The Deltas

The Deltas combo formed in Gallatin in the early sixties.

Band pic of original members

History[edit | edit source]

Written by Pat Julian: The Deltas played at the American Legion Hall in Gallatin along with Charley McCoy [sic] and in the early seventies also played at the Silver Swinger across from the current location of Rivergate Toyota. Dick Kent from WLAC in the 70's was a great fan of the Deltas and they played a lot of "schools out" parties for him. Members included: Wayne Wright, guitar, Don Lee, guitar, Larry Leath, bass and Bobby Dorris drums. Bobby died several years ago from cancer, Wayne is in real estate in Gallatin, Larry currently lives in Murfreesboro, and Don is retired and lives in Gallatin. With 'RCA" in the mid sixties with original and founding members Don and Larry, they now added Gene Large, drums, and Dan Wilson, keys and trumpet. The five member late sixties lineup was the most successful era of the band, along with Larry, Don, Gene, the band now featured Milton Blackford on rhythm guitar, and Jim Vantrease, fresh from Vietnam, as keyboardist. This version of the band recorded for Warner bros, United Artists, as well as backing up top performers on the day, Gene Hughes, Dobie Gray, and Larry Gatlin. They were a top rated country club act, with superior musicianship as well as top notch vocals. Larry's four 1/2 octave vocal's (without falsetto) were the signature sound.

Milton was a highly successful jingle writer at the time, writing the national "Me and my RC" campaign for RC cola. Other composer credits for Blackford include songs for Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Ronnia Milsap, Ferlin Husky and Wanda Jackson. He passed away in 2013.

Their only single was released on EMP records. EMP, which only has this one release, was created for the band in particular, according to Discogs.

Glass Hammer[edit | edit source]

Official Warner Bros publicity shot from '73

In 1972, with the release of their single, "Never Gonna Hide", written by Dave Loggins, Warner Bros changed their name to the "GLASS HAMMER"...not to be confused with a 90's progressive Chattanooga group by the same name. In '74 and 75, they traveled with Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons as his opening act all over the east coast and Midwest, playing their hometown at the new Opry House in 1975. Glass Hammer also opened for Ricky Nelson. Gene and Milton left to pursue other opportunities in '77 and were replaced by Joe Meador on guitar, and Rick Judkins on drums. this lineup continued through 1990, when the band retired from road work. Meador also worked at Hewgley’s Music Shop, and then teamed with co-owner Jim Vantrease to launch Sumner County Music Center in Gallatin, opening in July of 1974.

According to website "A Secret Lie": In 1979 the Glass Hammer recorded their first album titled, "On Our Own." The album was recorded at Crescent Hill studios in Gallatin, TN. Glass Hammer traveled all over the southeast later changing their name to "Gallatin." The band had offers to play in Branson, MO for 2-3 different top entertainers but they didn't want to leave their Nashville home. The band split in 1985 to pursue other interest.

The album was released on Crescent Hill Records, which only had one other release- a 7" produced by Joe Meador for Ray Taylor.

In 1988 the band reunited as an oldies act, playing class reunions, and privates parties, until the sudden death of Jim Vantrease in 2000.

After Glass Hammer, Meador later became a road manager, and later manager, for Ronnie McDowell. McDowell, Meador, and Buddy Killen formed Killen Entertainment Group, which managed McDowell and Six Shooter. Later, Meador became CEO/President of Grand Entertainment Group and launched three publishing companies. He co-wrote the George Strait-recorded song “Under These Conditions,” and songs including “All Tied Up” and “I’m Still Missing You” for McDowell.

Dan Wilson wrote in 2010 :"In case anyone cares, I (Dan Wilson) went to work for Tree International Publishing co. in 1976, ....Tree was sold to SONY in 1989. I continued there and retired as V.P. Creative Services and currently live in east TN."