March 20
Dave Bartholomew and Tommy Ridgely take their show to the New
Orleans' Tijuana Club for the night.
March 21
Dinah Washington and Cootie Williams Combo open at the War
Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey.
The Ravens and Wini Brown start a week tour of Virginia with a show tonight at Newport News. Other dates are Portsmouth (22), Norfolk (23-24) and Roanoke (27).
Philadelphia's Earle Theater presents Johnny Ray and the Swallows for a week.
The Eddie Wilcox band featuring vocalist Sunny Gale and the Blenders start a week at the Apollo Theater.
The Cadillacs, Lil Green and Odelle Turner are on the bill with Charlie Parker at the Howard Theater for a week in Washington, DC.
During a stage show in Cleveland promoted by Alan Freed, local deejay on WWJ, a riot breaks out. The show is cancelled.
March 22
Joe Medlin goes into the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Ivory Joe Hunter opens in Columbus, Ohio, at the Trocaveria Club.
In New Orleans, Larry Darnell entertains at the Palace Theater for the evening.
March 23
Pee Wee Crayton performs Los Angeles' Lincoln Theater.
March 28
The Apollo Theater Presents the Clovers, the James Moody Combo
and pianist Eddie Heywood's band for the week.
March 30
Floyd Dixon plays a one- nighter at the Elks Ballroom in Los
Angeles. Also in town, Roy Milton starts three days at the
Lincoln Theater with Pee Wee Crayton.
Late March
Amos Milburn opens at Pep's Lounge in Philadelphia.
Mercury Records signs Lightin' Hopkins
It is reported that promoter Hal Waller of Los Angeles recently booked singer Floyd Dixon into Phoenix on a three day trial promotion where Dixon played to White, Mexican and Black audiences on separate nights. The White audience was by far the largest of the three.
April 1
Steve Gibson and His Red Caps are at the Club Harlem in
Philadelphia.
April 2
During his swing through the Southwest, Charles Brown played a
one-nighters in Houston.
April 4
B.B. King rocks the crowd at Trenton's War Memorial Auditorium.
April 7
Louis Jordan begins two weeks at New York's Warner Theater with
his new orchestra. This is his first appearance following a
December 1951 announcement of indefinite retirement due to
illness.
The Celebrity Club hosts Tiny Grimes in Providence, Rhode Island.
Early April
Sax-man Joe Houston, lately with Modern Records, has
been signed by Imperial Records of Los Angeles.
Atlantic Records is releasing the first record from their new singing sensation, Odelle Turner. She has recorded "Alarm Clock Boogie," a song that she had recently premiered at the Apollo Theater.
M-G-M Records has branched into R&B market by adding blues shouter Johnny King. a protege of Leonard Feather. His first recording session is backed by the Buddy Johnson Orchestra.
April 8
Chris Powell and His Five Blues Flames begin a series of club
dates in Pennsylvania that will last through April 26. and
include a week at Philadelphia's Showboat starting on the 14th.
April 11
Jimmy Witherspoon travels to the Royale Peacock in Atlanta. The
Swallows perform at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC. Dinah
Washington starts a week at New York's Apollo Theater with Jimmy
McPhail and Arnett Cobb.
Al Hibbler is at Detroit's Flame Show Bar.
The Regal Theater in Philadelphia presents Lowell Fulson, Hal "Cornbread" Singer, Lil Green and Sugar Chile Robinson this week.
April 12
In New Orleans, Paul Monday , Peacock Record's piano playing
blues singer, headlines at the Dew Drop Inn. Nearby, Jesse Hill
starts a series of weekends at the Corine Club in Mereaux,
Louisiana.
April 13
The Orioles perform before a crowd of 2,000 teenagers at the
Pershing Ballroom in Chicago.
Big Jay McNeeley headlines the show at South Park in Los Angeles. Also in town, Lloyd Green is at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
Joe Turner and Gatemouth Brown entertain dancers for the evening at New Orleans' Rosenwald. Gym.
Roy Milton entertains at the Easter dance at the Oakland Auditorium.
April 14
The Club Harlem in Philadelphia hosts Steve Gibson and His Red
Caps for a week.
In New Orleans, Dave Bartholomew Combo performs at the Labor Union Hall.
Wini Brown is at George's Bar in Indianapolis. Tinny Bradshaw starts an engagement at the Club Trocaveria in Columbus, Ohio.
Mid-April
Jubilee Records signs Billy Paul, the sixteen year old
winner of the Apollo Theater's weekly amateur contest and the
Marylanders from Baltimore. Other recent signings include the
Dreamers with Mercury and Eddie Mack with Savoy. Tempo Records
signs its first R&B artist, Little Billy Big. Specialty
Records owner Art Rupe, has returned from a talent search of the
South. He has signed bandleader and singer Lloyd Price, Peter
McKinney and Little Sonny Houston.
Fats Domino opens for a month at Grady's Supper Club In Nashville, Tennessee. He and his six man band will split $2,500 a week.
Atlantic Records promotes Jesse Stone to musical director. Stone had previously had several combos and composed many R&B songs.
Hal "Cornbread" Singer appears at the Regal Theater in Chicago before stating on a tour through the Midwest.
April 16
Jimmy Witherspoon and Tab Smith share the bill at the Sunday
night dance at the Elk's Ballroom in Los Angeles.
April 17
Al Hibbler travels to New Orleans for a two week engagement.
Charles Brown and Joe Turner pack the Paradise Garden Club in
Biloxi, Mississippi.
April 18
Little Esther, backed by the Johnny Otis band opens at the War
Memorial auditorium in Trenton, New Jersey.
The Clovers appear at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC. Also
on the bill are Charley Parker, Lil Green and the Billy Ford
Orchestra.
On the Virginia circuit this week, the Five Keys share the bill with Varetta Dilliard. Shows are at Newport News tonight, Portsmouth (19), Northfolk (20-21), Richmond (22-23) and Roanoke (24).
The Swallows share the stage with Pearl Bailey at New York's Apollo Theater.
April 19
Winners at the Seventh Annual Pittsburgh Courier
Theatrical Awards perform at New York's Carnage Hall. They
include the Dominoes, Billy Eckstine, Lester Williams, Lionel
Hampton's big band and the Nat King Cole Trio. Billy Ward and His
Dominoes are winners of the vocal group division.
April 20
The Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles holds a "Blues
Jamboree" featuring Little Willie Littlefield and Floyd
Dixon
New York's Birdland presents Billy Ward and His Dominoes for two weeks.
There is a "Battle of the Blues" at New Orleans' San Jacinto Club featuring Joe Turner and Gatemouth Brown.
April 21
Big John Greer, Victor blues singer, opens at the Regal in
Columbus, Ohio. Also in town, Tiny Bradshaw Combo entertains at
the Cotton Club.
WWRL radio in New York starts an hour long R&B show after midnight. George Woods, is the deejay. WOV radio, also in New York, counters by announcing that it will air an hour of R&B every afternoon featuring two of their most popular personalities, Willie Bryant and Ray Caroll.
