Florida-born LaWanda Lindsey was a '60s/'70s second-stringer, recording a few minor hits during the countrypolitan era. She recorded several albums for the Chart label, then fell into Buck Owens' orbit in the early '70s and cut several albums for Capitol Records. Here's a quick look at her work...
LaWanda Lindsey "Swingin' And Singin' My Songs" (Chart Records, 1968) (LP)
(Produced by Slim Williamson & Joe Gibson)
One of the legions of perky gal singers in the 'Sixties, LaWanda Lindsey sounds like a cross between Connie Smith and Tammy Wynette, and while she isn't a particularly distinctive singer, she's still pretty good. At least she's right in the swing of things and in tune with her times, singing not-too-upbeat songs about good girls pitted against wicked "other women." The connection with Tammy Wynette is reinforced by the album's opener, a song called "Singin' My Song" that was cowritten by Wynette and super-producer Billy Sherrill that sounds pretty much like a dry run for "Stand By Your Man." Producer Joe Gibson contributes a trio of negligible tunes, probably so he could make a few extra bucks on the royalties... And LaWanda wrote some stuff, too!
LaWanda Lindsey & Kenny Vernon "Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries" (Chart Records, 1970) (LP)
(Produced by Joe Gibson & Cliff Williamson)
LaWanda Lindsey "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" (Chart Records, 1970)
LaWanda Lindsey "Greatest Hits, Volume One" (Chart Records, 1971)
LaWanda Lindsey "This Is LaWanda Lindsay" (Capitol Records, 1974) (LP)
(Produced by Buddy Alan)
Somehow, Lindsey got hooked up with Buck Owens and his son, Buddy Alan, who produced this album at their studios in Bakersfield... It's pretty decent early '70s "sunshine country," with LaWanda crooning 'em kinda like Lynn Anderson, the reigning countrypolitan queen at the time. Again, nothing too remarkable... She doesn't stand out as a groundbreaking artist, but she sounds as good as anyone else did, comfortably perched in the country mainstream. This album includes a bunch of less well-known late vintage Buck Owens tunes, a few written by Alan, and also has her last Top 30 entry, Kent Westberry's "Hello Out There." The most memorable tune is probably the sassy, uptempo "I Ain't Hangin' 'Round," which is a Loretta-like war-of-the-sexes novelty number credited to Rocky Topp. Worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of fluffy 'Seventies country-pop.
Various Artists "WWVA JAMBOREE USA: PRESENTING TWELVE STARS OF JAMBOREE, USA" (Jamboree USA Records, 1969-?) (LP)
While the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport and Missouri's venerable Ozark Jubilee were legendary as incubators of national country stars, and the Grand Ole Opry was seen as the place you went when you'd really made it, Wheeling, West Virginia's WWVA really seems to have been a haven for lesser-known artists, and one of the last holdouts of an earlier era when local radio and TV supported vibrant regional country scenes. The careers of countless musicians intersect with the WWVA "Jamboree" show, including a few artists who became big stars, as well as numerous also-rans and local-only types. Included in this late-'Sixties lineup was Lawanda Lindsey, who was still on the Chart label but about to jump over to Capitol. She sings an okay version of "Say Goodbye To The Man," and is joined by a couple of other gals on the show were hoping for similar success -- Kay Kemmer, who sings the semi-raunchy "It's Not How Long," (briefly) had a contract with Musicor and the Florida-based husband-wife duo of Gwen and Jerry Collins made at least one single for Capitol. There were also a few old-timers on the program, including folksy "Jamboree" stalwart Doc Williams and former 'Fifties hillbilly star Kenny Roberts, as well as some of the many hopefuls who had made singles or albums for small indie labels, including Kenny Biggs, Chuck Burdett, Bud Cutright, Gus Thomas and the duo of Skinney Clark and George Adams. All in all, a swell album that gives a nice snapshot of the humble but independent country scene that still existed outside of Nashville's orbit.
