US FOUR
Louisville, KY
Top: Donnie Keeling / left to right: Duke Freeman, Jack Richardson, Mike Winebrenner
From Louisville, Kentucky, the Us Four were Donnie Keeling guitar, Mike Winebrenner keyboards, Duke Freeman bass and Jack Richardson drums.
"They released two 45s, the first being the very catchy "The Alligator", featuring funky drumming and percussion and a nice keyboard and fuzz combination. "The Alligator" was produced by Buzz Cason and released on the Rising Sons label in March of 1967, and reached #6 on Louisville station WAKY 790 AM in April. It's played at 60's DJ nights to this day."
The Us Four, from left: Mike Winebrenner, Donnie Keeling, Duke Freeman & Jack Richardson
"Rising Sons was run by Cason and Bobby Russell. Both "The Alligator" and the flip side, the more conventional "By My Side" are credited to Keeling and Richard Williams, Cason's longtime associate from when they were in the early Nashville rock 'n roll group the Casuals in the '50s.
The Us Four released one other 45 in January 1968, "She Loves It" pts. 1 and 2, written by Don Keeling; a more commercial production full of harmony singing. Around this time they changed their rhythm section, bringing in Jim Bower on bass and Paul Hoerni on drums. When the Us Four broke up, Hoerni went to the Oxfords."
(courtesy GARAGEHANGOVER)