Steve Clark papers

1    COLLECTION SUMMARY

1.1       Introduction/Abstract

Steve Clark became a band member of the Young Raiders on October 25^th, 1967, and continued performing on the road until October 23^rd, 1977. Over this decade as a road musician, Clark served as the leader of the Young Raiders and the band’s later iterations. The Young Raiders began as a Topeka, Kansas, band known as the Dantes before signing with John Owen Brown’s Mid-Continent Entertainment. The group delt with large membership turnover. Clark’s ten years with the band was the longest tenure of any member with the group. The band left Mid-Continent Entertainment in 1971, rebranded and continued to perform through 1978. This collection contains a variety of materials from Steve Clark’s time as a road musician including audio recordings, clippings, photographs, posters, and other promotional and informational materials. Also included is a 2014 publication written by Steve Clark titled Old John Clark Road.

1.2       Dates

1967-2023

1.3       Quantity

2 cubic feet

1.4       Creator

Steve Clark. The Young Raiders, Waite, Peabody, or Southern Flavor

1.5       Title

Steve Clark collection

1.6       UID and/or Call #

UID# 532645

1.7       Language

English

1.8     Notes

This finding aid describes materials held by the Kansas State Historical Society. Materials may be used in the Research Room in the society’s Center for Historical Research during regular research hours. Support for telephone, mail, and online research and reference is limited.

In a continuing effort to improve the completeness and accuracy of finding aids, revisions are made as more or new information becomes available. Consequently, this finding aid may differ slightly from what appears in the collection or on the Kansas State Historical Society’s website.

1.9   Repository

Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka)

2    BIOGRAPHY OR HISTORY

Steve Clark became a band member of the Young Raiders on October 25^th, 1967, and continued performing on the road until October 23^rd, 1977. Over this decade as a road musician, Clark served as the leader of the Young Raiders and the band’s later iterations. Clark had gained a wide range of musical skills from his time in the Arkansas City, Kansas High School band, and was known as a “junk man,” a reference to the high number of instruments he was able to play, including the baritone horn, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, and guitar.[1] Initially, Clark auditioned for the Young Raiders while they were looking for a new guitar player, but was not selected, instead he later joined as a horn player to play trombone and trumpet. Clark ultimately played the saxophone for the majority of his time as a road musician.[2] While Clark was not a founding member of the band and was not part of the band when they played their last gig, he was the longest tenured member of the group, playing on the road for about ten years.[3]

The Young Raiders began as a Topeka, Kansas, band known as the Dantes. In 1962, Greg Thompson and Lonnie Johnson decided to start a band and convinced Dave Newman into joining as a drummer. The Dantes, and every succeeding version of the band, went through a lot of personnel changes, beginning with Lonnie Johnson leaving, replaced by Steve Thorp. Thorp would only remain with the band for a limited time and was replaced by Bob Brennan on guitar and Craig Stover on vocals, however Stover was also soon replaced by John Neal and Lawrence Fletcher.[4] By 1964, Ron Mikkelsen, a singer and saxophone player, had also joined the group.[5]

In 1964, the Dantes entered a battle of the bands competition. While they lost out to the Jerms in the competition, they attracted the attention of John O. Brown, who approached the group about working for his new management agency, Mid-Continent Entertainment.[6] Brown brought the band a number of changes, first of which was to rename the group the “Rising Sons.”[7] In 1965, the band recorded at Ray Ruff’s Sully Studios, and learned that the band name “Rising Sons” was already being used by another group, so they changed to the “Rising Suns.”[8] The band played under the Rising Suns name through 1966.

On December 16^th, 1966, while the Rising Suns were traveling to Yankton, South Dakota, their rented station wagon had a tire blow out and rolled while travelling on Interstate 70 about 17 miles from Topeka. Nearly all the band members were injured, one member, trumpet player Garry Muck, suffered severe injuries and was hospitalized for several months.[9] With the band in the hospital, manager John Brown turned to a band from Coffeyville, Kansas, known as the Dalton Gang, to fill in and perform Rising Suns events that had already been booked.[10] The Dalton Gang eventually assumed the identity of the Rising Suns.

