IMPACT RECORDS

- Impact Records and "Hey Little Girl" by Ken Barthel and the Impacts

Impact Records, a smaller independent label active in the 1960s, was one of many regional labels that captured the spirit of local rock 'n' roll and rhythm & blues during that era. Independent labels like Impact were essential in promoting and distributing records by lesser-known artists and bands who contributed to the vibrant musical scene but might not have gained national exposure.

The single in question, "Hey Little Girl" by Ken Barthel and the Impacts , was released as catalog number 591, published under Dixianne Publishing Co. (BMI) . "Hey Little Girl" is credited to Ken Barthel, the lead artist, and appears to be a product of the early to mid-1960s based on the label and catalog format, though specific details about the release date are elusive. With a runtime of 2:02 minutes, it was typical for singles of the era, which often stayed under three minutes to appeal to radio play formats.

Ken Barthell (sometimes mispelled as Ken Barthel, Ken Bartell or Ken Bartel) and the Impacts. Johnny Winter does not perform on the song "Hey Little Girl", but helped Ken Barthell writing this song.

Ken Barthell remembers: "I met Johnny Winter through the music scene and hanging around Beaumont Music Store and Swicegood's Music Store. I often visited him at his home and I had the car, so we did some running around together mainly checking out the girls and Johnny couldn't drive because of his sight. I was working on a couple songs, That's Not Much To Ask was pretty much done, but I was having trouble with Hey Little Girl. I called Johnny Winter and he said to come on over and he would help me out. Johnny's Mom answered the door, and said Johnny Winter was upstairs practicing his screams. We all practiced what we called Soulful Screaming back then, it was real big. I showed Johnny what I had so far on Hey Little Girl, and in not more than 10 minutes, we had it done. Johnny told me to make sure he got writing credit on it with me and I told him I would. I gave Roy Ames the information for the pressing, I was paying for it to be done. Roy messed up my name, spelled it Barthel instead of Barthell and didn't list Johnny as cowriter. I showed it to Johnny and how Roy even messed up my name"