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Jin Records, a small but influential record label based in Ville Platte, Louisiana, was founded in 1955-1958 by Floyd Soileau. The label played a crucial role in promoting Cajun, swamp pop, and Louisiana-based rhythm and blues music. It became widely recognized for its dedication to preserving the regional musical styles of south Louisiana, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. Jin records released in 1960 are: Jin 45-122 up to and including Jin 45-148
Jin Records primarily focused on swamp pop, a genre blending New Orleans-style rhythm and blues with Cajun and country influences, which flourished in Louisiana and east Texas. The label released music by numerous local artists, many of whom became important figures in the swamp pop genre. Jin Records helped bring these regional sounds to a wider audience, earning a place in Louisiana’s rich musical heritage.
Collector Notes: The "As Long as I Have You" / "Oh Susanna" single by Chuck Martin and the Honey Drippers is a rare and intriguing release from 1960, capturing a unique moment in early Texas rock and blues. Featuring Johnny Winter on guitar and Edgar Winter on saxophone, this record showcases the emerging talents of the Winter brothers as they add their unmistakable style to Martin’s vocals and rhythm.
This single, recorded and released in 1960, is highly valued by collectors for its rarity and the involvement of the Winter brothers before their rise to fame. As an early example of their collaborative work, it captures the spirit and experimentation of the Texas music scene, making it a prized addition for enthusiasts of vintage blues and rock history.
Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
CHUCK MARTIN and THE HONEY DRIPPERS
JIN 45-128 / J-7368
JIN
Always in the Spotlite
45-128
Flat Town Music
BMI
AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU
(C. Martin)
CHUCK MARTIN
and
THE HONEY DRIPPERS
J-7368
Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
CHUCK MARTIN and THE HONEY DRIPPERS
JIN 45-128 / J-7369
JIN
Always in the Spotlite
45-128
Flat Town Music
BMI
OH SUSANNA
(C. Martin)
CHUCK MARTIN
and
THE HONEY DRIPPERS
J-7369
Doo-Wop, Soul, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT and THE ROYALS
JIN 45-143 / J-7394
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-143
Crazy Cajun Mus.
Flat Town Mus.
BMI
VOCAL J-7394
HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED A TEAR DROP?
(R. Bennett - H. Meaux)
RONNIE BENNETT
and
THE ROYALS
Doo-Wop, Soul, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT and THE ROYALS
JIN 45-143 / J-7395
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-143
Crazy Cajun Mus.
Flat Town Mus.
BMI
VOCAL J-7395
TRUE LOVE TRUE LOVE
(R. Bennett - H. Meaux)
RONNIE BENNETT
and
THE ROYALS
Doo-Wop, 1960 Texas Pop
JOE BARRY
JIN 45-144 / J-7396
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-144
Peer Int'l.
BMI
VOCAL J-7396
I'M A FOOL TO CARE
JOE BARRY
Doo-Wop, 1960 Texas Pop
JOE BARRY
JIN 45-144 / J-7397
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-144
Flat Town Music
Crazy Cajun Mus.
BMI
VOCAL J-7397
I GOT A FEELING
(Barrios)
JOE BARRY
Doo-Wop, Soul, 1960s Texas Pop
JOE BARRY
JIN 45-152 / J-7412
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-152
Southern Music
ASCAP
Huey P. Meaux
A & R
VOCAL J-7412
TEARDROPS IN MY HEART
(V. Horton)
JOE BARRY
Doo-Wop, Soul, 1960s Texas Pop
JOE BARRY
JIN 45-152 / J-7413
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-152
Glad Music,
Flat Town Music
BMI
Huey P. Meaux,
A & R
VOCAL J-7413
FOR YOU SUNSHINE
(Barrios-Tucker)
JOE BARRY
Description: White Label Promo of the single "Golly Gee" b/w "How Do You Live A Lie" by Ben Terrell and Johnny Winter's Band was released in 1961.
Collector Notes: The "How Do You Live a Lie" / "Golly Gee" single by Ben Terrell and Johnny Winter's Band is a rare and evocative recording, later reissued on the Sideman label. Featuring Johnny Winter with his early band, this single captures the raw energy and skill that would later define Winter’s legendary blues-rock career.
The A-side, "How Do You Live a Lie," was penned by Jan Faggard of Neal and the Newcomers , adding a layer of connection to the Texas music scene of the time. This track showcases Johnny’s soulful guitar work and the band’s seamless synergy, perfectly complementing Terrell’s emotive vocals. On the B-side, "Golly Gee" delivers a lively, upbeat contrast, allowing Winter’s band to explore a more rhythmic, rock-influenced sound that demonstrates their versatility and skill.
This single has since been reissued on the CD compilation Sideman , preserving its place in the history of early Texas rock and blues. For collectors, it stands as a valuable piece of Johnny Winter’s pre-fame recordings and a testament to his early collaboration with other Texas artists who were shaping the regional music landscape.
Rock & Roll, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
BEN TERRELL and Johnny Winter's Band
JIN 45-158 / (S-2025)
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-158
Eldrich Pub.
BMI
VOCAL
Time: 2:18
(S-2025)
GOLLY GEE
(Sunny Ozuna)
BEN TERRELL
and
Johnny Winter's Band
Rock & Roll, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
BEN TERRELL and Johnny Winter's Band
JIN 45-158 / (S-2026)
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-158
Beau-Tex Music
Flat Town Music
BMI
VOCAL
Time: 2:57
(S-2026)
HOW DO YOU LIVE A LIE
(Jon Foggard)
BEN TERRELL
and
Johnny Winter's Band
Description: The single "How Do You Live A Lie" b/w "Golly Gee" by Ben Terrell and Johnny Winter's Band was released in 1961.
