North Florida Music Hall of Fame

Mouse & the Boys

Formerly known as the Deep Six, these teenage white-soul sensations from Jacksonville featured lead vocalist Maurice (“Mouse”) Samples. Managed by Sydney Drashin, the group scored a regional hit, “Love Is Free” b/w “Excedrin Headache No. 69” in 1968 on Rubiyat Records. Later released “Dancin’ to the Beat,” (No. 103, 1968) on Shelby Singleton’s SSS Intl. label, based in Nashville. In 1970, the group re-formed as M.O.U.S.E. and recorded for Bell Records (a subsidiary of Columbia Pictures, later renamed Arista). Samples retreated from pop music to become a Jacksonville minister. Also see Rowland, Pete.