Record #0043: The Fool / Lonesome For a Letter – SANFORD CLARK

Dot 15481 (original, 1^st pressing) USA, June 27, 1956
Words & Music by:  Side A – Naomi Ford; Side B – Tom Ollier, Jerry Ollier
Musicians: Sanford Clark (vocals), Al Casey (lead guitar), Vivian “Corky” Casey (rhythm guitar), Jimmy Wilcox (bass), Connie Conway (drums / percussion)
Recording sessions:  Ramsey Studio, Phoenix, AZ, March 1956
Highest chart positions:  US #7, US R&B #5, US Country #14

The record was first released on MCI 1003 (a small local label owned by Wilcox and Conway) in May, but it didn’t go anywhere. After the release on Dot, it became Clark’s only Top 10 hit.

“The Fool” was actually written by Lee Hazlewood (the producer of the record), but he gave his wife the credit.

List price:  Maroon label “Very Good+” is $25 and “Near Mint” is $50. 2^nd pressing with black label is $12.50 and $25 correspondingly.