Category: News
(Hall of Famers in bold)
February 16:
Ronnie Milsap born in Robbinsville, North Carolina, 1944 (now 66)
Jo-Walker Meador born in Orlinda, Tennessee, 1924 (now 86)
Jimmy Wakely born in Mineola, Arkansas, 1914 (died 1982)
Smiley Burnette died (leukemia), 1967 (was 55)
February 17:
Johnny Bush born in Houston, Texas, 1935 (now 75)
Buck Trent born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1938 (now 72)
Jon Randall born in Dallas, Texas, 1969 (now 41)
Bryan White born in Shellman, Georgia, 1974 (now 36)
Billy Byrd born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1920 (died 2001)
Gene Pitney born in Hartford, Connecticut, 1940 (died 2006). The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer recorded two albums of duets with George Jones.
Uncle Jimmy Thompson died (natural causes), 1931 (was 82)
Eck Robertson died (natural causes), 1975 (was 87)
Gus Hardin died (car wreck), 1996 (was 50)
February 18:
Juice Newton born in Lakehurst Naval Station, New Jersey, 1952 (now 58)
Dudley Connell of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Scheer, West Virginia, 1956 (now 54)
Pee Wee King born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1914 (died 2000)
Tootsie Bess, owner of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, died (cancer), 1978 (was 61)
Johnny Paycheck died (emphysema), 2003 (was 64)
February 19:
Lorianne Crook born in Wichita, Kansas, 1957 (now 53)
Cedric Rainwater (real name: Howard Watts) born in Monticello, Florida, 1913 (died 1970)
Grandpa Jones died (stroke), 1998 (was 84)
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton officially break up their act, 1974
February 20:
Kathie Baillie of Baillie & the Boys born in Morristown, New Jersey, 1951 (now 59)
Claire Lynch born in Albany, New York, 1954 (now 56)
February 21:
Mary-Chapin Carpenter born in Princeton, New Jersey, 1958 (now 52)
Don Reno born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1926 (died 1984)
Carl T. Sprague died (unknown cause), 1979 (was 83)
February 22:
Del Wood born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1920 (died 1989)
During a concert in London, Ontario, Johnny Cash asked June Carter to marry him, 1968
February 23:
Rusty Young of Poco born in Long Beach, California, 1946 (now 64)
Buck Griffin born in Corsicana, Texas, 1923 (died 2009)
Minnie Pearl married Henry Cannon, 1947
February 24:
Little Roy Lewis of the Lewis Family born in Lincoln County, Georgia, 1942 (now 68)
Don Law born in London, England, 1902 (died 1982)
Webb Pierce died (cancer), 1991 (was 69)
Goldie Hill Smith died (cancer), 2005 (was 72)
Dinah Shore died (cancer), 1994 (was 77). The legendary pop singer and TV hostess was part of the family of live performers on WSM radio.
February 25:
Dr. Ralph Stanley born in Stratton, Virginia, 1927 (now 83)
Faron Young born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1932 (died 1996)
February 26:
Jan Crutchfield born in Paducah, Kentucky, 1936 (now 74)
Billy Jack Wills born in Hall County, Texas, 1926 (died 1991)
Johnny Cash born in Kingsland, Arkansas, 1932 (died 2003)
February 27:
Chuck Glaser of the Glaser Brothers born in Spalding, Nebraska, 1936 (now 74)
Joe Carson died (car wreck), 1964 (was 27)
Walter Bailes died (various health problems), 2000 (was 80)
February 28:
Joe South born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1940 (now 70)
Don Helms born in New Brockton, Alabama, 1927 (died 2008)
Jim Denny born in Silver Point, Tennessee, 1911 (died 1963)
Audrey Williams born in Banks, Alabama, 1923 (died 1975)
Bunny Biggs of Jamup & Honey died (unknown causes), 1948 (was 52)
Fiddlin' Arthur Smith died (unknown causes), 1971 (was 72)
And a leap baby:
February 29:
Dinah Shore born in Winchester, Tennessee, 1916 (died 1994)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Monday, February 01, 2010
Optimism and Love in the Face of Trouble
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: When My Rowboat Comes In
ARTIST: Steve GoodmanSONGWRITER: Steve Goodman
ALBUM: Affordable ArtYEAR/LABEL: 1983; Red Pajamas
There aren't a lot of members of the 'class of 1969' walking around today with this stuff.
(Steve Goodman, 1983)
For nearly fourteen years Steve Goodman lived, raised a family, wrote songs, recorded, and toured with a secret. Coiled up inside his body, ready to strike a lethal blow at any moment, was a viper named leukemia. Initially Goodman did not discuss his illness publicly because he feared record companies and concert promoters would not deal with a man who, at age 21, had already outlived the initial prognosis he had received at age 20. And while living several years with relatively good health in a state of remission, there was certainly no reason to bring the issue into the open. His friends knew, but they, too, kept quiet (something that would probably never happen in today's media frenzy times).
When Goodman suffered a relapse in 1982 there was no way to avoid the issue any longer. Bald from chemotherapy, an Ommaya reservoir visible on his scalp, and looking terribly gaunt, Goodman broke his silence with a series of interviews once his condition improved. His stated purpose was not to entice pity but to provide emotional support for the statistical one in four who would be hit by cancer at some point in their lives.
During this time he also wrote "When My Rowboat Comes In," a song that was his most blatant reference to his plight. In baseball terms, the lifelong Cubs fan both hit a grand slam and pitched a perfect game with the song. In the space of three minutes and thirty eight seconds Steve Goodman invited everyone into his house, sat them in a comfortable chair, offered them refreshments, and explained life as a leukemia patient. Most amazingly, he did so in a way that left the listener feeling joyous, not sad.
