Rambling Rufus Shoffner earned his nickname from his early hobo days when he hopped a train at the age of 16 from his home in Tazewell (or Harrogate?), TN where he was born in 1916 to go wandering: he led a band called the Blue Yodel Boys in 1939 on WROL Knoxville, Tennessee. His neighbor in Tennessee was Hugh Friar, who had later in the Detroit label Clix two fine and very sought after Rockabilly/Country issues (« I can’t stay mad at you », # 805 for example) . But Shoffner’s constant urge to travel resulted in his roaming across much of the country, hustling in one moneymaking scheme after another, before finally settling down in Monroe, Michigan, reuniting with his siblings in 1950.
“Shotgun wedding”
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“Afraid I’ll lose you“
Let’s open a parenthesis in the career of Rufus Shoffner. By 1954, Buster Turner and Johnny Dacus together with Frank Wakefield (mandolin), Doyle Neikirk (banjo) and Speedy Rogers (bass) formed the Pinnacle Mountain Boys, a band in the true Bluegrass style that was becoming popular in the area at this time. In early 1956 they recorded « That old heartbreak express » (Fortune 187), credited to Buster Turner) which reflected the influence of the best in early Rockabilly. An added electric guitarist, possibly Reese Ford, is also present on this record. The band broke up in 1957 when the changing trends put them out of work, except Speedy Rogers who will be heard once more of in this article. We find later Buster Turner on various Michigan labels as Cumberland, Wayside or Valley.
Buster Turner “That old heartbreak express”
Meanwhile Rufus Shoffner had kept his musical activities, as he was present
at the Earl & Joyce Songer‘s session held for fortune in 1952 or 53 which gave « At the burlesque show », a risqué song with sly humor which was only issued in 1955 on the compilation « The Tattoed Lady » fortune LP 3001). Shoffner was also frequently speculating in other business ventures while also working in a coin-op business maintaining a whole route of jukeboxes, pinballs andother amusement games. These activities may have caused his break up with Buster Turner but he made contacts in Lexington, KY, who secured the issue of the fantastic bopper (and suggestive) « Got anything good » on the Country Side label (# 101) in late 1954. Speedy Rogers said Craig Maki that these sides had been recorded in Lexington.
Earl & Joyce Songer “At the burlesque show”
Rufus Shoffner “Got anything good”
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Rufus Shoffner “Why do you treat me the way that you do“
Rufus Shoffner “Save it! Save it!”
Jimmy Martin “Save it! save it!”
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George & Earl “Got anything good“
When the duet formed by Earl Songer and his wife Joyce split in 1955 due to their divorce, her and Rufus Shoffner worked together for a while until both cut around 1959 a first record on Hi-Q (Fortune’s subsidiary) : the great witty lyric 
about bad luck « It always happens to me » and its bluesy flip « Every little raindrop » (Hi-Q 17), the A-side selling well. The acetate of « Get on the ball » has survived, which is on a par with the Hi-Q issue.
“It always happens to me”
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“Every little raindrop“
“Get on the ball”
Meanwhile Shoffner opened the Cadillac Club in Toledo, MI around 1958. Later on, he teamed with the bassist Speedy Rogers for the Bluegrass styled « Hillbilly wedding bells”Lovelight » (Hi-Q 19). He reunited with Joyce Songer in 1963 for the rollicking « Orbit twist » (b/w « East and west border ») on his own label American Artists Records (# 7317/8), very sought after nowadays (value of $ 125 to 175). Even in New Orleans Michael Hurt and his Haunting Hearts issued their version on the Allons label (# 4502).
Billboard June 9, 1962
“Hillbilly wedding bells”
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“Lovelight”
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“East and west border“
Michael Hurtt “Orbit twist”
This 45rpm is the last known Rambling Rufus Shoffner record, However he maintained musical activity, producing on his label Kelly (Speedy) Rogers and Joyce Songer, who cut the novelty « Topless bathing suit » and a remake of « Every raindrop » entitled « Raindrop » in 1964, and 4 years later «Let her roll », backed by the Doyle Niekirk Trio (remember the Pinnacle Mountain Boys from 1956). Shoffner also issued records by Herb Davis and the Southerners (a good Bluegrass « One I love so ») , the True Gospel Trio and the Country Sounds. During the ’60s he played for a while in Nashville before returning to Michigan around 1968 to work with Roy McGinnis and the Sunnysiders, then went back on the road with Jimmy Martin during the ’70s. He passed away in 1993.
Kelly Rogers “Topless bathing suit“
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Kelly Rogers “Let her roll“
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Herb Davis “One I love so“
Sources: several notes from bourbonneat Youtube chain ; many facts preciously taken from “Detroit country music» (Mountaineers, Cowboys and Rockabillies) by Craig Maki and Keith Cady (©2013). My warm thanks to both of them. Also was useful Collector 2862 for its notes to « Detroit in the ’50s, vol. 2 ». The vast majority of label shots come from the Net.
Rufus Shoffner, early ’60s
arkansas 45s
I really enjoyed hearing this music. Rufus was my Great Uncle, son of Hiram Shoffner by his second wife. I was raised by Roxie Shoffner Cadle, who was from Hirams first bunch. I can remember Rufus coming by the house for a visit and playing the guitar and singing. One of the songs I remember was “BLOODSHOT EYES AND A GLASS OF BEER”, I haven’t heard it since, probably not recorded. I’ve heard a lot of stories about Rufus, mostly from Earnie Graves and Doyle Niekirk. Rufus pawned his TV so Earnie could go play with Bill Monroe.
Doyle Neikirk was my second cousin, his father and my Grandfather , Robert Singleton Neikirk, were brothers. He was truly a gifted musician and singer. I visited him in Morristown just before he died. I play some Bluegrass and got to pick with him at a jam session or 2.
I picked a lot of shows with Buster Turner, when I played with the Hidden Valley Boy. He was one of the best at singing any type harmony.
Hugh Friar came by a few years ago and told me a lot about the Michigan days. He gave me some pictures which I still have.
Thanks I enjoyed this
Larry Cadle
08/02/2016
Hi! Larry,
hanks for the additions and comments.
Hello Larry, my name is Michael Hurtt, I’m the one who recorded the cover version of “Orbit Twist” posted above. I’m a very big fan of Rufus Shoffner, Doyle Neikirk, Buster Turner and the entire Claiborne County/ Monroe, Michigan crew. I am currently at work finishing an exhaustive book on Fortune Records and its artists, and these guys played a really big role. I wonder if I could speak with you about some history and whether you might share some pictures with me. I can be reached at mikehurtt@hotmail.com or mikehurtt1@gmail.com. Thank you for your stories. I hope to hear from you!
Michael Hurtt