FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 26, 2019

DEAR JERRY: Having finally added a 78 rpm of "Fannie Mae" (Fire 1008), it is now the latest charted hit on a 78 in my 1960s collection.

It does seem that the Fire label continued issuing 78s along with their 45 singles, which brings me to this question: how far into 1960 did they produce 78s?

Also, did they only make 78s for their charted songs?
—John King, Lake Charles, La.

DEAR JOHN: "Fannie Mae" is a wonderful 78 to own, and though it didn't hit all three of the national charts until February, 1960, it definitely came out in late 1959. For example, in the December 26th Cash Box it was No. 18, up from No. 26 the week before, on "The Cash Box Hot Top 50 Across the Nation."

As for Fire singles, here are those issued following Fire 1008 ("Fannie Mae").

Those preceded by an asterisk are not yet known to exist on 78 rpm:

Tarheel Slim & Little Ann "Much Too Late"/"Lock Me in Your Heart (And Throw Away the Key)" (Fire 1009) December 1959

*Mary Ann Fisher "Only Yesterday"/"Wild As You Can Be" (Fire 1010): December 1959

Elmore James & His Broomdusters "Bobby's Rock"/"Make My Dreams Come True" (Fire 1011): March 1960

*The Rainbows Featuring Sonny Spencer "Mary Lee"/"Evening" (Fire 1012): March 1960

*Little Bobby Roach "Mush"/"More Mush" (Fire 1013): March 1960

*Bobby Marchan "Snoopin' and Accusin'"/"This Is the Life" (Fire 1014): March 1960

*Johnny Acey "Please Don't Go (Back To Baltimore)"/"Why" (Fire 1015): March 1960

Elmore James & His Broomdusters "The Sky Is Crying"/"Held My Baby Last Night" (Fire 1016): March 1960

Tarheel Slim & Little Ann "Can't Stay Away (Part 1)"/"Can't Stay Away (Part 2)" (Fire 1017) March 1960

*Paul Perryman "Look At My Baby"/"Keep A'Calling" (Fire 1018): April 1960

*Riff Ruffin "Gravy Train"/"All My Life" (Fire 1019): April 1960

Buster Brown "The Madison Shuffle"/"John Henry (The Steel Driving Man)" (Fire 1020): April 1960

*Tarheel Slim & Little Ann "Forever I'll Be Yours"/"Anything for You" (Fire 1021) June 1960

Bobby Marchan "There Is Something on Your Mind (Part 1)"/ "There Is Something on Your Mind (Part 2)" (Fire 1022): June 1960

*Buster Brown "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby"/"Don't Dog Your Woman" (Fire 1023): June 1960

Elmore James & His Broomdusters "I'm Worried"/"Rollin and Tumblin" (Fire 1024) June 1960

*Billy Lewis "Tell All The World About You"/"Heart Trouble" (Fire 1025) July 1960

Elmore James & His Broomdusters "I'm Worried"/"Rollin and Tumblin" (Fire 1026) July 1960
NOTE: Correct number is Fire 1024 (listed above), but some copies were mistakenly issued as Fire 1026, a number intended for a Gay Poppers record. Below is the proper release of Fire 1026:

The Gay Poppers "I've Got It"/"I Want to Know" (Fire 1026) August 1960

As for Fire 78s of 1960 charted hits, Elmore James & His Broomdusters "The Sky Is Crying" made the R&B Top 15, and Bobby Marchan's "There Is Something on Your Mind (Part 2)" was No. 1 on the R&B survey, and Top 20 on the Pop charts.