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Website Revision History

• December 31, 2024
  • This update includes the following enhancements:
  • Added or replaced 140 label and sleeve shots.
  • Added 294 song samples from Scott Cheesebrew and from Bear Family CDs.
  • Added 50 discs based on sound files provided by Scott Cheesebrew (although most of the label shots are from 45cat or Discogs).
  • Caught up with all of the Bear Family That'll Flat Git It releases through volume 47.
  • Cleaned up some random typos and coding errors.
  • This is the last data update I plan to do. Future revisions will be handled by my successor as RCS discographer (about which more later).
• June 1, 2024
  • A minor update to incorporate a few new label shots and some new data.
  • If anyone is interested in taking over Rockin' Country Style, please contact me at rcs.discography@gmail.com.
• January 31, 2024
  • Added or replaced 25 label and sleeve shots and 44 song samples from Udo Frank.
• November 30, 2023
  • Added or replaced 578 label and sleeve shots. 439 of these were stray 350px to 700px upgrades. The rest were almost all from Udo Frank.
  • Added 156 song samples, all from Udo Frank.
• September 30, 2023
  • Added or replaced 29 label and sleeve shots, primarily from Udo Frank.
  • Added 36 song samples.
  • Caught up on coverage of Bear Family That'll Flat Git It CDs.
• July 31, 2023
  • Added or replaced 236 label and sleeve shots from Udo Frank.
  • Added 77 song samples from Udo Frank.
  • Replaced the remaining 9,099 350x350 label and sleeve shots with upscaled 700x700 versions of the same images.
• May 31, 2023
  • Added or replaced 125 label and sleeve shots primarily from Udo Frank and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 53 song samples from Udo Frank.
• March 31, 2023
  • Added or replaced 200 label and sleeve shots primarily from Udo Frank and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 138 song samples from Udo Frank.
• January 31, 2023
  • Added or replaced 164 label and sleeve shots primarily from Udo Frank and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 61 song samples from Udo Frank.
• November 30, 2022
  • Added or replaced 263 label and sleeve shots primarily from Udo Frank and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 59 song samples from Udo Frank.
  • Revised scripts to work under PHP7.
  • Revised all pages to use Google Analytics 4.
• September 30, 2022
  • Added or replaced 261 label and sleeve shots primarily from Udo Frank and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 84 song samples from Udo Frank.
• July 31, 2022
  • Added or replaced 380 label and sleeve shots primarily from Udo Frank and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 71 song samples from Udo Frank.
• May 31, 2022
  • Added or replaced 360 label and sleeve shots from Udo Frank and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 82 song samples from Udo Frank.
• March 16, 2022
  • Added over 400 label shots for Canadian releases, primarily from Discogs, but with some images from Marc Coulavin and Udo Frank. I have also begun adding listings for Canadian 78s; these are all based on actual sightings rather than speculation about the existence of 78rpm versions.
  • Added or replaced 844 label and sleeve shots from Udo Frank, Discogs, and 45cat, as well as upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 90 song samples, most from Udo Frank.
• January 16, 2022
  • Phase 2 of the Canadian project includes over 600 label shots taken primarily from 45cat. I am especially indebted to community members mikey50, recordman, AllHit45s, labelmanager, and stereotom, each of whom has uploaded dozens of useful images.
  • Added or replaced 1,013 label and sleeve shots. In addition to those mentioned above, these include contributions from Udo Frank, non-Canadian images from 45cat, and upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 64 song samples, most from Udo Frank.
• November 15, 2021
  • This update begins a multi-stage project to add Canadian releases of material originally issued in the United States. This phase includes 721 45rpm discs that did not have the same label and issue number as used in the U.S. Most are on Apex, London, Quality, Regency, Reo, and Sparton, but dozens of other labels are represented. On artist pages, these entries appear in a separate section after the U.S. releases (for example, see Buddy Knox). My chief sources of information have been Dave Whatmough's 50 Year Directory of Canadian 45 rpm & 78 rpm Records and the Global Dog Productions website. Release dates are based primarily on Ron Hall's The CHUM Chart Book, some from direct listings but most by interpolation. I would also like to thank Marc Coulavin for his helpful advice and guidance. I will be systematically adding label shots for these entries, but I do not intend to add song samples unless there is something distinctive about the Canadian version.
  • Added or replaced 296 label and sleeve shots. These include contributions from Udo Frank plus upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 163 song samples, most from Udo Frank.
• September 15, 2021
  • Added or replaced 280 label and sleeve shots. These include contributions from Udo Frank plus upscaled and enhanced versions of images already on the website.
  • Added 49 song samples, most from Udo Frank.
• July 15, 2021
  • Added or replaced 488 label and sleeve shots, most from Udo Frank.
  • Added 393 song samples, most supplied by Bernd Haake from Dee Jay Jamboree CDs.
• May 15, 2021
  • Added or replaced 688 label and sleeve shots, most from Udo Frank.
  • I would like to welcome Marc Coulavin back as a contributor. Marc was one of the earliest supporters of RCS, and his deep knowledge of Canadian releases has always been especially welcome.
• February 25, 2021
  • Listings now include thumbnail images as links for label and cover shots rather than the old text buttons. All images now open at full size (either 350x350 or 700x700 pixels).
  • A few very long artist and label discographies are now split into multiple pages with the conventional next/previous navigation controls to move between them.
  • A side-effect of this change is that the URLs for all artist and label pages have changed. However, incoming links that use the old-syle targets (which call "artist.php" and "label.php") will be redirected automatically (and silently) to the corresponding current pages (which use "search.php"). Nevertheless, it would be good practice for anyone maintaining links to update them.
• February 15, 2021
  • Added or replaced 286 label and sleeve shots from Udo Frank and Carolina Soul eBay listings.
• December 17, 2020
  • Added or replaced 656 label and sleeve shots from Udo Frank and Carolina Soul eBay listings.
• October 15, 2020
  • Added or replaced 688 label and sleeve shots, most from Udo Frank.
• August 15, 2020
  • Added or replaced 948 label and sleeve shots, almost all from Udo Frank or 45cat.
  • Added a flag to identify 45s that have been bootlegged, based on information from Discogs and from Peter Salamone's 1995 rockabilly and rockers price guide Go Cat Go.
• June 16, 2020
  • Finished a comprehensive sweep in popsike.com to identify relevant 78rpm discs.
  • Began systematically going through 45cat to locate upgraded label shots. So far this has yielded about 700 images, and I'm only in the B's.
  • Processed several hundred images from Udo Frank.
  • Implemented the HTML5 viewport meta tag to make the site a bit more usable on mobile devices. However, it is still best viewed in landscape orientation.
• April 5, 2020
  • Udo Frank has returned as a major contributor to RCS. This update includes hundreds of new label shots submitted by him.
  • Hitherto RCS has been primarily devoted to 45 rpm singles, along with a few hundred LPs and EPs and some isolated 78s. With this update I begin an attempt to provide full coverage of relevant 78s.
  • There are now 1,577 entries for 78s. If a release appeared on both 45 and 78, there are two entries, each with its own discographic data and label shots (where available).
  • In deciding what to add, I have sought positive confirmation of the existence of a 78 rpm version for a release. My major sources of information have been Steven Abrams' and Tyrone Settlemier's Online Discographical Project (a.k.a., the "78 Discography"), Discogs, eBay, and popsike.com. I have avoided the temptation to simply assume that a 78 version was issued, even for major labels.
  • All entries are now identified by format in brackets after the release number. A new filter has been added to the Advanced Search form to enable you to search by format.
