Recorded in July 1954 at Jim Beck’s legendary studio in Dallas, Texas, this extraordinarily scarce original disc jockey promotional copy on Starday Records (Catalog No. 155) features Joe Price performing "Pay Attention Please" backed with "Keep The Wolves Away". The A-side delivers a high-energy, rhythmically driving performance marked by aggressive acoustic guitar strumming, sharp fiddle turnarounds, and Price's commanding vocal delivery.
Starday Records operated out of Southeast Texas during an era of tremendous economic growth fueled by the post-war oil boom. The region's dance halls demanded high-energy music, forcing independent labels to experiment with faster, punchier rhythms. This specific release captures the exact transition from traditional, secular Texas Honky Tonk into "Hillbilly Bop"—the immediate sub-genre that provided the blueprint for the 1955 rockabilly explosion. Manufactured on specialized, break-resistant promo plastic rather than standard shellac, this release represents an early industry push to supply radio stations with durable discs capable of enduring heavy radio station use.
Joe Price made only three historic recording sessions at Jim Beck's studio before abruptly leaving the commercial country music field to enter Bible College and prepare for life in the ministry. This promotional pressing stands as one of the few surviving artifacts of his brief secular recording career.
Condition Report
• Visual Grade: Very Good (VG). The specialized plastic playing surfaces show moderate surface wear, paper scuffs, and faint hairlines from historic radio station handling and cueing.
• Audio Performance: Plays exceptionally well. Despite the visual wear, the plastic tracks beautifully, delivering a strong, clear, and loud audio playback that easily overpowers any surface ambient noise. No skips, jumps, or deep clicks.
• Labels: Clean yellow Starday promotional labels with distinct text presentation, clear center hole parameters, and minor age toning.
Postage, Packing & Delivery
Shipping is handled with absolute care to guarantee safe arrival. The record is housed in a brand-new protective sleeve,lined with thick card stiffeners, wrapped securely in multiple layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap, and suspended inside a custom, double-skin corrugated box filled with void material. Every precaution is taken to eliminate movement inside the box, avoiding any void spaces. Your item will be carefully packed and promptly dispatched.