The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is showcasing a special exhibit, “Sounds of Sandusky County,” highlighting the impact of Fremont recording studio owner Bob Brown on the local music scene in the 1960s.
Brown, who owned Brownwood Studios and Courier Records, was instrumental in bringing major acts like The Beach Boys and The Kingsmen to Northwest Ohio, according to a community announcement.
Bob Brown sits in his recording studio in 1968.
“Bob bringing The Beach Boys was a little like somebody bringing Taylor Swift now,” J. Brennan Willis, director of music, liberal arts and business at Terra State Community College, said in the announcement. “They were a big, big artist.”
Brown’s journey began with an unsuccessful attempt to bring Peter, Paul and Mary to the area. He then shifted his focus to The Beach Boys, eventually securing a performance at the Toledo Sports Arena in May 1965.
Before that, he managed to bring The Lettermen to Fremont Ross High School in February 1965. The Kingsmen also performed at Ole Zim’s Wagon Shed in Gibsonburg during the height of their hit “Louie Louie.”
The exhibit, which runs through May 25, features artifacts and manuscripts from these events, along with photos, records and memorabilia from Brown’s recording studio.
The special exhibit “Sounds of Sandusky County” is open through May 25, 2026.
Research reveals several mysteries
Brown’s influence extended beyond live performances. His studio recorded numerous bands and released their records, contributing significantly to the local music scene.
During their research, Willis and his students uncovered several mysteries. They found a record of “So Fine” by the Santells, a female vocal group from Fremont, released internationally in 1965. However, the identities of the group members remain unknown.
A box of undeveloped photos from Brownwood Studios revealed pictures intended for an album cover for the Jack Reidling Trio, featuring jazz great Cliff Murphy. Reidling was a jazz pianist. Murphy, who earned two Purple Hearts from his Korean War service, was a bassist who owned jazz clubs in Toledo.
A descendant of The Heavenly Band member David Ford talks with Blake Holmer by the case holding the band’s album and photo.
Another mystery involved a photo of The Heavenly Band, which recorded with Brown in the 1970s. The research team identified the band members as Clint Harris and David Ford, both from Northeast Ohio. Terra student Blake Holmer tracked down Harris, who donated a sealed copy of their album “Hello Sunshine” for the exhibit. Holmer also found Ford’s relatives, who attended the exhibit opening.
The exhibit is open to the public with regular museum admission, and Hayes Presidential members can visit for free.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Hayes exhibit reveals rare finds from Fremont’s music past
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