Jasper ‘Syng’ McGowan and the Wayward Sons were a group of inmates at the Maryland Penitentiary. The vocal group consisted of McGowan, Russell ‘Tyng’ Quarles, Archie ‘Artie’ Shaw, John ‘Jelly’ Madison, and guitarist James Richardson who spent their hours singing and writing over 500 songs.
McGowan developed a pen pal relationship with a local real estate agent Mrs. Betty S. Feldman – who was not pleased to find that her pen pal was an inmate. After overcoming the initial shock, convinced of his sincerity the two continued to correspond and became friends. Betty was impressed with the songs they had written and began a campaign to arrange for the group to record their songs. Recording engineer Lou Mills was also impressed with their songs and eventually arrangements were made for the group to be escorted by guards to Sheffield Studios.
Their first single was released in January 1965 on the newly formed Hope label. The Wayward Sons were accompanied by another Baltimore band on the record. Hope Enterprises featured President Bella Flowers (aka. Mrs. Feldman) and VP McGowan. Proceeds from sales of the record went to the Robert Lindner Foundation and the Prisoner’s Fund at the pen.
Later in 1965 McGowan was released from prison. He traveled to New York to promote the Wayward Sons.
McGowan recorded two more singles in 1966 that were produced by Bella Flowers, and arranged by Alphonso Higdon, Tommy Kaye, and Jesse Herring.
Record releases as Syng McGowan & the Wayward Sons:
1965 Hope 1846 Not Sympathy / How Will I Know
As Syng McGowan & the Fanettes:
1965 Hope 2052 Loneliness Is a Pleasure / Dear Santa
1966 Hope 550/551 Peggy Did / That’s What I Want
As Syng McGowan:
1966 Hope 552/553 Just in The Nick of Time / Loneliness Is a Pleasure
