ArtistInfo

The Nite Riders

Band,
Blues, R&B/Soul and Rock

Backing band for Doc Starkes Sometimes referred to as "The Night Riders". The Nite Riders were: James "Doc" Starkes: Bass /Trombone, Melvin Smith: Vocals / Baritone Saxophone Harry Van Walls: Piano Harry Crafton: Guitar / Vocals Joe Sewell: Tenor Saxophone Jimmy Johnson: Drums Before forming this group, all the members had attended several studio sessions and some of them had also done solo recordings. Van Walls had appeared on numerous Atlantic r'n'b-hits since the late 1940s (Ruth Brown, Joe Turner, Sticks McGhee, Joe Morris, Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters, The Clovers etc.), and Harry Crafton had worked with Doc Bagby, The Jive-Tones, The Sonotones and The Craft Tones. Joe Sewell had recorded with Tiny Grimes' and Harry Crafton's Orchestras, and Melvin Smith with Clyde "Blow Top" Lynn & his House Rockers and Big John Greer.

Members

	Jimmy Johnson dr *1930 US
	Melvin Smith *1936 US
	Harry Van Walls p, voc *1918
	Harry Crafton
	Doc Starkes b
	Joe Sewell sax