In the fall of 1962, a radio station in Brownwood, Texas,
announced a special broadcast to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Volunteer performers were invited to come and donate their services in
front of the mike. At nearby Howard Payne College, two students figured
it would be fun to appear on the program. They were Ray Hildebrand and
Jill Jackson. On the show, the team sang an original tune written a few
days earlier by Ray. It went over so well that it was suggested that
they make a professional recording of the song. So encouraged, Ray and
Jill drove to Fort Worth in November, 1962, hoping for an audition with
Major Bill Smith, the owner of LeCam Records. At the studio, the two
were told that Major Bill was about to record someone else and could not
see them that day. Determined to get a hearing, they decided to hang
around just in case something happened. Something did. Major Bill was
waiting for singer Amos Milburn Jr., who failed to show up, and that
meant he had five musicians standing around (for $5 apiece). Finally,
someone said that there were a couple of kids hanging around the office
that would like the Major to hear some of their songs. With nothing to
lose, Ray and Jill were granted an interview right then and there. Major
Bill said, "let's hear what ya got, son" and Ray began to
strum the guitar and sing "Hey Hey Paula". "Ok boy, let's
stop Heyin' and start recordin'", said the Major. When the session
was over, the Major asked "What do you call yourselves"? "Jill
and Ray" came the answer, and that's what was printed on the record
label. "Hey Paula" sold sixteen thousand records in one day
and it didn't take long for Shelby Singleton of Mercury Records to call
the Major, wanting to buy the master tape. "One other thing",
said Singleton. "This is 'Hey Paula', by Jill and Ray...that
doesn't make any sense at all. We're gonna change it to Paul and Paula".
Ray Hildebrand died of dementia on August 18, 2023.
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