It took the band over six months to recover from the accident. By this time the Coffeyville band had fully subsumed the Rising Suns identity, so Brown had the original group rebrand as the “Young Raiders.” The band began their rebrand in the autumn of 1967.[11] At first many of the Young Raiders were former Dantes or Rising Suns members, but by October, personnel changes, saw longtime and founding member Greg Thompson leave the group, while new members joined, including Steve Clark and Ken “Rat” Weidenback.[12]Clark and Weidenback eventually became co-leaders of the band.[13] It was not until 1968 that the Young Raiders finally coalesced into a reliable group for Mid-Continent Entertainment. By this time the group had impressive vocals and a very flexible instrumental range.[14] In 1969, more personnel changes occurred to the Young Raiders but led to the addition of band members to the group such as trumpet player Al Trollman, who knew Steve Clark from high school, and Greg Ayers, who was hired to play trombone.

By 1970, with Steve Clark and “Rat” Weidenback as co-leaders of the band, the Young Raiders, had established themselves as an exciting group with a funny personality.[15] Around this time, the band began to use the name Quantrell, or Quantrell’s Raiders. The name recalled the historical figure of William Quantrill and his 1863 raid on Lawrence Kansas, which gave the Young Raiders a rebel image.[16] During the summer of 1971, the band would be forced to officially change their name again due to a split with Mid-Continent Entertainment. As one of John Brown’s management methods, Mid-Continent had trademarked the band names, which gave him control of the band’s identity.[17] Owning the names of the bands also allowed Mid-Continent Entertainment greater flexibility and optimization in booking events.[18] Tired of playing one-night events on the road, the Young Raiders had begun to explore options with another booking agency out of Chicago that was owned by Curtis Mayfield. Here the group expected to be booked to club venues for a week or more at a time. Brown and his business partner Mike Murfin eventually discovered the band was considering a change and instead fired the group on July 4^th, 1971.[19]

The transition away from Mid-Continent Entertainment was a hard time for the band, who now played under the name “Waite.” The group played in Chicago for a few months before returning to Kansas in November of 1971.[20] While playing in Wichita, the group again changed their name to “Peabody” to distance themselves from their time in Chicago and began working with a booking agent out of Phoenix named Charlie Johnson, who later renamed his agency to Select Artists. Peabody performed their first event for Charlie in February of 1972, and preformed for the Easter Seals Telethon at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas on national television by April of 1972.[21]

The final form of the band was known as “Southern Flavor,” a name suggested by drummer Clive Warren, who had joined the group in July of 1972. The band used the “Southern Flavor” name for the final six years on the road.[22] They also invented a new image and new stage clothes, custom jumpsuits.[23] From 1972 to 1978, Southern Flavor played across the entire country, from Fort Meyers, Florida to Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, Hawaii.[24] Towards the end of 1977, band leader Steve Clark began to consider leaving the band, finally ready to give up the road life. Clark’s last performance with Southern Flavor was on October 23^rd, 1977, just two days removed from the 10^th anniversary of Clark’s first day with the band.[25] Southern Flavor continued to play events for a few more months, playing their last gig in May of 1978.[26]

Following the induction of the original Rising Suns into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in 2007, Steve Clark and the Young Raiders were also inducted in 2009 including twenty-one members who played in the band from 1967 to 1971. The group has also been inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Iowa Rock ‘N Roll Music Association Hall of Fame in 2023.[27] Steve Clark continued to play music after leaving the band in 1977, and still plays up to sixty gigs a year with a successful nine piece R&B show band called Mr. Cabbagehead and the Screaming Radishes.[28]

3    SCOPE AND CONTENTS

This collection contains a variety of materials from Steve Clark’s time as a road musician and band member of the group known as the Young Raiders, Waite, Peabody, or Southern Flavor. The collection is divided into five series: audio recordings, clippings, photographs, posters, promotional and informational materials, and publications. The audio recordings series has been organized first by material type then by chronological order and includes two grooved records, twenty-eight ¼ inch reel-to-reel tapes, and one ½ inch reel-to-reel tape. The material in the promotional and informational materials, photographs, publications, and clippings series have been rearranged into folders and follows the series order. Photographs include personal and professional shots. The posters have been collected and placed in oversized storage. The publications series contains a 2014 publication written by Steve Clark titled Old John Clark Road.

