Omo the Hobo

WELLMAN J. OMOHUNDRO

(Smiley Joe / Omo The Hobo / Omo the Lobo)

This charmingly eccentric troubador was born in Fayette in 1917 and died in Marquette in 1996. He apparently traveled throughout the country and around the world performing his (mostly self-composed) ballads and tunes, some of which were written-to-order. He released more than 100 records, ranging from children's songs to risque "party" discs.

Omo made most of his recordings during the mid-1960s at a California studio; he sold them during his performances (as "souvenirs," for a $1 "tip") or out of his home, either in Fayette or in Everding, CA.

SINGLES

On the ACCENT label, credited to SMILEY JOE OMOHUNDRO:

1080: I DON'T DRINK TO GET DRUNK b/w BROTHER I'VE HAD IT (also released on Accent 1098)

1082: SOMEONE JUST WANTING TO TAKE WHAT I GOT b/w THEY MADE A FOOL OUT OF ME

1092: THE MOON WAS A LITTLE YELLOW AND I WAS A LITTLE CHICKEN MYSELF b/w MY WIFE AND I

1100: YOU HAD YOUR WAY; I'M BROKE TODAY b/w HONEY YOU'VE MADE ME A BEGGAR; HELP I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU

1152: YOU HAD YOUR WAY NOW I'LL HAVE MINE b/w I'M BROKE TODAY

1169: I'M SALTING MY NUTS TODAY AND GIVING MY ICE AWAY b/w I DON'T HAVE AN EVIL MIND

1170: I DON'T DRINK TO GET DRUNK b/w ALCOHOLIC IS MY NAME

On the OMO THE HOBO label and credited to OMO THE HOBO, except as indicated:

IMPORTANT NOTE: I received the following info from two diferent sources, whom I'll call H and M. Sometimes the sources differ; when they do, I've marked the items with H and M, appropriately. If an item's not marked H or M, it's on both their lists.

As you'll see, Omo had the habit of re-releasing the same songs over and over again on different singles, with different combinations of A-sides and B-sides.

Omo 101: WHAT MAKES ME DO THE THINGS I DO b/w SWEETHEART I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU [M]

Omo the Lobo 101/112: OMOHUNDRO OR MOHUNDRO b/w I'M A POLICE OFFICER [M]

Omo the Lobo 101/134: KEEP SMILING b/w CINDY [M]

Omo the Hobo 102/214: LIKE A CLAP OF THUNDER b/w I"M JUST A HICK FROM THE STICKS [M]

103: DON'T LEAVE YOUR MEAT BALL b/w I WAS THE ONLY COWBOY WITH CLASS HO COULD RIDE THAT GIRL'S HORSE [M]

104: Medley: JUST BECAUSE & WABASH CANNONBALL b/w Medley: PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA & SAN ANTONIO ROSE [H]

104: QUIET PLEASE THE BABY'S ASLEEP b/w X STANDS FOR THE CROSS [M]

105: I'M NOT COMPLAINING JUST EXPLAINING b/w TEENAGERS BALL [M]

106: I'M A POLICE OFFICER HANDY WITH MY ROD b/w I'M A BARTENDER MY PISTOLS ALWAYS LOADED

106/112: I'M A POLICE OFFICER HANDY WITH MY ROD b/w I'M A POLICE OFFICER [M says these are different songs than on the above single]

106/154: I'M A BARTENDER MY PISTOL'S ALWAYS LOADED b/w HEY BARTENDER I'LL SWAP MY WIFE FOR A BOTTLE OF BOOZE [M]

107: HOLD ON TO MY HEART b/w WAITRESS SERVICE PLEASE [H]

107: HERE'S TO EVERY GIRL b/w DEAR OLD DAD, DON'T BE SAD [M]

108: Same as Accent 1170 above [M]

108/147: I DON'T DRINK TO GET DRUNK I JUST LIKE TO DRINK b/w I'M A DR. I WORK FOR MEDICARE [M]

108/208: ALKY-HOLIC IS MY NAME b/w I FELL FOR THAT CHICK LIKE A TON OF BRICKS [M]

108/208: ALKY-HOLIC IS MY NAME b/w I DON'T DRINK TO GET DRUNK I JUST LIKE TO DRINK (this song credited to OMO - JOAN) [M]

109: A SKUNK SHOULD NEVER GET DRUNK b/w DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE [M]

110: I'M SELLING MY NUTS TODAY AND GIVING MY ICE AWAY b/w I'M A COTTON PICKIN' CHICKEN PLUCKER [M]

110/152: I'M SELLING MY NUTS TODAY AND GIVING MY ICE AWAY b/w MY GIRL WEARS SHORT HAIR AND BANGS [M]

Omo 112: HEY FIREMEN PUT OUT THE FIRE b/w I'M A POLICE OFFICER [H]

112/136: HEY FIREMAN PUT OUT HE FIRE b/w WORKIN' MAN'S SONG [M]

112/212: HEY FIREMAN PUT OUT THE FIRE b/w I'M A COP ... A DAMN GOOD DETECTIVE [M]

