Bo Ratliff


Bo Ratliff was a rockabilly and country music singer of the 1950s and 1960s.

Biography

Ratliff has also recorded under the name Jim Ratliff. His first record was a rockabilly record as "Bo Ratliff and Country Kinfolk" for rockabilly singer Clay Eager's Karl Records out of Springfield, Ohio in 1959. A year later, he released a record on O. Bo. Records which was a Hatfield-Ratliff Production. The song "The Politician" was listed on the record as being written by Bill and Bo.
Ratliff recorded for CLW Records, which was distributed by Arrow Enterprises out of Indianapolis, Indiana. His release for Ma Be Records was out of Beech Grove, Indiana. His recordings on CLW Records, Arrow Records, and Ma Be Records were country releases. Another record was released by Rome Records.
Ratliff wrote "I Don't Care," "Three Little Words I Love You," "Just A Piece Of Paper," "Dim Café," "Do Your Thing," "Who Do You Think You're Fooling," and "Drunk on the Street." He co-wrote "Give Them Guns" with Jim Ward of Louisa, Kentucky, who also wrote "Hey Hey Don't Tease Me." Jim Ward also produced the two CLW Records releases and the Ma Be Records single. Ward had his own publishing company called Jamward Publishing Company with BMI. Ward also wrote the songs "Above All Else" and "I Found It" which appear on Ratliff's 1998 album "Wings Of Love."
In 1968, he released a single "Rum Dum"/"He Walked In" on Sims Records. "Rum Dum" was written by Jerry Schook and "He Walked In" was written by Chuck Howard. Ratliff recorded this with The Jordanaires as his back up vocalists.
In 2006 Ratliff, his three daughters, and two granddaughters released an album called A Little Good News. The band name is Bo and the Ribbons. This gospel group had recently performed at Mt. Olivette Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana on August 29, 2009. They continue to sing Gospel Music throughout Indiana and have appeared at many different churches. They are scheduled to appear at the Murat Temple during the Christmas time for the Murat Shriner's RV Club and for the Murat Shriner's club in Morristown, Indiana.
Bo Ratliff and Bozo Ratliff are two different musicians. Bo Ratliff's first release was for the Karl Label. Bo Ratliff confirmed this himself.

Discography

Singles