April 22
Louis Jordan closes at the Warner Theater in New York. He is
booked solid through November with dates at theaters in
Washington and Philadelphia, as well as clubs in San Francisco
and Los Angeles.
April 24
Lionel Hampton Orchestra start a week engagement at Toronto's
Casino Theater.
April 25
The Orioles begin a series of one -nighters.
Following a one week tour of Louisiana, Gatemouth Brown joins
Paul Monday at the New Orleans' Dew Drop Inn for the weekend.
The Earle Theater in Philadelphia hosts the Griffin Brothers,
Sugar Chile Robinson, Joe Turner and Margie Day for a week's
engagement.
At the Apollo Theater in New York, the Johnny Otis Orchestra
headline for the week, The singers include Little Esther, Willie
Mae Thornton and Mel Walker.
Savannah Churchill starts a week at the Flame Show Bar in
Detroit.
April 27
The
Joe Morris Orchestra with singer Laurie Tate are the feature
attractions at this Sunday's night dance at the Elks Ballroom in
Los Angeles
Charles
Brown and Amos Milburn join forces for the evening at New
Orleans' Coliseum.
April 28
Charles Brown and Amos Milburn play New Iberia, Louisiana, as the
first on a one-nighters tour.
April 29
Amos Milburn goes on the road for twenty-nine one-nighters in
Texas.
Late April
Billy Eckstine is currently at the Copacabana in New York.
The Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles hosts a "Blues Jamboree" featuring Little Willie Littlefield and Floyd Dixon
May 1
Charles Brown and Amos Milburn play a one-nighters in Houston.
Johnnie Ray and Billy Ward and His Dominoes begin two weeks at
Chicago's Oriental Theater
May 2
Philadelphia's Earle Theater presents, Tiny Grimes, Edna McGriff
and the Charioteers for a week.
Louis Jordan starts a week at the Howard Theater in Washington,
DC.
Tiny Bradshaw brings his orchestra to the Apollo Theater in New
York for a week.
May 3
The Palace Theater In New Orleans offers the Orioles for
tonight's ticket holders.
May 6
Steve Gibson and His Red Caps begin two weeks at the Rivera in
Las Vegas, Featured vocalist with the combo is Gibson's wife,
Damita Jo.
May 7
Billy
Eckstine opens at this new club, the Savoy, on the Sunset Strip,
Hollywood.
Early May
Ruth Brown is highlighted in the May issue of Ebony magazine.
She starts a twenty day tour with the Charles Brown Orchestra
that will travel throughout the South.
Gatemouth Brown and Paul Monday are touring the South in a series of one-nighters.
Decca Recording artists Larry Cummings and the Rhythm Aces are at the Trocadero in Kansas City.
Annie Laurie and Stick McGhee are touring the South through May.
The Larry Darnell, Wynonie Harris, Eddie Durham package is playing a series of one -nighters in the Midwest.
May 8
B.B. King and H-Bomb Ferguson bring their brand of blues to the
Virginia circuit this week starting in Roanoke tonight. Other
date include Newport News (9), Portsmouth (10), Norfolk (11-12)
and Richmond (13-14).
May 9
Joe Turner and the Five Keys front the Count Basie Band for a
week at the Apollo in New York.
Louis Jordan opens for a week at Philadelphia's Earle Theater.
Paul Monday plays a two night stand at New Orleans' Dew Drop Inn.
May 10
Lionel Hampton plays for a night at the Mosque Theater in Newark
before returning to Canada for a week at Montreal's Seville
Theater on the 15th.
Chess Records announces the formation of a new subsidiary, Checker Records.
May 11
Roy Milton performs for the Sunday night crown at the Elks
Ballroom in Los Angeles.
In New Orleans' San Jacinto Ballroom presents Jackie Brenston and Rosco Gordon for the Mother's Day Dance.
May 12
Tiny Bradshaw is at the Sky Bar in Cleveland. Ohio.
Mid-May
While on tour the Orioles are involved in an auto
accident as they travel between stops in Memphis and Shreveport.
A tire on Sonny Til's 1947 sedan suffers a blowout as bass singer
Jimmy Reed is driving. fortunately, no one is hurt.
Sonny Thompson is currently on a one -nighters tour until the 28th.
Ike Turner, of Clarksville, Mississippi and Jay Franks of Texarkana, Arkansas, have been signed to RPM Records in Los Angeles.
Peacock Records, one of the most active independent R&B and gospel record companies, announces that all future releases will be issued on both 45 and 78 rpm speeds. Previously, all issues had been 78 rpm.
May 16
The Four Tunes open at the Blue Mirror in Washington, DC.
Joe Turner and the Five Keys move into the Howard Theater in Washington, DC for a week with the Count Basie's orchestra. Following this week, The Keys are off on a one -nighter tour through Virginia.
Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five headline the revue at the Apollo Theater for the week.
Billy Wright performs the first of a pair of three day weekends at New Orleans' Dew Drop Inn.
Pearl Bailey shares the stage with Chris Powell and His Five Blue Flames this week at Philadelphia's Earle Theater.
May 17
M-G-M Records announces a major move into the R&B field.
Henceforth, the company plans to issue at least one R&B
record a week. Up to this time in 1952, the company has only
issued a total of three R&B titles.
In New Orleans, the Palace Theater welcome Lowell Fulsome and the Cardinals for the evening.
May 18
Dinah Washington and Tommy Edwards entertain this evening at the
Philadelphia Armory as part of the "Caravan Of Stars."
Lloyd Green is at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
May 19
The
Swallows, Edna McGriff and Buddy Johnson Orchestra start a series
of one-nighters promoted by Cleveland deejay Alan Freed. This
night the performers entertain at the Crystal Beach Ballroom
in Lorraine, Ohio. On the 20th they are at the Summit Beach
Ballroom in Akron, Ohio.
On the 21st they are at the Avon Ballroom in Youngstown, Ohio. Total attendance for all three shows are over 5,000.
May 20
King Pleasure moves into the Harlem Club in Philadelphia.
May 21
Dinah Washington, the Mills Brothers and Tommy Edwards star at
the Baltimore's Coliseum. A near riot breaks out when white zoot
suiters start to dance during Washington's rendition of
"Wheel Of Fortune."
May 23
The Four Buddies join Illinois Jacquet at the Earle Theater in
Philadelphia. Also on stage is vocalist Wini Brown.
Buddy Johnson Orchestra, featuring his sister Ella and her husband Arthur Prysock, headline the show at the Apollo Theater for the week.
Al Hibbler, Edna McGriff, Chris Powell and His Five Blue Flames and Jimmy Tyler headline the revue this week at Washington's Howard Theater.
May 24
A survey published in Los Angeles reports that the major portion
of R&B records are purchased by Spanish and mixed nationality
buyers. As many as forty percent of the buyers are reported to be
White where previously the buyers for R&B were almost all
Blacks.
The Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles plays host to Roy Brown. Across town at the Shriner's Club Ball, Earl Bostic is entertaining the crowd.
The San Jacinto Club In New Orleans offers a "Double Battle Of The Blues" with Dave Bartholomew vs Joe Phillips and Fats Domino vs Professor Longhair. Across town, Joe Turner plays a one-nighter at the Dew Drop Inn.
May 26
The Griffin Brothers spend the evening the Farmdell Club in
Dayton, Ohio.
Billy Wright fills out the rest of the weekend at New Orleans" Dew Drop Inn.
Earl Bostic performs at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
May 28
Sonny Thompson opens for ten days at the Farmdell Club in Dayton,
Ohio.
May 29
Cleveland's Savoy Club hosts the Tiny Bradshaw Orchestra as they
begin a three week engagement.
May 30
New York's Apollo Theater welcomes the Lionel Hampton Orchestra
for a week's stay.
Joe Turner returns to the Dew Drop Inn in New Orleans for the evening. Billy Wright fills out the remainder of the weekend.
Dinah Washington along with Arnett Cobb and the Ravens opens at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia for the Memorial Day weekend.
May 31
Ray Charles, Joe Turner and Hal "Cornbread" Singer
start a month long tour of Texas.
The Swallows are welcomed to New Orleans' Palace Theater for the evening.
Lloyd Price hits the road on his first tour, covering three state in two weeks. Tonight he plays LaPlace, Louisiana.
Late May
Wynonie Harris is back in New York following his Midwest tour.
Ruth Brown and Hot Lips Page are in Virginia for a series of one
night stands.
Rainbow Records has signed Joe Bailey and Lloyd Williams.
June 1
Louis Jordan, Roy Brown and Jimmy Witherspoon are the featured
artists at the Eighth Annual Cavalcade of Jazz at Wiggle Field in
Los Angeles.
Lloyd Price continues on his first tour with a show in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Tomorrow he travels to Pensacola, Florida.
June 2
Wini Brown opens in Cleveland for a week following her successful
engagement at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia.
June 6
Ruth Brown fronts the Erskine Hawkins band for her week's stay at
the Apollo.
In Louisiana, Lloyd Price makes a stopover at Donaldson tonight and Port Allen on the seventh.
June 7
Capitol Records reports that 45 rpm record sales are up fifty-two
percent in the first four months of 1952 as compared to the
previous year. Victor on the other hand, reports that total sales
for all records are down ten per percent for the same period.
Early June
Alan Freed, Cleveland"s well known disk jockey, is
in New York to set up talent for several forthcoming dance
programs in the Cleveland area in June. Among those signed are
the Swallows, Edna, McGriff and Buddy Lucas Orchestra.
Little Esther, Willie Mae Thornton and Johnny Otis Combo are touring the Pacific Northwest before returning to Otis' home base of California.
Roy Brown is reportedly bringing in crowds on his swing through the West Coast. Also currently on tour, Jimmy Forrest is traveling throughout the South for most of June.
June 8
Louis Jordan performs at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
June 9
In Cleveland, Earl Bostic is at the Ebony Club. Percy Mayfield
starts a tour of the Eastern Seaboard.
June
The Swallows are off on a one-nighter tour of the West Coast.
June 12
Sonny
Thompson opens at the Farmdell Club in Dayton, Ohio.
June 13
Edna McGriff and the Buddy Lucas Orchestra begin a series of one
night stands in the bay area of Virginia with a show in
Petersburg.
Ruth Brown headlines for a week at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC.
Savannah Churchill and the Striders front the Dizzy Gillespie Combo for a week at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia.
In New Orleans, Lloyd Price is scheduled for a three day weekend at the Dew Drop Inn. He is held over for an additional three weekends. A local newspaper calls Price "The biggest calling card since Roy Brown."
Sarah Vaughan is featured at the Club Harlem in Philadelphia. Also in town, Bill Doggett is at Lawson's Nite Club.
June 14
Billy Ward and His Dominoes play a double date in New Orleans.
There is an afternoon show at the Booker T. Washington Auditorium
followed by an evening show at the Coliseum Arena. The crowd for
the Arena show is reported to be "frenzied."
June 15
The Clovers, backed by the Billy Ford band, hit the road for a
month of one-nighters through the South and West.
Johnny Otis, Little Esther and Willie Mae Thornton are headliners at the Sunday night dance at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
The Orioles stop in New Orleans for a night at the Booker T. Auditorium.
Mid-June
The Ravens are sued by their parent recording company,
National Records, for $100,000 as a result of their failure to
show up for a recording session. The lawsuit names Columbia
Records as having allegedly induced the singers to breach their
contract. The Raven"s latest release "Mam'selle"
is on Columbia's Okeh subsidiary The Ravens countersue National
for back royalties of $7,615.
The Bihari brothers, owners of RPM Records are seeking an injunction against Duke Records for releasing records by Rosco Gordon.
Specialty Records, one of the top independent R&B record labels, announces that they are entering the country and western market with four initial releases.
Arthur Prysock quits the Buddy Johnson Orchestra after eight years to start a solo career. Johnson will remain Prysock's personal manager.
Mercury Records signs Mel Walker, previously with Savoy and the Freddie Mitchell Orchestra, formerly with Derby Records
Louis Jordan takes his Tympany Five to Honolulu for the week.
Austin Powell, former lead singer of with the Cats and a Fiddle, signs with Atlantic Records.
June 16
The Four Tunes begin twelve weeks at the Club Harlem in Atlantic
City, New Jersey.
The Griffin brothers start a week at the Trocavria Club in Columbus, Ohio.
Ella Fitzgerald is at the Harlem Club in Philadelphia for a week.
T-Bone Walker starts two weeks at the Club Oasis in Los Angeles.
June 19
The
Swallows, Edna McGriff and Buddy Johnson Orchestra start a series
of one-nighters promoted by Cleveland deejay Alan Freed. This
night the performers entertain at the Crystal Beach Ballroom
in Lorraine, Ohio. On the 20th they are at the Summit Beach
Ballroom in Akron, Ohio. and on the 21st
On the 21st they are at the Avon Ballroom in Youngstown, Ohio. Total attendance for all three shows are over 5,000.
Joe Liggins starts a tour of the Southwest.
Roy Brown plays a one-nighters at the Cobra Club in San Diego, California.
June 20
Roy Brown sets off on a one-nighters tour of the South that
will include a few club dates.
Ivory Joe Hunter is at the Apollo Theater for a week.
Dinah Washington, Bill Harris's All Stars and Joe Holiday's Orchestra open at Birdland.
Sarah Vaughan and Timmie Rogers share the stage for a week at Washington's Howard Theater.
Louis Jordan plays a one -nighters in Yakima, Washington. He follows with a show on the 21st in Spokane and on the 22nd at the Trianon Ballroom in Tacoma, Washington.
Chicago's Regal Theater presents the Count Basie Orchestra and the Ravens this week.
