Al Urban, 76, of Gonzales, TX passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Al was born on a farm near Gonzales on March 1, 1935. Al learned to play guitar in his mid-teens and formed a band, the Daybreakers, which garnered a regular gig at the Log Cabin Inn, near Luling, TX. He first recorded in 1954 or 1955 for his own Dixie label (not the Starday affiliate). Using Gold Star studio in Houston (which he used for his Dixie record) he cut "Lookin' For Money/I Don't Want To Be Alone" and submitted the master tape to Sarg records of Luling, TX. Sarg released the record in 1956. Al released two more 45's on Sarg - "Gonna Be Better Times/Won't Tell You Her Name" in 1958 and "Last Heartache/Street Of Memories" in 1960. Al was also a prolific songwriter and returned to Gold Star to record his own compositions hoping to push them to Sarg, but label owner Charlie Fitch passed on all but the three releases. Some of the songs Fitch rejected were released on Al's A.P.U. label. Leaving Sarg, Al set up Fang records label to release his own music. Urban also released on several small labels including Kash & Tennessee. In the 1960's, tiring of the nightly performing, Al concentrated on his songwriting, placing a number of his songs with Charley Pride. At various times, Al also worked as a country d.j. on KCTI in Gonzalez, managed a farm near Gonzales, and owned Al Urban Music, Inc.. In 2008, Al released his final recordings, a traditional country CD entitled "I Just Dropped In To Say Goodbye".
In my mind, Al will be forever remembered for "Gonna Be Better Times", a great piece of rockabilly, enhanced by the terrific guitar work of Hal Harris. "Gonna Be Better Times" is one of my favorite recordings of all time. Submitted by Jim Sinner