4    CONTENTS LIST

Series

Posters

900-32

• “The Young Raiders Quantrell” posters: 23 duplicate items
• “Dance to America’s Greatest Soul and Psych, The Young Raiders” poster
• “Dance to the Young Raiders” poster, maroon and blue design
• “Dance to the Happy Medium” poster
• “Dance to the Rising Suns” poster
• Double sided “Dance to the Red Dogs” and “Dance to the Young Raiders” posters: 2 duplicate items
• “Mid Continent Proudly Presents – America’s Newest & Largest Show Band – The Young Raiders” poster
• Mid-Continent Entertainment poster featuring the Young Raiders
• Aristocrats poster –  UID 532656
  • The Aristocrats was the first band in Arkansas City, Kansas that Steve Clark joined.  Band members Bob White, Randy Rocks, and Mike Mott are also featured on the poster.
• Young Raiders September 2^nd, 2023 poster

Audio recordings – UID 532864

Box 1: 143-05-05-05

• The Fabulous Flippers flexi disc – UID 532884
  • Date: Between 1965 and 1978.
  • A flexi disc phonograph record of the Fabulous Flippers. The Fabulous Flippers were the lead act of the Mid-Continent Productions booking agency owned by John Brown and Mike Murfin. Throughout the Flipper's career, they recorded eight singles, one LP and one EP. Songs recorded on this flexi disc include: “West Side Story - Medley,” “Matchmaker,” “Harlem Shuffle,” and “You Always Hurt Me.”
• Young Raiders 1970 grooved disc – UID 532878.
  • Date: 1970.
  • An acetate, or lacquer, grooved disc phonograph labeled "Young Raiders 1970." Audio recordings are only cut into one side of the disc. The Young Raiders were a Mid-Continent Entertainment band in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band played under various names from 1962 to 1978. An estimate of around a hundred musicians from around Kansas served as members of the Young Raiders throughout the band's tenure. Songs recorded on this disc include: “She's Gone,” “Riverboat Larry,” “Good Enough,” and “We See People.”
• Fabulous Flippers live Norman, Oklahoma, recording – UID 532898.
  • Date: January 25, 1970.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of the Fabulous Flippers performance in Norman, Oklahoma on January 25th, 1970. The Fabulous Flippers were the lead act of the Mid-Continent Productions booking agency owned by John Brown and Mike Murfin. Throughout the Flipper's career, they recorded eight singles, one LP and one EP.
• 1970 Young Raiders originals / Southern Flavor with Johnny Vindigny recordings – UID 532899.
  • Date: Between 1970 and 1978.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of the Young Raiders and Southern Flavor. The Young Raiders were a Mid-Continent Entertainment band in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band played under various names from 1962 to 1978, The group's final name was Southern Flavor. An estimate of around a hundred musicians from around Kansas served as members of the Young Raiders throughout the band's tenure. The Southern Flavor performance on this tape features New Orleans musician Johnny Vindigny. The portion of this tape recorded by the Young Raiders is dated to 1970.
• Young Raiders Concordia recording – UID 532900.
  • Date: March 1971.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of the Young Raiders, also known as Quantrell's Raiders, performance in Concordia, KS. The Young Raiders were a Mid-Continent Entertainment band in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band played under various names from 1962 to 1978. An estimate of around a hundred musicians from around Kansas served as members of the Young Raiders throughout the band's tenure.
• Peabody Tucson, Arizona, recording – Klondike’s final night – UID 532903.