Musically, the song was a marked departure for Goodman. Although he enjoyed dabbling in nearly every genre of popular music from R&B ("Can't Go Back," which he said he wrote "in case I ever run into Wilson Pickett") to Western swing ("Between the Lines") -- on the same album -- he had never ventured into bluegrass (although coming close with "Death of a Salesman," also on the same album as the R&B and Western swing songs). The bluegrass accompaniment, however, served to augment the overall warm feel of the song. Goodman's focus was on calming the listeners' uneasiness as he poured out his soul to them. After all, while the announcement of his leukemia was a shock to his fans it was not news to him, for he had spent every day since December 1968 with the knowledge that he had a disease that would eventually take his life.
Goodman was a masterful songwriter who frequently put multiple layers of meaning into his songs (often slipping references to his disease into songs in ways that only became apparent after he went public with his condition). Those who did not know the author and singer of "When My Rowboat Comes In" was undergoing chemotherapy treatments could merely chalk up the song title to Goodman's sense of humor. Since the title is a play on the term "when my ship comes in" the phrase, especially in the context of the verse about his professional career, could be seen as nothing more than frustration from years of being a successful songwriter ("City of New Orleans," "Banana Republics," "You Never Even Call Me By My Name") while never having a hit as a performer (and, to date, his only well-known recording is "Go Cubs Go," the song played at Wrigley Field after Cubs victories). The rough seas could be the lack of a record deal as easily as a health crisis.
For people who were aware of Goodman's medical condition, however, the deeper message was obvious. In the opening verse he referenced the "lucky stars" that disappeared "on a stormy night" with his relapse. He credited his wife Nancy (who knew he was sick when she married him in 1970) with being "someone who can find the sun and chase away my sorrow with her laughter." After acknowledging "the seas are rough in the highest tide" Goodman, backed by harmonies by Sharon and Cheryl White, sang with his trademark audible smile about his optimism: "When the sun comes out on the other side, everything will be all right when we go rowing."
The second verse began by looking at Goodman's career, where he toured and played "every song I know from the mountains to the bottom of the canyon." He then acknowledged that he was realistic about his condition by stating he was "looking for some moments I can borrow." As he neared the end of this brief autobiography he had answered every question many people had wanted to ask him but refrained from doing so. He then concluded with the most important query: what about the future? "If my lucky stars won't shine tonight," Goodman replied in his song, "I'd rather take my chances on tomorrow."
Goodman's nearly sixteen-year battle with leukemia ended on September 20, 1984 at the age of 36. Steve Goodman's story, however, is not about a dying man but a man who lived his life to its fullest until he died. That is the message of this ode to love of family and career, his marvelous hymn of hope. After all, Goodman did not title this song "if My Rowboat Comes In," but WHEN.
OTHER STEVE GOODMAN MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Affordable Art album -- sterling examples of Goodman's eclectic musical styles and songwriting (including what many consider to be his funniest song ever, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request") in one neat package, with a comical cover photo (showing the diminutive singer posed amid statues as if he were a lawn jockey) to boot.
"The Water is Wide" (from Artistic Hair) -- a traditional love ballad with lyrics ("I can't cross over," "not as deep as this hole I'm in, and I know not if I sink or swim") that take on a completely different meaning because of a bald Goodman showing off what he called his "chemo 'do" on the cover of the album. This song's imagery ("build me a boat that can carry two, and both shall row, my love and I") may have inspired "When My Rowboat Comes In."
"Blue Umbrella" (from Jessie's Jig and Other Favorites) -- another song with a completely different meaning ("just give me one extra season so I can figure out the other four") because of Goodman's medical problem is this tune penned and originally performed by his best friend, John Prine.
"Face on the Cutting Room Floor" (from Santa Ana Winds) -- an aspiring actress rejects the casting couch in this song with a marvelous kiss-off line ("sunrise on Sunset she won't be around, I guess that settles the score").
"(Now And Then, There's) A Fool Such as I" (from Unfinished Business) -- backed by dear friend Jethro Burns on mandolin, Goodman fulfilled a request from his wife to do this lost-love Hank Snow classic. His spoken introduction is positively heartbreaking for the implication that this was a farewell song to Nancy in light of his rapidly-failing health. Thankfully, he did not say that explicitly or this would be unlistenable.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
When I Lift Up My Head
Rose of My Heart
Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me
Playboy
Our Town
Old Memories Mean Nothing to Me
Not That I Care
Nobody Eats at Linebaugh's Anymore
My Book of Memories
Lost to a Stranger
A Little Bitty Heart
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Life is Too Short
I Want a Home in Dixie
I Lost Today
Fingerprints
Down to the River to Pray
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs
A Death in the Family
Dark as a Dungeon
Bottomless Well
(Rock)
Stephen
Stealin' Time
Starting Tomorrow
Spellbound
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
She's a Runaway
Painted Bells
Out to Sea
One More Song
New Delhi Freight Train
Millworker
Long Way Home
Island
Heart of Rome
Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home
Entella Hotel
Desperados Under the Eaves
Crossing Muddy Waters
Cliffs of Dooneen
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Baby Mine
There aren't a lot of members of the 'class of 1969' walking around today with this stuff.
