Originally from Connecticut, Brenda Byers (d. 2012) was a pop singer from the late-edition Arthur Godfrey galaxy who dabbled in country for an album or two. Byers began her music career in the mid-1950s while still in her teens, and in 1964 was tapped to become "Miss Pepsi Cola," touring nationally as an ambassador for the soda-pop brand. This launched her national career, which included a recurring role on General Hospital, appearances on numerous TV shows, a recording career, and being cast on the final edition of The Arthur Godfrey Show, up until its cancellation in 1973. Byers's major label career was brief, but throughout the 1970s she self-released a string of indie album, after moving to Florida. She dipped into country, or rather countrypolitan, material, but was a very pop-oriented performer.
Brenda Byers "The Auctioneer" (Decca/MTA Records, 1968) (LP)
(Produced by Roy Drusky, Bob Thompson & Bob Mack)
This was a pretty uneven debut, where they couldn't quite commit to a country sound... I mean, yeah, they kick things off with a version of "The Auctioneer," but the majority of this album is tepid pop-vocals material that wouldn't be out of place on the Andy Williams show, along with some "swinging," uptempo, girl group-ish material. There's also some really horrible schmaltz, including the patriotic, daddy's-off-to-war lullaby, "Hush Little Child," and the peppy evolution spoof, "Family Tree," which may be the album highlight, perhaps because it's so intensely irritating, musically speaking.
Brenda Byers "Thank You For Loving Me" (Decca/MTA Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Roy Drusky)
More meh. Pretty genteel and unremarkable, although not that far from the countrypolitan mainstream. They were steering her towards twang, but only just barely.
Brenda Byers "Photographs" (ARS Records, 197--?) (LP)
(Produced by Roy Drusky & Brenda Byers)
Although she was apparently dropped by her label, Byers was still working with producer Roy Drusky, recording part of this album in Nashville, and part at ARS Studios, down in Florida, the state where she hung her hat for the rest of the decade. Way more of a pop outing, with songs such as "Willow Weep For Me" and "Send In The Clowns."
Brenda Byers & The Neighbors Four "Live At Monte's" (Sun King Records, 197-?) (LP)
Setting up shop in Winter Park, Florida, Byers performed around the Orlando area for most of the 'Seventies, backed by her band, The Neighbors Four. She and N4 played together well into the 21st Century, with show notices as recent as 2005, and Byers announcing her retirement in 2010. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the venue for this live album may have been Monty Trainer's bar in Coconut Grove, a fixture in Miami since 1969.
Brenda Byers & The Neighbors Four "All I Ever Need Is You" (ARS Records, 1979-?) (LP)
(Produced by Brenda Byers & Jerry Johnson)
This late-'Seventies offering includes covers of contemporary hits such as "You're The One That I Want" from the 1978 movie, Grease and the early Oak Ridge Boys chartbuster, "Y'All Come Back Saloon," as well as a country medley, a 'Fifties medley, and various pop and country covers, including (brrrrrr) a version of "Macarthur Park." Recorded in Orlando, Florida, this features backing by the Neighbors Four, Bart Constantine (guitar), Stephen Eist (piano), Rob Kerr (bass) and Ricky Racicot on drums.
Brenda Byers & The Neighbors Four "I Miss You So" (1981-?) (LP)
(Produced by Brenda Byers & Jerry Cox)
I would very much like to hear her cover of Rodney Crowell's "Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight." Not so much her version of "The Rose." Those two songs, however, help us date this record to around 1980, maybe '81. Also several medley tracks, including one of 'Forties big band and pop vocals classics.
