Draft:James Thomas Flaherty

James Thomas Flaherty a.k.a “Smilin Jim” (Nov, 20 1926 – June 25, 2977) was an American Rock ability and Country musician, DJ, a promoter and an accustomed guitarist. Thomas was born of one sister, her elder sister; Constance Flaherty who was born in 1925. James Thomas Flaherty is well recognized for his 45 record, "Real Gone Daddy/This Old Bomb of Mine," released in 1957. [1]. Thomas was considered one of the most influential rock ability signers of his time. His lifetime record resides at over 30 records.

Life and Career (1926–1957)
James Thomas was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut in a family of four; His father Senior Thomas Flaherty who was an ex-military who then served as a local taxi driver, His mother, who was a housewife and his older sister, Constance Flaherty. James Thomas Flaherty started his career as a Navy. He served in World War II perhaps drawing inspiration from his father who had survived the World War I. After the war, James Thomas went back home and began his musical career.

James Thomas’s musical careers began in 1951 as a music DJ at the National Barne Dance/Grand Ole Opry. A year later, 1952, he moved to WHAY in Connecticut under the same capacity and by 1953, the WHAY show producers gave James Thomas more airtime a factor that boosted his popularity majorly. In 1954, James started his first band, the “Bar ‘G’ Ranch Boys” which consisted of Don Baker who played the electric guitar, Joe Tyler-played bass and fiddle, Robert McCarthy played steel guitar while he personally played the electric guitar and Banjo [8]. In 1955, Don Baker and Joe Tyler left the band and, in the same year, were replaced by Robert Kowalczyk a.k.a Bob ‘Cat’ Gibson, and Harold ‘Slim’ Huntley. The Bar ‘G’ Ranch Boys band played mainly in Connecticut in several venues including clubs, diners, halls, auditoriums and family gatherings. Along the way, the band name was changed to “Cowboy Caravan”. The Band was managed by Dick Godlewski. In late 1955, James Thomas Flaherty in collaboration with Bill Konezy, organized a film festival event dubbed “Country Music Festival” at the Canaan Valley Sportsman Club [11]. The event featured 2 stages and rotating bands playing throughout the day. The advent of ‘Slim’ and ‘Cat’ and the other musicians allowed for a new style of music to emerge. This new combination of talent brought an entirely different sound to the band.

The band was also being influenced by popular culture of the times, with rock and roll trending all over the media and a new sound “Rock ability” was born. The “Country Boys Band” adopted rockability. Jim was close friends with Bill Flagg, long considered the ‘father’ of rockabilly music [12]. This type of music was also being performed by the likes of such artists as Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.

Jim Flaherty's Western Caravan (1957–1963)
By 1957, the Cowboy Caravan had rebranded to Jim Flaherty’s Western Caravan and two members, Huntley and Bob, had left. In 1957, Thomas Invited Howie Stange and Gus French to join the band. At this time, both the lead guitarist and the band management roles were played by James Thomas Flaherty.

In 1958, the James Flaherty Western caravan started touring the world and setting up shows. The band also opened for distinguished acts like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. By 1958 the band had solidified, with Jean Perron and Maury Dubois rounding out the group of musicians. The Caravan would tour tirelessly throughout New England during these years and became quite popular. A dedicated self-promoter, Jim Flaherty secured multiple recording contracts with A&R man Morty Craft in New York City from 1957 through 1960.The band began at Bell Studios as a studio band for other larger acts managed by Morty at the time, but soon the relationship evolved into actual productions by the band on the Indie labels of MELL, JENN, & Frankie. The band would go on to record at the Bell Sound Studios in New York City, with Morty Craft acting as producer. These recordings, beginning with "Real Gone Daddy/This Old Bomb of Mine" which grew fast in popularity as it was played throughout New England and put Jim and the band on the map. A total of 5 commercially produced 45's were released through this collaboration.



Recordings
Record Labels MELL, JENN, Frankie, 7 Dee Jay. Jim Flaherty's discography includes 5 releases and 1 re-release: JENN Records released 1957 Side 1 Real Gone Daddy J101 (J1001), vocals Howie Stange Side 2 This Old Bomb Of Mine J102 (J1002), vocals Howie Stange Frankie Records released 1958 Side 1 Are You Lonesome To-Night? FR-7 (HB-276), vocals Howie Stange Side 2 My Foolish Heart FR-7 (HB-277), vocals Morey Dubois MELL Records released 1959 Side 1 You Never Had It So Good 120 (1039), vocals Howie Stange Side 2 Baby I'm Sorry 120 (1040), vocals Howie Stange MELL Records released 1959 Side 1 Am I Losing You 121 (1041), vocals Morey Dubois Side 2 If You Can Spare The Time 121 (1042), vocals Morey Dubois Frankie Records released 1960 Side 1 My Darling Rosie FR-12 (ZTSP 64575) vocals Lou Dee Side 2 I’ll Never Be The Same (Since I Lost You) FR-12 (ZTSP 64576), vocals Lou Dee Dee Jay Records (DJ-45-215-A & B) re-release on a West German record label Real Gone Daddy/This Old Bomb of Mine 1982