(Steve Goodman, 1983)
For nearly fourteen years Steve Goodman lived, raised a family, wrote songs, recorded, and toured with a secret. Coiled up inside his body, ready to strike a lethal blow at any moment, was a viper named leukemia. Initially Goodman did not discuss his illness publicly because he feared record companies and concert promoters would not deal with a man who, at age 21, had already outlived the initial prognosis he had received at age 20. And while living several years with relatively good health in a state of remission, there was certainly no reason to bring the issue into the open. His friends knew, but they, too, kept quiet (something that would probably never happen in today's media frenzy times).
When Goodman suffered a relapse in 1982 there was no way to avoid the issue any longer. Bald from chemotherapy, an Ommaya reservoir visible on his scalp, and looking terribly gaunt, Goodman broke his silence with a series of interviews once his condition improved. His stated purpose was not to entice pity but to provide emotional support for the statistical one in four who would be hit by cancer at some point in their lives.
During this time he also wrote "When My Rowboat Comes In," a song that was his most blatant reference to his plight. In baseball terms, the lifelong Cubs fan both hit a grand slam and pitched a perfect game with the song. In the space of three minutes and thirty eight seconds Steve Goodman invited everyone into his house, sat them in a comfortable chair, offered them refreshments, and explained life as a leukemia patient. Most amazingly, he did so in a way that left the listener feeling joyous, not sad.
Musically, the song was a marked departure for Goodman. Although he enjoyed dabbling in nearly every genre of popular music from R&B ("Can't Go Back," which he said he wrote "in case I ever run into Wilson Pickett") to Western swing ("Between the Lines") -- on the same album -- he had never ventured into bluegrass (although coming close with "Death of a Salesman," also on the same album as the R&B and Western swing songs). The bluegrass accompaniment, however, served to augment the overall warm feel of the song. Goodman's focus was on calming the listeners' uneasiness as he poured out his soul to them. After all, while the announcement of his leukemia was a shock to his fans it was not news to him, for he had spent every day since December 1968 with the knowledge that he had a disease that would eventually take his life.
Goodman was a masterful songwriter who frequently put multiple layers of meaning into his songs (often slipping references to his disease into songs in ways that only became apparent after he went public with his condition). Those who did not know the author and singer of "When My Rowboat Comes In" was undergoing chemotherapy treatments could merely chalk up the song title to Goodman's sense of humor. Since the title is a play on the term "when my ship comes in" the phrase, especially in the context of the verse about his professional career, could be seen as nothing more than frustration from years of being a successful songwriter ("City of New Orleans," "Banana Republics," "You Never Even Call Me By My Name") while never having a hit as a performer (and, to date, his only well-known recording is "Go Cubs Go," the song played at Wrigley Field after Cubs victories). The rough seas could be the lack of a record deal as easily as a health crisis.
For people who were aware of Goodman's medical condition, however, the deeper message was obvious. In the opening verse he referenced the "lucky stars" that disappeared "on a stormy night" with his relapse. He credited his wife Nancy (who knew he was sick when she married him in 1970) with being "someone who can find the sun and chase away my sorrow with her laughter." After acknowledging "the seas are rough in the highest tide" Goodman, backed by harmonies by Sharon and Cheryl White, sang with his trademark audible smile about his optimism: "When the sun comes out on the other side, everything will be all right when we go rowing."
The second verse began by looking at Goodman's career, where he toured and played "every song I know from the mountains to the bottom of the canyon." He then acknowledged that he was realistic about his condition by stating he was "looking for some moments I can borrow." As he neared the end of this brief autobiography he had answered every question many people had wanted to ask him but refrained from doing so. He then concluded with the most important query: what about the future? "If my lucky stars won't shine tonight," Goodman replied in his song, "I'd rather take my chances on tomorrow."
Goodman's nearly sixteen-year battle with leukemia ended on September 20, 1984 at the age of 36. Steve Goodman's story, however, is not about a dying man but a man who lived his life to its fullest until he died. That is the message of this ode to love of family and career, his marvelous hymn of hope. After all, Goodman did not title this song "if My Rowboat Comes In," but WHEN.
OTHER STEVE GOODMAN MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Affordable Art album -- sterling examples of Goodman's eclectic musical styles and songwriting (including what many consider to be his funniest song ever, "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request") in one neat package, with a comical cover photo (showing the diminutive singer posed amid statues as if he were a lawn jockey) to boot.
"The Water is Wide" (from Artistic Hair) -- a traditional love ballad with lyrics ("I can't cross over," "not as deep as this hole I'm in, and I know not if I sink or swim") that take on a completely different meaning because of a bald Goodman showing off what he called his "chemo 'do" on the cover of the album. This song's imagery ("build me a boat that can carry two, and both shall row, my love and I") may have inspired "When My Rowboat Comes In."
"Blue Umbrella" (from Jessie's Jig and Other Favorites) -- another song with a completely different meaning ("just give me one extra season so I can figure out the other four") because of Goodman's medical problem is this tune penned and originally performed by his best friend, John Prine.
"Face on the Cutting Room Floor" (from Santa Ana Winds) -- an aspiring actress rejects the casting couch in this song with a marvelous kiss-off line ("sunrise on Sunset she won't be around, I guess that settles the score").