  • Date: November 1972.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Peabody performance in Tucson, Arizona. Peabody was a later name of a band also known as the Young Raiders. The Young Raiders were a Mid-Continent Entertainment band in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band played under various names from 1962 to 1978, including Peabody and Southern Flavor after their time with Mid-Content Entertainment. An estimate of around a hundred musicians from around Kansas served as members of the Young Raiders throughout the band's tenure. This tape was recorded during Steve "Klondike" Solmonson's final performance with Peabody. Klondike played in the band during their time as the Young Raiders and Peabody. Songs captured on the first side of this recording include "Funkifize," "Shaft," "What's Goin' On," "Honky Tonk Woman," "Yesterday," "More Today Than Yesterday," "Them Changes," "Don't Cry, My Lady," "Keep Playin' That Rock 'N' Roll," "Work It Out," "Back To Georgia," "Doctor My Eyes," "Move 'Em Out," "Someday," "Entrance," "Give It Everything You Got," "My, My, My," "Everybody's Got Somethin' To Hide," and "Chicago." Songs captured on the second side of this recording include "Let's Get It On," "The Bitch," "The Letter," "Stormy Monday Blues," "Love The One You're With," "You Look Around (Original)," "For Once In My Life," "The Skunk, The Goose, & The Fly," "Celebrate," "Long & Winding Road," "Can't Turn You Loose," "Don't Cry No More," "Brown Sugar," and a few unidentified songs.
• Peabody Tucson, Arizona, after Klon, recording – UID 532905.
  • Date: November 3, 1972.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Peabody performance in Tucsan, Arizona. Peabody was a later name of a band also known as the Young Raiders. The Young Raiders were a Mid-Continent Entertainment band in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band played under various names from 1962 to 1978, including Peabody and Southern Flavor after their time with Mid-Content Entertainment. An estimate of around a hundred musicians from around Kansas served as members of the Young Raiders throughout the band's tenure. This recording was the first performance without Steve "Klondike" Solmonson. Klondike played in the band during their time as the Young Raiders and Peabody. Songs captured on the first side of this recording include "Funkifize," "Shaft," "What's Goin' On," "Honky Tonk Women," "Doctor My Eyes," "Them Changes," "Keep Playin' That Rock & Roll," "Them Changes," "More Than Yesterday," "Back To Georgia," "Move Em Out," "Me & My Monkey," "Long & Winding Road," "Lowdown," "Them Changes," "Give It Everything You Got," "Slow Blues," and a "Break Song." Songs captured on the second side of this recording include "I Just Want To Celebrate," "Funkifize," "Hide E Hi," "Love The One Your With," "Johnny B. Good," "Roof Top," "For Once In My Life," "Bitch," "Don't Cry No More," "What's Goin' On," "It's Too Late," "Lowdown," "Doctor My Eyes," "Evil Ways," Goose Skunk & Fly," "Listen Here," "Brown Sugar," "Honky Tonk Women," and a "Break Song."
• Southern Flavor at Fancy Mosse, Anchorage, Alaska, recordings – UID 532906.
  • Date: May 3, 1973.
  • Two reel-to-reel recordings of a Southern Flavor performance in Anchorage, Alaska. The performance venue was called Fancy Moose. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody. Songs captured on the first side of the first reel-to-reel tape include "More Today," "Use Me," "What's Going On," "Drift Away," "Color My World," "Back To Georgia," "We're Gonna Have A Good Time," "Honky Tonk Women," "Me & Mrs. Jones," "The Letter," "Keep Playin' That Rock 'N' Roll," "Superstition," and "Mama Don't Dance - Daddy Don't Rock & Roll." Songs captured on the second side of the first reel-to-reel tape include "Brown Sugar," "Long, Winding Road," "Proud Mary," "Down To The Nightclub," "Lowdown," "I'll Be Around," "Don't Cry My Lady," "Jack Flash," "My, My, My," "2001," "Drift Away," "Sly Set," and "I Just Wanna Make Love to You." Songs captured on the second reel-to-reel tape include "Everybody's Everything," "Beginnings," "Get It On," "Delta Lady," "Blue Suede Shoes," "This Is Your Life," "Get Funky," "Johnny Be Good," "Rocks Off," "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," "Louie, Louie," "Vehicle," and "Way Up North To Alaska."
• Southern Flavor, Anchorage Alaska, and Phoenix, Arizona, recordings – UID 532907.
  • Date: Between June 2, 1973, and July 15, 1973.
