Ervin Groves Jr., also known as Big Boy Groves, was a talented pianist, arranger, and composer, born on January 20, 1927, in Oklahoma. Following his service in the Army band, he transitioned into a bandleader and songwriter, recording for several labels, including Money Records, Spark, Vita, and Dolphin during the 1950s. Notable songs from this period include "Big Boy's Bounce" and "You Can't Beat the Horses."
Raised in La Jolla, Groves developed a keen interest in music and art. He studied music at San Diego City College and later attended Westlake College of Music in Hollywood. In the mid-1940s, Groves enlisted in the Army, serving in Japan, where he formed a special service band, showcasing his skills on both piano and trombone.
Groves spent several years performing in Guam and Hawaii, where he led the house band at the Royal Lahaina Hotel in Kaanapali, Maui. He also held residencies at Moby Dick's and Coconut Willie. In addition to his music career, Groves pursued his artistic endeavors as an illustrator, creating 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 illustrations gained recognition, leading to contributions to a local newspaper, and he is credited with inventing several educational games.
During his time in Hawaii, Groves produced the album Composer in Paradise, which featured the song "Welcome to Paradise," recorded by his daughter Lani. The album included contributions from musicians such as Garnett Scott, Viola Wills, Dede Copeland, Mary Staten, and Yvonne Butler.
Groves adopted the moniker Big Boy after achieving a hit in 1955 with "I Gotta New Car" b/w "Midnight Special" on Spark Records, supported by fellow label artists, the Robins. In 1956, he found further success with "You Can't Beat The Horses" on the Vita label.
In the 1960s, he established his own Musette label and Groves Music Enterprises (GME) Records, both operating from his home at 4675 Logan Avenue, where he conducted recording sessions in a back room. His compositions were recorded by various artists, including Little Margie, who performed "Another Ticket," and fellow San Diegan Ervin "Big Daddy" Rucker. Rucker, sometimes confused with Groves due to their collaborations, recorded several singles under Groves' labels, including "Baby Can't You Feel It," co-written by Groves and Rucker.
Groves' daughter Lani, occasionally credited as Lennie or Lenni Groves, was among the artists signed to GME. Together, they recorded the 1962 single "Teenage Party" b/w "Bucket O' Blood," the latter being one of Groves' innovative spoken-word pieces that some consider early rap. Lani also released music under her name, often featuring her father's compositions, such as the single "I Feel Pretty" b/w "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" on GME. Her track "Sweet Sixteen" b/w "Fool For a Day" (as Lenni Groves) also showcased her father's songwriting. Lani later performed with Stevie Wonder's band Wonderlove and can be heard on the intro of his 1972 hit "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." Groves' wife Lei and their daughter Kim also contributed vocals to his recordings.
Groves toured as an accompanist for renowned jazz vocalist Dinah Washington, and artists like Young Dean recorded for his labels, supported by the Grovettes and Lennie Groves for singles such as "The Story of a Fool" b/w "Just to Be With You" (GME).
Later, Groves sold the Musette label to three local doctors. He passed away from leukemia on July 21, 1982, at the age of 55 and is buried 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 an accomplished painter, creating the logos for both GME and Musette, featuring a globe and arrow design.