"(Now And Then, There's) A Fool Such as I" (from Unfinished Business) -- backed by dear friend Jethro Burns on mandolin, Goodman fulfilled a request from his wife to do this lost-love Hank Snow classic. His spoken introduction is positively heartbreaking for the implication that this was a farewell song to Nancy in light of his rapidly-failing health. Thankfully, he did not say that explicitly or this would be unlistenable.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
When I Lift Up My Head
Rose of My Heart
Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me
Playboy
Our Town
Old Memories Mean Nothing to Me
Not That I Care
Nobody Eats at Linebaugh's Anymore
My Book of Memories
Lost to a Stranger
A Little Bitty Heart
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Life is Too Short
I Want a Home in Dixie
I Lost Today
Fingerprints
Down to the River to Pray
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs
A Death in the Family
Dark as a Dungeon
Bottomless Well
(Rock)
Stephen
Stealin' Time
Starting Tomorrow
Spellbound
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
She's a Runaway
Painted Bells
Out to Sea
One More Song
New Delhi Freight Train
Millworker
Long Way Home
Island
Heart of Rome
Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home
Entella Hotel
Desperados Under the Eaves
Crossing Muddy Waters
Cliffs of Dooneen
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Baby Mine
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Dates of Note in Country Music, February 1-15
Category: News
(Hall of Famers in bold)
February 1:
Don Everly born in Brownie, Kentucky, 1937 (now 73)
Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook born in Chicksaw, Alabama, 1937 (now 72)
Del McCoury born in Bakersville, North Carolina, 1939 (now 71)
Lisa Marie Presley born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1968 (now 42)
Scotty Wiseman died (heart attack), 1981 (was 71)
February 2:
Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers born in Darby, Florida, 1946 (now 64)
Emmett Miller born in Macon, Georgia, 1900 (died 1962)
Lester McFarland of Mac & Bob born in Gray, Kentucky, 1902 (died 1984)
Glenn Barber born in Hollis, Oklahoma, 1935 (died 2008)
Rusty Kershaw born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, 1938 (died 2001)
Louise Scruggs, wife and manager of Earl Scruggs, died, 2006 (was 78)
February 3:
Dave Rich born in Briar Creek, Kentucky, 1936 (now 74). Ernest Tubb heard a recording of Rich's and hounded friend Ray Price throughout a game of golf to record the song. The song? "City Lights."
Matraca Berg born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1964 (now 46)
Betty Foley, daughter and one-time duet partner of Red Foley, born in Chicago, Illinois, 1933 (died 1990)
Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson died (plane crash), 1959 (was 28)
Buddy Holly died (plane crash), 1959 (was 22)
James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet died (stroke), 2002 (was 83). He was the last member of the original legendary Southern Gospel quartet.
February 4:
Clint Black born in Long Branch, New Jersey, 1962 (now 48)
Chris McDaniel of Confederate Railroad born in Rock Springs, Georgia, 1965 (now 45)
Vic McAlpin born in Defeated Creek, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1980)
Kenneth "Jethro" Burns died (prostate cancer), 1989 (was 68)
Tom Brumley of Buck Owens' Buckaroos died (heart ailment), 2009 (was 62)
February 5:
Claude King born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1933 (now 77).
Sara Evans born in Boonville, Missouri, 1971 (now 39)
Shelby David "Tex" Atchison born in Rosine, Kentucky, 1912 (died 1982)
Henson Cargill born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1941 (died 2007)
Eddy Noack died (cerebral hemorrhage), 1978 (was 47)
February 6:
Dale Reno of the Reno Brothers born in Roanoke, Virginia, 1961 (now 49)
Richie McDonald of Lonestar born in Lubbock, Texas, 1962 (now 48)
Anita Cochran born in Pontiac, Michigan, 1967 (now 43)
Violet Koehler of the original Coon Creek Girls born in Wilton, Wisconsin, 1916 (died 1973)
Merle Kilgore died (cancer), 2005 (was 70)
Frankie Laine died (complications from hip replacement surgery), 2007 (was 93)
February 7:
Wilma Lee Cooper born in Valley Head, West Virginia, 1921 (now 89)
Garth Brooks born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1962 (now 48)
Tony Booth born in Tampa, Florida, 1943 (now 67)
Warren Smith born in Humphreys County, Mississippi, 1933 (died 1980)
Ambrose Allen of the Allen Brothers born in Sewanee, Tennessee, 1901 (died 1959)
Dale Evans died (congestive heart failure), 2001 (was 88)
Molly Bee died (complications of a stroke), 2009 (was 68)
Patsy Cline's last recording session, Nashville, 1963. The last song she recorded was a cover of Moon Mullican's "I'll Sail My Ship Alone."
Jim Reeves recorded "Four Walls" in Nashville, 1957. This song is said by many to be the beginning of the "Nashville Sound."
February 8:
Joe South born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1942 (now 68)
Dan Seals born in McCamey, Texas, 1948 (now 62)
Don Wayne Reno of the Reno Brothers born in Roanoke, Virginia, 1963 (now 47)
Pappy Daily born in Yoakum, Texas, 1902 (died 1987)
Bob Dunn born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, 1908 (died 1971). Dunn is credited as being the first country musician to use amplification for his instrument.
Merle Watson born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, 1949 (died 1985)
Lulu Belle Wiseman died (Alzheimer's disease), 1999 (was 84)
Keith Knudsen of Southern Pacific died (chronic pneumonia), 2005 (was 56)
February 9:
Red Lane born in Zona, Louisiana, 1939 (now 71)
Joe Ely born in Amarillo, Texas, 1947 (now 63)
Travis Tritt born in Marietta, Georgia, 1963 (now 47)
Ernest Tubb born in Crisp, Texas, 1914 (died 1984)
February 10:
George York of the York Brothers born in Louisa, Kentucky, 1910 (died 1974)
Arthur Satherley died (natural causes), 1986 (was 96)
Kendall Hayes died (cancer), 1995 (was 59)
Jim Varney died (lung cancer), 2000 (was 50)
February 11:
Wesley Rose born in Chicago, Illinois, 1918 (died 1980)
February 12:
Moe Bandy born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1944 (now 66)
Stephen Sholes born in Washington, DC, 1911 (died 1968)
Harley "Red" Allen born in Pigeon Roost, Kentucky, 1930 (died 1993)
Lorne Greene born in Ottawa, Ontario, 1915 (died 1987). The legendary actor hit the Billboard top 40 country charts in 1964 with "Ringo."