  • A reel-to-reel tape of Southern Flavor performances in Anchorage, Alaska and Phoenix, Arizona. The final two songs of this tape were recorded in Phoenix, Arizona, and the other songs were recorded in Anchorage, Alaska. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody. Songs on this recording include: “More Today Than Yesterday,” “Shaft,” “What's Goin' On,” “It Was A Very Good Year,” “The Letter,” “Your Mama Don't Dance,” “Back To Georgia,” “Proud Mary,” “Superstition,” “We're Going To Have A Good Time,” “For Once In My Life,” “Let's Get Funky,” “Soul Set,” “Loves Got A Hold On Me,” “Funkafize,” “Down To the Nightclub,” “Sunshine Of My Life,” “Doctor My Eyes,” “Long and Winding Road,” “Brown Sugar,” “This is Your Life,” and “Delt Lady.”
• Southern Flavor, Fort Worth, Texas, recording – UID 532908.
  • Date: December 2, 1973.
  • A reel-to-reel tape of a performance of Southern Flavor in Fort Worth, Texas. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody. Songs captured on the first side of the recording include "It Was A Very Good Year," "What's Goin' On," "The Letter," "Down To The Nightclub," "Color My World," "Valley," "Proud Mary," "Back To Georgia," "My, My, My," and "Family Of Man." Songs captured on the second side of the recording include "Changes," "Shaft," "You Know And I Know," "Listen To The Music," "Phoenix," "The Skunk, The Goose, And The Fly," "Your Mamma Don't Dance, Your Daddy Don't Rock & Roll," "Evil Ways," and "I Just Want To Make Love To You."
• Southern Flavor, “Uncle Sam’s Club,” Macon, Georgia, recording – UID 533441.
  • Date: 1973.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Macon, Georgia. The performance venue may have been called "Uncle Sam's Club." Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• John Bartel, Jerry Fisher & Lon Price, and Danny Hein set in Southern Flavor Recordings – UID 533703.
  • Date: 1973.
  • A reel-to-reel containing recordings of John Bartel in Oklahoma City, Jerry Fisher and Lon Price, and Southern Flavor. The Southern Flavor recording features two songs sung by Danny Hein. Hein was a previous member of The Fabulous Flippers, the lead act of the Mid-Continent Productions booking agency owned by John Brown and Mike Murfin. Throughout the Flipper's career, they recorded eight singles, one LP and one EP. Southern Flavor tried to hire Hein but he received a better offer to perform with Kent Leopold. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor show set recording – UID 532909.
  • Date: Between 1973 and 1974.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of Southern Flavor's show set. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody. The tape is dated either 1973 or 1974.
• Southern Flavor, Honolulu, Hawaii, recording – UID 532913.
  • Date: December 1, 1974.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Honolulu Hawaii. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, J.B.’s, Honolulu, Hawaii, recording – UID 532914.
  • Date: December 7, 1974.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Honolulu, Hawaii. The performance venue was called "J.B.'s.” Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Memphis, Tennessee, recording – UID 532911.
  • Date: August 29, 1974.
  • A reel-to-reel tape of a Southern Flavor performance in Memphis, Tennessee. The venue of the live performance was called "The Place." Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Phoenix, Arizona, recording – UID 532912.
  • Date: September 1974.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Phoenix, Arizona. The performance venue was called "Mr. Lucky's." Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody. The recording includes sets 1-4.
• Southern Flavor, Lawrence, Massachusetts, recording – UID 532915.
  • Date: June 21, 1975.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The performance venue was called Kings Row. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Fairbanks, Alaska, recording – UID 533237.
  • Date: February 1976.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Fairbanks, Alaska. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Vancouver, BC, Canada, March 1976, recording – UID 533239.
  • Date: March 1, 1976.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Vancouver, BC, Canada, April 1976, recording – UID 533241.
  • Date: April 1976.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Great Falls, recording – UID 533265.
  • Date: Between June 7, 1973, and September 16, 1976.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of a Southern Flavor performance. The recording may have been recorded in Great Falls, or New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody. The tape is dated as either June 7, 1973, or September 16, 1976.
