Aired on Treasure Island Oldies –Feb 15, 2026
Singer/songwriter Paul Evans is best known for three 1959/60 hits – “Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat,” “Happy-Go-Lucky-Me,” and his rendition of Leadbelly’s “Midnite Special.”
He also co-wrote songs that became hits for others such as “I Gotta Know” by Elvis Presley, “Roses Are Red” by Bobby Vinton, “When” by the Kalin Twins and “Happiness Is” by the Ray Coniff Singers.
In 1960, Paul wrote and released “Hushabye Little Guitar.” Unfortunately, it failed to chart nationally but did have some regional success peaking at #4 in Vancouver, BC, #11 in Seattle, Washington, and #14 in Syracuse, NY.
The flipside of this record did not receive much airplay, being discovered many years later by music fans. This B-side is quite a departure from what Evans traditionally recorded.
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The B-side shares similarities with the talking ballads of Jimmy Dean, particularly songs like “Big Bad John.” Jimmy Dean popularized the spoken-story song format in the early 60s, using a deep, resonant voice to narrate dramatic tales of working-class heroes and tragic events.
Evans’ dramatic narrative showcases his ability to tell a story through music as well. Unlike his lighter teen-pop hits, this song leans toward the tradition of the spoken or semi-spoken ballad, blending melody with narration to create an emotional and morally driven tale.
The song tells the story of a blind child whose faith and innocence affect those around him. Evans delivers the lyrics with a mix of gentle singing and expressive spoken passages, allowing the narrative to unfold clearly while heightening its emotional impact.
The pop song features lyrics about faith and hope, emphasizing that one does not need sight to see the light, even if you are a “Blind Boy” and it’s this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube listing of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7vCFy0r2II
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
