The latest release from 7a Records features two long lost tracks by Davy Jones. "Rainbows" was written and produced by Chip Douglas (who was also at the helm for The Monkees' Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. LPs along with singles like "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," "Daydream Believer," and "Goin' Down") and recorded by Davy in 1981. The song has long circulated in tape trading circles of Monkees/Davy fans, but this single marks its first official release.

"You Don't Have To Be A Country Boy To Sing A Country Song" was written by Davy and Tommy Boyce (who co-wrote some of The Monkees' biggest hits with Bobby Hart) and appeared as the B-side to "(Hey Ra Ra Ra) Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse," the official theme song for the 50th birthday celebration of Mickey Mouse. That single was released by Warner Brothers in 1978 in England only, and neither side has ever been officially issued on compact disc or been made available digitally. 7a previously provided fans with a sneak preview of the A-side. 

​This release is available as a 7" red vinyl single, and only 500 copies have been pressed. Of note, after speaking with 7a co-founder Glenn Gretlund earlier this week, only 50 copies remain in their stock. Deep Discount had the best pricing option, but they are currently sold out! (Check back later, however, for ordering options.) There are still limited quantities available from Amazon. And for UK customers, Amazon UK has the single listed but it's currently out of stock. Clearly this item is in demand, so be sure to get your copy soon!

The ever dependable Ben Belmares has supplied the Live Almanac with scans of his copy of the single below. As always, Ben, thank you! And another thanks must go to both Iain Lee and Glenn Gretlund at 7a Records for working so hard to preserve the legacy of the works of the individual Monkees. Don't forget to follow 7a Records on Facebook and Twitter. And you can read more about 7a's past releases in the archives of the Live Almanac.

It was announced today on Facebook that Davy's daughters, Talia Jones Roston, Sarah Jones McFadden, Jessica Cramer Jones, and Annabel Jones will be developing a wide variety of projects inspired by the archives he left to them after Davy's passing in 2012. Below is the press release as presented on Facebook:

The four daughters of The Monkees’ Davy Jones have announced that they have formed a production company. Along Came Jones Media is dedicated to honoring Jones’ legacy by developing projects that showcase his work as an actor, singer, songwriter, and artist.

Jones is best known for singing, playing tambourine, and falling in love on the ground-breaking musical sitcom The Monkees, which ran on NBC from 1966-68. Much more than a 1960s pop sensation however, Jones enjoyed success on radio, television, and the stage as a child in his native England. He also apprenticed as a jockey before coming to the United States to pursue opportunities as an actor.

Arriving in New York City in 1963, Jones received rave reviews as the Artful Dodger in the original Broadway production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! This success led to more stage work, and eventually a contract with Screen Gems, where he was ultimately cast in The Monkees in late 1965.

His daughters say that they’re looking forward to sharing more with fans about their father’s depth as an artist through Along Came Jones. “Most people know Dad as a singer and actor, but he was also a very talented artist, writer, and photographer,” says his eldest daughter, Talia Jones Roston.

Roston and her sisters, Sarah Jones McFadden, Jessica Cramer Jones, and Annabel Jones will be developing a wide variety of projects inspired by the archives he left to them after his passing in 2012.

Sarah Jones McFadden says that her father’s archives are full of unexpected treasures. “He left behind a lot of surprises and gems that are going thrill his fans in the years to come,” she says. “The primary focus for us, however, is to develop projects in a way that does him justice as an artist, and that would make him proud.”

The first project being developed by Along Came Jones Media is a book, expected to be available in the second half of 2018. Updates and information will be available on the company’s Facebook page, and on its website, alongcamejonesmedia.com.

7a Records set to release Davy Jones tracks on limited edition red vinyl

Two long lost Davy Jones songs will be featured on the latest release by 7a Records. "Rainbows"/"You Don't Have To Be A Country Boy To Sing A Country Song" will arrive as a red 7" vinyl single on June 8 in the United Kingdom and a week later in the United States. Only 500 copies of the single are being pressed.

"Rainbows" was written and produced by Chip Douglas (who was also at the helm for The Monkees' Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. LPs along with singles like "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," "Pleasant Valley Sunday," "Daydream Believer," and "Goin' Down") and recorded by Davy in 1981. The song has long circulated in tape trading circles of Monkees/Davy fans, but this single will mark its first official release.

"You Don't Have To Be A Country Boy To Sing A Country Song" was written by Davy and Tommy Boyce (who co-wrote some of The Monkees' biggest hits with Bobby Hart) and appeared as the B-side to "(Hey Ra Ra Ra) Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse," the official theme song for the 50th birthday celebration of Mickey Mouse. That single was released by Warner Brothers in 1978 in England only, and neither side has ever been officially issued on compact disc or been made available digitally. 

Here is the official press release courtesy of 7a Records co-founder, Iain Lee:

​A big thanks to Jeff Gehringer for sharing his personal photos of The Monkees receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 10, 1989, along with some shots from the post-ceremony press conference at the Sheraton-Universal Hotel. 

(Photos courtesy of Iris' Little Monkees Corner)

Thank you very much to ​Jeff Gehringer for sharing these great photos of Davy Jones and Monte Landis at the 1986 Los Angeles Monkees convention. Monte, of course, is well known to Monkees fans, appearing in seven different episodes of the television series, perhaps most notably in "The Devil and Peter Tork."