Songwriter Marijohn Wilkin (1920-2006) was one of Nashville's big hitmakers of the 1950s and '60s, penning classics such as "Long Black Veil" and "Waterloo," as well as the rockabilly sizzler "Cut Across Shorty." Kris Kristofferson was one of the many younger artists she helped get a leg up in Nashville, and he helped Wilkin write her first gospel hit, "One Day At A Time." In addition, her son, John Buck Wilkin was a successful rock and pop singer in the 1960s, leading the surf-pop band Ronny And The Daytonas, as well as recording a couple of solo albums during the hippie era... with a little help from Mom, of course. Marijohn Wilkin recorded sparingly as a solo country artist, and after a religious awakening in the '70s, she began a long career as a gospel singer. Here's a quick look at her work...
Marion & The Jacks "Country And Western Songs That Sold A Million" (Columbia Harmony, 1959)
Marijohn Wilkin "Ballads Of The Blue And Gray" (Columbia, 1962) (LP)
Romy Spain "The Soul Of A Singer" (Dot Records, 1967) (LP)
(Produced by C. R. Selman & Bonnie Guitar)
I'm not sure why this was recorded under a pseudonym, but the name "Romy Spain" certainly has an exotic flair to it...
Marijohn Wilkin "I Have Returned" (Myrrh, 1974) (LP)
Marijohn Wilkin "Isn't it Wonderful" (Word, 1975)
Marijohn Wilkin "Where I'm Going" (Myrrh, 1975) (LP)
Marijohn Wilkin "Reach Up And Touch God's Hand" (Myrrh, 1976) (LP)
Marijohn Wilkin "Higher Than High" (Word, 1977)
Marijohn Wilkin & Charles F. Brown "Isn't It Wonderful! The Music Of Marijohn Wilkin" (Word, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Charlie Bragg, Marijohn Wilkin & Charles F. Brown)
Marijohn Wilkin "Lord, Leave Me A Song" (Dayspring, 1978) (LP)
Marijohn Wilkin "One Day At A Time" (Word, 1980) (LP)
Marijohn Wilkin "A Little Bit Of Jesus" (Moon Shine, 1981) (LP)
Marijohn Wilkin "His Kind Of Love" (Buckhorn Music) (LP)
Romy Spain (Dot Records, 1967-?) (# 45-1703) (7")
A: "What Would You Do" (c: Jim Reeves)
B: "I'd Rather Be Sorry" (c: Kris Kristofferson)
(Produced by C. R. Selman & Chuck Seitz)
As noted above, Wilkin is often remembered as an early and important champion of songwriter Kris Kristofferson, as seen in this recording of one of his songs, two years before his own recording debut. The flip side was an old Jim Reeves song.
Romy Spain (Dot Records, 1967-?) (# 45-16989) (7")
A: "Sorry About That" (c: C. Snoddy & B. Logan)
B: "After The Hurt Is Gone" (c: Marijohn WIlkin)
(Produced by C. R. Selman & Chuck Seitz)
This disc includes another Wilkin classic, "After The Hurt Is Gone."
Marijohn Wilkin (Columbia Records, 1959-?) (# 4-41501) (7")
A: "Barbara Allen" (c: trad. arr. Wilkin)
B: "What Can I Do To Please You" (c: A. Smith & E. Smith)
(Producer not listed)
Marijohn Wilkin (Columbia Records, 1960) (# 4-41561) (7")
A: "Carmel By The Sea" (c: Marijohn Wilkin & Mel Tillis)
B: "Wayfaring Blues" (c: C. Hall)
(Producer not listed)
Marijohn Wilkin (Columbia Records, 1960) (# 4-41826) (7")
A: "Whip-Poor-Will" (c: Marijohn Wilkin)
B: "If You're Sure" (c: Marijohn Wilkin)
(Producer not listed)
Marijohn Wilkin (Columbia Records, 1961-?) (# 4-41966) (7")
A: "Higher Than High" (c: Fred Burch & G. Nelson)
B: "Sparks" (c: Marijohn Wilkin)
(Producer not listed)
