| Beyond these 'midnite recording sessions', that produced all the Johnny Rebel recordings we're now so familiar with, Clifford Trahan made some additional recordings under still more pseudo-names, to be released on Rebel Record's sister label's in the ensuing years. Such as X-Rated (In the late 70's, as Filthy McNasty), Master-Trax (In the mid-late 70's, as Johnny Blaine & Cross Country), and even as a songwriter for Sammy Kershaw (Double Talk on Par-T Rec.), Warren Storm (The Johnny Rebel band's drummer, on Showtime Records.), countless others who asked not to be mentioned in connection with his Johnny Rebel persona (Some of whom even performed his music at the Grand Ole Opry) and none other than Al Ferrier (where he wrote a few of the songs on Ferrier's '55 To '75-The Back Sound of Rockabilly lp). All the while, of course, playing live as every one of his various incarnation's, BUT Johnny Rebel. Other than the one time that he performed 'Looking For A Handout' on Main Street in a small Louisiana town, these recordings were never performed live, apparently. So why is it then, of all the artists represented by Rebel Records during that turbulent era, that Johnny Rebel, and his recordings, have become far and away the best-known, and best-loved, of the bunch? And why is he more popular now than he ever hoped to be in the days when these recordings were new? Beyond the fact that, if you can look past the subject matter of these records, they are some of the finest swampbilly sides ever recorded (musically speaking), they appear to have touched a very sensitive nerve in some that still gets a very strong reaction even 30+ years later. And, oddly enough, most of his fans don't think of themselves as racists, or even seperatists, any more than many of the individuals involved in making them did. Yet, more people than care to admit it can join right in and sing along with every one of these recordings, even as obscure as they are. Whatever the nature of their appeal, Johnny Rebel's records have become some of the most renowned recordings in history, and he has truly become a legend in his own time. Mr. Trahan, incidentally, still works, though easily old enough to retire, and still won't 'take a hand-out'. (Not even Social Security, evidently.) You can't say he doesn't practice what he preaches. (And he is still actively writing music today, nearly 45 years after his first release.) J.D. Miller is now deceased. |
| PART 3 |