Sammi Smith died (emphysema), 2005 (was 61)
February 13:
David McLaughlin of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Washington, DC, 1958 (now 52)
Tennessee Ernie Ford born in Bristol, Tennessee, 1919 (died 1991)
Boudleaux Bryant born in Shellman, Georgia, 1920 (died 1987)
Jim McReynolds of Jim & Jessee born in Coeburn, Virginia, 1927 (died 2003)
Charlie Moore born in Piedmont, South Carolina, 1935 (died 1979)
Buddy Lee died (cancer), 1998 (was 65)
Waylon Jennings died (complications of diabetes), 2002 (was 64)
February 14:
Razzy Bailey born in Five Points, Alabama, 1939 (now 71)
Bill Nowlin, co-founder of Rounder Records, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1945 (now 65)
Harry Stone born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1898 (died 1968)
Lonnie Glosson born in Judsonia, Arkansas, 1908 (died 2001)
Buck Griffin died (heart failure), 2009 (was 85)
February 15:
Hank Locklin born in McLellan, Florida, 1918 (died 2009)
Wally Fowler born in Adairsville, Georgia, 1917 (died 1994)
Louise Scruggs born in Lebanon, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2006)
Nat "King" Cole died (lung cancer), 1965 (was 45). The legendary pop crooner hit #1 on the Billboard country charts in 1944 (with the King Cole Trio) with the song "Straighten Up and Fly Right."
Dorris Macon died (suicide), 1981 (was 71)
Roy Lanham died in Camarillo, California (cancer), 1991 (was 68)
(Hall of Famers in bold)
February 1:
Don Everly born in Brownie, Kentucky, 1937 (now 73)
Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook born in Chicksaw, Alabama, 1937 (now 72)
Del McCoury born in Bakersville, North Carolina, 1939 (now 71)
Lisa Marie Presley born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1968 (now 42)
Scotty Wiseman died (heart attack), 1981 (was 71)
February 2:
Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers born in Darby, Florida, 1946 (now 64)
Emmett Miller born in Macon, Georgia, 1900 (died 1962)
Lester McFarland of Mac & Bob born in Gray, Kentucky, 1902 (died 1984)
Glenn Barber born in Hollis, Oklahoma, 1935 (died 2008)
Rusty Kershaw born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, 1938 (died 2001)
Louise Scruggs, wife and manager of Earl Scruggs, died, 2006 (was 78)
February 3:
Dave Rich born in Briar Creek, Kentucky, 1936 (now 74). Ernest Tubb heard a recording of Rich's and hounded friend Ray Price throughout a game of golf to record the song. The song? "City Lights."
Matraca Berg born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1964 (now 46)
Betty Foley, daughter and one-time duet partner of Red Foley, born in Chicago, Illinois, 1933 (died 1990)
Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson died (plane crash), 1959 (was 28)
Buddy Holly died (plane crash), 1959 (was 22)
James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet died (stroke), 2002 (was 83). He was the last member of the original legendary Southern Gospel quartet.
February 4:
Clint Black born in Long Branch, New Jersey, 1962 (now 48)
Chris McDaniel of Confederate Railroad born in Rock Springs, Georgia, 1965 (now 45)
Vic McAlpin born in Defeated Creek, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1980)
Kenneth "Jethro" Burns died (prostate cancer), 1989 (was 68)
Tom Brumley of Buck Owens' Buckaroos died (heart ailment), 2009 (was 62)
February 5:
Claude King born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1933 (now 77).
Sara Evans born in Boonville, Missouri, 1971 (now 39)
Shelby David "Tex" Atchison born in Rosine, Kentucky, 1912 (died 1982)
Henson Cargill born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1941 (died 2007)
Eddy Noack died (cerebral hemorrhage), 1978 (was 47)
February 6:
Dale Reno of the Reno Brothers born in Roanoke, Virginia, 1961 (now 49)
Richie McDonald of Lonestar born in Lubbock, Texas, 1962 (now 48)
Anita Cochran born in Pontiac, Michigan, 1967 (now 43)
Violet Koehler of the original Coon Creek Girls born in Wilton, Wisconsin, 1916 (died 1973)
Merle Kilgore died (cancer), 2005 (was 70)
Frankie Laine died (complications from hip replacement surgery), 2007 (was 93)
February 7:
Wilma Lee Cooper born in Valley Head, West Virginia, 1921 (now 89)
Garth Brooks born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1962 (now 48)
Tony Booth born in Tampa, Florida, 1943 (now 67)
Warren Smith born in Humphreys County, Mississippi, 1933 (died 1980)
Ambrose Allen of the Allen Brothers born in Sewanee, Tennessee, 1901 (died 1959)
Dale Evans died (congestive heart failure), 2001 (was 88)
Molly Bee died (complications of a stroke), 2009 (was 68)
Patsy Cline's last recording session, Nashville, 1963. The last song she recorded was a cover of Moon Mullican's "I'll Sail My Ship Alone."
Jim Reeves recorded "Four Walls" in Nashville, 1957. This song is said by many to be the beginning of the "Nashville Sound."