• Southern Flavor, New Kensington, Pennsylvania, recording – UID 533266.
  • Date: September 16, 1976.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of a Southern Flavor performance in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. This recording may include a medley of TV tunes. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or Lake Charles, Louisiana, recording – UID 533268.
  • Date: 1976.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of Southern Flavor. The recording may have been from a performance in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, or in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Corpus Christi, Texas, recording – UID 533173.
  • Date: Between 1976 and 1977.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance. This tape may have been recorded in Corpus Christi, Texas. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, studio recording in Jackson, Mississippi, recording – UID 533175.
  • Date: 1977.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of Southern Flavor. The tape was recorded during a studio session in Jackson, Mississippi. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Finnigan & Wood live at Red Dog recording – UID 533443.
  • Date: Between 1965 and 1978.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of Mike Finnigan and Jerry Wood performing live at the Red Dog Inn in Lawrence, Kansas. Mike Finnigan moved to Kansas as a student athlete for the University of Kansas before finding a music career. His success has culminated in multiple collaborations with many other artists nationwide. The Red Dog Inn was a nightclub in Lawrence, Kansas. The nightclub was opened in Liberty Hall in 1965. Liberty Hall was originally constructed in 1856, but was lost to an electrical fire in 1911, the current Liberty Hall was constructed in 1912. Liberty Hall has been operated under multiple names, including the Bowerstock Opera House, the Jayhawker Theater, the Red Dog Inn Night Club, and Bugsy disco club.
• Mike Finnigan & Jerry Wood, Southern Flavor, and Fabulous Flippers recording – UID 533442.
  • Date: Between 1973 and 1975.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of Mike Finnigan & Jerry Wood, Southern Flavor, and the Fabulous Flippers. Songs recorded by Southern Flavor on this tape include "Good Woman," "Mocking Bird," and their "Gospel Set." Recordings may have been captured in Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, in 1974 and 1975. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody. The recording includes "Don't Fight It," By the Fabulous Flippers recorded in 1966. The Fabulous Flippers were the lead act of the Mid-Continent Productions booking agency owned by John Brown and Mike Murfin. Throughout the Flipper's career, they recorded eight singles, one LP and one EP. The tape also includes nine songs from an unreleased album by Mike Finnigan & Jerry Wood. Mike Finnigan moved to Kansas as a student athlete for the University of Kansas before finding a music career. He's success has culminated in multiple collaborations with many other artists nationwide.
• Southern Flavor with Tom and Kristi Tucker recording – UID 533701.
  • Date: Between 1973 and 1978.
  • A reel-to-reel tape recording of Southern flavor with Tom and Kristi Tucker. Kristi Tucker was the daughter of singer Marilyn Maye. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Southern Flavor, Goofy’s, recording – UID 533704.
  • Date: Between 1973 and 1978.
  • A reel-to-reel recording of a Southern Flavor performance. The performance venue was called Goofy's. Southern Flavor was the final name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders and Peabody.
• Waite, Rockford, Illinois, recording – UID 533780.
  • Date: Between 1968 and 1978.
  • A half-inch reel-to-reel tape of a music performance. The recording may include a performance of "Waite" in Rockford Illinois. Waite was another name of a band that also used names such as the Young Raiders, Peabody and Southern Flavor.
  • General Note: The State Archives does not currently have a player for half-inch reel-to-reel tapes.