The new show at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia features the Tiny Bradshaw Orchestra.
June 22
In New Orleans, one night stands are the norm this evening for
the R&B audience: Roy Milton, Pee Wee Crayton and Lil
Greenwood are at the Coliseum Arena; Gatemouth Brown, Lloyd Price
and Gene Ammons are at the Rosenwald Gym and Lowell Fulson is at
the Club Desire.
June 23
The package tour of Ray Charles, Joe Turner and Hal
"Cornbread" Singer ends its month long tour with a show
in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Tiny Bradshaw is featured for three days at Philadelphia's Pep's Musical Bar.
Bill Doggett's Combo opens at the Carver Bar in the Glen Hotel in Philadelphia.
June 24
Louis Jordan continues his tour of the Northwest with a show in
Vancouver, Washington. This is followed by shows in the Century
Ballroom in Tacoma (25) and McElroy's Ballroom in Portland (26).
June 25
The Griffin Brothers come of a three week vacation by starting a
series of one -nighters with a show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
June 26
The Four Tunes begin a summer engagement at the Harlem Club in
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Tenor saxman Frank "Floorshow" Culley starts at the Farmdell Club in Dayton, Ohio for two weeks. Culley played tenor sax on the 1949 Atlantic Records hit "Cole Slaw."
In Los Angeles, Joe Liggins is appearing at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
June 27
Lynn Hope's Orchestra with Amos Milburn starts the summer season
at Weeke's Cafe in Atlantic City with a week's engagement.
Following his appearance in Philadelphia, Tiny Bradshaw opens for a week at Washington's Howard Theater.
New York's Apollo Theater welcomes Joe Turner to this week's revue.
June 28
The Buddy Johnson Orchestra is off on a one-nighter tour through
the North, East Coast and Midwest until July 11 after closing a
successful time in Boston.
Late June
Dinah Washington opens at the Birdland in New York.
July 2
Following one-night stand in Eugene, Oregon and Sacramento and
Red Wood in California, Louis Jordan performs at the Del Monte
Gardens in Monterey. The following two nights find him in
San Francisco and Oakland.
July 3
Jimmy Weatherspoon headlines the dance at the Oro Ballroom in Los
Angeles tonight. Also on the Fourth of July. Also in Los Angeles
for the weekend are Hal "Cornbread" Singer with Joe
Turner, who are appearing for three days at the 5-4 Ballroom.
Roy Brown travels to through Club DeLisa in Portland, Oregon.
July 4
Weeke's Cafe in Atlantic City hosts the Five Keys, Wini Brown and
Piney Brown for the week.
Dinah Washington is scheduled to perform in Trenton, New Jersey, but doesn't show up. Legal action against her is settled in September with the scheduling of another show.
Ruth Brown appears at the Royal Theater in Baltimore.
Wynonie Harris along with Larry Darnell and Annie Laurie open at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC this week.
July 5
Big Jay McNeeley starts an extended engagement at the Waldorf
Center in Los Angeles.
July 6
Roy Brown plays the Sunday night dance at the Elks Ballroom in
Los Angeles.
July 7
Arthur Prysock moves into the Regal Theater in Columbus, Ohio,
for three weeks.
Early July
Rainbow Records, continuing to add to its stable of
R&B acts, signs the Five Crowns and the Miller Sisters.
Okeh Records, a subsidiary of New York's Columbia Records, reports that its scouts are off to the West Coast and South in search of new talent.
The Paul Williams Orchestra opens for a week at Cleveland's Emory Club.
July 8
Tiny Bradshaw's Orchestra starts four weeks in Cincinnati,
Ohio.
July 9
As part of a month long tour of California, Louis Jordan returns
for a week at the Cypress Club in Sacramento, California
July 11
The Buddy
Johnson Orchestra starts a week at the Regal Theater in Chicago
Charles
Brown shares the bill with the Orioles at Weeke's Cafe in
Atlantic City for two weeks.
Ivory Joe Hunter starts at the Glass Bar in St. Louis.
Ruth Brown plays a night a one-nighter in Birmingham, Alabama, followed the next night by a show in Alexandria, Virginia.
Dinah Washington, the Ravens, and comedian Redd Foxx and Slappy White are the stars at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC.
Varetta Dilliard plays the Flame Show Bar in Detroit for a week as an opener for her Midwest tour.
July 12
A package consisting of Edna McGriff, Tab Smith and Lynn Hope's
Orchestra starts on a tour of twenty-two one-nighters through the
South.
July 13
Earl Bostic is at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles for the night.
July 14
Amos Milburn starts a week at the Ebony Club in Cleveland, Ohio.
July 15
On the "Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour" television
program, the annual run-off winner is eight year old Gladys
Knight of Atlanta, Georgia. She takes home $2,000 and a gold cup.
Mid-July
Bull Moose Jackson is finishing up his tour of the West
Coast.
In the resort city of Wildwood, New Jersey, Sarah Vaughan is at the Beachcombers, the Treniers and the Jive Bombers are at the Riptide, Steve Gibson and His Redcaps featuring DaMita Joe are at the Martinique and the Golden Dragon plays host to the Five Barons.
New Orleans radio station WJMR sets aside two hours every afternoon for its Poppa Stoppa dejay show dedicated to R&B.
July 16
Louis Jordan starts a stand at the Say When Club in San Francisco
that will run through the 27th.
July 18
Ruth Brown with Willis Jackson's band starts a week at Weeke's
Cafe in Atlantic City.
T-Bone Walker opens for a three day weekend at Los Angeles' 5-4 Ballroom.
The Howard Theater in Washington, DC plays host to the Paul Williams Orchestra and the Orioles for a week.
Arthur Prysock starts two weeks at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
July 20
Jimmy McCracklin and Jimmy Witherspoon engage in a Battle of
Bands at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
July 21
Ivory Joe Hunter opens at the Ebony Club in Cleveland, Ohio for a
week.
Dinah Washington is at the Blue Mirror in Washington, DC.
July 24
Bull Moose Jackson goes into the Savoy Ballroom in New York for a
week.
July 25
Billie Holiday and Wild Bill Trio start a week in Atlantic City
at Weeke's Cafe. Also working this date, except on the 26th, is
Hal "Cornbread".
Singer Joe Turner coming off a California tour, opens at the Dew Drop Inn in New Orleans for three weeks.
July 26
Sarah Vaughan and Hal "Cornbread" Singer perform for
the inauguration of the Saturday night Chesapeake cruises out of
Washington, DC.
Roy Brown Stops at the San Jacinto Club in New Orleans for the evening.
The third "Annual Blues Jamboree" at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles features many local favorites including T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Al Hibbler, Big Jay McNeeley, Peppermint Harris, Joe Houston and Floyd Dixon.
Peacock Records, based, based in Houston, takes over Duke Records in Memphis
July 27
Betty McLauren starts a ten days at the Regal Theater in
Columbus, Ohio.
