Johnny Mystery on Tagg

Johnny Mystery and the Phantoms - The Big Deal (Tagg 6402), 1964

There is neither substantial info available on Johnny Mystery and his band, the Phantoms, nor on Tagg Records from the small town of Plainview, Arkansas. The city is located roughly halfway between Little Rock and Fort Smith in the forested hills of Yell County. It was a growing city in the early 20th century thanks to the lumber industry but once the sawmill was closed, its population declined and Plainview suffered from different problems.

The Tagg label had several releases out in 1964 by different artists (and always different producers) as well as one more release in 1965. The artists seem to be local as I could not find any info on most of them either. It is noteworthy to mention that Memphis country music stalwart Eddie Bond had two releases on Tagg, including his version of the blues standard "Big Boss Man".

"The Big Deal" was written by producer Bob Scheick, while the flip side was penned by the team of Newhart and Johnson, who were possibly members of the Phantoms. The Phantoms also accompanied Tagg recording artist Skip Haston, who recorded another Newhart-Johnson song, "Ozark Waltz" (its flip, "Skip's Boogie" was reissued on Collector Records "Wild Rock & Roll Instrumentals" CD). This disc was produced by Haston. Other producers on the label included Oklahoma DJ Bob LaFitte (producing his own release), Arkansas born musician James D. Hastings and Pappy Goodman.

Fellow blogger and music collector Bob gave me a hint that the Tagg label probably featured the involvement of Arkansas DJ Vernon H. Stewart (1927-1981), who recorded for different labels between 1958-1974, including for Carl Blankenship's Razorback label. However, details sadly escape us on his involvement.

If someone has more information on Tagg Records or Johnny Mystery, please feel free to either leave a comment or contact me via the e-mail formula.

See also

• Tagg Records discography on Arkansas 45rpm Records

Sources

• Discogs

• Rockin' Country Style entry

• Tagg Records 45cat entry

• Bob LaFitte Find a Grave entry

• James D. Hastings obituary
• Thanks to Bob