Today we feature a group that has been around country music for awhile, preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary as a band, a run that started out under the band name Itchy Brother. A group that was all set to sign their first recording contract in 1980, but an untimely death put a stop to that.

The Kentucky Headhunters were founded in 1968 when brothers Richard (guitar) and Fred Young (drums) brought in guitarist and vocalist Greg Martin and bass player (and the Young's cousin) Anthony Kenney. The quartet was set to sign with Swan Song Records in 1980, but the death of drummer John Bonham of Led Zepplin, the label's main act, forced it to shut down soon after, without Itchy Brother getting a chance to record an album. They continued to travel and play together after the Swan Song disappointment, but split up in 1982. They regrouped in 1986 with Martin returning to the fold, adding brothers Ricky Lee Phelps (vocals) and Doug Phelps (bass) to the group and adopting the name they became famous by.

IEBA 2013 Conference - Day 3
Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for IEBA
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Mercury Records signed the group in 1988, and 1989 saw the release of their debut album Pickin' On Nashville. The album featured four top-20 singles, including their first top-10, "Oh Lonesome Me". The single would become the groups only top-10 hit to this date. The group would release just two more albums for Mercury, the follow-up Electric  Barnyard in 1991 and Rave On!! in 1993. Creative differences within the group during the recording of the third album led to the departure of both Doug and Ricky Phelps, who were replaced by a returning Kenney on bass and Mark Orr taking over lead vocals.

Orr recorded just one album with the group in 1996, leaving after to "try something different". Doug Phelps returned to the group, and the Headhunters signed with BNA Records in 1996 and would release Stompin' Grounds in 1997. The album failed to register on the Country Albums charts, also failing to chart its only single "Singin' The Blues". They were dropped by BNA after just one album.

IEBA 2013 Conference - Day 3
Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for IEBA
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The Kentucky Headhunters would become label nomads during the first decade of the new century, releasing two albums for Audium Entertainment and another for CBuJ Entertainment from 2000 to 2005. In 2011 they would release Dixie Lullabies for the Red Dirt Label and in 2016, On Safari would be released on the Plowboy label. Of these 5 albums, only their 2011 release would chart, peaking at #75 on the album charts; none of their singles would make an impact on the country singles charts.

The second single from the 2016 release is in our spotlight today. Brought to you by All-American Super Car Wash of Lawton, "God Loves A Rolling Stone" is our Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again. And remember, comment, like or share today’s Catch of the Day, and you’ll be eligible for a daily drawing for a $25 gift card from All-American Super Car Wash of Lawton.

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