Sonley Roush would subsequently split the group to place lead singer Wilson with another musician or two. By this time Holmes had already left the group. Be that as it may, J. Frank Wilson (vocalist), Gene Croyle (guitar), Roland Atkinson (drums), Lewis Elliott (bass), and Jim Wynne (piano), along with Sonley Roush (manager/promoter) and Ron Newdoll (studio owner and engineer) were all present at Accurate Sound Recording studio in San Angelo around 1:00 pm in early August, 1964, when they made the record that would bring them lasting fame. The band worked all afternoon on the song, recording it over and over, with few pauses, for three straight hours, until Roush was satisfied with take number 64. The record was first released locally, on Le Cam Records (#722), then on Tamara Records (#761), becoming a local hit. Eventually released on Josie Records (#923), a subsidiary of semi-major label Jubilee Records, the record became a national hit in the fall of 1964.