A popular songwriter of the late 1950s and early '60s, John D. Loudermilk wasn't really that electrifying as a performer, although he recorded several low-key albums and singles for RCA in the '60s. Early in his career, he deeply mined the post-rockabilly, Kennedy era teenpop genre, with songs like "A Rose And A Baby Ruth," a big hit for George Hamilton IV, back in '56. Some of his other hits include "Paper Tiger" (recorded by Sue Thompson), "Break My Mind," "Road Hog," "Tobacco Road," "Talk Back Trembling Lips," "Waterloo," and one of my favorites, "Let's Think About Living" (a kooky tune recorded by Bob Luman) Loudermilk was successful in both the Pop and Country worlds, and a fair number of Nashville artists recorded his work. (By the way, he was a close relative of The Louvin Brothers, too... A cousin, I think...) Showbiz being what it is, Loudermilk's star gradually sank, but he wrote plenty of winners and recorded some interesting records himself over the years... Here's a quick look at his work.

John D. Loudermilk "The Open Mind Of John D. Loudermilk" (RCA/Raven, 1969/2006)

John D. Loudermilk "Blue Train" (Bear Family, 1989)
A good, representative set of early recordings, one of several collections out on Bear Family... Although various Nashville artists took his songs into the charts, Loudermilk's own versions can sound tepid and folk-oriented, lacking the brisk bounce of his Brill Building competitors. His albums also included a fair number of subpar tunes, and sometimes feel like extended demo tapes, rather than full-fledged pop records. There are some cute tunes on here, and a few goofy '50s/'60s time capsules like "He's Just A Scientist" and the theme to the "Dr. Casey" TV show, as well as verifiable hits like "Road Hog" and "Blue Train," which became rock'n'roll standards. But on the whole, this seems like a for-fans-only kinda collection, not much vigor to attract the casual listener. Then again, maybe I'm just being too crabby -- you'll have to judge for yourself.

John D. Loudermilk "It's My Time" (Bear Family, 1990)

John D. Loudermilk "Sittin' In The Balcony" (Bear Family, 1995)

John D. Loudermilk "Language Of Love" (Collectables, 1962/2000)

John D. Loudermilk "Twelve Sides Of John D. Loudermilk" (RCA, 1962) (LP)

John D. Loudermilk "Sings A Bizarre Collection Of The Most Unusual Songs" (RCA, 1966)

John D. Loudermilk "Suburban Attitudes In Country Verse" (RCA, 1967)

John D. Loudermilk "Country Love Songs Plain And Simply Sung" (RCA, 1968)

John D. Loudermilk "The Open Mind Of John D. Loudermilk" (RCA, 1969)

John D. Loudermilk "Volume One: Elloree" (Warner Brothers, 1971) (LP)
A nice, informal album, in which Loudermilk revisits several of his biggest hits -- "Abilene," "Google Eye," "Tobacco Road" -- in a stripped-down acoustic setting. Loudermilk generally plays solo on this one, framing his songs in a simple, jaunty blues-based folkie style; On some songs he is joined by a few other musicians, notably Norman Blake, who adds some fine, restrained dobro and mandolin work. In some ways it's tempting to dismiss this album as a relic; even at the time -- in 1971 -- the mild folkie social critiques of songs like "Cherokee Reservation Lament" and "The Habit," or the anti-consumerism of "The Joneses" must have seemed a little dated. But, hey, if Loudermilk wanted to make up for lost time, having spent the early '60s folk revival safely ensconced in the arms of nashville... Well, what the heck. More power to him! Actually, this has a pleasantly intimate, personal feel to it. Maybe it's not as hummable as his full-blown pop tunes. Worth tracking down and checking out.

John D. Loudermilk "Volume Two: Just Passing Through" (MIM, 1979)

Hick Music Index