February 8:
Joe South born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1942 (now 68)
Dan Seals born in McCamey, Texas, 1948 (now 62)
Don Wayne Reno of the Reno Brothers born in Roanoke, Virginia, 1963 (now 47)
Pappy Daily born in Yoakum, Texas, 1902 (died 1987)
Bob Dunn born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, 1908 (died 1971). Dunn is credited as being the first country musician to use amplification for his instrument.
Merle Watson born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, 1949 (died 1985)
Lulu Belle Wiseman died (Alzheimer's disease), 1999 (was 84)
Keith Knudsen of Southern Pacific died (chronic pneumonia), 2005 (was 56)
February 9:
Red Lane born in Zona, Louisiana, 1939 (now 71)
Joe Ely born in Amarillo, Texas, 1947 (now 63)
Travis Tritt born in Marietta, Georgia, 1963 (now 47)
Ernest Tubb born in Crisp, Texas, 1914 (died 1984)
February 10:
George York of the York Brothers born in Louisa, Kentucky, 1910 (died 1974)
Arthur Satherley died (natural causes), 1986 (was 96)
Kendall Hayes died (cancer), 1995 (was 59)
Jim Varney died (lung cancer), 2000 (was 50)
February 11:
Wesley Rose born in Chicago, Illinois, 1918 (died 1980)
February 12:
Moe Bandy born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1944 (now 66)
Stephen Sholes born in Washington, DC, 1911 (died 1968)
Harley "Red" Allen born in Pigeon Roost, Kentucky, 1930 (died 1993)
Lorne Greene born in Ottawa, Ontario, 1915 (died 1987). The legendary actor hit the Billboard top 40 country charts in 1964 with "Ringo."
Sammi Smith died (emphysema), 2005 (was 61)
February 13:
David McLaughlin of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Washington, DC, 1958 (now 52)
Tennessee Ernie Ford born in Bristol, Tennessee, 1919 (died 1991)
Boudleaux Bryant born in Shellman, Georgia, 1920 (died 1987)
Jim McReynolds of Jim & Jessee born in Coeburn, Virginia, 1927 (died 2003)
Charlie Moore born in Piedmont, South Carolina, 1935 (died 1979)
Buddy Lee died (cancer), 1998 (was 65)
Waylon Jennings died (complications of diabetes), 2002 (was 64)
February 14:
Razzy Bailey born in Five Points, Alabama, 1939 (now 71)
Bill Nowlin, co-founder of Rounder Records, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1945 (now 65)
Harry Stone born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1898 (died 1968)
Lonnie Glosson born in Judsonia, Arkansas, 1908 (died 2001)
Buck Griffin died (heart failure), 2009 (was 85)
February 15:
Hank Locklin born in McLellan, Florida, 1918 (died 2009)
Wally Fowler born in Adairsville, Georgia, 1917 (died 1994)
Louise Scruggs born in Lebanon, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2006)
Nat "King" Cole died (lung cancer), 1965 (was 45). The legendary pop crooner hit #1 on the Billboard country charts in 1944 (with the King Cole Trio) with the song "Straighten Up and Fly Right."
Dorris Macon died (suicide), 1981 (was 71)
Roy Lanham died in Camarillo, California (cancer), 1991 (was 68)
Friday, January 22, 2010
Musical Freight Train
Category: Concert Review
In over a dozen years of attending bluegrass shows at the Shepherdsville Country Music Place, the January 22 Dailey and Vincent show is the first time I have ever walked into a venue already three-fourths full -- some 75 minutes before the show. The early arrivals, in addition to getting a coveted seat for the concert, were treated to two songs in the sound check: "The Class of '57," the classic Statler Brothers song, and an a cappella rendition of "Get Down on Your Knees and Pray."
When the sound check raises goose bumps there is quite an expectation. Forgive the cliche, but Dailey and Vincent did not disappoint. They took the stage five minutes early like a musical freight train heading full-throttle toward the audience, and they did not slow down until after "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," which was their seventh song into the show.
Former Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver lead/tenor singer Jamie Dailey and former Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder mandolinist Darrin Vincent (younger brother of Rhonda Vincent) teamed up in 2007, and since then they have been bowling over the bluegrass world the way they mesmerized the capacity crowd in Shepherdsville. Eight IBMA Awards (including back-to-back Entertainer of the Year trophies) later, they are the hottest act in bluegrass -- and for very good reason. In the finest tradition of old-time performers, Dailey and Vincent combine fine harmonies, good music, superb song selection, and a healthy dose of comedy to provide a very entertaining show. And entertain is exactly what they did, to the point where they took a ten-minute intermission almost under duress.
Dailey and Vincent (center) singing
with band members Jeff Parker (l)
and Christian Davis
As with both of their former bosses, a number of gospel songs were performed throughout the show, highlighting the new totally a cappella release Singing From the Heart. Additionally, they performed several Statler Brothers tunes to promote the forthcoming release Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers, which will be available beginning February 1 at Cracker Barrel stores.
The duo received a number of standing ovations during the show, including for their spine-tingling rendition of the Statlers' "More Than a Name on a Wall." After finishing with "Don't You Want to Go to Heaven When You Die," they were called back for an encore. Before closing the show, Dailey quipped, "Phew. It's pretty tiring when you sing for yourself."
The band has already been well-received in bluegrass circles, but there is no telling where they will go from here. Based on their superlative performance Friday night, each and every accolade they receive will be more than deserved.
In over a dozen years of attending bluegrass shows at the Shepherdsville Country Music Place, the January 22 Dailey and Vincent show is the first time I have ever walked into a venue already three-fourths full -- some 75 minutes before the show. The early arrivals, in addition to getting a coveted seat for the concert, were treated to two songs in the sound check: "The Class of '57," the classic Statler Brothers song, and an a cappella rendition of "Get Down on Your Knees and Pray."
