Artist description The Wampus Cats are a folk-rock band from Leaksville, North Carolina. They perform originals and covers of such artists as The Lovin' Spoonful, The Beatles, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, among others

Music Style Folk Rock (Easy Listening)

Musical Influences The Lovin' Spoonful, The Beatles, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Donovan, Buck Owens

Similar Artists Lovin' Spoonful, The Beatles, Bob Dylan

Artist History Named for the legendary creature that allegedly lives in the waters of the Dan River in Leaksville, North Carolina and poet John Marshall Carter's 1978 book entitled "Wampus Cats and Dan River Rimes", the Wampus Cats formed in 1985. They wrote original songs and covered their favorite artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Lovin' Spoonful, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and other artists. Their first performance was as the opening act for country star Connie Smith's concert at Morehead Auditorium in Eden, North Carolina in March of 1985. Soon after, they traveled to Florence, South Carolina to record their first single which included "The Ballad of Leaksville, Spray, and Draper" written by John Marshall Carter and "Olden Days" written by Ron Martin. Playing on this first single were: John Marshall Carter, vocals and guitar; Kenneth Carter, vocals and keyboards; Ron Martin, vocals and guitar; Mike Turner, drums; Mike Gallimore, bass; and, Larry Hutcherson, Hawaiian steel guitar. The single got considerable regional airplay and gave the band some publicity. They were covered in regional newspapers and began a series of performances on "The Good Morning Show" hosted by Lee Kinard on WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina. The group added female vocalist Mary Ellen Riddle (who also played recorder) and began to play a series of performances at the Berkeley Cafe in Raleigh, North Carolina. Distance and musical differences eventually caused a split of this incarnation of The Wampus Cats. After a short hiatus, The Wampus Cats continued with John Marshall Carter on guitar and vocals; Ron Martin on guitar and vocals; Mike Turner on drums and vocals; and, Steve Harrison on bass and vocals. This edition of The Wampus Cats became even more folk-rockish than the previous edition and more originals-oriented as John Marshall Carter and Ron Martin continued to crank out original tunes. Many of the Wampus Cats' original songs were inspired by the people and lore of their native Rockingham County, North Carolina. For example, John Marshall Carter's "The Ballad of Leaksville, Spray, and Draper", "My Lady of the Dan", and other tunes have a Leaksville/Rockingham influence. The same holds true for Ron Martin's "Olden Days", "Mason Wine", and others. Co-written tunes by Carter and Martin that were influenced by their native Leaksville and Rochingham County include "The Wampus Cat Song", "Lights of Your Party," and others. The Wampus Cats went back into the studio and recorded "The Wampus Cat Song" and "My Everything Is You". The move from Florence, South Carolina studio to Traxion Studios in Greensboro, North Carolina belied a more folk-rock effort from the band. Throughout the 1980s, the Wampus Cats played clubs, seasonal fairs and celebrations, and other venues. One of their favorite gigs was at the Newport News, Virginia in 1986 where they were on the same bill with the Seldom Scene, the Kingston Trio, and the New Christy Minstrels. During the eighties and early nineties, Kenneth Carter provided keyboards and vocals on many of the Wampus Cats performances and recordings. To be continued...

Group Members John Marshall Carter Kenneth Carter Ron Martin Mike Turner Steve Harrison (deceased) Mike Gallimore Larry Hutcherson Mary Ellen Riddle Other musicians who have been a member of The Wampus Cats, members of a pre-Wampus Cat band, or who filled in emergency situations: Earl Coleman Riley Meeks Del Tulloch Greg Mabes (deceased) Tommy Lemmons Gary Hundley Jimmy Troy Charles Clifton Denny Kirkman Eddie Irvin Jan Rowland Tim Baines

Instruments six and twelve-string guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, Hawaiian steel guitar, harmonica, mandolin, among others

Press Reviews The following is a copy of the text from the Wampus Cat question/answer book that was part of their band portfolio. EVERY THING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WAMPUS CATS BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT THEY'D GET THE BIG HEAD by JOHN MARSHALL CARTER QUESTION 1: What is a Wampus Cat? ANSWER: Many Leaksvillians (North Carolina) have suggested that a wampus cat is a thirty-three-foot long catfish that lives in the Dan River in Leaksville, North Carolina. Other descriptions abound. Some folks believe that the critter can actually walk on land. Reports have mentioned that the creature has actually stolen cattle and hogs from farmers! QUESTION 2: Who were the original Wampus Cats? ANSWER: John Marshall Carter, Kenneth Carter, Ron Martin, Mike Gallimore, Mike Turner, Larry Hutcherson, and Mary Ellen Riddle. QUESTION 3: what is the current lineup of the Wampus Cats? ANSWER: The last one on record was John Marshall Carter (vocals and guitar), Ron Martin (vocals and guitar), Mike Turner (Vocals and drums), and Steve Harrison (vocals and bass). Their last performance was at Morehead High School in Leaksville, North Carolina on January 19, 1990. Has it been that long? QUESTION 4: Did former President Reagan give the Wampus Cats a special commendation? ANSWER: No, he forgot. However, current President Bush will probably rectify the situation. QUESTION 5: was Roy Frazier, noted Draper basketball afficianado, ever lead singer for the Wampus Cats? ANSWER: No, because Roy said that if he sang with the Wampus Cats that there would have to be more than one microphone. What Roy was referring to was his one-time basketball on which Wampus Cats' member John Marshall Carter played. Both John and Roy came to the conclusion that if they both played on the same team that two balls would have to be used at the same time in order to accomodate their shooting. QUESTION 6: How did Draper native Danny Squires help the Wampus Cats? ANSWER: Danny, guitar player and vocalist with the Pigz Brothers, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based group, got the Cats an audition at the Berkeley Cafe, a bar near the State Capitol in Raleigh. Subsequently, the Wampus Cats have performed periodically at the Berkeley. QUESTION 7: Who played Hawaiian steel guitar on the Wampus Cats' first recording "The Ballad of Leaksville, Spray, and Draper"/b/w/ "Olden Days"? ANSWER: Larry Hutcherson, who has performed for decades with numerous bands, played Hawaiian steel guitar. QUESTION 8: On the same recording, who played bass? ANSWER: Mike Gallimore, also a member of many bands in the Triangle area of North Carolina. QUESTION 9: On the same recording, who played keyboards? ANSWER: Kenneth Carter, nephew of John Marshall Carter, a long-time solo performer, musical director and engineer, and session pianist and trombonist. QUESTION 10: On the same recording, who played guitar? ANSWER: John Marshall Carter and Ron Martin. QUESTION 11: On the same recording, who performed the backing vocals? ANswer: Kenneth Carter and Ron Martin. QUESTION 12: who produced the Wampus Cats' 45 RPM "The Ballad of Leaksville, Spray, and Draper"/b/w "Olden Days"? ANSWER: Fred Williams of Florence, South Carolina.

Location Leaksville, North Carolina - USA

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