Kay Adams Born:  April 9, 1941

About The Artist In progress as of October 21, 2023 Updated October 22, 2023 Updated November 21, 2023 Charles Alva and Mae Adams gave birth to Kay in April of 1941. The family was living on a farm near Vera, TX (shown today as an unincorporated area of Texas). She was what they call a 'typical tomboy' following her brother JImmy around fishing and swimming. Her father then moved the family to Vernon, TX where he worked in the oil fields. Her father played the fiddle during gatherings - at barbecues or watermelon cuttings; she was right there to sing along. She got to learn the words to many of the songs because her dad would buy the country music magazines, such as Country Song Roundup or Cowboy Songs. The Adams family eventually grew to include another brother for Kay and two sisters. In 1964, she injured her leg while mowing the lawn, an injury that resulted in an infection and almost caused her to lose her leg. During that time, the family moved to Bakersfield, CA. It was said she was rather distraught, thinking she would not find or hear any country music there. But she was soon watching a daily country music show on TV. That show inspired her to battle to get back on her feet and get out into the word again. And she did. She went down to the station and auditioned for the show. She had met Cliffie Stone and Dusty Rhodes (who became her manager). Eventually she got to meet Buck Owens and she was signed to the OMAC Artist Corporation and recorded her first record in October 1965. She began touring with the Buck Owens show in 1966. On February 28, 1966, the inaugural Southern California Country and Western Music Academy Awards were handed out at the Hollywood Palladium in fron of 1,200 attendees. This would be the forerunner to today's Academy of Country Music (ACM) organization. Buck Owens won top Male Vocalist while Bonnie Owens took home Top Female Vocalist Honors. Kay Adams was in tears when she accepted her award for Most Promising Female Vocalist at the dinner. Merle Haggard took home Most Promising Male Vocalist. Roger Miller won the overall award as Country Music Man of the Year. In 1966, Kay along with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos appeared before over 12,000 fans in Bakersfield as part of a show sponsored by radio station KUZZ. It was held at Hart Memorial Park. The crowd showed up in spite of the 107 degree heat of the day. Other artists appearing that day were Joe and Rose Lee Maphis, Louise Louvett, Ronnie Sessions. A new singer by the name of Bobby Austin, recording on the Tally label was also there. Buck's son, Buddy Alan entertained the fans as well with a few tunes and learned that Buddy would soon be going into the studio to record. Bonnie Owens was there as were Merle Haggard, Jeanie O'Neal, Bobby Durham, and Freddy Hart were also among the entertainers. Radio and television personalities that were part of the show were Larry Daniels and the Buckshots of KUZZ, Wes Sanders and his Hoedown Gang from Channel 17 along with Dave Stogner and the Kountry Korner Gang from Channel 29. The crowd was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of two unannounced guests - Roger Miller and Tommy Collins. This was the second year for the "Fun In The Sun Picnic" as the show was promoted. They only had 4,000 fans in 1965. And with triple the attendance in 1966, one only wonders what the 1967 get together might bring. In October 1966, Kay was once again part of a large gathering of entertainers. On October 1, it was reported the "biggest gorup of outstanding guest stars" appeared on the famed WWVA Jamboree at Jamboree Hall in Wheeling, WV. Headlining the list of stars were Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens along with Tommy Collins, Dick Curless, Kay Adams, Sandy Mason and a host of the usual Jamboree regulars. Folks like Doc Williams, Kenny Roberts, Charlie Moore, Bill Napier, Leon Ashley, Crazy Elmer, Margie Singleton, Betty Amos, Mary Lou Turner, George Adams, Skinny Clark and Lee Moore. Lee Sutton handled the emcee chores. In October 1969, Kay wrapped up a Las Vegas engagement at the Nashville Nevada Club. She was given a going away party. She left on Saturday night, October 25, 1969 for a tour of Vietnam. Kay Adams Record Reviews From Billboard and Cash Box Date Label Rec No. Review 11/6/1965 (BB) Tower 177 Honky Tonk Heartache b/w Don't Talk Trouble To Me New voice on the country scene that should prove a winner and establish an important performer. Fine production by Cliffie Stone. Flip: "Don't Talk Trouble to Me" 1/15/1966 (CB) Tower 201 Roll Out The Red Carpet b/w She Didn't Color Daddy Kaye Adams looks like she has a sure-fire winner on her hands with this walloper called “Roll Out The Red Carpet.” Tune is a rootin’- tootin’, high-falutin’ thunker with plenty of gusto and audience appeal. Keep an eye on this one. Flip, “She Didn’t Color Daddy,” is a slowed down, tear-filled ballad, also with lots of appeal. 