Bo Ratliff
Encyclopedia
Bo Ratliff was a rockabilly
and country music
singer of the 1950s and 1960s.
singer Clay Eager
's Karl Records out of Springfield, Ohio
in 1959. A year later, he released a record on O. Bo. Records which was a Hatfield-Ratliff Production. The song "The Politician" was listed on the record as being written by Bill and Bo (Bill Hatfield and Bo Ratliff).
Ratliff recorded for CLW Records, which was distributed by Arrow Enterprises out of Indianapolis, Indiana
. His release for Ma Be Records was out of Beech Grove, Indiana
. His recordings on CLW Records, Arrow Records, and Ma Be Records were country releases. Another record was released by Rome Records.
Ratliff wrote "I Don't Care," "Three Little Words I Love You," "Just A Piece Of Paper," "Dim Café," "Do Your Thing," "Who Do You Think You're Fooling," and "Drunk On The Street." He co-wrote "Give Them Guns" with Jim Ward of Louisa, Kentucky
, who also wrote "Hey Hey Don't Tease Me." Jim Ward also produced the two CLW Records releases and the Ma Be Records single. Ward had his own publishing company called Jamward Publishing Company with BMI
. Ward also wrote the songs "Above All Else" and "I Found It" which appear on Ratliff's 1998 album "Wings Of Love."
In 1968, he released a single "Rum Dum"/"He Walked In" on Sims Records. "Rum Dum" was written by Jerry Schook and "He Walked In" was written by Chuck Howard. Ratliff recorded this with The Jordanaires
as his back up vocalists.
In 2006 Ratliff, his three daughters,and two grand-daughters released an album called A Little Good News. The band name is Bo and the Ribbons. This gospel
group had recently performed at Mt. Olivette Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana
on August 29, 2009. They continue to sing Gospel Music
throughout Indiana
and have appeared at many different churches. They are scheduled to appear at the Murat Temple during the Christmas
time for the Murat Shriner's RV Club and for the Murat Shriner's club in Morristown, Indiana
.
Bo Ratliff and Bozo Ratliff
(another 1950s rockabilly singer) are two different musicians. Bo Ratliff's first release was for the Karl Label. Bo Ratliff confirmed this himself.
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
and country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer of the 1950s and 1960s.
Biography
Ratliff has also recorded under the name Jim Ratliff. His first record was a rockabilly record as "Bo Ratliff and Country Kinfolk" for rockabillyRockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
singer Clay Eager
Clay Eager
Clay Eager was the stage name of Wilbur Clay Eagy Jr., a rockabilly and country music singer of the 1950s.-Biography:Eager was born in Lima, Ohio...
's Karl Records out of Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio
Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek, approximately west of Columbus and northeast of Dayton. Springfield is home to Wittenberg...
in 1959. A year later, he released a record on O. Bo. Records which was a Hatfield-Ratliff Production. The song "The Politician" was listed on the record as being written by Bill and Bo (Bill Hatfield and Bo Ratliff).
Ratliff recorded for CLW Records, which was distributed by Arrow Enterprises out of Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. His release for Ma Be Records was out of Beech Grove, Indiana
Beech Grove, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,880 people, 6,085 households, and 3,839 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,462.5 people per square mile . There were 6,506 housing units at an average density of 1,513.9 per square mile...
. His recordings on CLW Records, Arrow Records, and Ma Be Records were country releases. Another record was released by Rome Records.
Ratliff wrote "I Don't Care," "Three Little Words I Love You," "Just A Piece Of Paper," "Dim Café," "Do Your Thing," "Who Do You Think You're Fooling," and "Drunk On The Street." He co-wrote "Give Them Guns" with Jim Ward of Louisa, Kentucky
Louisa, Kentucky
Louisa is a city in Lawrence County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,018 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County. The Levisa Fork River and Tug Fork River join at Louisa to form the Big Sandy River...
, who also wrote "Hey Hey Don't Tease Me." Jim Ward also produced the two CLW Records releases and the Ma Be Records single. Ward had his own publishing company called Jamward Publishing Company with BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
. Ward also wrote the songs "Above All Else" and "I Found It" which appear on Ratliff's 1998 album "Wings Of Love."
In 1968, he released a single "Rum Dum"/"He Walked In" on Sims Records. "Rum Dum" was written by Jerry Schook and "He Walked In" was written by Chuck Howard. Ratliff recorded this with The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
as his back up vocalists.
In 2006 Ratliff, his three daughters,and two grand-daughters released an album called A Little Good News. The band name is Bo and the Ribbons. This gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
group had recently performed at Mt. Olivette Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
on August 29, 2009. They continue to sing Gospel Music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
throughout Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
and have appeared at many different churches. They are scheduled to appear at the Murat Temple during the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
time for the Murat Shriner's RV Club and for the Murat Shriner's club in Morristown, Indiana
Morristown, Indiana
Morristown is a town in Hanover Township, Shelby County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,218 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Morristown is located at ....
.
Bo Ratliff and Bozo Ratliff
Bozo Ratliff
Bozo Ratliff was a rockabilly singer from 1950s. This singer is not the same as Bo Ratliff, another rockabilly/country singer from the 1950s and 1960s. Bozo Ratliff recorded for Space Records, which was distributed out of St. Louis, Missouri. His single for Space Records, "Rock Along Time"/"Let...
(another 1950s rockabilly singer) are two different musicians. Bo Ratliff's first release was for the Karl Label. Bo Ratliff confirmed this himself.
Singles
- Just A Piece Of Paper/Hey, Hey, Don’t Tease Me (Karl #3009) (7/1959) (as Bo Ratliff & Country Kinfolk)
- The Politician/Dim Café (O. Bo. CP 4427/4428) (11/1960) (as Bo Ratliff)
- I Don't Care/Three Little Words I Love You (CLW #6603) (as Bo Ratliff)
- Give Them Guns/First Bouquet (CLW #7011) (as Bo Ratliff)
- Dim Café/Do Your Thing (CLW #7016) (as Bo Ratliff)
- Who Do You Think You're Fooling/Drunk On The Street (Ma Be #775) (1967) (as Bo Ratliff)
- Rum Dum/He Walked In (Sims #324) (1968) (as Jim Ratliff)
- The First Bouquet/Time And Place For Everything (Arrow #23230) (1969) (as Jim Ratliff)
Various artists compilations
- More Home Made Early Rock And Roll (White Label LP 8868)
- Here Comes Rock And Roll (Collector/White Label 4522) (2008)