Abba By The Paragons Is Now Available Again

Hello all-

I have worked with Altercat Records out of Germany to officially reissue the legendary Paragons single from 1967. Now available with liner notes, photos and the complete story of one of the greatest singles of the 1960s. Check out the link, and enjoy,

-Daniel

March 3, 2021

 https://alter.cat/?product=paragons&v=7516fd43adaa

StudioEast (Arthur Smith Studios) Is Closing

Hello all-

I wanted to pass along the sad news that Arthur Smith Studios, more recently StudioEast, is closing after 55 years in business. The studio portion will go elsewhere, while the building is now owned by a law firm. While the building itself will thankfully still exist, it is sad to see the end of a place where so many famous people worked and recorded. This includes several songs featured in There Was A Time, including "Abba" by the Paragons, "Catch A Ride" by the Grifs, "Go Way Girl" by the Damascans, the Young Ages, and many, many more.

May the music and the people that created there live forever.
-Daniel
October 10, 2018

Sinclairs, Charlotte, NC, 1964

Hello All-

For those of you that have read There Was A Time, you'll recognize the name of the Sinclairs. This was the first band for Charlotte, NC legend Pat Walters, who went on to play with the Barons, Paragons, Good Bad & The Ugly, and the Spongetones, among others. Pat talked about the Sinclairs in our book, but no photos of the band had surfaced. Until now.

When I saw this photo online recently, I knew that a true gem had been discovered. The clothes, the gear, Pat (who in the center) looking over at his other guitarist. And yes, the Junior High school girls lined up in back. If you want to know what was going on in 1964, look no further than this photo. Awesome.

-Daniel
January 7, 2014

"Abba" performed at our show finale

Here's video footage of the closing number of our book release party. Of course, it had to be "Abba", performed by the song's original composer, Jim Charles, Paragons guitarist Pat Walters, and members of the Young Ages, GBU, Abbadons and the Mannish Boys. If you've got more video footage from this show, please send it to me. Thanks, and keep the next-to-last weekend in June 2014 open for next year's show. Thanks to Funhouse73 for this footage. See you soon,
-Daniel
August 18, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kSpUgThZS4

Upcoming Ugly Things issue that excerpts our book

Here's the cover of the new issue of Ugly Things Magazine, which will feature an excerpt of our chapter about the Paragons, and "Abba". The issue (30th anniversary!) should be on the shelves in the next few weeks. More news coming soon,
-Daniel
April 18, 2013

Paragons, "Abba" and Ugly Things Magazine

Hello All-

Any discussion about North Carolina music in the 1960s has to include the Paragons. Formed in Charlotte in 1965, their lone single, "Abba/Mister You're A Better Man Than I" now sells for upwards of $1,800 in collector circles. "Abba" may be the best-known garage rock/psychedelic song to emerge from North Carolina, an intoxicating blend of guitar hooks, and sing-along choruses.

In 2010, our friend Mike Dugo of www.60sgaragebands.com found the Paragons' 1967 appearance on the Village Square TV show. This invaluable find is a rare document of bands during that time looked, and sounded in North Carolina. This song is so important, we've dedicated an entire chapter to the song, and its creation. The fabled Ugly Things Magazine will be excerpting this chapter in their next issue, so check it out. In the meantime, enjoy the Paragons on the Village Square show. Seeing and hearing is believing.
-Daniel
February 21, 2013


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDxjm8BkGBU