Hillbilly-Music.com—The People. The Music. The History.
Tommy Farr
and his Southern Flames
WQOK Greenville, SC
WRFS AlexanderCity, AL

About The Artist

Back around 1955 or so, they said Tommy Farr was one of the fastest rising stars on the horizon. Tommy was a native of Alexander City, Alabama. He not only sang, but also wrote some of the tunes he sang. Some of his self-penned songs that were appreciated by the fans were "Teched In The Head", "I Could Win Your Love Again" and "My Mind Goes Blank". That latter tune was recorded by Jimmy Haynie on the O.K. record label and was said to have had some popularity in the Alabama region.

Tommy signed a three year songwriting deal with the "Betty Joe Music Company" that was based out of Cincinnati, Ohio.

A 1954 article mentions they were being heard twice a day over WRFS in Alexander City, Alabama. In 1955, he was being heard daily over WRFS at 8:15am.

In addition to the daily show, Tommy and his group were busy with regular personal appearances. Every Tuesday night, they played the Wagon Wheel in Opelika. On Friday nights, they were appearing in Roanoke at the American Legion hall. When Saturday night rolled around, they returned to Alexander City and played at the Roller Rink.

A 1956 article of news from various places around the country featured some notes by Tommy from the Washington, DC area. He mentions that he had moved to radio station WQOK in GReenville, South Carolina. But he mentioned also that in the next issue that the DC news would be reported by John Robbins of WINX in Rockville, MD at the time.

Timeline & Trivia Notes
Group Members:

  • Tommy Farr, vocalis
  • Roy Crawford, fiddle and mandolin; also played role of comedian, "Elrod Sneezeweed"
  • Travis Birchfield, bass
  • Jimmy Jinks, electric steel guitar

Credits & Sources

  • Country Song Roundup; No. 31; May 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT
  • Cowboy Songs No. 41 (June 1955); American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT.
  • Country Song Roundup; No. 45; August 1956; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT