The microfilm photo quality is terrible, but the Gatesville Messenger and Star Forum ran this profile of four groups who competed at a battle of the bands at the Gatesville National Guard armory on January, 26,1968.
The Slow Motions won the event. Members were Ronnie Bond, Marshall Brown, Johnny Moore, Larry Bruton and Larry Hughes.
The Rebellions won second place, they were Bob West, Tom Easley, Ernest Ochoa and Bobby Thrasher.
The Wanderers won third, members included Glen Henderson, Richard Schcrimsure, Bruce Arnold and Paul Street.
There was a group from Waco called the Wanderers who recorded “Higher Education” / “I Feel So Blue” on T.R.C. Texas Record Company 2067 in 1966. That group had Ronnie Cole as vocalist and song writer. Gatesville is 35 miles west of Waco (a short distance in Texas), but I’m not sure if this is the same group.
Fourth place went to the Creatives: Jerry Ochoa, Monte Bush, Abel Ochoa, Randal Haferkamp and Nicky Ochoa.
An article annoucing the event doesn’t mention the Wanderers, but lists another group, the Relations (Ernest Ochoa, Nicky Ochoa and Jerry Ochoa – no wonder the band name), and notes that the groups are all local.
I don’t believe any of the Creatives, the Rebellions or the Slow Motions recorded.
If anyone has a better photo or info on any of these groups, please contact me.
