The Crackerjacks (band)

The Crackerjacks were a 1960s Memphis garage rock group. Band members included organist-bassist Bobby Sowell, lead guitarist David Preola, lead singer Jerry Stamson, and drummer Roy Yeager. They gained popularity in 1966–67, regularly appearing on Memphis WHBQ TV Talent Party with George Klien (also a popular radio DJ and friend of Elvis Presley). They won the Mid-South Fair in 1966 for best group. The Crackerjacks had no bass player; Bobby Sowell played bass and organ at the same time. The group was short lived due to several reasons. Sowell was drafted in 1968, Preola also was drafted into the Army, Stampson went into the restaurant business and Yeager went with the group Lobo and the southern rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section. Sowell was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2002. The Crackerjacks are featured in a rock book, History of Memphis Bands, 1960-72 by Ron Hall, available at bookstores.