THE KNIGHTS

(Lance Records 2011)

Influenced heavily by guitarists George Tomsco of The Fireballs and Nokie Edwards of The Ventures, Dick Stewart (A.K.A. King Richard) formed The Knights in 1961 as an instrumental-guitar, rock-and-roll band. This Albuquerque, New Mexico group scored big regionally in 1964 with a guitar/classical-piano, instrumental rock-and-roll number called “Precision,” which stayed at number one on KQEO AM radio longer than any local artist with an original composition. (KQEO, at that time had an incredible listening rating share of 51!)

During the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Stewart released four ranchera instrumentals on Casanova Records. Says Stewart, “These tunes were vocal hits, and I was convinced that they could also be instrumental hits because of their catchy melodies.” And right he was as they charted high in the Hispanic markets of the Southwest. 

This album is a collection of seventeen guitar instrumentals that Stewart feels best represents New Mexico’s overall make-up, expressed not only in an early ‘60s traditional rock-and-roll instrumental style (now referred to as “surf rock”) for which The Knights are best known, but in an exciting, unique, ranchera mode, as well. In addition, some modern efforts have been added to insure a good mix of interesting rock-and-roll genres. “Being a native New Mexican, bilingual, and well versed in my state’s unique tri-culture, I picked the tracks for this album that I feel best describes New Mexico’s personality. That’s why I call it ‘Stew – Art.’ Ha! The name was a given!”

The staff at Lance Records

. . . . .

Performances: Phantom Riders (3:58) – Cool Links (3:47) – Riley’s Switch (3:29) – La del Mono Colorado (2:20) – Ghost Riders (3:59) – Mother Road (5:14) – El Rancho Grande (2:32) – Cimmaron (3:27) – El Incendio de Los Alamos (3:16) – Waterfalls (2:08) – Poco de Todo (2:30) – Penetration (3:22) – Surfin’ the Rio Grande (4:16) – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (4:13) – Calm and the Storm (4:12) – A Medias de la Noche (3:12) – Adios (1:52)

Players: Dick Stewart – first guitar all tracks except #10 and # 15, bass #17; Ritch Stewart – bass #1; Jason Stewart – first guitar #10 and #15, backup lead guitar #1, #2, #12, keys - #10, #15, and #17; Gary Snow – bass #2, #3, #5, #6, #8, #9, #13, and #14; Steve Hudgins – percussion #2, #3, #5, #6, #8, #9, #13, and #14; Anthony Lucero – percussion #4, #7, #11, and #16; rhythm guitar – Floyd “Flaco” Gonzales #4, #7, #11, and #16; Jose “Prospero” Montoya – bass #4, #7, #11, and #16; Little Ralph Pais – backup lead guitar - #11 and #16     

Studios: John Wagner Studio - #4, #7, #11, and #16; Jason Stewart Studio - #1, #10, #12, and #15; Rockingham Studio – #2, #3, #5, #6, #8, #9, #13, and #14; Rick Dustin Studio - #17

Cover Artwork: Judi and Dick Stewart – concept; Charles “Chas” Pike – sketch; Angie Grace - Layout 

Publishing: all tracks Cool Links Publishing (BMI) except #5 and #12

To listen to some track samples, go to: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/knights4

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To order by snail mail, send check or money order in the amount of $15.00 (U.S. only; all other countries $17.00) payable to RvStewart to:

RvStewartProductions

P.O. Box 613

Sandia Park, NM 87047

To order by credit card, click the appropriate button below:

($13.90 U.S. only)

[Note: distributors, radio stations, promoters, and parties interested in the licensing of tracks from this CD, contact:

The Promotional Department at rvstewartproductions@yahoo.com or call (505) 286-0623]