  • RCS now includes cross-references to my new sacred/gospel music discography, .
  • For the 201 artists who have recordings in both databases, links appear on the relevant artist pages.
  • For the 312 artists who appear only in GJ but who have recordings that have been described as "gospel bop", "bopper", "rocker", or "rockabilly", the links appear within the artist index lists. Be aware, however, that these categorizations sometimess come from eBay listings. Also, please understand that GJ includes a wide range of musical styles, not just "bop".
• February 10, 2020
  • Added 250 original discs, most with at least one song sample from the Scott Cheesebrew collection and label shots from Scott, 45cat, Discogs, or other sources.
• December 19, 2019
  • Implemented the HTML5 audio player to handle song samples. This means that you can play samples directly from a discography page rather than having to open a new window. Older browsers do not support HTML5. If you do not see the audio controls where you expect to, you will need to update your browser.
  • Resized the label shot and sleeve shot links to make them more visible.
  • Added a line feed between the song title and the artist credit for each track on most pages.
  • Upgraded about 600 label shots using images supplied by Scott Cheesebrew. Also added about 400 song samples from MP3s provided by Scott.
• October 19, 2019
  • Upgraded about 10,000 label shots (40% of the total) from the old resolution of 350x350 pixels to a new standard of 700x700. This includes all of the images from Mike Smyth's collection, which I have re-edited from the original photos taken in 2003. Although the pop-up viewing window still defaults to 350x350, you can now click on a shot to zoom it to 700x700 (but, for images that are still stored at 350x350, this will merely make them bigger, not more detailed).
  • Thanks to Klaus Kettner and Bernd Haake, added 1,253 new song samples for tracks on White Label compilation LPs.
  • Added original release entries for 47 discs tagged as "RAB" on 45rpmrecords.com.
• August 20, 2019
  • Added about 600 original release listings for a wide range of records of proven interest to rockabilly collectors.
  • Caught up on the Bear Family That'll Flat Git It comp series.
  • It is now possible to sort the listings on artist pages either by date (the default) or by label and issue number.
• June 13, 2019
  • This update has two principal goals:
  • 100% coverage of original releases for tracks reissued on Bison Bop/Buffalo Bop rockabilly compilations (although not necessarily their instrumental, teen, female rocker, or thematic sets).
  • 100% coverage of records tagged as rockabilly in the Cheesebrew Wax Archive.
  • This amounts to over 600 new listings, most with label shots and song samples. My thanks again to Scott Cheesebrew for providing many of these.
• March 21, 2019
  • Finished harvesting label shots from 45cat. There are now 2,782 images in my database from this source, including both new images and replacements (the latter being loaded only in conjunction with new images for the same discs). Note that, in almost all cases, the original shots at 45cat are higher resolution than the versions I am using. The RCS infrastructure dates from a time when a cutting-edge monitor had a resolution of 800x600. In order to display two label shots side by side, I had to standardize on an image size of 350x350. Go directly to 45cat if you need greater detail.
  • Added some images from Malcolm Chapman's Starday Custom Series website and a smattering of other sources.
  • Corrected discographic data based on the new label shots.
  • Added and refined release dates based on Reginald Barlette's massive database of Columbia custom pressings (available from reginald@mail2world.com).
  • Began adding Cash Box dates for records not found in Billboard.
• February 23, 2019
  • As a complement to the newspaper and trade paper clippings added in January, I have uploaded PDFs of about 300 articles from vintage fan magazines. These were derived from photocopies I made while working at the Country Music Foundation 36 years ago, so please don't expect high-definition images. The fanzines tended to be cheaply printed. Add to that the limitations of 1980s photocopy technology plus decades of aging, and the results are less than optimal. Still, the content is interesting.
  • For those of you who would prefer not to have to dig for hidden treasure, I have added a quick index to all the PDFs here.
• January 1, 2019
  • This update adds a new feature to RCS.
  • Artist pages now include links to about 575 newspaper clippings taken from Newspapers.com. Most are advertisements for live appearances, but there are also numerous articles and captioned photos. The clippings are stored as PDF documents. If at first the text appears too small to read, use your PDF reader to zoom in.
  • In addition, there are about 300 clippings from trade papers (currently only Billboard and Cash Box). My source for these is AmericanRadioHistory.com. Again, most are advertisements. In selecting items, I have focused on those with artist photos (75% have them), those that are visually interesting, and those that pertain to obscure or interesting artists.
  • The newspaper clippings are the result of a systematic project to search for RCS artists. But, for performers with common names or national-wide popularity, it is usually pointless to try to find anything in a database the size of Newspapers.com. As a result, the pieces will tend to cover obscure or local acts.
  • I have not systematically looked for clippings in trade papers, and this load consists of items that I have noticed while browsing the issues for other information (primarily in 1957 and 1958). I will continue to add pieces as I discover them.
• December 8, 2018
  • This is the first of what I anticipate to be several updates making use of resources unavailable (or unknown) to me six years ago. For now I am focusing on original releases, not reissue comps, and my initial goal is to enhance existing entries rather than add new ones.
  • This update is primarily derived from two sources. First, Cincinnati collector/dealer Scott Cheesebrew has very generously provided me with label images and MP3s from his extraordinary collection of original singles. His contribution has added 326 label shots and 1,450 song samples. There will be many more when I begin adding new entries to the database. My sincere thanks to Scott, whom I have added to the acknowledgments on the main page.
  • The other major source for this update is the excellent 45cat, a general, community-driven discographic website from which I have harvested 1,100 label shots so far, covering artists with names in the range A to H. Each photo acknowledgment credits not only 45cat but the individual member who uploaded the shot. I have carefully reviewed all of these new images and made corrections and additions to the discographic data as needed. I aim to finish this project in the next update.
  • In addition, I have restored about 1,600 borderline entries that were suppressed in October, 2006. This is a step in the direction of expanding coverage of the "Related Records" mentioned in the website's subtitle.
  • I experimented for a while with links to the comprehensive auction tracker Roots Vinyl Guide, but unfortunately the search engine on that site has proven to be unstable.
  • Finally, I am delighted at last to be able to give proper credit to Mike Smyth of Nashville, who has decided that he no longer needs to remain anonymous. An astounding 4,708 RCS label shots come from his collection. Since 2003 I have cloaked them with the credit "Photo by T. Gordon", but now they acknowledge Mike by name. Moreover, I have added him to the main page acknowledgments. Mike has been a cordial host and good friend during my many visits over the years, and RCS would be far less useful without his contributions.
• November 15, 2012
  • Normally I prefer to wait until all submissions have been processed before I update the website. However, in recent months the pace of incoming data has been faster than I can deal with it, so I have opted to do a partial update. For details, see the Revision Tracking page. This represents only a fraction of the new information I have received.
  • I have suppressed the contact form until I can catch up.
• July 9, 2012
  • Processed all contributions received through July 4, 2012.
• February 26, 2012
  • Processed all contributions received through February 24, 2012.
• November 15, 2011
  • Processed all contributions received through November 12, 2011.
  • In September my Web host made a change that caused one of my key PHP scripts (csearch.php) to fail. In order to resolve the problem I had to change the name of the script to csrch.php. This worked, but any links that contain the old script name (including Google index links) will fail until they changed.
• August 7, 2011
  • Processed almost all contributions received through August 6, 2011.
• May 9, 2011
  • Finally caught up (more or less) with contributions submitted since the beginning of December.
  • Primarily using data in Malcolm Chapman and Pascal Perrault's blog, flagged Sidney J. Wakefield pressings and added the ability to search for them. Also used Malcolm and Pascal's blog to correct and enhance my list of Kay Bank pressings.