Promotional and informational materials

Box 2: 143-05-05-06

Folder 1:

• Southern Flavor Christmas Card
  • A Christmas card featuring six band members on the front, and a dove on the inside. The card reads “Christmas Peace” and “Southern Flavor” on the inside of the card.
• Song list
  • A list of songs originally dated 2/20/1976 and a modified date of 2/10/1977. The list contains 183 songs. This list most likely reflects available songs for a Southern Flavor performance.
• Toledo and Area Showcase This is where it’s Happening magazine
  • Vol. 3, no. 23 of the Toledo Area Showcase magazine. The magazine includes an advertisement for the Young Raiders titled “Show Time at the Fabulous FA BA” on page 5. According to this advertisement, the Young Raiders performed 6 shows over the week starting Monday, March 1^st. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday was advertised as the “Fun Nite” shows. Friday and Saturday was advertised as the “Fabulous Nite” shows. Sunday was advertised as the “Casual Nite” show. Tuesday was closed as a day of rest for the band.
• Modern Drummer magazine
  • Magazine published in April 2010.
• Johnny Neal and the Bluesprint album cover
  • Three photocopies of an album cover from Johnny Neal and the Bluesprint. Johnny Neal was a former lead singer in the Rising Suns and Young Raiders.
• Mid-Continent Entertainment promotional letter
  • A letter written by John Owen Brown promoting musical groups represented by his agency, Mid-Continent Entertainment.
• Youth Unlimited newspaper
  • Vol. 3 no. 23 of the Youth Unlimited newspaper. The paper was published on November 4, 1974. A portion of pages 7 and 8 have been cut out of the paper.
• Southern Flavor Logos
  • Four logos for Southern Flavor printed on a piece of paper. Each logo varies in layout and size. A portion of the paper is cut out.
• South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame Induction program
  • Program for the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame Induction ceremony held on April 14, 2018. The Young Raiders were one band inducted in the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame during this ceremony. Information regarding the Young Raiders is included on page 9.
• Young Raiders to Southern Flavor member list
  • A list of musicians that played in the Young Raiders and later iterations of the band from 1967 to 1977 and 2007 to 2025. Band members presumably ordered by when each musician joined the band, some members are listed multiple times. The list was created by Steve Clark.

Folder 2:

• Southern Flavor folder and materials
  • Brown folder containing materials related to the band Southern Flavor. The name of the band appears on the front of the folder. Materials in the folder include a promotional photo of a Southern Flavor event, another promotional photo of the band, and a collection of advertisement clippings.
• Stone County Inc. folder with informational materials
  • A folder from Stone County Inc., a creative artist development company based in Denver Colorado. The folder contains informational materials for musicians and musical groups represented by Stone County Inc. including Steve Martin, Valdy, Steve Young, John Mitchum, New Grass Revival, Magic Music, and others.
• Mid-Continent Entertainment folder
  • A blue folder from Mid-Continent Entertainment. The front of the folder includes a logo design for Mid-Continent Entertainment and lists John O. Brown as the organization’s president. The folder is empty.

Photographs

Box 2: 143-05-05-06

Folder 3:

• Forty-eight photographs of various bands.
  • Photos include professional shots of bands including The Young Raiders, Waite, Peabody, Southern Flavor, The Red Dogs, The Rising Suns, The Happy Medium, T.I.D.E, and Central Standard Time. Some photographs have been signed by band members.

Folder 4:

• Steve Clark personal band photographs – UID 532655
  • Six photographs of the Young Raiders, Southern Flavor, and scenes from Steve Clark's early music career. Steve Clark was a member of the Young Raiders, Rising Suns, and Southern Flavor in the 1960 and 1970s. The Rising Suns and the Young Raiders were voted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and 2009.

Publications

Box 2: 143-05-05-06

Folder 5:

• The Old John Clark Roadby Steven Clark.

Clippings

Box 2: 143-05-05-06

Folder 6:

• Photocopied clippings
  • A collection of clippings photocopied on yellow paper. Clippings include advertisements and articles relating to Southern Flavor performances across the country.
• “Night Tapper” clipping
  • A photocopied clipping of a “Night Tapper” article by Dennis Washburn titled "Southern Flavor is big hit here.”
• Advertisement clippings
  • Two photocopied clippings of Southern Flavor advertisements. Both include photocopied maps of the city the event was hosted in. The first clipping was from Chicago, the second clipping was from Atlanta.

