The Reasons Why cut one of the top Texas records in the ’60s, “Don’t Be That Way” on Sound Track ST-2000. I don’t own a copy, but I found this article on the group from the Waco, and since I don’t remember seeing a photo of the group before, I’m posting it in the hope of getting a better quality picture later on.
Members of the Reasons Why were:
Frank Kalenda – rhythm guitar and vocals
John Inmon – lead guitar and vocals
Johnny Schwertner – organ and vocals
Ronnie Miller – bass, vocals
Donny Dolon – drums
The article is very informative, noting “The group has just completed a session at the Delta recording studios in Fort Worth.” Johnny Patterson owned Delta Recordings.
“W.F. Temple, president of Sound Track Records, was in Waco recently to audition this popular group and was so impressed that he immediately offered The Reasons Why, a recording contract.
The group is from Temple, and has been playing together for seven months. Their name comes from the first three words of “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”, a recording by the Byrds.”
Most of the group attended Temple Junior College, except John Inmon: “Before joining the group John had played with bands on the west coast. He is a student at Temple High School.”
Carl Sachs managed the band.
I’ve seen a signed copy of the label for Melinda that has the group’s first names, except “Tommy” appears instead of Ronnie Miller, so possibly there was a lineup change after the 45 release.
Bill Temple and Mickey Moody produced the single, released on Sound Track in late 1966 with a SoN 39531/2 mastering code. “Melinda” was the A-side, written by Denis Jones who does not appear to have been a band member. Bassist and vocalist Ronald Miller wrote “Don’t Be That Way”. Sound/Age Music published both songs.
Dennis Jones seems to have been a song-writer published through Sound-Age or Soundage, Bigtop and Le Bill Music. I suppose Bill Temple had publishing on “Melinda” and had the Reasons Why do the song.
The only other single I know of with Dennis Jones’ credit is the Industrial Image “Living in the Middle Ages” by D.A. Jones on Epic 5-10096, published by Bigtop Records & Soundage Music. The Industrial Age were from the Glen Rose, Texas area, and had been known as the Heartbeats. One member may have been Larry Witt.
Thank you to Matthew B. for helping me access the news clipping.