On The Southside

Here's a real time capsule that has fascinated me since I paid too much money for it at a record store up in Clearwater, Florida. It was in a plain cardboard sleeve but on the light blue price tag someone had written "Christmas". I had to pull it from the sleeve and was surprised to see it was from my hometown of Lakeland, Florida. I didn't read much further than that until I got it home where I realized it had been recorded in a church down on the south side of town (I grew up on the north side) a few years before I was born during the Vietnam War. The congregation had recorded a special Sunday Service for their member serving overseas during October, then pressed up these records, most likely so they had time to ship them to 'Nam. Imagine the time and effort that took to arrange and pull off. I don't think this one ever made it to Southeast Asia, but that's a good thing because I don't think I ever would have found it over there. You'll probably not listen to this more than once, but when you do listen, imagine yourself in the shoes of these people from my hometown celebrating Christmas a few months early so they could send a small piece of home to their soldier children serving overseas in a very unpopular war. Please listen at least once to Southside Baptist Church-1966 Christmas Service For Our Members In The Armed Forces (No Label 30/61006, Lakeland, Fla., Stereo, 1966).

1. 1966 Christmas Service-Part 1  

2. 1966 Christmas Service-Part 2 

MEGA

 

I was up in Lakeland earlier this year for a memorial service and realized that this church was still around, nearby and apparently going strong. I stopped in to take this picture. Not sure if this was where they were located back in 1966 as it would have been out in the boonies back then, but maybe. Giving a little thought to calling them up one day and asking if there is anyone still around who might recall this record. I was also surprised to find mentions of the preacher out on the internet!