• February 11, 2011
  • The primary purpose of this update is to load several hundred label shots provided by Bob Halverson and Udo Frank, along with the discographical details gleaned from them.. I have not processed most other recent contributions yet.
• January 2, 2011
  • Updates to the website were suspended for eight months due to the illness and death of my wife. Thanks to everyone for the many expressions of support and sympathy during this difficult time.
  • Processed all contributions received through November.
  • Now that Google seems to have finally performed comprehensive (or, at least, usably thorough) indexing of the relocated site, I have restored the Google search form to the main page.
• April 25, 2010
  • HTML pages from the old, static site are no longer accessible.
  • Added numerous comp cover shots sent by Uncle Gil. Incorporated other additions and changes submitted through April 24.
  • I have made countless incremental changes to most of the scripts since the rollout on March 20. I am especially indebted to Laszlo Botka, whose diligent and systematic testing uncovered many bugs and inconsistencies, most of which I have been able to resolve.
• March 20, 2010
  • This update rolls out a fundamental change in the way RCS is stored and presented. For the past ten years I have used static HTML pages, all of which were replaced each time I did an update. From now on, the site will be dynamic, with pages generated on the fly from a database.
  • My number one design goal was to maintain the look and feel of the classic RCS, so veteran users should find it familiar and comfortable.
  • The most significant interface change is that original release tables no longer use footnotes to handle as-by names and comp links. As-by names are spelled out in the pertinent title cells, and comp links appear in a new column on the righthand side of the table. This should make the listings easier to use, at the expense of the tables being larger.
  • Label/issue number cells now routinely include custom series and pressing plant information where appropriate and available.
  • Since Google has yet to crawl the site over three months after it moved to the new host, I have dropped the useless Google search form from the main page and replaced it with a site-specific one. This form also replaces the old chronological, geographical, label shot, and song sample indexes.
  • If you maintain links into RCS from an external site, DON'T PANIC! The last version of each static page (except rcs/index.htm) will remain in place for a month. Even after they disappear, your links will probably continue to work. I have implemented a 404 error handler that will redirect almost every type of old link to the new version. In particular, links to artist pages, label pages, comp pages, images, and song samples should continue to function without problem. The only major exception is "Artist on Comps" pages (those that include the folder "compart" in the pathname). As the URLs for these pages cannot be parsed successfully, they will be redirected to the artists-on-comps index page for that letter of the alphabet. Test all of your links before assuming that they need to be edited; they probably don't.
  • Since the base resolution for typical visitors has advanced from 800x600 to 1024x768, I have designed the pages with that in mind.
  • Why the change? Each update for the static site contained almost 40,000 individual pages. When I had hands-on access to my own server, it was practical to replace this many files. Now that I am using a commercial Web host and must administer everything over the Web, this sort of massive upload takes hours and is quite error-prone. Moreover, even though I have what is supposed to be an "unlimited disk space" account, I have learned the hard way that there are very real limits that spring up without warning.
  • If you encounter anything that isn't working correctly, please let me know via the Contact Form.
  • Introduced a new revision tracking system, which is both more precise and less redundant than the old one. Changes since the February interim version of RCS are listed on the Revision Tracking page.
  • Added numerous comp cover shots sent by Udo Frank and Kurt Krauter.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through March 14.
• January 3, 2010
  • Introduced the field-level Advanced Search utility. While this new feature does not replace the Google-based searching that has been available all along, it offers a far more powerful (although more complex) ability to retrieve artists, labels, or tracks matching specific characteristics.
  • Modified all pages and programs to be in compliance with the XHMTL 1.0 Transitional specification.
  • Added numerous comp cover shots sent by Udo Frank and Mike Perkins.
  • Revised or added 340 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 255 label pages.
  • Revised or added 285 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 15,550 (including 3,329 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,224 and sleeve shots to 575. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through January 2.
• November 30 - December 1, 2009
  • Learned that Emory University will no longer permit me to operate the RCS server on their network.
  • Relaunched the site at http://rcs-discography.com.
• November 29, 2009
  • Drawing on my collection and a variety of Web sources, added cover images for 1,334 comps.
  • Added 144 new comps encountered during my hunt for images.
  • Revised or added 1,964 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 967 label pages.
  • Revised or added 1,823 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 15,545 (including 3,333 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,185 and sleeve shots to 572. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through November 28.
• September 27, 2009
  • Revised or added 433 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 320 label pages.
  • Revised or added 182 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 15,096 (including 3,089 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,146 and sleeve shots to 572. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through September 26.
• July 26, 2009
  • Revised or added 338 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 209 label pages.
  • Revised or added 204 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 15,010 (including 3,068 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,130 and sleeve shots to 572. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through July 25.
• May 25, 2009
  • Added label shot links to the comp pages. Added label shot and song sample links to the song title pages, chronological index pages, comp artist index pages, and comp title index pages. As a result, I believe that the media links now appear everywhere that they might be useful.
  • At the suggestion of Michel Coste, revised the comp lists on the artist and label pages so that they are in chronological order. Release years for comps are not as reliable as for original releases. They are based on the following sources:
    • The label or cover of the item itself.
    • Initial appearance in a catalog from Bear Family, Down Home Music, Hepcat, or another retailer or distributor.
    • A review in New Kommotion, Rockin' Fifties, American Music, or another publication.
    • Data contributed by Peter Staehli.
  • Revised or added 80 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 37 label pages.
  • Revised or added 120 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 14,957 (including 3,038 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,113 and sleeve shots to 572. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through May 24.
• March 29, 2009
  • Revised or added 137 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 82 label pages.
  • Revised or added 43 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 14,858 (including 2,983 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,101 and sleeve shots to 572. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through March 28.
• January 25, 2009
  • Revised or added 378 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 126 label pages.
  • Revised or added 131 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 14,855 (including 2,984 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,090 and sleeve shots to 571. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through January 24.
• November 23, 2008
  • Revised or added 377 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 285 label pages.
  • Revised or added 182 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 14,676 (including 2,898 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,074 and sleeve shots to 569. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through November 22.
• August 31, 2008
  • Revised or added 251 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 218 label pages.
  • Revised or added 211 comp pages.
  • Thanks primarily to Peter van Wilsem, brought the total number of song samples to 14,607 (including 2,896 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,047 and sleeve shots to 566. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through August 31.
• June 29, 2008
  • Revised or added 334 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 247 label pages.
  • Revised or added 142 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 14,468 (including 2,896 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,990 and sleeve shots to 557. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through June 29.
• April 5, 2008
  • Revised or added 968 artist pages. (This number is inaccurately high, as most of the changed pages reflect a bug fix.)
  • Revised or added 531 label pages. (Ditto.)
  • Revised or added 170 comp pages. (This is probably right.)
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 14,387 (including 2,866 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,886 and sleeve shots to 552. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through April 5.
  • Installed a new hard drive on the server and loaded a fresh set of website files that does not include any stale pages.
• January 21, 2008
  • Revised or added 191 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 159 label pages.
  • Revised or added 195 comp pages.
  • At the request of Jorn Wounland, removed about 175 label shots and song samples he had previously submitted.
  • Thanks primarily to Lasse Olander, brought the total number of song samples to 14,372 (including 2,865 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,763 and sleeve shots to 547. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through January 21.
• November 20, 2007
  • I am pleased to welcome Bjorn Witlox to the front page acknowledgments. Bjorn has been a tireless contributor of information, images, and audio samples since 2002. I really appreciate it, Bjorn.
  • Revised or added 548 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 471 label pages.