When the sound check raises goose bumps there is quite an expectation. Forgive the cliche, but Dailey and Vincent did not disappoint. They took the stage five minutes early like a musical freight train heading full-throttle toward the audience, and they did not slow down until after "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," which was their seventh song into the show.
Former Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver lead/tenor singer Jamie Dailey and former Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder mandolinist Darrin Vincent (younger brother of Rhonda Vincent) teamed up in 2007, and since then they have been bowling over the bluegrass world the way they mesmerized the capacity crowd in Shepherdsville. Eight IBMA Awards (including back-to-back Entertainer of the Year trophies) later, they are the hottest act in bluegrass -- and for very good reason. In the finest tradition of old-time performers, Dailey and Vincent combine fine harmonies, good music, superb song selection, and a healthy dose of comedy to provide a very entertaining show. And entertain is exactly what they did, to the point where they took a ten-minute intermission almost under duress.
Dailey and Vincent (center) singing
with band members Jeff Parker (l)
and Christian Davis
As with both of their former bosses, a number of gospel songs were performed throughout the show, highlighting the new totally a cappella release Singing From the Heart. Additionally, they performed several Statler Brothers tunes to promote the forthcoming release Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers, which will be available beginning February 1 at Cracker Barrel stores.
The duo received a number of standing ovations during the show, including for their spine-tingling rendition of the Statlers' "More Than a Name on a Wall." After finishing with "Don't You Want to Go to Heaven When You Die," they were called back for an encore. Before closing the show, Dailey quipped, "Phew. It's pretty tiring when you sing for yourself."
The band has already been well-received in bluegrass circles, but there is no telling where they will go from here. Based on their superlative performance Friday night, each and every accolade they receive will be more than deserved.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
If Teardrops Were Pennies
Category: Obituary
It is with tremendous sadness that I report the passing of one of country music's greatest entertainers, singers, and legends. Carl Smith passed away Saturday (January 16) in Nashville.
Carl began his career in Knoxville (which could be nicknamed "the cradle of the Hall of Fame" given all the Hall of Famers who started there), on WROL. In 1951 he married June Carter and got a record deal on Columbia. The marriage to June didn't last. The marriage to Columbia was far more successful, as Carl scored hit after hit through the 1950s and 60s.
He continued to have hits in the 1970s, but he -- not the decline in success -- ended his career. He retired to live on his farm with second wife Goldie Hill (of "I Let the Stars Get in My Eyes" fame) and raise horses.
Carl's career earned him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003. However, in one of the biggest insults to a Hall of Fame inductee ever displayed, he was not allowed to give a speech on the CMA Awards telecast the night of his induction. Had traditional country fan Vince Gill not been hosting the show and acknowledged Carl in his seat, the very presence of the newest recipient of country's highest honor would have gone completely unnoticed.
The love of Carl's life, Goldie Hill, died in February 2005 of cancer. They had been married for 47 years at the time of her passing.
Country music has lost a "tall tall gentleman" of talent. We will not see the likes of him again.
A sad and loving farewell to Carl Smith, who was 82.
It is with tremendous sadness that I report the passing of one of country music's greatest entertainers, singers, and legends. Carl Smith passed away Saturday (January 16) in Nashville.
Carl began his career in Knoxville (which could be nicknamed "the cradle of the Hall of Fame" given all the Hall of Famers who started there), on WROL. In 1951 he married June Carter and got a record deal on Columbia. The marriage to June didn't last. The marriage to Columbia was far more successful, as Carl scored hit after hit through the 1950s and 60s.
He continued to have hits in the 1970s, but he -- not the decline in success -- ended his career. He retired to live on his farm with second wife Goldie Hill (of "I Let the Stars Get in My Eyes" fame) and raise horses.
Carl's career earned him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003. However, in one of the biggest insults to a Hall of Fame inductee ever displayed, he was not allowed to give a speech on the CMA Awards telecast the night of his induction. Had traditional country fan Vince Gill not been hosting the show and acknowledged Carl in his seat, the very presence of the newest recipient of country's highest honor would have gone completely unnoticed.
The love of Carl's life, Goldie Hill, died in February 2005 of cancer. They had been married for 47 years at the time of her passing.
Country music has lost a "tall tall gentleman" of talent. We will not see the likes of him again.
A sad and loving farewell to Carl Smith, who was 82.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Dates of Note in Country Music, January 16-31
Category: News
Hall of Famers in bold
January 16:
Ronnie Milsap born in Robbinsville, North Carolina, 1943 (now 67)
Jim Stafford born in Eloise, Florida, 1944 (now 66)
Sandy Pinkard of Pinkard & Bowden born in Abbeville, Louisiana, 1947 (now 63)
Roy Lanham of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Corbin, Kentucky, 1923 (died 1991)
Ruby Falls born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1946 (died 1986)
Dizzy Dean born in Lucas, Arkansas, 1910 (died 1974). The legendary baseball player is credited with dubbing Roy Acuff "King of Country Music."
Bill Monroe seriously injured in a car wreck, 1953. Monroe was away from performing for six months while recovering.