4/9/1966 (CB) Tower 226 A Devil Like Me Needs An Angel Like You b/w No Fool Like An Old Fool With Dick Curless. Just starting to click with his latest solo outing, “Highway Man,” Dick Curless has teamed up with Kute ’n Kuddly Kay Adams for what should soon be a chartbusting item. Top side, “A Devil Like Me Needs An Angel Like You,” is heartwarming, twangy mover that’s certain to be grabbed up quick by country buyers. A winner. “No Fool Like An Old Fool” is a shuffling heartbreaker. 4/9/1966 (BB) Tower 226 A Devil Like Me Needs An Angel Like You b/w No Fool Like An Old Fool The up-and-coming country artists pool their talents for an exceptional duet on a tune penned by Red Simpson and Don Rich. Flip: "No Fool Like an Old Fool" 8/27/1966 (CB) Tower 269 Little Pink Mack b/w That'll Be The Day Kay Adams goes truck driving with this happy tune, “Little Pink Mack,” that should quickly have her wheeling up the chart. It’s a quick movin’, twangy ditty about a lady driver with a somewhat different rig and the attention that she just naturally gets. The flip, “That’ll Be The Day” is an easy paced ditty about a truckdriving man and family problems. 11/26/1966 (CB) Tower 294 You Taught Me Everything I Know b/w Where Did The Good Times Go With her first hit, “Little Pink Mack,” still going strong, Kay Adams comes across with a winning deck yanked from the score of “The Legend Of Johnny Brown.” Top side, “You Taught Me Everything I Know,” is a tender ballad, nicely handled by the young lass. “Where Did The Good Times Go” is a powerful blues lid. 4/29/1967 (CB) Tower 329 Six Days Awaiting b/w Be Nice To Everybody Kay Adams had a big winner with “Little Pink Mack,” and “Six Days Awaiting,” her answer to Dave Dudley’s while-back smash, “Six Days On The Road,” should be another chart-destined item for her. The side is a brisk-moving swinger that should do it again for Kay. “Be Nice To Everybody” is a spirited, mid-tempo bouncer. 9/9/1967 (CB) Tower 360 I Let A Stranger (Buy The Wine) b/w Husband Stealer In addition to her talented tonsils Kay Adams also displays a talented pen in her first writing effort, “I Let A Stranger Buy The Wine.” This tale of a gal stepping out could bring the Texas lass back into the limelight after a long absence. “Husband Stealer” is a cute bouncer. Credits & Sources KUZZ Show Draws 12,000 in 107 Degree Heat; Bonnie Daily; October 1966; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA Bakersfield Toys for Tots Show; February 1966; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA Country Western Music Academy; May 1966; Hoedown Magazine; Heather Publications; Denver, CO Second Annual Buck Owens Benefit Toys For Tots; February 1967; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA Little Girl With A Big Voice; November 1967; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA The WBMD Balitmore Maryland Country Jubilees; January 1967; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA West Coast Notes; Jim Harris; April 1966; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA Country Music Group Names Roger Miller Man of Year; John L. Scott; March 2, 1966; The Los Angeles Times; Los Angeles, CA Las Vegas Notes; Hal Blu; December 1968; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA News; December 1966; Country Music Life; Country Music Life; Country Music Life Publications; Orange, CA The Visiting Fireman; Forrest Duke; October 27, 1969; Las Vegas Review-Journal; Las Vegas, NV Appearance History This Month April 2, 1968 Rapid City, SD Kay Adams April 3, 1968 Denver, CO Kay Adams April 4, 1968 Billings, MT Kay Adams April 5, 1968 Calgary, AB Kay Adams April 6, 1968 Edmonton, AB Kay Adams

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Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   Capitol Rec. No. Side Song Title   3692 A Reason To Feel   3692 B Ain't It Funny How The Heart Rules The Mind   P-3551 A Step Aside Girl   P-3551 B Second Hand Sugar Spoon   P-3624 A Hearts Of Stone   P-3624 B I Can, I Can   Copperfield Rec. No. Side Song Title   CC-45-120 A Womanizer   CC-45-120 B As Long As We Love Like This   Granite Rec. No. Side Song Title   521 A I Never Got To Nashville   521 B Eli Whitney   525 A Country Dreamer   525 B Henry In The Centerfold   Ovation Rec. No. Side Song Title   1015 A You Better Not Do That   1015 B Let George Do It   Tower Rec. No. Side Song Title   177 A Don't Talk Trouble To Me   177 B Honky Tonk Heartache   201 A Roll Out The Red Carpet   201 B She Didn't Color Daddy   226 A A Devil Like Me (w/Dick Curless)   226 B No Fool Like An Old Fool (w/Dick Curless)   235 A Anymore   235 B Old Heart Get Ready   269 A Little Pink Mack   269 B That'll Be The Day (w/Cliffie Stone Group)   294 A Where Did The Good Times Go?   294 B You Taught Me Everything I Know   305 A Rocks In My Head (w/Cliffie Stone Group)   305 B Trapped (w/Cliffie Stone Group)   329 A Six Days Awaiting (w/Cliffie Stone Group)   329 B Be Nice To Everybody (w/Cliffie Stone Group)   360 A I Let A Stranger (Buy The Wine)   360 B Husband Stealer   395 A Get Out Of My Heart   395 B Big Mac   445 A Gonna Have A Good Time   445 B Maybe You'll Appreciate Me Someday   470 A Too Used To Being With You   470 B Good Morning, Love