  • Revised or added 387 comp pages.
  • Thanks primarily to Udo Frank, Lasse Olander, Martin Roberts, and Bjorn Witlox, brought the total number of song samples to 14,206 (including 2,866 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Thanks primarily to Udo Frank, Laurent Petit, and Bjorn Witlox, brought the total number of label shots to 15,789 and sleeve shots to 566. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through November 19.
• September 9, 2007
  • A fairly light update this time.
  • Revised or added 355 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 274 label pages.
  • Revised or added 396 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 13,671 (including 2,763 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,643 and sleeve shots to 553. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through September 8.
• July 15, 2007
  • Revised or added 613 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 463 label pages.
  • Revised or added 652 comp pages.
  • Thanks primarily to Dean Craige Morris, Bjorn Witlox, and Udo Frank, brought the total number of song samples to 13,590 (including 2,774 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Fixed or removed several dozen defective song samples identified by Gerd Miller.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,551 and sleeve shots to 544. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Incorporated almost all additions and changes submitted through July 14.
• April 22, 2007
  • Revised or added 653 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 450 label pages.
  • Revised or added 502 comp pages.
  • Thanks primarily to Dean Craige Morris, Bjorn Witlox, and Udo Frank, brought the total number of song samples to 13,023 (including 2,657 that are linked only in the comps section). New and replaced samples are flagged in the Song Samples List.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,367 and sleeve shots to 536. New and replaced images are flagged in the Label Shots List.
  • Added a number of new artist photos from Bruce Grossberg.
  • Incorporated almost all additions and changes submitted through April 21.
• February 25, 2007
  • I am happy to note the addition of Dean Craige Morris to the front page acknowledgments. Over the past year Dean has diligently and systematically provided hundreds of song samples from his collection of White Label and Wendi LPs. Thanks very much, Dean.
  • Revised or added 357 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 246 label pages.
  • Revised or added 393 comp pages.
  • Thanks primarily to Dean Craige Morris and Bjorn Witlox, brought the total number of song samples to 12,484 (including 2,546 that are linked only in the comps section).
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,203 and sleeve shots to 532.
  • Incorporated almost all additions and changes submitted through February 25.
• December 10, 2006
  • Revised or added 509 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 486 label pages.
  • Revised or added 1,138 comp pages.
  • Thanks to Dean Craige Morris, Bjorn Witlox, and my own ongoing digitization of research tapes, brought the total number of song samples to 11,862 (including 2,253 that are linked only in the comps section).
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,144 and sleeve shots to 520.
  • Incorporated almost all additions and changes submitted through December 10.
• October 5, 2006
  • This update represents the most significant change to RCS in years, as much for what is missing as for what has been added.
    • In the interest of greater consistency and less confusion about scope, I have tightened the standards for inclusion. Over 1,600 non-pertinent recordings have been removed, including most tracks recorded later than 1964.
    • Policy notes have been added to 1,189 artist pages indicating that the discographies of original releases for those artists are not intended to be complete. Generally, only directly pertinent recordings by these artists are included.
    • Notes have been added for 157 other artists indicating that the discographies are intended to be complete through 1964.
    • As I have not been keeping track of the completeness policies up until now, I have had to use a variety of database cross-checks to reconstruct decisions made in the past; more notes will be added as I deduce the status for more artists.
    • From now on, any recommendation to add a new disc must be accompanied by a song sample or a link to a song sample unless the artist is flagged as "complete".
    • Similar policy notes have been added indicating whether single-artist reissue compilations for a particular artist have been included comprehensively, selectively, or not at all. When the policy is selective coverage, then only those reissues which emphasize country rock & roll are included.
    • Up until now, I have offered song samples on the comps pages only for tracks that are linked to the original releases section. I have now added over 2,000 samples for unlinked tracks.
    • This should not be noticeable, but I have introduced a more sophisticated system for keeping track of artist cross-references in my database. Let me know if you spot any errors or omissions resulting from this change.
  • Revised or added 1,700 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 1,085 label pages.
  • Revised or added 2,970 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 11,008 (including 2,029 that are exclusive to the comps pages), thanks primarily to Dean Craige Morris, who has sent hundreds of new samples from White Label LPs.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,093 and sleeve shots to 518. These numbers are lower than last time since many images were attached to non-pertinent discs that have been removed.
  • Processed data from Udo Frank on dozens of new reissue comps.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through October 5.
• August 3, 2006
  • Revised or added 910 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 743 label pages.
  • Due to a bug fix affecting thousands of comp pages, I cannot offer a reliable list of revised and added pages this time.
  • Thanks to Udo Frank, Al Turner, Dean Craig Morris, Malcolm Chapman, and Svein Arne Vikesdal, added over 1,200 song samples, bringing the total to 9,634.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 17,194 and sleeve shots to 557.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Al Turner, Bjorn Witlox, Gerd Miller, and Udo Frank.
  • Added more artist publicity photos from the collection of Jim Hilmar.
  • Incorporated almost all additions and changes submitted through August 1.
• June 7, 2006
  • Revised or added 388 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 277 label pages.
  • Revised or added 219 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 8,421.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,928 and sleeve shots to 551.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from John Burton, Pasi Koskela, Gerd Miller, and Udo Frank.
  • Processed song samples from Dean Craige Morris, Bill Taylor, and Svein Arne Vikesdal.
  • Added dozens of artist publicity photos from the collection of Jim Hilmar.
  • Incorporated almost all additions and changes submitted through June 7.
• April 9, 2006
  • Revised or added 336 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 282 label pages.
  • Revised or added 110 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 8,291.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,728 and sleeve shots to 543.
  • Incorporated almost all additions and changes submitted through April 8.
• February 8, 2006
  • Revised or added 319 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 296 label pages.
  • Revised or added 172 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 8,267.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,533 and sleeve shots to 535.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through February 7.
• December 4, 2005
  • Revised or added 443 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 298 label pages.
  • Revised or added 93 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 8,233.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,349 and sleeve shots to 527.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through December 3.
• October 3, 2005
  • Revised or added 219 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 204 label pages.
  • Revised or added 113 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 8,233.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,242 and sleeve shots to 521.
  • Processed dozens of label shots sent by Jim Hilmar, Pasi Koskela, Gerd Miller, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through October 2.
• August 21, 2005
  • Revised or added 773 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 625 label pages.
  • Revised or added 553 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 8,231.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 16,113 and sleeve shots to 513.
  • Processed hundreds of song samples provided by Malcolm Chapman and Peter van Wilsem.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through August 20.
• July 20, 2005
  • A special update whose only purpose is to fix a problem with the comp song title indexes. However, it necessarily includes all modifications to the database since July 3, including 46 new label shots and 112 new song samples.
• July 3, 2005
  • Revised or added 661 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 573 label pages.
  • Revised or added 311 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 7,750.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,970 and sleeve shots to 501.
  • Processed hundreds of label shots and song samples sent by Udo Frank. Also handled numerous label shots from Bernd Hermoneit, Stefan Wriedt, Gerd Miller, and Kurt Krauter.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through July 3.
• April 30, 2005
  • Revised or added 291 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 274 label pages.
  • Revised or added 81 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,661 and sleeve shots to 463.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Dan DeClark, Stéphane Chatain, Gerd Miller, Kurt Krauter, Pasi Koskela, and Udo Frank.
  • Modified the HTML code so that screentips will appear in Mozilla Firefox.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through April 29.
• February 26, 2005
  • Added Stéphane Chatain's name to the front page acknowledgments. Stéphane has contributed over 750 label shots, including some of the rarest and most interesting records. In addition, he has enhanced many of the images with data derived from the dead wax. Thanks very much, Stéphane!
