Ervin Groves Jr., known as Big Boy Groves, was a multifaceted pianist, arranger, and composer, as well as the founder of Musette and GME (Groves Music Enterprises) Records. He was born on January 20, 1927, in Oklahoma. His musical journey began in the Army, where he played in the band before transitioning to a bandleader and songwriter during the 1950s. Groves recorded for several labels, including Money Records, Spark, Vita, and Dolphin, and produced notable songs such as "Big Boy's Bounce" and "You Can't Beat the Horses."
Raised in La Jolla, Groves developed a passion for both music and art. He attended the La Jolla Art Institute and later San Diego City College, where he focused on music before furthering his studies at Westlake College of Music in Hollywood. After enlisting in the Army in the mid-1940s, he served in Japan, where he created a special service band, showcasing his skills on both piano and trombone.
Following his military service, Groves spent several years performing in Guam and Hawaii, where he led the house band at various venues, including the Royal Lahaina Hotel in Kaanapali, Maui, and held residencies at Moby Dick's and Coconut Willie. In addition to his music career, he pursued illustrating, producing a cartoon book titled The Funny Side of Hawaii, followed by The Funny Side of Las Vegas, inspired by a visit to comedian Redd Foxx. His artistic talents extended to local newspapers and the invention of several educational games.
While in Hawaii, Groves composed and arranged an album titled Composer in Paradise. This period also saw the creation of "Welcome to Paradise," recorded by his daughter Lani and included on the album. Featured musicians on Composer in Paradise included Garnett Scott, Viola Wills, Dede Copeland, Mary Staten, and Yvonne Butler.
Groves earned the nickname Big Boy after his 1955 hit record "I Gotta New Car" b/w "Midnight Special" on the Spark label, supported by the Robins. He achieved further success in 1956 with "You Can't Beat The Horses" on the Vita label.
In the 1960s, Groves established his own Musette label and GME Records, operating from his home on Logan Avenue, where he conducted recording sessions in a back room. His songwriting talents were utilized by other artists as well, including Little Margie, who recorded "Another Ticket," and fellow San Diegan Ervin Big Daddy Rucker. Together, they collaborated on "Baby Can't You Feel It" for Compose Records, with Rucker also releasing singles featuring Groves' compositions on both sides, such as "She's Alright" b/w "Kids Together" (Musette) and "Just Do Your Thing" b/w "Bad Misunderstanding" (GME). Rucker also recorded Groves' holiday song "Christmas in the Ghetto" (GME).
Groves' daughter Lani, sometimes credited as Lennie or Lenni Groves, was among the artists signed to GME. In 1962, father and daughter collaborated on the A-side of the GME single "Teenage Party" b/w "Bucket O' Blood," the latter notable for its partly spoken-word style, reminiscent of early rap. Lani also recorded her own singles, including "I Feel Pretty" b/w "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" (on her father's GME label) and "Sweet Sixteen" b/w "Fool For a Day" (as Lenni Groves), both containing songs written by her father. Lani later performed with Stevie Wonder's band Wonderlove, lending her voice to the intro of "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" in 1972. Groves' wife Lei and another daughter, Kim, also contributed vocals to his recordings.
Additionally, Groves toured as an accompanist for jazz vocalist Dinah Washington, while artists like Young Dean recorded for his labels, often supported by the Grovettes and Lennie Groves on tracks such as "The Story of a Fool" b/w "Just to Be With You" (GME).
Later in his career, Groves sold the Musette label to three local doctors. He passed away from leukemia on July 21, 1982, at the age of 55, and was laid to rest alongside his wife Taeko at Mount Hope Cemetery. In 2017, local musician and archivist "Action" Andy Rasmussen, whose research contributed to this biography, reissued "Bucket O' Blood" as part of a local music compilation. Notably, when Groves had a hit with "Gotta New Car," Spark Records gifted him a new car. He was also a painter and designed the logos for both GME and Musette, incorporating a globe and an arrow in his artwork.
