Oliver Hinds sold John Boija of Taby, Sweden, an old Vaden Record album for about $50.

The two began a corresponding by e-mail when Hinds found out that Boija was a big collector of Rockabilly albums.

Boija, a lawyer and Internet web professional, has a large and impressive collection of early original Sun Records and Elvis albums as well as numerous artists who recorded for Vaden Records.

"He's been in to Rockabilly since he was about ten years old," Hinds said. "He's got quite a record collection and a real passion for the sound."

Boija said he first became interested in Rockabilly music and Vaden Records in 1982 when he heard songs by Bobby Brown and Joyce Green on a radio program dedicated to vintage American music which was broadcast on Swedish radio.

"Theirs were two standout tunes that led to a life-long love for that type of music," Boija said. "The knowledgeable host of the show pointed out that they were were recorded for the Trumann-based Vaden label."

Arlen and Jackie Vaden performed in the 1950s and 1960s as The Southern Gospel Singers and later started Vaden Records which produced a number of early Rockabilly 45 rpm singles by artists from the Delta including Bobby Brown, Jimmy Haggett, Ray Baker, Teddy Redell, Bobby Lee Trammell and Larry Donn.

Boija said he had been to the U.S. numerous times but never to the South.

After 26 years of curiosity, he finally made it to both Memphis and Trumann.

Boija and friend Carina visited Hinds and his wife, Beckey, at their home in Trumann on Sept. 13-14 during a recent trip to America.

"He came a long way to see us," Hinds said. "He said 'I wanted to meet you because I have done business with you.'"

And thanks to Hinds, Boija was able to see more of Trumann than he ever expected to.

The sightseeing tour included a stop at Graceland and the house where Vaden grew up which is located at 213 Speedway Street in Trumann.

"We had our picture taken there and I told him all I knew about the Vadens," Hinds said.

Boija also got to meet another local Rockabilly legend, Larry Donn Gillihan, who was born and raised in Bono and sang the hit song "Honey Bun" on the Vaden label in 1959.

Larry Donn joined the group at Western Sizzlin in Jonesboro and signed an autograph for Boija, who brought along a brochure from England from one of his European tours in the 1980s. Rockabilly was discovered in Europe in the 1980s and found a whole new audience.

"He said Larry Donn's record of Honey Bun -- even in good condition -- would be worth hundreds of dollars (in Sweden)," Hinds said.

Boija said the muscial legacy in Trumann is priceless and should be better appreciated.

"In my country, the pioneer Rockabily and Rock 'n Roll music of the 1950s from the South is an eternal source of joy and still today new generations discover and appreciate the vitality and attitude of youth in that kind of music," Boija said. "What seems to be merely regarded as 'old music that the guys fooled around with when they were young' in the U.S. is in Europe recognized as music that truly changed the world we live in. And meticulous research leads to obscure nuggets, like those from the Vaden label."

Hinds said he was glad he got a chance to meet Boija and show him the sites. Boija brought Beckey three thimbles, one of which was his grandmother's, and a crystal snowball by Kosta Boda of Sweden.

"He hugged me," Hinds said. "He's a good guy."

Boija said his visit to Trumann only whetted his appetite and he plans to come back soon to do some more research on the Vaden label.

"The Vaden label has not been extensively researched yet, as far as I know, and there are many facts and biographies still to be presented," Boija said. "So over time I hope to develop new contacts in your area. And I still look for several of the original 45 rpm singles from the Vaden label."