The Collins Kids

Rhino Records does a wonderful job with reissues, and Rockin' Bones is no exception. A four disc collection of rockabilly tracks, it covers songs that are easily recognized ("Summertime Blues," "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On") and songs that were criminally lost over time ("Flyin' Saucers Rock 'N Roll," "Switch Blade Sam") thanks to limited pressings and poor distribution. Like their Nuggets collection, you find yourself falling in love with rock 'n roll all over again...And learning a little bit of rock history in the process.
Several of the best tracks are from artists that needed to get the rock out of their bones before turning back to a "straight" life. But for two and a half minutes, their id took over and someone had the good sense to throw it on tape with a shitload of echo.
Some of the artists actually had a go of it, but remain frequently overlooked today. Take Lorrie and Larry Collins, aged 16 and 14 respectfully, and straight from small-town Oklahoma. Pint sized Larry played a double-necked guitar like a kid who missed his Ritalin dose while Lorrie looked hot and sang well enough to create some mutterings from the church-goin' women back home.
Here's a bad-assed clip from the Collins Kids on Town Hall Party, a syndicated country & western show back in the 50's. Hosted by Tex Ritter, he contributes some awkward backing vocals before letting Larry shred with Joe Maphis on "Under The Double Eagle."

Lorrie later broke Ricky Nelson's heart by dumping him for Johnny Cash's manager while Larry found some extra cash in his pocket when he penned "Delta Dawn" and "You're The Reason Why God Made Oklahoma."
And for the gearheads out there: Larry's picking on a double-necked Mosrite that's worth more today than what the duo probably made in an entire year on the road.