No Folder:

• Advertisement clippings
  • Nineteen photocopied clippings of Southern Flavor advertisements placed on poster board or bainbridge board displays. Clippings include photocopied maps of the city or region the event was hosted in. City maps include Texas, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Louisiana, Atlanta Georgia, Indiana and Michigan, Vancouver Canada, Oregon, Ohio, Knoxville Tennessee, Fairbanks Alaska, Oklahoma, Cincinnati Ohio, Alabama, Massachusetts, and Chicago Illinois.

5    RELATED MATERIALS

• John Owen Brown papers (UID 531297)
• Jim Reardon papers (UID 474484)
• Evan Johnson collection (UID 531890)
• Chris Cruz collection (UID 531891)
• Steve Alter collection (UID 531109)
• Roger Lewis collection (UID 530825)
• Kansas music history collection (UID 532588)
• Allan Miller music materials (UID 532589)
• The Tyme Peace CD (UID 530974)
• Larry Dimmitt collection (UID 531603)
• Mike Doyle collection (UID 530087)
• Lester Dennis Higgins Collection (UID 530938)
• The Fabulous Flippers “Then” cassette tape (UID 531806)
• The Fabulous Flippers posters and newspaper articles (UID 531807)

6    BIBLIOGRAPHY

John O. Brown Collection, UID 531297, Kansas State Historical Society, State Archives Division, Topeka, Ks.

Jim Reardon Collection, UID 474484, Kansas Historical Society, State Archives Division, Topeka, Ks.

James N. Reardon, interview by Michael Church, recording, Kansas Music History Program, Kansas Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, 3 September, 2024, Kansas Historical Society, State Archives Division.

Clark Homestead Website. May 2, 2025. Internet Archive. https://wayback.archive-it.org/5495/20250502170940/https://clarkhomestead.com/theyoungraiderssouthernflavor.html.

Lee, Bill. Kansas Rockers: The First Generation. Lawrence, KS: Sunflower Roots Publishing, 1999.

7    INDEX TERMS/SUBJECT HEADINGS/ACCESS POINTS

• Kansas Music
• Rock and Roll
• Rhythm and Blues
• Mid-Continent Entertainment
• The Fabulous Flippers
• The Red Dogs
• The Blue Things
• The Rising Suns
• Spider and the Crabs
• The Young Raiders
• Waite
• Peabody
• Southern Flavor
• The Red Dog Inn (Liberty Hall, Lawrence, KS)
• 1960s
• 1970s
• KOMA Radio
• Kansas Music Hall of Fame

8    ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

8.1       Restrictions on access

None

8.2       Restrictions on use

Notice: This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The user is cautioned that the publication of the contents of this collection may be construed as constituting a violation of literary property rights. These rights derive from the principle of common law, affirmed in the copyright law of 1976 as amended, that the writer of an unpublished letter or other manuscript has the sole right to publish the contents thereof unless he or she affirmatively parts with that right; the right descends to his or her legal heirs regardless of the ownership of the physical manuscript itself. It is the responsibility of a user or his or her publisher to secure the permission of the owner of literary property rights in unpublished writing.

8.3       Custodial History/ Provenance

This reflects the personal collection of Steve Clark, who was a former member of a band that used the names The Young Raiders, Waite, Peabody, and Southern Flavor. Clark collected the materials of this collection while working in the music industry from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. The collection was donated to the Kansas Historical Society by Steve Clark in 2025 and was received by Division Director Michael Church and Acquisitions Archivist Teresa Coble.

8.4       Alternate forms

The audio recordings are also available in a digital format.

8.5       Preferred citation

Note: [document and/or series description, date], Steve Clark Collection, Kansas State Historical Society.

Bibliography: Steve Clark Collection, Kansas State Historical Society.

8.6       Acquisition information (Accession #)

Accession #2025-224, 2026-009, 2026-066.

UID #532645

8.7      Processing information (Processor name)

Cordell Moats, digital archivist, 2025.

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