In Los Angeles, the Sunday night dance at the Elks Ballroom features Little Willie Littlefield and Joe Houston.
July 28
Atlanta's Club Poinciana hosts Varetta Dillard.
July 29
Earl Bostic stops by the Blackhawk Club in San Francisco for two
weeks as part of his West Coast Swing.
Late July
Leo "Mad Lad" Parker and His Orchestra become
the first R&B group to play the Latin Quarter in St. Louis.
They were booked as a result of the response during their six
week stay at the Boulevard Room in Kansas City.
Savannah Churchill is at Chubby's Cafe in Camden, New Jersey.
It is reported by the recording industry that for the first half of 1952, 78 rpm records made up fifty percent of all sales down from eighty percent in April, followed by 45 rpm at thirty percent and 33 1/3 rpm at sixteen percent of all records sold.
August 1
Wynonie Harris is booked into the Royal Theater in Baltimore for
a week.
August 2
The Clovers and Charles Brown headline the talent on the
Chesapeake River Saturday night cruise sailing from Washington
DC.
August 3
In Los Angeles, Al Hibbler plays the Elk Ballroom.
The Battle of The Blues at the Rosenwald Gym in New Orleans features Joe Turner vs Guitar Slim
August 4
Joe Turner and Guitar Slim take their blues battle on the road
with a show in Plaguamine, Louisiana, followed by Biloxi,
Mississippi (5th) and Thibodaux (6th) and New Iberia ( Louisiana
(7th).
August 5
Joe Turner moves into the Orchid Room in Kansas City.
August 7
The Orioles open at the Farmdell Club in Dayton, Ohio for four
days.
Early August
Universal Attractions is sending out "The Greatest
Show Of '52," which includes Wini Brown, the Swallows,
H-Bomb Ferguson, LaVern Baker, and the Todd Rhodes Orchestra for
up to seven weeks in the South and East.
Roy Brown and Tab Smith are currently touring the South on separate one-nighters.
August 8
James Moody and Sonny Thompson are the featured attractions at
the Howard Theater in Washington, DC for the week
Lloyd Glenn opens for three nights at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles with the Four Flames. They remain at the 5-4 for the next week,
August 9
Ruth Brown and Amos Milburn perform on the Chesapeake River
Saturday night cruise sailing out of Washington, DC.
Wynonie Harris shares the bill with the Five Keys and Annie Laurie at the Royale Theater in Baltimore, Maryland.
Following a performance at the Steel Beach, in Atlantic City, Ink Spot guitarist Charlie Fuqua announces that he is leaving the group and will form a New Ink Spots.
August 10
Jimmy Nelson, Peppermint Harris and Bumps Blackwell's Harlem
Revue are at the Elks Club in Los Angeles.
August 11
Charles Brown opens for a week at the Farmdell Club in Dayton,
Ohio.
Amos Milburn starts a week at Pep's Musical Bar in Philadelphia.
August 12
The Orioles front the Paul Williams Orchestra for a week at the
Apollo Theater in New York.
Gatemouth Brown plays the Orchid Room following a successful Southern tour.
Louis Jordan travels to the Beachcomber in Wildwood, New Jersey for a week.
August 14
The Griffin Brothers return to New York following a successful
Southern tour.
August 15
Billy Ward and His Dominoes headlines this week's revue at the
Apollo Theater.
On the Virginia circuit the Dreamers and James Moody's combo start a with a show in Newport News tonight. Other dates include Portsmouth (16), Northfolk (17), Richmond (18) and Petersburg (19).
Mid-August
Ray Charles, Laurie Tate and the Joe Morris Orchestra
complete a successful engagement at the Royal Peacock in Atlanta,
Georgia.
New York hosts the music trade show, which includes a large turnout from the R&B manufacturers. Among those present are the owners of Imperial, Specialty, Peacock/Duke, Modern/RPM, Atlantic, Aladdin, Savoy, Sittin' In, Derby, United and States, as well as most of the R&B men for the major labels. Performers include newcomer Johnny Ace, whose first release on Duke will be out the week.
Roy Brown is on tour in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Bull Moose Jackson is playing the Country Club in New York City for ten days.
Ivory Joe Hunter is off on a one-nighter tour in Florida for most of the month.
Steve Gibson has added a drummer to his Red Caps for the first time.
An in-person promotion by Alan Freed featuring the Clovers and Charles Brown at the Summit Ballroom in Akron, brings in over 3,000 paid attendees, with more than 2000 turned away at the door.
Earl Bostic is at the Blackhawk Club in San Francisco.
Owners of various R&B companies join in a move to leave the American Federation of Musicians and set up their own union.
RCA Victor introduces the Extended Pay. Also, M-G-M Records brings out the first 12-inch long-play album. Previous M-G-M LP's had been 10-inch.
August 16
The Orioles and Lynn Hope perform on the Saturday night
Chesapeake River cruise leaving from the docks of Washington, DC.
Charles Brown plays tonight in Philadelphia, then he will be off on a number of one-night stands through the Southwest until the 29th.
Roy Brown and Roy Milton with Illinois Jacquet Combo appear at Carr's Beach Club in Annapolis, Maryland.
August 17
T-Bone Walker plays a one-nighter at the Elks Ballroom in Los
Angeles.
The "Greatest Show of 52" plays a double date in New Orleans with a concert at the Booker T. Washington Auditorium in the afternoon and a dance at the Labor Union Hall in the Evening.
August 21
The Saturday night dance at Los Angeles' Elks Ballroom features
the Johnny Otis Orchestra with singers Mel Walker and Little
Esther.
August 22
Dinah Washington, the Dreamers and the Cootie Williams Orchestra
start a week at the Apollo Theater in New York City as the first
stop of a theater tour
August 23
The Griffin Brothers and the Five Keys are the Saturday night
entertainment on the Chesapeake River cruise.
Due to increased demand, Lew Chudd of Imperial Records announces that he has set up distribution for his label in Canada and Europe.
August 24
Earl Bostic appears for the night at the Elks Ballroom in Los
Angeles, while across town sax-man, Joe Houston is at the 5-4
Club.
August 29
Charles Brown and the Clovers, just off a string of one-nighters
from Ohio through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, start a West
Coast tour with a show in San Diego, California. Filling out the
show is Rosco Gordon.
Florence Williams opens at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC. Recently she has switched labels from National to Savoy. Along with Miss Williams are the Five Keys, Bull Moose Jackson and Varetta Dillard.
Billy Ward and His Dominoes are at the Michigan State Fair.
Billy Eckstine and Buddy Rich's Combo headline the revue at the Apollo Theater this week.
August 30
Paul
Williams and Danny Cobb go head-to-head in a battle of bands,
while Laurie Tate joins on vocals, as they close out the Saturday
night Chesapeake River cruise season in Washington, DC.
August 31
In a pre-Labor Day midnight dance in Atlanta's Auditorium, Ruth
Brown, Amos Milburn and Willis Jackson gross $10,000.