  • Revised or added 527 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 455 label pages.
  • Revised or added 125 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,442 and sleeve shots to 460.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Stéphane Chatain, Gerd Miller, Kurt Krauter, and Udo Frank.
  • Changed the link symbols for label shots and song samples.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through February 25.
• January 2, 2005
  • Revised or added 434 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 412 label pages.
  • Revised or added 327 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 7,549.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 15,227 and sleeve shots to 451.
  • Added information and song samples from numerous recent Buffalo Bop compilations plus dozens of label shots.
  • Worked through hundreds of label shots and song samples supplied by Udo Frank.
  • Also processed large numbers of label shots from Stéphane Chatain and Gerd Miller.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through December 31.
• November 14, 2004
  • Revised or added 311 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 217 label pages.
  • Revised or added 194 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 7,414.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 14,934 and sleeve shots to 448.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Stéphane Chatain, Gerd Miller, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated most additions and changes submitted through November 13.
• October 3, 2004
  • Switched from a Windows server to Linux. This has the potential to cause problems since filenames are case sensitive under Linux. RCS has developed through two generations of Windows and FoxPro with a pattern of inconsistency in the case of filenames. I have now had to standardize on all lowercase. It is likely that some external links (include some from Google) will not work for a while. It is also possible that some internal links will not work, although I believe I have made all the necessary changes to prevent that from happening.
• September 6, 2004
  • Made a number of global changes:
    • The screentip that displays when you rest your mouse pointer on an symbol formerly just said "Click for a song sample". Now it specifies the exact source of the sample.
    • Comp track listings now link to song samples. Note, however, that in most cases, the sample comes from a source other than the specific comp on that page. Read the screentip to find out the source of the sample.
    • Songs in comp track listings are now numbered. But, I cannot guarantee that the tracks are presented in exactly the correct order since the source of my information is usually indirect.
    • Issue number prefixes now display for comps when I know them.
    • Display of label and sleeve shots no longer depends on a javascript pop-up applet. They now display in standard browser windows. While not as attractive and predictable, these windows are less likely to cause problems with security software.
  • Given that practically every page has changed, it would be pointless to include lists of revisions since the last update.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 7,388.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 14,740 and sleeve shots to 436.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through September 5.
• July 7, 2004
  • Revised or added 611 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 507 label pages.
  • Revised or added 274 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 7,359.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 14,541 and sleeve shots to 432.
  • Added over 500 label shots from the collection of the Country Music Hall of Fame Library. My thanks to Dawn Oberg and Alan Stoker for their hospitality and assistance during my visit.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Stéphane Chatain, Pasi Koskela, Willie Lewis, Gerd Miller, Kurt Krauter, and Udo Frank.
  • My thanks to Dean Craige Morris, who has been systematically providing information to help unravel the mysteries of the many alternative takes of Sun material.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through July 7.
• May 25, 2004
  • Revised or added 1,018 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 701 label pages.
  • Revised or added 330 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 6,862.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 13,818 and sleeve shots to 420.
  • Corrected the track order (and, in a few cases, the content) for almost all Bison Bop and Buffalo Bop LPs, thanks to photocopies sent by Kurt Krauter.
  • Listened to dozens of audio files provided by Malcolm Chapman.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Kurt Krauter and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through May 22.
• April 18, 2004
  • Revised or added 1,284 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 1,090 label pages.
  • Revised or added 144 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 6,104.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 13,664 and sleeve shots to 416.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Stéphane Chatain, Steve Foehner, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through April 17.
• March 10, 2004
  • Revised or added 984 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 604 label pages.
  • Revised or added 289 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 5,014.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 13,470 and sleeve shots to 406.
  • Processed large numbers of label shots from Stéphane Chatain, Steve Foehner, Wolfgang Weißbrodt, Gerd Miller, and Udo Frank. Enjoyed dozens of music samples provided by Malcolm Chapman.
  • Worked through enormous amounts of information sent by Kurt Krauter. In fact, Kurt has been so systematic and generous in contributing all kinds of data over the past seventeen months that I have added his name to the main index page. Thanks, Kurt!
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through March 7.
• January 28, 2004
  • Revised or added 939 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 577 label pages.
  • Revised or added 232 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of song samples to 3,963.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 13,135 and sleeve shots to 394.
  • Added some LP and EP review dates from the Audition supplement published monthly by Billboard from October 1957 to mid-1960.
  • Processed song samples from Tom Carey and label images from Rob Karman, Gerd Miller, Udo Frank, and others.
  • Changed the way that Web links are stored and displayed. They now appear in the "References" list rather than the biographical section of an artist page.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through January 27.
• December 18, 2003
  • Revised or added 1,585 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 831 label pages.
  • Revised or added 418 comp pages.
  • Began producing song samples from tapes made at the Country Music Foundation (my former employer). Also began creating samples from CDs. This brings the total number of samples to 2,897.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 12,987 and sleeve shots to 381.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Rob Karman, Stephane Chatain, Wolfgang Weißbrodt, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through December 15.
• November 13, 2003
  • Repeated server failures have compelled me to rush a replacement into service. This has the side benefit that limited disk space is no longer a problem, so I have upgraded the song samples from RealAudio® 3.0 to 24kbps monaural MP3.
• November 6, 2003
  • Revised or added 814 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 521 label pages.
  • Revised or added 213 comp pages.
  • Finished producing song samples from the Davis tapes, and worked through recordings from the smaller collections of Mark Seganish, John Neal, Will Derrington, and Bob Pinson. This brings the total number of samples to 1,862.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 12,703 and sleeve shots to 361.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Penny Hall, Rob Karman, Gerd Miller, Jorn Wounland, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through November 5.
  • Made some significant changes to the underlying data structure. If everything went according to plan, you shouldn't see any differences. But, let me know if you encounter anything odd.
• September 24, 2003
  • I am pleased to introduce a new RCS feature: RealAudio® song samples. My thanks to Andrew Bohan for making me aware that RA 3.0 sound files can be so small that they take up no more diskspace and bandwidth than label shots.
    The initial batch of 1,298 samples comes almost entirely from tapes I made over a period of several years from the collection of Bill Davis. As the purpose of these tapes was to capture performances that I did not yet have in any other form (CD, reissue LP, original release), the majority of the songs are obscure releases or flipsides of better-known recordings. About half of them have not been reissued on any of the comps indexed in RCS.
    Song samples are accessible in three ways: from artist pages (where the links appear as the symbol ), from label pages, and from a separate index similar to the Label Shots List. The Song Samples List takes the place of the Female Artists Index on the home page; for the relative few of you who used the Female Artists Index, it still exists, but the link has had to give up its valuable real estate on the main page.
    The use of song samples on this site falls within the scope of the Fair Use provision (§ 107) of the Copyright Law of the United States.
    I am not now soliciting submission of song samples since I have more than enough music to keep me busy for many months to come.
  • Revised or added 877 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 590 label pages.
  • Revised or added 104 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 12,364 and sleeve shots to 352.
  • Processed large numbers of label images and sound samples from Adriaan Sturm, Gerd Miller, Jorn Wounland, Rob Karman, Kurt Krauter, Andrew Bohan, Rob Karman, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through September 24, but I am several dozen messages behind.
• August 6, 2003
  • Revised or added 712 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 519 label pages.
  • Revised or added 150 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 12,033 and sleeve shots to 341.
  • I was able to continue taking photographs of the collection that I began working with in March. My thanks to the owner for his continued support. Of the 3,581 label shots I made in July, I have been able to use 2,424 of them in RCS.
