Who is this singer from Bakersfield?

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 21 Feb 2012 11:56 pm

A buddy of mine emailed me this photo. People over at the H.A.M.B hot rod forum have been trying to find out who this person could be. The photo is said to be from -51 and the driver supposedly was a country singer in Bakersfield. Anyone regognize him:

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 22 Feb 2012 1:32 am

Do't know the singer, but that Caddie is way cool.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 22 Feb 2012 1:29 pm

Looks like a young Harlan Howard..In his George Baris FORDALLAC.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 22 Feb 2012 1:40 pm

JayDee?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 Feb 2012 2:53 pm

Joe Casey wrote:Looks like a young Harlan Howard..

Yeah, it really does.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 22 Feb 2012 3:14 pm

Hah...Just how old do you think JayDee is?
Whoever he is, with that car back in '51, he's way cooler than most of us...

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 22 Feb 2012 11:02 pm

His back tires need air.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 23 Feb 2012 4:48 am

looks like Lefty from the right hand side. It sure ain't Buck nor Hag.Could be Fuzzy Owens or Billy Mize.If it was Jay Dee he'd be riding a pony.

Uncle Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. with " ONE CORNER OF YOUR HEART " on Young Country Records # RCJTT-102LE

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 23 Feb 2012 7:51 am

His back tires need air.

Kevin, I think his tires are OK. Unless I miss my guess, it was the custom of the day to lower the back end of cars, rendering them even "cooler." You would have to be at least as old as Moses to know this.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 23 Feb 2012 7:54 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 0XUqcutr7w

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 24 Feb 2012 9:42 pm

Definitely a George Barris custom with a
chopped Carson top! I had the very first
Barris custom in 48, It was a 36 ford
convert with a 39 LaSalle grill, metallic blue with a
chopped Carson top. I'd kill for a pic!

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 24 Feb 2012 10:03 pm

Barry, I was just kidding. I'm old enough to remember those cars driving down the street. It was a good time in America. Brillcream anyone? "A little dab will do ya!"

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 Feb 2012 7:18 am

Yes, it was a good time in America, one that is sorely missed by many including myself. I was a Brylcreem guy myself in those days …
"Brylcreem, a little dab'll do ya
Brylcreem, you look so debonaire
Brylcreem, the gals'll all pursue ya
They'll love to run their fingers through your hair."

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 25 Feb 2012 1:32 pm

Oh man, that brings back memories. 77 Sunset Strip with "Kookie".

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 26 Feb 2012 5:30 am

My guess would be Tommy Collins.

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 26 Feb 2012 11:28 pm

We just received some more info:
"The picture was taken in 1952 at a local - Bakersfield - hang out called Cy's Drive in. The guy that owned the car was really proud of that real Carson top and all the customization. His last name was Rains and he was a young country western singer from Bakersfield, CA.
The front of the car was all frenched and really cool looking."

So, does the name ring a bell at all? The car itself is a -41 Ford and apparently not a Barris custom.
And Al, does this look familiar:
: http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_ ... barris_37/

Larry Petree · Post by **Larry Petree** » 27 Feb 2012 6:44 am

There was a singer in Bakersfield in those days named Hank Rains. I knew him and played music with him when I first started playing steel guitar. I don't remember that car, but he did have a very nice Ford pickup when I was working with him.
It was very sad that he later took his own life. He was always a very nice person.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 27 Feb 2012 8:18 am

The car itself is a -41 Ford and apparently not a Barris custom.

Really? Customizing aside, looks more like an early 50's Cadillac to me, hubcaps and all …...

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 27 Feb 2012 8:49 am

That particular car was called a Fordillac...Unless someone can tell me different ,That is Harlan behind the wheel..

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 27 Feb 2012 10:13 am

that's a lowrider alright
long before the Latinos got into'em

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 27 Feb 2012 8:36 pm

Jussi: There seems to be more than one 36 Ford Conv? I've checked the George Barris site many times, The car I had was Metallic Blue with 37 DeSoto bumpers,39 LaSalle grill, Chrome Guide driving lights for headlites, 39 ford teardrop tailites, 3/4 race engine, Zepher gears, Carson top, & would do 63mph in low gear, winning me all the drag races in that time period, Mechanical brakes almost cost me my life many times, at 100mph it was hard to slow it down when hitting the breaks, I wonder if the first or second Hot-Rod magazine featured my car, as George Barris & Peterson were close friends? & Peterson started the magazine in 48? I gave up on conferring with the Barris site, They wanted $750.00 just to furnish any info on the car! au

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 27 Feb 2012 8:45 pm

Can't believe I mispelled Zephyr & Brakes DAH

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 27 Feb 2012 11:04 pm

Larry Petree wrote:There was a singer in Bakersfield in those days named Hank Rains. I knew him and played music with him when I first started playing steel guitar. I don't remember that car, but he did have a very nice Ford pickup when I was working with him.
It was very sad that he later took his own life. He was always a very nice person.

Hey Larry, thanks for the info. Hank Rains might be our guy then. Do you think the man behind the wheel looks like him?

Larry Petree · Post by **Larry Petree** » 28 Feb 2012 8:14 am

Yes, the guy does favor Hank, but also favors Harlan Howard. It doesn't really show enough to be sure. In those days, we all had that burrlap haircut.

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 29 Feb 2012 1:23 am

I agree he does look like Harlan Howard. The problem is, Harlan wasn't a country singer from Bakersfield and to my knowledge was still in the army around the time the photo was taken. And someone already said over at the hot rod forum that his name was Rains, so I think we can draw the conclusion that the guy was Hank Rains.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Who is this singer from Bakersfield?

Who is this singer from Bakersfield?

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Bakersfield singer