Louis Jordan, fronting a full orchestra with two female singers, plays a doubleheader in New Orleans at the Booker T. Washington Auditorium (afternoon) and the Coliseum Arena (evening).
Late August
Johnny Ace's version of "My Song" has produced
a bumper crop of cover versions, including those by Hadda Brooks,
Dinah Washington and Marie Adams. This is the first time that an
R&B song has been covered by this many versions in many
years.
In Philadelphia, Tiny Grimes is at Bill & Lou's Club and Bill Doggett opens at Pep's Musical Lounge.
The "Biggest Show of 52" plays a night at the Shrine Auditorium in Waterloo, Iowa.
Al Hibbler is currently appearing at the Glass Bar in St. Louis.
Savoy Records announces several new signing to its R&B roster: Hal "Cornbread" Singer, who started at Savoy several years earlier, Dolly Cooper from Philadelphia, blue singer Carleton Coleman from Tampa and singer-guitarist Calvin Frazier from Detroit.
September 1
Little Esther and Mel Walker with the Johnny Otis Orchestra
continue breaking records in Texas, the Deep South and the
eastern states following the ending of their West Coasts dates.
Lowell Fulson and Joe Turner start a thirteen day Georgia/Florida tour with a show in Augusta, Georgia.
Philadelphia's Labor Day Dance features Joe Morris' Orchestra and the Orioles.
September 4
Tiny Bradshaw and Mabel Scott start a Midwest tour that runs
through September 19th.
Little Caesar and Little Willie Littlefield play the night at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles.
September 5
Jimmy Forest and Roy Brown share the stage in Washington, D.C. at
the Howard Theater for a week.
The Clovers with Rosco Gordon open for three days at Los Angeles 5-4 Ballroom.
Sarah Vaughan is featured for a week at New York's Apollo Theater.
September 6
Thelma Carpenter is at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
September 7
Jimmy McCracklin and Pee Wee Crayton are at the Elks Club in Los
Angeles for the night.
Early September
The Ray-O-Vacs, who formerly recorded for Decca Records,
sign a contract with Jubilee Records. Jubilee has also signed
Little Sylvia, whose first release will be "I Went To Your
Wedding," a song recently recorded several R&B women,
including DaMita Jo with Steve Gibson's Red Caps
September 8
Joe Morris and His Orchestra begin three weeks in Youngstown's
Spodoree Club.
September 9
Tiny Grimes opens in Philadelphia at the Red Rooster Club.
September 12
Buddy Johnson and Erroll Garner share the stage for a week at the
Howard Theater in Washington DC.
Ray Charles is booked for two weeks at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit with LaVern Baker, who is just back home from a national tour. She remains at the Flame for the next four weeks.
The Orioles headline the revue featuring Edna McGriff and Paul Williams Orchestra at the Apollo Theater.
Lloyd Glenn and the Four Flames are at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles for three days. Also in town, Billy Eckstine starts a West Coast tour with a show at the Shrine Auditorium.
September 14
Lowell Fulson stops at the San Jacinto Club in New Orleans, for
the evening.
September 15
Atlanta's Poinciana Club hosts Larry Darnell for the week.
Mid-September
Bull Moose Jackson is booked for a week at Cleveland's Ebony
Club.
Billy Eckstine is presented with a gold record by the Harlem Record Dealers Association. He is touted as being the "biggest boon to the record business in a decade."
September 18
The Ink Spots start a Canadian tour with a show at Toronto's
Casino Theater.
September 19
The Orioles move into Storyville in New Haven, Connecticut.
Illinois Jacquet is the week's entertainment at the Fox Theater
in Detroit.
The Five Keys are at New York's Apollo Theater for a week.
Billy Ward is feted at a surprise birthday party in Cincinnati, home of Federal Records. Guests include boxers Joe Louis and Ezzard Charles, bandleader Lucky Millinder and Ward's manager Rose Marks, who presents Ward with a Cadillac.
Arthur Prysock headlines a one-nighter tour through the South and East Coast. The tour is billed as "The Number One Blues And Jazz Show" and other performers include Peppermint Harris, Varetta Dillard, Jean Shaw and Bill Hutchins Blues Express Orchestra. The tour will run for a month.
Ivory Joe Hunter is the star at the Royal Peacock in Atlanta, Georgia for four days.
September 20
The Dominoes break the one day record at the Lyric Theater in
Louisville, Kentucky. They are beginning a Midwest tour that is
scheduled to run through October 5th.
Professor Longhair starts an extended engagement at the Graystone Club in New Orleans. Across town, Tiny Bradshaw and Mabel Scott play the Palace Theater for the night.
September 21
Lloyd Price appears at the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles for
the night,
Tommy Ridgely fronts the Dave Bartholomew Combo at the Pelican Club in New Orleans. The pair will be there for the next 2 1/2 months. They will also share the bill with Christine Kittrell for the first two weeks.
September 22
Floyd Dixon travels to the Orchid Room in Kansas city for the
week.
Lynn Hope opens the fall season at the Showboat in Philadelphia for a week's stay.
September 23
Ruth Brown, Willis Jackson and Joe Turner have a one-nighter in
Youngstown, Ohio.
September 25
The Ink Spots continue their Canadian tour with a week at the
Seville Club in Montreal.
September 26
In Philadelphia, the Earle Theater reopens following a summer
renovation with Duke Ellington's 1953 Revue.
The Ravens and Betty Carter split a bill at the Apollo Theater for a week.
The Clovers, Rosco Gordon and Charles Brown play a three-day weekend at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles. Brown follows this date with a tour of Texas.
Savoy Records sues Mercury Records for a $100, 000 over the contract of Mel Williams. Savoy claims to have an exclusive contract as of March 23, 1951.
September 27
The Griffin Brothers start a four-day s at the Sportsman's Club
in Newport, Kentucky.
September 29
Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five start a tour of one-nighters
throughout the Southeast.
Earl Bostic shares the stage with Johnnie Ray for the evening at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans.
Illinois Jacquet plays for a week at the Trocaveria Club in Columbus, Ohio.
September 30
Billy Ford, Mr. Sad Head, Charles Brown and His Orchestra and
Shirley Haven start a one-nighter tour with a show in San
Antonio. They will be on the road for a month.
The Clovers and Rosco Gordon are at the Club Alabam in Los Angeles for a month.
Late September
Atlanta's Royal Peacock Club hosts Edna McGriff for four
days.
Atlantic Records, in a surprise move, is asking deejays to send in suggestions for an as yet unnamed five man vocal group recently signed to the label.
One of the first small independent radio stations in the South or Southwest, KDET in Center, Texas, has start an hour long R&B show each day called "Melvin's Jive."
October 1
The Buddy Johnson Orchestra is currently off on a tour of the
West Coast.
The Louis Jordan tour makes a stop in Atlanta, Georgia.
October 3
The Orioles following a successful engagement in New Haven,
Connecticut, open at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia. Others on
the bill are Bette McLaurin and Erskine Hawkin's Orchestra.