Association
Throughout his musical career, James Thomas Flaherty interacted with a lot of artists, both local and international. Such artists James associated with include; Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Elton Britt, Everly Brothers, Rusty & Doug Kershaw, Faron Young, Hank Snow, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Patsy Cline, Little Jimmie Dickens, Loretta Lynn, Jean Shepard, Osborne Brothers, Jim Reeves, Grandpa Jones, Minnie Pearl, Porter Wagoner, Gordon Terry, Marvin Rainwater, The Wilburn Brothers, Mac Wiseman, Buck Owens, Jimmy Stevens, & Jimmy Brown. Jim performed with many music with many artists such as; Bob 'Cat' Gibson; Robert McCarthy, "aka" Moose Roberts; Bill Haley, Gus French; Harold Slim Huntley; Jimmy Stephens; Lou Dee Demaria; Maury Dubois; Smokey Joe Tyler; Jimmy Stephens, Smiley Roberts, Jean Perron; Slim Coxx; Paul McCoy; Howie Stange; and Bill Flagg.

Later years and death (1963–1977)
After the heydays of the Caravan, Jim continued to perform in central Connecticut, appearing on-stage with Slim Coxx at Lake Compounce, Middlefield, Connecticut, and what venues he could get booked. Jim was co-manager of the Belmont Record Shop under owner Joe Cyr. Jim was a nationally known C&W music expert, especially with 40’s and 50’s, western swing, rockabilly, and country catalogues. Many artists and label executives called him personally and he befriended many top artists via the shows he booked with shop owner Cyr at the Bushnell Auditorium in Hartford, Connecticut [9]. In 1956 Jim met Mary L. Augustine and they would remain a couple until Jim’s death [10]. Jim never married, and he continued to perform right up to the time of his death. Smilin’ Jim Flaherty died of a heart attack at the age of 50 on June 25, 1977[11].

Legacy
Jim Flaherty’s legacy endures as a Rockabilly music artist and as a performer. Jim Flaherty’s Western Caravan music is played on oldies record stations throughout the country and in much of Europe, more popular now than during his lifetime. The song "Real Gone Daddy" is perhaps the finest piece of Rockabilly music of all time. On October 3, 1971 Jim was recognized by the Connecticut Country Entertainers Association (forerunner to the Connecticut Country Music Hall of Fame) for his “outstanding efforts at promoting country music [12].” Jim’s opinion was much respected in the country music industry and he was often the ‘bell weather’ of new and upcoming sounds and trends. Discography of 45 Records Studio albums •	Real Gone Daddy/This Old Bomb Of Mine (1957) •	Real Gone Daddy vocals Howie Stange, guitar intro Jim Flaherty, guitar break 'Moose' Roberts, lead guitar Jim Flaherty, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Maury Dubois, piano Howie Stange •	This Old Bomb Of Mine vocals Howie Stange, guitar intro Jim Flaherty, harmony Gus French, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Maury Dubois, 'Moose' Roberts & Jim Flaherty, piano Howie Stange •	Are You Lonesome To-Night?/My Foolish Heart (1958) •	Are You Lonesome Tonight? vocals Howie Stange, melody Jim Flaherty, guitar intro 'Moose' Roberts, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Howie Stange, control room Maury Dubois •	My Foolish Heart vocals Maury Dubois, melody Jim Flaherty, guitar break 'Moose' Roberts, lead guitar Jim Flaherty, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Howie Stange & Maury Dubois •	Baby I'm Sorry/You Never Had It So Good (1959) •	Baby I'm Sorry vocals Howie Stange, melody Jim Flaherty, guitar intro Jim Flaherty, guitar break 'Moose' Roberts, lead guitar Jim Flaherty, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Maury Dubois •	You Never Had It So Good vocals Howie Stange, harmony Ray Charles Singers, guitar break 'Moose' Roberts, lead guitar Jim Flaherty, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Maury Dubois, brushes Maury Dubois •	Am I Losing You/If You Can Spare The Time (1959) •	Am I Losing You vocals Maury Dubois, harmony Ray Charles Singers, guitar break 'Moose' Roberts, lead guitar Jim Flaherty, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Maury Dubois, piano Howie Stange •	If You Can Spare The Time vocals Maury Dubois, guitar intro Jim Flaherty, brushes Howie Stange, guitar break 'Moose' Roberts, lead guitar Jim Flaherty, bass guitar Gus French, rhythm guitar Howie Stange & Maury Dubois •	I'll Never Be The Same/My Darling Rosie (1960) •	I'll Never Be The Same vocals Lou Dee •	My Darling Rosie vocals Lou Dee •	Real Gone Daddy/This Old Bomb of Mine (1982 re-release Dee Jay Records)