  • Processed large numbers of label images and sound samples from Andrew Bohan, Rob Karman, Gerd Miller, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through August 6.
• July 10, 2003
  • Revised or added 642 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 495 label pages.
  • Sorry, but I cannot provide a list of revised or added comp pages this time.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 11,095 and sleeve shots to 330.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Stephane Chatain, Udo Frank, Gerd Miller, and Adriaan Sturm.
  • Added about 200 original LPs, drawing information primarily from the following sources:
    • The Both Sides Now website.
    • The LP Discography website.
    • The OCLC WorldCat database.
    • Goldmine's Price Guide to Collectible Record Albums, by Neal Umphred.
  • It is inevitable that the introduction of LP track listings will complicate the linkages between reissue comps and original releases. I would appreciate any information you can provide regarding reissues that have used an LP version of a track (for instance, in stereo) rather than the single version.
  • I would also appreciate any authoritative information you can provide about the true stereo vs. electronically rechanneled content of original albums.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through July 9.
• May 12, 2003
  • Revised or added 585 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 603 label pages.
  • Revised or added 266 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 10,714 and sleeve shots to 318.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Stephane Chatain, Udo Frank, Pasi Koskela, Gerd Miller, and Lars Stromberg.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through May 11.
• April 16, 2003
  • I am delighted to direct your attention to a new name on the RCS main page. Gerd Miller has systematically and diligently gone through his large collection, sent me label shots for almost 1,000 records, and supplied additional discographic data on hundreds more. Thanks, Gerd!
  • This reload is unusual in that the changes consist almost entirely of new label shots. In early March, I was permitted to take photographs of an amazing personal collection. While the owner prefers to remain anonymous, I would like to thank him for his hospitality and generosity. Of the 3,567 label shots I made during that visit, I have been able to use almost 3,000 of them in RCS. Slightly over half are completely new, while the remainder are replacements.
  • Processing these new images has occupied almost all of my spare time for the past month. As a result, I am hundreds of messages behind in incorporating data and images from my incoming email. I extend my deepest apologies to everyone who has generously sent information, and I promise to include it in the May update.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 10,321 and sleeve shots to 311.
  • Revised the layout of the Label Shots List and split it into separate pages for every letter of the alphabet.
  • Since almost all of the revisions are identifiable through the Label Shots List, I have elected not to include the usual lists of revised artist, label, and comp pages. This has made it possible for me to make a number of subtle but significant global changes (some visible and some not) to the pages without them being incorrectly flagged as revised.
• March 5, 2003
  • Revised or added 646 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 467 label pages.
  • Revised or added 280 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 8,676 and sleeve shots to 307.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Gerd Miller and Tom Krajina.
  • Listened to music provided by Kurt Krauter and Tom Krajina.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through March 5.
• January 26, 2003
  • Revised or added 796 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 557 label pages.
  • Revised or added 331 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 8,099 and sleeve shots to 309.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Gerd Miller, Tom Krajina, Tom Lincoln, Kurt Krauter, Don Stilton, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through January 25.
• December 15, 2002
  • Even though I am not caught up with email submissions, I wanted to update the site now in case it is not possible later in the holiday season.
  • Revised or added 409 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 369 label pages.
  • Revised or added 455 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 7,436 and sleeve shots to 295.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Bjorn Witlox, Don Stilton, Gerd Miller, Kurt Krauter, and Udo Frank.
  • Began filling in information from the new Rockabilly Record Guide compiled by Horst Zimmermann, Bernd Wolf, and Heinz-Otto Zimmermann.
  • Finished a project to normalize data for non-RCS tracks on compilations.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through December 14.
  • Tom Lincoln identified a number of label shots of bootleg or reissue discs and provided replacements from his collection of authenticated original singles. In addition, Tom supplied some new images.
• November 17, 2002
  • Revised or added 590 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 532 label pages.
  • Revised or added 626 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 7,169 and sleeve shots to 291.
  • Processed large numbers of label images from Perica Sucevic, Bjorn Witlox, Don Stilton, Kurt Krauter, and Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through November 16.
  • Fixed an embarrassing programming bug that was preventing most acknowledgments from appearing on label pages. Sorry, guys.
• October 10, 2002
  • Revised or added 337 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 267 label pages.
  • Revised or added 126 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 6,818 and sleeve shots to 283.
  • Implemented the structural changes to support photos on artist pages. For an example, see The Suades.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through October 9.
• September 4, 2002
  • Revised or added 455 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 243 label pages.
  • Revised or added 125 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 6,679 and sleeve shots to 280.
  • Added "Previous" and "Next" navigation links to label shot windows to enable browsing without having to return to an index page.
  • Fixed a programming bug that was preventing "See" and "See Also" links on artist pages from working.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through September 4.
• July 30, 2002
  • Revised or added 513 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 372 label pages.
  • Revised or added 94 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 6499 and sleeve shots to 277.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through July 30.
• June 23, 2002
  • Revised or added 403 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 332 label pages.
  • Revised or added 141 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 6288 and sleeve shots to 268.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through June 22.
• May 7, 2002
  • Revised or added 474 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 447 label pages.
  • Revised or added 267 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 5925 and sleeve shots to 248.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through May 7.
  • Removed the separate "P" pertinence rating column from all pages. Instead, each symbol appears as a bullet in front of the title. This will make it much easier to match songs with their ratings in the "additional tracks" section.
  • Removed the "mailto" links from discographic pages, but left them on the introductory pages. My hope is that this will make it more likely that people will learn the nature and scope of the website before emailing questions or comments to me.
  • Note that, for the foreseeable future, I will be following an update cycle of five or six weeks rather than the three week schedule I have followed for most of the past two years.
• April 3, 2002
  • Revised or added 257 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 203 label pages.
  • Revised or added 79 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 5,602 and sleeve shots to 237.
  • Added acknowledgments to the comp pages (which would have happened weeks ago were it not for a persistent brain glitch).
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 4/3 except for a few dozen messages from Udo Frank.
  • Updated the look of most pages and began using CSS to control most stylistic elements. The only functional change is that brief descriptions of the Visual Inspection and Pertinence Rating symbols now appear as ToolTips when you hover the pointer over them; previously, you had to open pop-up windows via the column headers.
  • If you are still using Navigator 4.7x or earlier, I recommend that you switch over to Internet Explorer. The new pages will work better for you.
• March 18, 2002
  • Finished adding page-level acknowledgments from my saved email for everyone except Udo Frank (whosse contributions have been so extensive that adding proper credit will necessarily be a major project on its own).
  • Worked through a CD from Tom Krajina containing over 1,000 label shots, of which about 180 were added to the site. Thanks, Tom!
  • Revised the Mack Allen Smith page using a tape, biography, and discography provided by Mack.
  • I am sorry that, again, thousands of pages have changed since the last load, so it is not feasible to include the usual lists of revised and added pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 5,426 and sleeve shots to 232.
  • Incorporated adds and changes submitted through 3/16.
• February 20, 2002
  • Enhanced the system for acknowledging people and publications which have provided assistance. Now, in addition to the consolidated acknowledgments page, I am adding appropriate credits to individual artist, label, and comp pages. This project involves going through several years of saved email and other documents. In the first installment, I have acknowledged 331 different names on 5,324 artist, 3,784 label, and 5,105 comp pages. I have yet to finish adding all credits for Adam Komoroski, Ake Roos, Derek Hamilton, Malcolm Chapman, Marc Coulavin, Michel Coste, Michel Proost, Peter Staehli, Tapio Vaisanen, Udo Frank, Joe Wajgel, Phil Milstein, Gary Myers, Tom Fallon, John Ingman, and Wayne Russell.