In New Orleans, Johnny Ace starts the first of two weekends at the Dew Drop Inn.
Steve Gibson and His Red Caps are at Chubby's Bar in Camden, New Jersey.
October 4
The Rock-Ola Jukebox Corporation introduces its 120 selection 45
rpm "Fireball" model that is destined to revolutionize
the industry.
The Palace Theater in New Orleans presents Billy Ward and His Dominoes for the evening.
October 6
Savannah Churchill stars for a week in York, Pennsylvania.
Johnny Otis, Little Esther and Mel Walker, currently on tour, stop for the evening at Rosenwald Gym in New Orleans.
Wynonie Harris opens at Lawson's Place in Philadelphia for a week. Also in Philadelphia, WFIL-TV premiers a television show featuring teenagers dancing to records. Hosts for Bandstand are Bob Horn and Lee Stewart.
Early October
The "Biggest Show Of 52" is currently playing
dates in Florida.
Little Walter is appearing in Chicago at the Hollywood Rendezvous Club.
October 10
Bull Moose Jackson, the Four Tunes and Wini Brown open at New
York's Apollo Theater for a week.
Ivory Joe Hunter, the Four Blazes, Thelma Carpenter and Larry Darnell start a week at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia.
Roy Brown starts of on a one-nighter tour of the Midwest
October 13
Amos Milburn is scheduled to start a week at the Trocaveria Club
in Columbus, Ohio.
Mid-October
Okeh Records signs blues singer Big Maybelle Smith.
Joe Bihari of RPM Records is off on a talent search of the South with his talent representative, Ike Turner.
Atlantic Records will record Doctor Willie Jones, former lead singer with the Joe Morris Orchestra. Morris' new lead singer will be Lowell Fulson, who has disbanded his own combo.
October 16
The Five Keys open for four days at Dayton's Farmdell Club.
October 17
Earl Bostic and Roy Milton headline for a week at the Howard
Theater in Washington, DC.
The Four Blazes and the Freddy Mitchell Combo entertain for a week at New York's Apollo Theater
October 18
Louis Jordan plays the Sixth Annual CIAA National Classic Dance
in Washington, DC.
October 19
At the Elks Ballroom in Los Angeles, the night's featured
attraction is Buddy Johnson's Orchestra featuring Ella Johnson.
Charles Brown stops for the evening at the Labor Union Hall in New Orleans.
October 22
The Ravens are booked for the week at New York's Paramount
Theater in the show celebrating Duke Ellington's twenty-fifth
anniversary in show business.
October 23
Dinah Washington plays the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in
California.
October 24
The Four Tunes open up at Uncle Tom's Plantation in Detroit.
At the Howard Theater in Washington, DC the week's headliners are Ivory Joe Hunter, the Four Blazes and Mabel Scott.
Little Willie Littlefield starts three days at the 5-4 Club in Los Angeles.
October 25
Charles Brown completes his one month tour of the Southwest only
to start another set of on-nighters through the Deep South on the
27th with Mr.Sad Head and Shirley Haven.
October 26
Floyd Dixon and Margie Day perform in New Orleans at the San
Jacinto Club.
October 27
The Orioles return to Philadelphia for an appearance at Pep's
Musical Bar.
October 28
Lloyd Price plays a one-nighter in Philadelphia at Reynold's Hall
and Tropical Garden.
October 31
Ruth Brown and Frankie Laine share top billing at the Earle
Theater in Philadelphia for the week. Her new contract with
Atlantic Records calls for a minimum $100,000 in record royalties
over the next five years,
Lloyd Price and the Earl Bostic Combo are featured for a week at the Apollo Theater,
Buddy Lucas' Orchestra and Edna McGriff start a month long string of one-nighters with a show in Dayton, Ohio.
Rose Murphy starts an engagement at Angelo's Club in Omaha, Nebraska.
Buddy Johnson's Orchestra starts a on-nighter tour through the Southwest.
Late October
Amos Milburn follows Charles Brown into Texas for a
month of one-nighters. Bette McLaurain opens at the Birdland for
two weeks.
November 1
Charles Brown and Billy Ford start a Mid-Atlantic tour with a
show in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Other dates this week
include the following cities in Virginia: Danville (2); Newport
News (3); Portsmouth (4); Petersburg (5); Virginia Beach (6) and
Charleston, South Carolina (7).
In Detroit, Billy Eckstine appears at the Broadway-Capitol for the night.
November 2
Bumps Blackwell plays at the 5-4 Ballroom for one night.
November 6
The Clovers travel to New Orleans for an evening's performance at
the Palace Theater.
November 7
Lloyd Price headlines the live show at the Howard Theater in
Washington, DC.
November 9
Buddy Johnson with his sister Ella play the Labor Union Hall in
New Orleans.
Early November
Presently on separate one-nighter tours are the new Ink
Spots and the Five Crowns.
Gatemouth Brown is touring the Southwest with the Al Grey Orchestra.
Johnny Ace is at the Orchard Room in Kansas City.
Billy Ward buys up the personal appearances contract between his group the Dominoes and United Attractions, which had been doing the group's booking.
November 10
Lowell Fulson fronts the Joe Morris Orchestra at the Sportsman's
Club in Newport, Kentucky. They are currently on a tour of sixty
one-nighters.
November 11
The Orioles and Fats Domino share the spotlight for a two-day
stand in Pittsburgh.
Billy Ward and His Dominoes backed by the Joe Morris Combo start a three week tour of the West Coast.
November 14
Pee Wee Crayton and Lloyd Glenn are in Los Angeles at the 5-4
Ballroom.
The Five Keys headline the "Smart Affairs Of 52" at the Earle Theater in Philadelphia. During the week they are each given gold keys from Atlantic Records in appreciation for their record sales in 1952.
Charles Brown Currently on tour, wires his manager in New York to buy him $2,500 wardrobe including imported plaid jacket and fifteen pairs of shoes.
Mid-November
Savoy Records signs three blues artists, Willie Johnson,
Dollie Cooper and Henry Masse. Other recent record company
signings include Lil Green with Victor and Memphis Slim formerly
with Mercury and Peacock, with United.
Sonny Thompson and His Orchestra are back at the Show Boat in Philadelphia.
King Record's president Syd Nathan and his R&B chief Henry Glover start a talent search through the South.
November 16
In Los Angeles, T-Bone Walker entertains at Elks Ballroom Sunday
dance.
November 17
Lynn Hope plays the Sportoree Club in Youngstown, Ohio.
Steve Gibson and His Red Caps start four weeks at Chubby's in North Collingwood, New Jersey
November 18
Johnny Ace starts an engagement at the Club Alabam in Los
Angeles.
November 19
Lowell Fulson and Joe Morris' Orchestra are at the the Belmont
Club in Toledo Ohio for the night.
November 20
Lowell Fulson-Joe Morris Blues Cavalcade plays the first of two
nights at the Top Hatter in Dayton, Ohio.