112/???: THE COP AND THE DRUNK (sticker covering "Hey Fireman" title on label) b/w I'M A POLICE OFFICER [M]

113: I'VE GOT THE WORLD BY THE TAIL b/w VITAMIN JUICE [H]

113/209: I'VE GOT THE WORLD BY THE TAIL b/w I'M A PEACE LOVIN' DR. [M]

114: MY HORSE GOT AWAY b/w I'M THE MAN IN THE MOON

"214-A or 114-A"/214-B: MY HORSE GOT AWAY b/w I'M JUST A HICK FROM THE STICKS [M]

115: GOD SENT AN ANGEL TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND b/w X STANDS FOR THE CROSS

115/221: X STANDS FOR THE CROSS (changed by sticker to HOORAY FOR THE U.S. ARMY, which is the song on the record) b/w MR. PRESIDENT [M]

116: OMO THE HOBO b/w THEY CALL ME A BUM

117: RIDE HIM COWBOY b/w MY COWGIRL FROM WAY OUT WEST

118: QUIET PLEASE BABIES SLEEPING b/w SWEET DREAMS [H]

119: DANNY BOY b/w GALWAY BAY [M]

Omo the Lobo 120: HOLD ON TO MY HEART b/w PRETTY GIRL by Omo the Lobo, as are all others on that label [M]

Omo the Lobo 121: WAITRESS, SERVICE PLEASE b/w I LIKE TO WAIT ON CUSTOMERS [M]

Omo the Lobo 121/209: WAITRESS, SERVICE PLEASE b/w I'M A MAILMAN WITH THE LONGEST ROUTE IN TOWN [M]

Omo the Lobo 121/221: WAITRESS, SERVICE PLEASE b/w MR. PRESIDENT [M]

Omo the Lobo 123: THE MOON WAS YELLOW AND I WAS A LITTLE CHICKEN MYSELF b/w BROKE TODAY, TOMORROW TOO [M]

Omo the Lobo 124: COWBOYS MADE A FOOL OUT OF ME b/w MY GIRL DAISY [M]

Omo the Lobo 124/225: MY GIRL DAISY b/w THE MOON WAS YELLOW AND I WAS A LITTLE CHICKEN MYSELF [M]

Omo the Lobo 125: WHAT MAKES ME DO THE THINGS I DO b/w MY DARLING SWEETHEART

Omo the Lobo 126: YOU RODE MY MOTORCYCLE, BUT YOU GAVE ME THE AIR b/w I'M A TRUCK DRIVING FOOL - by Omo the Lobo (I'm not sure whether "Lobo" means "Wolf," or is a combination of "Love" and "Hobo")

Omo the Lobo 127: I GOT POPCORN BALLS AND HOT NUTS ALL THE TIME b/w HAVE YOU HAD A PIECE OF AGGIE'S PIZZA TODAY? [M]

Omo the Lobo 127/228: I GOT POPCORN BALLS AND HOT NUTS ALL THE TIME b/w THE GOLF GAME (this side credited to Joe & Juanita) [M]

Omo the Lobo 129: See EP's list below.

Omo the Lobo 130: I'D SURE LIKE TO SEE MY OLD GAL FLO AGAIN b/w I WENT TO HELEN GOT TURNED DOWN [M]

Omo the Lobo 130/158: I'D SURE LIKE TO SEE MY OLD GAL FLO AGAIN b/w I SQUEEZED HER SO HARD I FELT HER CRACK [M]

Omo the Lobo 130/ 209: I WENT TO HELEN GOT TURNED DOWN b/w DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE [M]

133: ME AND MY WIFE LOVE AND FIGHT b/w SHUT UP YOU TALK TOO MUCH [H says this is Hobo; M says it's Lobo]

134: THE BIG BOSS b/w CINDY LOU - by Smiley Joe Omohundro

Omo the Lobo 134/151: ME AND MY WIFE LOVE AND FIGHT b/w DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR BETTER HALF? [M]

Omo the Lobo 136: BROTHER, I'VE HAD IT b/w WORKIN' MAN'S SONG [M]

137: MONEY'S MADE ME A BEGGAR b/w HELLO I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU [M]

138: SAN ANTONE ROSE b/w YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE [M]

139: OKLAHOMA HILLS b/w HOME ON THE RANGE [M]

140: GOOD OLD CALIFORNIA b/w FISHING AND WISHING [M]

142: I LOST MY BABY b/w SOMEONE'S JUST WAITIN' TO TAKE WHAT I GOT [M]

144: I'M A LOVER, NOT A FIGHTER b/w MY CIGARETTE SMOKIN' BABY [M]

146: CRAWDAD SONG b/w RELEASE ME [M]

147: I WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT b/w I'M A DR. I WORK FOR MEDICARE

At this point, H's list ends; everything below is from M.

149: I'M THE BARTENDER'S BAR MAID b/w I CAN"T GO ON A BENDER CAUSE I'M THE BARTENDER

150: I'M A COTTON PICKIN' CHICKEN PLUCKER b/w I KISSED HER AS SHE GOT TATTOOED

150/209: I'M A COTTON PICKIN' CHICKEN PLUCKER b/w I'M A MAILMAN WITH THE LONGEST ROUTE IN TOWN

151: WASHED UP COWBOY b/w DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR BETTER HALF?