  • Changed the label shot pop-up to display both sides of a disc simultaneously (if I have images for both sides).
  • Since thousands of pages have changed since the last load, it is not feasible to include the usual lists of revised and added pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 5,002 and sleeve shots to 218.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 2/14.
• January 30, 2002
  • Revised or added 261 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 242 label pages.
  • Revised or added 213 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 4,731 and sleeve shots to 209.
  • Finished entering all of the 825 single-artist comp track listings I have on file. Please contact me if you can supply information on additional comps.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 1/29, but I am far from caught up.
• January 9, 2002
  • Revised or added 325 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 275 label pages.
  • Revised or added 277 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 4,550 and sleeve shots to 201.
  • Processed a large amount of information sent by Bernd Kratochwil.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through 1/8.
• December 12, 2001
  • Revised or added 525 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 458 label pages.
  • Revised or added 421 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 4,244 and sleeve shots to 192, thanks to Udo Frank, Tom Krajina, Jos Wouters, Michel Proost, Mark Seganish, and several other contributors.
  • Listened to hundreds of sound samples at CDNow.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 12/11.
• November 21, 2001
  • Revised or added 358 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 434 label pages.
  • Revised or added 211 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 3,715 and sleeve shots to 191.
  • Revised the Gene Summers page considerably, based on data and images provided by Gene and Shawn Summers.
  • Reorganized the image files into twenty-five separate directories. This change should be transparent to the user.
  • Made an important change to the "As By" column on artist discography pages. Previously, the absence of a value in this column could have two meanings: either the artist credit for that track was identical to the form of name in the page header or I did not know the exact artist credit for that track. From now on, the absence of a value will mean only that I do not know the exact artist credit; every known credit will be designated by an "As By" footnote, even if that credit is the unadorned artist name.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 11/20 (except about 100 new label shots from Udo).
• October 31, 2001
  • Revised or added 538 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 441 label pages.
  • Revised or added 347 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 3,350 and sleeve shots to 190.
  • Added a great deal of information from discographies, new release listings, and record reviews in American Music Magazine.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 10/27.
• October 9, 2001
  • Revised or added 202 artist pages.
  • Revised or added 194 label pages.
  • Revised or added 183 comp pages.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 3,169 and sleeve shots to 189.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 10/9.
• September 26, 2001
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 3,002 and sleeve shots to 189.
  • Added fifty more single-artist comp track listings, for a total of 500.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 9/24.
• August 29, 2001
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 2,862 and sleeve shots to 185.
  • Added fifty more single-artist comp track listings, for a total of 450 (I've passed the halfway point in this project).
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 8/27.
  • Made a significant structural change to the database, affecting the links between tracks and "as by" references. The end result should be entirely transparent to website users, but please let me know if you notice any corrupted or suspicious links.
• August 9, 2001
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 2,621 and sleeve shots to 175.
  • Added fifty more single-artist comp track listings, for a total of 400.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 8/7.
  • Moved the server to a faster segment of the Emory University network.
• July 20, 2001
  • Finally had the chance to actually examine all the label shots for new or improved discographic data.
  • Reviewed issues 1 through 40 of Rock & Roll Performers and American Music magazines for discographic information.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 2,464 and sleeve shots to 167.
  • Added fifty more single-artist comp track listings, for a total of 350.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 7/14.
• June 28, 2001
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 2,203 and sleeve shots to 143.
  • Added twenty-five more single-artist comp track listings, for a total of 300.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 6/27.
• June 7, 2001
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 2,104 and sleeve shots to 138, thanks again primarily to Udo Frank.
  • Added a great amount of corrections and new information sent by Udo.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 6/6.
  • Added twenty-five more single-artist comp track listings.
• May 23, 2001
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 1,839 and sleeve shots to 109, thanks again primarily to Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through 5/19.
  • Added one hundred more single-artist comp track listings.
  • Changed the label shot link graphic.
• May 2, 2001
  • Added a search form to the main page. This form goes out to Google to perform the search, but results are limited to the RCS domain.
  • Per a suggestion from Peter Staehli, added a comp list arranged by artist (for single-artist comps only). Keep in mind, however, that only about 20% of the single-artist comps now have track listings.
  • Previously I have handled picture sleeve shots as if they were label shots. I am now storing them separately, with a link appearing after the issue number on appropriate artist and label pages. Sleeve shots are still interfiled in the Label Shots index, but they are identified.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 1,555 and sleeve shots to 58, thanks primarily to Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 4/30.
  • Added fifty more single-artist comp track listings.
• April 16, 2001
  • Fixed a problem which was preventing single-artist comp tracks from appearing in the comps artist index.
  • Added anchors to the song title index files so that external links go directly to the pertinent section of the index.
  • Added selected references to articles in Rock & Roll Performers Magazine.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 4/14.
• April 11, 2001
  • Incorporated information from B.J's Country And Rock'N'Roll 45 RPM Record Collectors Guide.
  • Added selected references to articles in American Music Magazine.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 1,253.
  • Added fifty more single-artist comp track listings.
  • Processed several dozen more e-mails from Udo Frank.
  • Added owner names to dozens of labels, thanks to Michel Proost.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through 4/7.
• March 21, 2001
  • Incorporated the results of a research trip.
  • Brought the total number of label shots to 1,034.
  • Changed the HTML code on the individual label shot pages so that images are no longer scaled to a common size. This results in inconsistent size, of course, but the apparent image quality improves significantly since browsers don't seem to be very adept at scaling.
  • Divided the label shots index into four sections to reduce download times (but internal navigation remains the same).
  • Continued to work with photocopies and e-mails sent by Udo Frank.
  • Added the first fifty single-artist comp track listings.
  • Incorporated almost all adds and changes submitted through 3/17.
• February 28, 2001
  • Corrected and enhanced several dozen comp track listings using photocopies sent by Udo Frank.
  • Processed many more messages from Udo Frank identifying "need info" tracks (thanks, Udo!).
  • Began filling in missing flipsides using RecordMaster.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 2/26.
  • Added about 200 more label shots, for a total of 845.
  • Checked all links to label shots and tracked down a number of fugitive files.
  • Added internal anchors to speed navigation through the label shots index.
• February 7, 2001
  • Added a title index to comps.
  • Removed the keyword index to song titles.
  • Changed the imagemaps for all comp indexes.
  • Refined the structure of "additional tracks" listings on artist pages so that more information can be included (label, year, matrix number). For an example, see Cliff Thomas.
  • Systematically went through Colin Escott & Martin Hawkins' Sun Records: The Discography to incorporate details on "additional tracks" for Sun artists.
  • Processed much information from Udo Frank.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 2/5.
  • Added about 200 more label shots, for a total of 662.
• January 17, 2001
  • Added an index to label shots (of which there are now 457, thanks largely to Marc Coulavin and Michel Proost).
  • Added references to 800 single-artist comps on the artist pages and the comps pages. At this point, however, none of these have track listings.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 1/16.
  • Fixed a few bad filenames for JPEG images.
• January 3, 2001
  • The primary motivation behind this quick reload is to fix a tagging error that was preventing the internal comp anchors from working with Netscape Navigator. While I have included a few additions and revisions, discographical content has changed very little since the last load.
• December 27, 2000
  • Finished adding all the track listings I have on file for multiple-artist comps (except a few CD boxed sets).
  • Reformatted the compilation title index pages to suppress repetitive information.