November 21
The Apollo Theater in New York presents Illinois Jacquet and
Betty MacLarain for the week.
The Heartbreakers are at the Howard Theater in Washington, DC for the next week.
Mabel Scott starts two weeks at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
Little Caesar opens for three days at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles.
The Earle Theater in Philadelphia presents Dinah Washington and the Royals this wee.
Wini Brown headlines the "Smart Affairs Of 52" at Chicago's Regal Theater.
November 22
Billy Eckstine holds court at the Shubert Theater in
Philadelphia.
Coral Records announce that it is starting a R&B department to issue songs on the Brunswick label.
November 24
The Sportsman's Club in Newport, Kentucky, offers the talents of
the Five Keys for a week.
Bull Moose Jackson travels to Uncle Tom's Plantation in Detroit for the week.
November 27
Amos Milburn goes on the road for a six week tour of California.
The Apollo theater presents the Johnny Otis Revue featuring Little Esther, Wiillie Mae Thornton and Mel Walker for a week.
In Philadelphia, the Earle Theater presents its first week long amateur show. Thirty-one contestants compete nightly for up to $60 in prizes and a place on the Christmas Week Lionel Hampton Revue.
November 29
Ruth Brown fronts the Willie Jackson Orchestra the Riviera Club
in St. Louis.
November 30
The Buddy Lucas-Edna McGriff tour ends up with a show in
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In New Orleans, the Labor Union Hall hosts a "battle Of The Blues" between Chuck Willis and Papa Lightfoot.
Late November
Charles Brown and His Orchestra start two weeks at
Gleason's in Cleveland, Ohio.
December 1
Amos Milburn is the headliner this week at Cleveland's Ebony
Club.
The Orioles headline the show at Uncle Tom's Plantation in Detroit
December 5
The "5" Royales begin six weeks of one-nighters through
New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Billie Holliday, the Checkers and Johnny Hodge's band open at New York's Apollo Theater this week.
Arthur Prysock starts at Detroit's Flame Show Bar.
Joe Lutcher and Smokey Hogg split the bill for three days at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles.
December 7
Joe Liggins appears for one night in Los Angeles at the Elks
Ballroom.
Roy Brown pleases the patrons at the San Jacinto Club in New Orleans.
Early December
A new record company, Southern Records, reports that
they have signed the Buccaneers and the Ford Brothers.
TNT Tribble is appearing at the Top Hat in Philadelphia.
Earl Palmer, recently drumming with Steve Gibson and His Red Caps, opens at Spider Kelly's in Philadelphia.
Gatemouth Brown plays for the night in Tulsa, Oklahoma sporting his new $1,200 Fender guitar.
Jimmy McCracklin signs with Peacock Records.
Coral Records announces the signing of the McGuirre Sisters.
December 12
The Apollo Theater hosts the Fifteenth Annual Amsterdam News
Benefit Show. Appearing are Milton Berle, Bill Kenny and His Ink
Spots, the Enchanters, Bette McLaurin and many others.
Ray Charles breaks the house record during his three days at the Pelican Club in New Orleans.
Hadda Brooks and LaVern Baker share the bill at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit.
In Los Angeles, Amos Milburn plays one night at the Oro Ballroom, while Jimmy Forrest and his combo start three days at the 5-4 Ballroom.
Dinah Washington and the Swallows with Cootie William's Orchestra start a week at the Regal Theater in Chicago.
December 13
M-G-M Records announces that it will actively push into the
R&B market in January, 1953.
Lester Bihari starts Meteor Records in Memphis apart from his brothers who own Modern, RPM and Flair Records in Los Angeles.
December 14
At the Elks Ballroom Sunday night dance in Los Angeles the
featured attraction is Roy Milton.
Mid-December
The Five Keys, Edna McGriff and Buddy Lucas' Orchestra
are touring New England.
Varetta Dillard is appearing in the Philadelphia area on a set of one-nighters.
December 19
Earl Bostic, currently on a series of one-night stands, plays
Wilmington, North Carolina (20); Charleston, South Carolina (21);
and Wilson, North Carolina (22).
Ray Charles returns to the Pelican Club in New Orleans for another three days. Across town, his old labelmate Lowell Fulson appears at the Dew Drop Inn for the weekend.
December 20
Archie Bleyer, musical director of Arthur Godfrey's radio and
television shows, starts Cadence Records in New York City.
December 21
Jimmy Forrest plays the Sunday night dance at the Elks Club
Ballroom in Los Angeles.
December 24
The Five Keys front the Charlie Barnett Orchestra at the Arcadia
Club in Providence, Rhode Island,
In New Orleans, the Dew Drop Inn offers the talents of Al Hibbler for the Christmas week.
Earl Bostic plays a Christmas eve show in Orlando, Florida. Other dates of Florida leg of his tour include Miami (25), Sanford (26, Key West (27), Lake City (29), Florenceville (30) and St. Petersburg New Year's Eve.
The Paramount Theater in New York hosts Sarah Vaughan, the Four Tunes and Illinois Jacquet for the next two weeks.
December 25
Lloyd Price plays a Christmas dance at the Coliseum in Baltimore,
Maryland.
Christmas finds Billy Ward and His Dominoes in Los Angeles at the 5-4 Ballroom.
In Louisiana, Jimmy McCracklin plays the high school auditorium in Shrewsbury on his one-nighter tour. In New Orleans Al Hibbler takes time of from his Dew Drop Inn stand to guest star at the early show at the Labor Union Hall.
December 26
In Baltimore, the Royal Theater offers holiday entertainment with
the Ink Spots and the James Moody Combo.
Lionel Hampton is booked into the Earle Theater in Philadelphia this week.
Joe Morris' Blues Cavalcade is booked for the week at Uncle Tom's Plantation in Detroit.
The Regal Theater in Chicago presents Dinah Washington, the Swallows and Cootie Williams band for the week.
The Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh hosts the Billy Eckstine show for a week.
In Washington, DC, the Checkers headline the "Larry Steele Revue" at the Howard Theater for the week.
December 28
Louis Jordan is on tour in Texas. Tonight finds him in Fort
Worth. He plays Dallas on the 29th and on New Year's Eve he opens
for two weeks at the Golden Hotel in Reno, Nevada.
In New Orleans, Gatemouth Brown performs for the dancers at the Labor Union Hall.
December 29
Fats Domino plays for one night in Detroit at the Graystone
Ballroom.
December 31
Charles Brown finishes his lengthy Florida tour. Next week, he is
off on a month long series of one-nighters on the West Coast.
In Los Angeles, Percy Mayfield and the Four Blazes close out the year with a show at the Armory Hall, while Amos Milburn starts three days at the 5-4 Ballroom.
Late December
The Orioles, Edna McGriff and the Buddy Lucas Orchestra
are playing one-night stands are New York and New Jersey over the
holidays.
Ivory Joe Hunter returns to Pep's Musical Bar in Philadelphia.