153: IF YOU DON'T COME SOON I'M GOIN' OFF BY MYSELF b/w MY GIRL WEARS FURS - MINK ALL DAY AND FOX ALL NITE

154: HEY BARTENDER I'LL SWAP MY WIFE FOR A BOTTLE OF BOOZE b/w I CAN'T GO ON A BENDER CAUSE I'M THE BARTENDER

155: I'M NOT MYSELF I'M SOMEBODY ELSE b/w WHY DO I DO THE THINGS I DO

156: OLD SQUIRRELS CAN'T CRACK THEIR NUTS b/w OLD BUTCHERS NEVER DIE THEY JUST QUIT POUNDIN' THEIR MEAT

157: THE 2 HEADED PANSY WHISTLED WHILE HE WORKED b/w OLD FAIRIES NEVER DIE THEY JUST BLOW AWAY

159: I GOOSED THE WAITRESS AND SAW FLYING SAUCERS b/w "I FORGOT THE TITLE, WRITE YOUR OWN BELOW"

159/166: I GOOSED THE WAITRESS AND SAW FLYING SAUCERS b/w ALL DAY AND ALL NITE - MARY ANN

160: WHAT HE DID FOR ME HE CAN DO FOR YOU b/w HIS SALVATION IS MY INSPIRATION

161: 7 WOODPECKERS TALKED ABOUT THEIR PECKERS b/w AT THE NUDIST CAMP THE 1ST 3 DAYS WERE THE HARDEST

163: MY WIFE'S LIKE A DOORKNOB EVERYONE GETS THEIR TURN b/w MY WIFE SAID GIDDY UP AND GO AND HAS GOT UP AND WENT

164/166: POOL GAME WAS HARD, MY CUE WAS TOO SHORT TO HIT MY BALLS b/w ALL DAY AND ALL NITE MARY ANN

166: ALL DAY AND ALL NITE MARY-ANN b/w GRANNY GOOSE GOT A GOOSE

168: MERRY CHRISTMAS b/w HAPPY NEW YEAR

173: SOUTH OF THE BORDER b/w COOL WATER

174: FOOL ON A BARSTOOL b/w WHEN THE LEAVES BEGIN TO FALL

Omo the Lobo 198: SHUT THAT GATE b/w THERE WILL BE NO TOMORROW

Omo the Lobo 199: WABASH CANNON BALL b/w RED RIVER VALLEY

Omo the Lobo 201: YOU DON'T LOVE ME b/w MY GIRL FROM OUTER SPACE

202: THE APARTMENT (credited to Omo & Juanita) b/w POLICEMAN AND THE HIPPIE

205: THE MOTHER FROCKER'S CORK SOAKIN' CONVENTION b/w I'M BILL SLIPPERS BIG BULL SHIPPER & BONNIE THE COOK

207: I'M BROKE TODAY b/w YOU HAD YOUR WAY NOW I'LL HAVE MINE

208/225: I DON'T DRINK TO GET DRUNK I JUST LIKE TO DRINK b/w THE MOON WAS YELLOW AND I WAS A LITTLE CHICKEN MYSELF

209: I'M A MAILMAN WITY THE LONGEST ROUTE IN TOWN b/w I'M A PEACE LOVIN' DR.

212: I'M A POLICE OFFICER - DON"T DRINK WHEN YOU DRIVE b/w I'M A COP - A DARN GOOD DETECTIVE

212: CIGARETTES AND WHISKEY STORY (says "I'm A Cop - A Darn Good Detective" on the label) b/w I'M A POLICE OFFICER

212/214: I'M A POLICE OFFICER - DON'T DRINK WHEN YOU DRIVE b/w MY HORSE GOT AWAY

214: MY HORSE GOT AWAY b/w I'M JUST A HICK FROM THE STICKS

221: HOORAY FOR THE U.S.A. b/w MR. PRESIDENT

225: MY DARLING SWEETHEART b/w THE MOON WAS YELLOW AND I WAS A LITTLE CHICKEN MYSELF

226: THE POOL GAME b/w THE GOLF GAME - both sides by Joe & Juanita

231: I LOVE YOU MOTHER b/w DADDY I LOVE YOU

249: Same as 148 above.

308: DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE b/w I DON'T DRINK TO GET DRUNK I JUST LIKE TO DRINK

EP'S

All on Omo the Hobo label and credited to Omo the Hobo except as indicated.

no number: My Wife Married Old Gronel OAO (?) and Went Off On A Bender + 6 other songs.

4: 20 FUNNY SONGS (samples of songs)

7: 11 ORIGINAL SONGS b/w 10 ORIGINAL SONGS (samples)

Omo the Lobo 9: I'm a Dr. I Work For Medicare + 7 other songs.

10: I'm A Police Officer Handy With My Rod + 7 other songs.

Accent AC-1104: The Omo the Hobo Party Record (6 selections).

Omo the Lobo 129: They Call Me A Screwball + 5 other songs.