Jimmy Velvit

Jimmy Velvit is an American rock and roll singer, who began his career in the 1960s. His real name is James Mullins, originally from Coalgate, Oklahoma, later from Dallas, Texas. He is best known for recording a white rhythm and blues version, in 1962, of Robert & Johnny's 1958 hit "We Belong Together". Velvit's first release was "Sometimes at Night" on Division Records in 1961, afterwards released on Cub Records (a division of M-G-M). He also recorded under the name 'James Bell', in 1968, when he charted "He Ain't Country", a Country & Western release, for Bell Records.

In 2001, his album Sun Sea and Sand (Seduction SCD-103) was nominated for a Grammy Award. Velvit was still recording and performing as of 2014.

Discography

45 RPM Singles (listed in alphabetical order by label) (incomplete)

• Donna/Her Love – Abnak Records 108 – 1965
• That's All I Got From You (with Bobby Hendricks)/I Got A Feeling – Alta Records 108 – 1963
• Sometimes I Wonder/My Heart Is in Your Hands – Alta Records 109 - 1963
• Woman in Bloom/Let Me Keep Your Love – Bell Records 692 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet) – 1967
• He Ain't Country/A Friendly Place To Cry – Bell Records 710 (recorded as James Bell) – 1968
• The Pretty Boy/Poor Old Me – Bell Records 45,003 (recorded as James Bell) – 1968
• Accused/Come' On John – BI Records 5029 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet)
• Love Is Missing/How Sad Chicago – BI Records 5039 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet)
• California Good Times/Jack Frost Loving Co. – Blue Records PJ-651 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet)
• Lonely Is Another Word For Me/ Undune, The Arab - Bollman International Records 5014 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet) - 1975
• Sometimes at Night/Look At Me – Cub Records – K9100 – 1961
• We Belong Together/I'm Gonna Try – Cub Records – K9105 – 1962
• Sometimes at Night/Look At Me – Division Records 102 – 1961
• Gotta Lotta Women/I Can't Help It, I Love You – Shane Records 40 – 1963
• Wisdom of a Fool/I Want To Be Loved – Startime Records – S-103 - 1964
• Don't Go Near A Woman/Hey Nashville - Tear Drop Records TD-3353 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet) - 1977
• Drinking Champagne/I Like Her There – Tear Drop Records TD-3383 (recorded as Jimmy Velvet) – 1977
• Oh Lonesome Me - Detroit City/Crazy Arms - Tear Drop Records TD-3395 (recorded as James Velvit) - 1977

Albums

• JIMMY VELVET "COUNTRY" – Tear Drop Records TD 2067 LP (recorded as Jimmy Velvet) – 1977
• Bitches I Have Known – Seduction Records SCD-101 CD
• Rockin' With Velvit...the 1960s – Seduction Records SCD-102 CD
• Sun Sea And Sand – Seduction Records SCD-103 CD
• Paranormal Events – Derrick Records DRC-1003 CD
• Jimmy Velvit – The Original – Collectables Records COL-5530 CD
• The Best of JIMMY VELVIT – Key-Loc Records CD
• River Bottom Blues – Seduction Records SCD-131
• He Ain't Country – (Jimmy Velvit/James Bell) Seduction Records SCD-128

Compilation albums (albums including at least one Jimmy Velvit track)

• Sounds Like Elvis VA, Collectables COL-5700 (Mystery Train & Rockin' With Elvis Tonight)
• Big 'D' Rock – Vol One, VA Collectables COL-5553 (Rockin' With Elvis Tonight)
• Big 'D' Rock – Vol Two, VA Collectables COL-5554 (Look at Me)
• Super Rare Doo-Wops – Vol One, VA (Wisdom of A Fool)
• Rare 60's – Collection of Texas Artists, VA Collector's Choice (We Belong Together)
• Merry Christmas From Texas VA Texas B Records (I'll Be Home For Christmas/Santa's Got The Blues/Blue Christmas)

CD singles

• 2000 President Elect Blues – Derrick Records DRC-2000

Reviews

ROCKIN' WITH VELVIT (Seduction SCD-102)

An authentic American early rock & roll hero, Jimmy Velvit is re-discovered in this 22-song digitally restored 1960's collection. "Rockin' With Velvit" contains all 11 of his national and regional rock hits plus 11 recently discovered unreleased gems. From hot rock & roll, to malt-shop pop, to dreamy teen ballads, Velvit proves why he's one of the era's most venerable entertainers. Recording session notes, vintage photos and radio charts mark the highlights of this early rock & roll pioneer. – Texola Music

Media

"Jimmy Velvit was born in Coalgate, Oklahoma on January 11, 1941. After living there a short time he moved to Dallas with his parents. It was Jimmy's father who introduced him to the guitar and singing. Jimmy decided to give up singing to serve a short hitch in the Air Force. After completing his military service he cut a record Sometimes at Night (1961) which really gave him his start in the entertainment field. He then went on to record a song titled We Belong Together which made musical history from coast to coast. Its release has since caused even more demand for his personal appearances throughout the country." – Excerpt from a February 14, 1964 concert tour program starring Jimmy Velvit, Bill Black Combo, Gene Summers, Arthur K. Adams and The Imperials

References

• ARSA Radio Surveys Archive 5/12/62

Sources

• Osborne Record Guide (Osborne, Jerry, Fifteenth Edition, 2001)
• CD liner notes from "Jimmy Velvit – The Original" Collectables Records, 1995
• CD liner notes from "Rockin' With Velvit...the 1960s" Seduction Records, 2000
• Dallas Public Library
• KBOX Radio Chart/Survey Archives
• Dallas Times Herald
• Texas Music Industry Directory (published by The Texas Music Office) Office of the Governor, Austin, Texas