  • Added anchors to the comp lists on artist and label pages so that you can now jump directly from each reference after the title directly to the comp information.
  • Split long comp reference strings into sections so that they will wrap within the cell.
  • Fixed a bug that was putting the navigation bar before the HTML tag.
  • Went through recently added artists to make sure the Female flag was set correctly.
  • Added 191 new label shots.
  • Added numerous Gateway and Big 4 Hits sound-alike records using information supplied by Johan Lofstedt.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through 12/25.
  • This is the last update prior to the inauguration of some significant changes in January 2001
    • The immediate addition of index place-holders for single-artist comps and the gradual addition of track listings for them.
    • The addition of an album title index to comps.
    • The removal of the song title keyword index to free space on the main page. (I hate to see this feature go, but the server log indicates that it is rarely used.)
    • Enhancements to the "Additional tracks on comps" section of each artist page to make it possible to give more information about each track (for example, year and label for unissued material). The new data will be added gradually.
• December 12, 2000
  • Made the necessary structural and programming changes to support pop-up label shots from the artist and label pages. At present, there are only a few dozen images available (for an example, see Don Wade), but the number should grow rapidly. Many thanks to Michel Proost, Marc Coulavin, Malcolm Chapman, and a variety of eBay sellers for providing the initial batch.
  • Added track listings to several dozen comps.
  • Extracted discographical information from issues 39 to 58 of Rockin' Fifties.
  • Incorporated most additions and changes submitted through 12/1 (yes, I am that far behind -- my apologies to folks who have sent information lately).
• November 22, 2000
  • Changed my e-mail address on all pages.
  • Added track listings to several dozen comps.
  • Added references to articles and discographies in ten additional issues of Rockin' Fifties.
  • Extracted discographical information from issues 59 to 77 of Rockin' Fifties.
  • Incorporated most additions and changes submitted through 11/21.
  • Fixed a bug in the filename-generation algorithm that was causing broken links from the Comps Unk index page.
• November 8, 2000
  • Added about 250 references to articles and discographies in issues 1 to 11 of Roll Street Journal, issues 11 to 29 of New Kommotion, and most issues from 39 to 77 of Rockin' Fifties.
  • Duplicated Buffalo Bop LP and track data for everything prior to release number 2049 to create entries for earlier Bison Bop releases. Edited release years for these Buffalo Bop LPs since they could not possibly have appeared before the name change in 1985.
  • Incorporated the results of a research trip.
  • Incorporated most additions and changes submitted through 11/6.
• October 24, 2000
  • Added links from the compilation artist and title index pages to the main RCS artist pages.
  • Reformatted the compilation artist index pages to suppress repetitive information.
  • Added a few dozen more comp release years based on Down Home Music newsletters from 1978 to 1982.
  • Refined the listing of Redita LPs, using information from Peter Staehli.
  • Incorporated a large amount of biographical information sent by Michel Proost.
  • Incorporated all additions and changes submitted through 10/24.
• October 10, 2000
  • Thanks to the loan of Derek Hamilton's collection of Bear Family catalogs, added several hundred comp release dates.
  • Incorporated most additions and changes submitted through 10/8.
• September 25, 2000
  • Expanded the maximum number of comps per artist page from 52 to 520. Right now, this affects only Sonny Burgess and Carl Perkins, but it removes a significant technical obstacle to adding single-artist comps.
  • Moved comp references from their own column to the end of each title. Again, this will facilitate adding single-artist comps.
  • As a result of the above changes, I have also been able to add LP/CD references to the label pages.
  • Reformatted the "additional tracks" listings to make them clearer.
  • Switched to GIFs for the pertinence ratings.
  • Incorporated the results of a research trip.
• September 20, 2000
  • Added track listings for several dozen comps.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 9/19.
  • Switched to GIFs for the visual inspection indicators.
• September 6, 2000
  • Mastered CD-R Version 200009.
• September 5, 2000
  • Reformatted artist and label indexes into two columns.
  • Changed the "other indexes" imagemap
  • Added 69 non-pertinent comps to the LP/CD listing and indexes.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 9/4.
  • Incorporated substantial amounts of other adds and changes.
• August 23, 2000
  • Thanks largely to Peter Staehli, added year and country of origin to several hundred comps.
  • Incorporated the results of a research trip.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 8/22.
• August 17, 2000
  • Mastered CD-R Version 200008.
• August 16, 2000
  • Revived about 150 rejected entries of marginal interest.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 8/14.
  • I believe I have discovered the source of the few remaining bad internal links and revised the FoxPro scripts appropriately to eliminate them. Note that the filenames for all label listings have changed, so any existing bookmarks to them will have to be revised.
• August 9, 2000
  • Revised the FoxPro scripts so that all internal hyperlinks now use relative file references rather than absolute (to enhance Netscape compatibility for the CD-R). This is a radical change. Please report any failed links to me. Thanks.
  • Incorporated the results of the "RCS Homeless Labels" thread on rockinrecords.
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 8/8.
• July 24, 2000
  • Suppressed false title links in the comp track listings.
  • Fixed sorting bug in the comp title index program that was causing some titles to be omitted.
  • Fixed bad Previous and Next links in comp artist index pages for A and Z.
  • Added fifty BMI dates.
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 7/23.
• July 11, 2000
  • Loaded some pages that had been inadvertantly missed during the previous reload, causing bad internal links. (This affected only the website, not the CD-R.)
• July 7, 2000
  • Mastered CD-R Version 200007.
• July 6, 2000
  • Incorporated the results of a research trip.
• June 26, 2000
  • Fixed tracks linked to non-existent as-by records.
  • Fixed comp listings with blind artist links.
  • Incorporated (at last!) all adds and changes submitted through 6/24.
• June 20, 2000
  • Changed from Microsoft Personal Web Server to Apache.
• June 19, 2000
  • Loaded an imagemap-based start page.
• June 14, 2000
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 6/12.
  • Added about twenty marginal comps.
  • Fixed about 130 unlinked comp tracks.
  • Proofread artists and titles for non-RCS comp tracks.
• May 30, 2000
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 5/28, including several dozen new compilation track listings.
• May 22, 2000
  • Incorporated most adds and changes submitted through 5/21.
• May 15, 2000
  • Incorporated most (but not quite all) adds and changes submitted through 5/13.
• May 8, 2000
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 5/7.
  • Fixed a few incorrectly linked comp tracks.
• April 26, 2000
  • Added line numbers to lengthy "additional tracks" lists.
  • Restored some suppressed listings that were causing blind links to comps
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 4/24.
• April 19, 2000
  • Added song title keyword index.
  • Incorporated some (but not all) adds and changes submitted.
• April 14, 2000
  • Added artist and title indexes to comps.
• April 10, 2000
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 4/8.
  • Added chronological index.
  • Added links to geographical and chronological indexes.
  • Added section to geographical section for Canadian labels with unknown locations.
  • Fixed bad links in index pages for letters with no comps.
• April 3, 2000
  • Incorporated all adds and changes submitted through 3/30.
  • Fixed bug causing bad links in some comp listings.
• March 27, 2000
  • Added geographical index.
  • Added Billboard reviews index.
• March 24, 2000
  • Changed font in tables to Arial.
  • Increased the size of text in Date & Source columns.
  • Added links from song title pages to artists and labels.
  • Fixed links in artist cross-reference notes.
  • Fixed links to parent indexes in headers and footers.
  • Added "Need track listing" notes to comp index pages.
• March 23, 2000
  • Added song title section.
  • Fixed links to prev and next pages in footers.
• March 20, 2000
  • Site first open to visitors.