Blow Top Lynn & His House Rockers With Melvin Smith - RCA Victor 22-0139 (1951)

When you grown up in Atlanta next door to Billy Wright (a mentor to Little Richard), a few houses down from Larry Darnell, play hooky with Titus Turner, sing lead in a group with Chuck Willis' brother Pete, idolize Wynonie, Roy Brown and become pals with Jimmy Witherspoon...you cut 31 sides in a 3 year span for RCA Victor...none of 'em a hit and get dropped by the label...all by the time your 18.

Such is the case with Melvin Smith who was picked by local sax man Clyde "Blow Top" Lynn to front 8 sides when RCA Victor came to Atlanta looking for talent...I do believe this is the same time RCA discovered Little Richard and etched him in wax as well.

While Smith's records sold next to nothing, his sides were deemed worthy by Bear Family to release a cd compilation of his early 50s recordings.

Here is 15 year old Melvin Smith...

(The labels match but the kitchen lighting made them look different)