Rock & Roll, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
BEN TERRELL and Johnny Winter's Band
JIN 45-158
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-158
Beau-Tex Music
Flat Town Music
BMI
HOW DO YOU LIVE A LIE
(Jan Faggard)
BEN TERRELL
and
Johnny Winter's Band
Vocal
Time 2:24
Rock & Roll, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
BEN TERRELL and Johnny Winter's Band
JIN 45-158
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-158
Aldrich Publ.
BMI
GOLLY GEE
(Sunny Ozuna)
BEN TERRELL
and
Johnny Winter's Band
Vocal
Time 2:18
Description: Junior Cole was a singer from Beaumont, Texas, known for his collaboration with guitarist Johnny Winter in the early 1960s. His music, released on Jin Records, featured tracks like "I Won't Cry" and "Coming Home," both backed by Winter's band. These songs, written by Johnny Winter, are examples of Texas blues and rhythm and blues from that era. On Frolic records his name has been spelled as "Jr Cole" .
Blues, Soul, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
JUNIOR COLE and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
JIN 45-163 / J-7315
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
I WON'T CRY
(J. Winter)
JUNIOR COLE
and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
45-163
Beau-Tex, BMI
Time 2:15
Vocal
J-7315
Blues, Soul, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
JUNIOR COLE and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
JIN 45-163 / J-7316
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
COMING HOME
(J. Winter)
JUNIOR COLE
and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
45-163
Beau-Tex, BMI
Time 2:12
Vocal
J-7316
Description: This record is a white-label promotional release of Ronnie Bennett's single, "A Dark Night, A Lonely Street," featuring Johnny Winter's band. Issued by Jin Records with catalog number 45-166, this version was specifically designated for distribution to DJs only, intended to generate radio play and build interest before a general release. With its distinct white label, this promotional copy emphasizes exclusivity, making it a coveted piece for collectors and enthusiasts of early Texas blues and soul music.
Country, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
JIN 45-166 / J-7321
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-166
Beau-Tex Mus
Flat Town Mus
BMI
Time: 2:28
J-7321
A DARK NIGHT, A LONELY STREET
(A. Duff)
RONNIE BENNETT
and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
Country, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
JIN 45-166 / J-7322
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-166
Commodore
BMI
Time: 2:29
J-7322
TRAVELING MOOD
(J. Waynes)
RONNIE BENNETT
and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
Country, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
JIN 45-166 / J-7321
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
A DARK NIGHT, A LONELY STREET
(A. Duff)
RONNIE BENNETT
and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
45-166
Beau-Tex Music
1st Town Music
BMI
Time 2:28
Vocal
J-7321
Country, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
JIN 45-166 / J-7322
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
TRAVELING MOOD
(J. Waynes)
RONNIE BENNETT
and JOHNNY WINTER'S BAND
45-166
Commodore
BMI
Time 2:29
Vocal
J-7322
Swamp Pop, 1960s Texas Pop
LEE MARTIN
JIN 45-169 / J-7327
JIN
Always in the Spotlite
45-169
Ver-Cel Pub. Co., BMI
THERE GOES THAT TRAIN
(R. McGill)
LEE MARTIN
Vocal
J-7327
Rock & Roll, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
BEN TERRELL
JIN 45-171 / J-7331
JIN
Always in the Spotlite
45-171
Hit Town Music
BMI-2:48
HER LOVE BELONGS TO ME
(Winters)
BEN TERRELL
Vocal
J-7331
Rock & Roll, Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
BEN TERRELL
JIN 45-171 / J-7332
JIN
Always in the Spotlite
45-171
BMI-2:00
I DON'T HURT ANYMORE
(Robertson-Rollins)
BEN TERRELL
Vocal
J-7332
Description: Texas "Guitar" Slim was one of the pseudonyms used by Johnny Winter. Originally released in 1961, the track "Broke and Lonely" has been re-recorded and released on Johnny Winter's 1986 album: 3rd Degree .
1960s Texas Pop, Rock and Roll
TEXAS 'GUITAR' SLIM
JIN 45-174 / DR-007
JIN
"ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE"
BROKE AND LONELY
(J. Otis-J. Watson)
Texas 'Guitar' Slim
45-174
O. Cel
BMI-2:50
DR-007"
1960s Texas Pop, Rock and Roll
TEXAS 'GUITAR' SLIM
JIN 45-174 / DR-008
JIN
"ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE"
CRYING IN MY HEART
Texas 'Guitar' Slim
45-174
1st Town Music
D.J.E. Pub.
BMI-2:40
Wheeler-Wintt Producers
DR-008"
In 1962, Junior Cole recorded two tracks, “Coming Home” and “I Won’t Cry,” with Johnny Winter’s band. These recordings were released under the Jin label. Both songs were later re-issued on the Ace Records LP titled Louisiana Blues (catalogue number CHD 211), highlighting their place in the rich musical history of the region.
Collector Notes: The song "Coming Home" has indeed written by Johnny Winter and is confirmed with BMI nr: 234722. The song "I Won’t Cry" was not listed in BMI's songview
Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT
JIN 45-501X / XJ-5302
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-501X
The Crazy Cajun
Music - BMI
VOCAL
XJ-5302
IN THIS LETTER
(R. Bennett - H. Meaux)
RONNIE BENNETT
Doo-Wop, 1960s Texas Pop
RONNIE BENNETT
JIN 45-501X / XJ-5303
JIN
ALWAYS IN THE SPOTLITE
45-501X
The Crazy Cajun
Music - BMI
Vocal XJ-5303
JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE
(R. Bennett - H. Meaux)
RONNIE BENNETT