January 17:
Amanda Wilkinson of the Wilkinsons born in Belleville, Ontario, 1982 (now 28)
Steve Earle born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, 1955 (now 55)
Walter Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1920 (died 2000)
Grady Martin born in Marshall County, Tennessee, 1929 (died 2001)
Cliffie Stone died (heart attack), 1998 (was 80)
Frank "Hylo" Brown died (natural causes), 2003 (was 81)
The street in front of Graceland renamed "Elvis Presley Boulevard," 1972
January 18:
Bobby Edwards born in Aniston, Alabama, 1926 (now 84)
Hargus "Pig" Robbins born in Spring City, Tennessee, 1938 (now 72)
Mark Collie born in Waynesboro, Tennessee, 1956 (now 54)
Linda Parker of the Cumberland Ridge Runners born in Covington, Kentucky, 1912 (died 1935)
Eddie Hill died (long-term illness), 1994 (was 74)
January 19:
Oscar Sullivan born in Edmonton, Kentucky, 1919 (now 91)
Stu Phillips born in Montreal, Quebec, 1933 (now 77)
Phil Everly born in Chicago, Illinois, 1939 (now 71)
Dolly Parton born in Locast Ridge, Tennessee, 1946 (now 64)
Stephanie Davis born in Bridger, Montana, 1958 (now 52)
Dennie Crouch of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Strawberry, Arkansas, 1967 (now 43)
Leo Soileau born in Ville Platte, Louisiana, 1904 (died 1980)
Ken Nelson born in Caledonia, Minnesota, 1911 (died 2008)
Ralph Peer died (unknown cause), 1960 (was 67)
Vic McAlpin died (unknown cause), 1980 (was 61)
Carl Perkins died (stroke), 1998 (was 65)
January 20:
Slim Whitman born in Tampa, Florida, 1924 (now 86). In 2008, Whitman was incorrectly listed as deceased the day after his birthday.
John Michael Montgomery born in Danville, Kentucky, 1965 (now 45)
George Burns born in New York, New York, 1896 (died 1996). The legendary comedian and actor had a top 20 country song in 1980 with "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again."
January 21:
Mac Davis born in Lubbock, Texas, 1942 (now 68)
Jim Ibbottson of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1947 (now 63)
Huddie "Leadbelly" Leadbetter born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, 1889 (died 1949). The year of Leadbelly's birth is open for debate, as is the actual day, with numerous sources citing January 20, January 21, or January 23, and years of 1888 or 1889.
Cedric Rainwater died (heart attack), 1970 (was 56)
Jim Anglin died (cancer), 1987 (was 73)
Colonel Tom Parker died (stroke), 1997 (was 87). In addition to Elvis, Parker managed Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, and Minnie Pearl early in their careers.
Patsy Cline appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and won the talent show,1957
January 22:
Teddy Gentry of Alabama born in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1952 (now 58)
J.P. Pennington of Exile born in Berea, Kentucky, 1949 (now 61)
Dickie McBride of Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers born in New Baden, Texas, 1914 (died 1971)
Jimmy Day died (cancer), 1999 (was 65)
Janette Carter, the last surviving member of the Carter Family, died (Parkinson's disease/illness), 2006 (was 82)
January 23:
Etta May born in Bald Knob, Arkansas, 1962 (now 48)
Johnny Russell born in Sunflower County, Mississippi, 1940 (died 2001)
T. Texas Tyler died (cancer), 1972 (was 55)
Art Stamper (fiddler in the Clinch Mountain Boys) died (throat cancer), 2005 (was 71)
Johnny Carson died (emphysema), 2005 (was 79). Carson had a number of country artists on The Tonight Show, including over three dozen appearances by Homer and Jethro, who Carson considered his favorites.
The Winter Dance Party begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1959. Three of the headliners, Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and Richie Valens, would die 11 days later.
January 24:
Doug Kershaw born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, 1936 (now 74)
Jack Scott born in Windsor, Ontario, 1936 (now 72)
Ray Stevens born in Clarksdale, Georgia, 1939 (now 71)
Becky Hobbs born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1950 (now 60)
Keech Rainwater of Lonestar born in Plano, Texas, 1963 (now 47)
Shot Jackson died (complications of stroke), 1991 (was 70)
Justin Tubb died (aortic aneurysm), 1998 (was 62)
January 25:
Claude Gray born in Henderson, Texas, 1932 (now 78)
Rusty Draper born in Kirksville, Missouri, 1923 (died 2003)
Speedy West born in Springfield, Missouri, 1924 (died 2003)
Cactus Jack Call died (car wreck), 1963. A benefit concert for the disc jockey five weeks later was the final performances by Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas.
January 26:
James O'Gwynn born in Winchester, Mississippi, 1928 (now 82)
Dave Rowland of Dave & Sugar born in Sanger, California, 1942 (now 68)
Lucinda Williams born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, 1953 (now 57)
Clayton McMichen born in Allatoona, Georgia, 1900 (died 1970)
Goebel Reeves died (heart attack), 1959 (was 59)
Hillary Clinton disparagingly invoked Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" during an interview, 1992
January 27:
Buddy Emmons born in Mishawaka, Indiana, 1937 (now 73)
Lee Carroll of Exile born in Glasgow, Kentucky, 1953 (now 57)
Cheryl White of the Whites born in Wichita Falls, Texas, 1955 (now 55)
Richard Young of the Kentucky Headhunters born in Glasgow, Kentucky, 1955 (now 55)
Tracy Lawrence born in Atlanta, Texas, 1968 (now 42)
Joe Callahan of the Callahan Brothers born in Madison County, North Carolina, 1910 (died 1971)
Claude Akins died (cancer), 1994 (was 67). Among the actor's roles was Sonny on the TV series Movin' On, which featured the title song performed by Merle Haggard.
January 28:
Bill Phillips born in Canton, North Carolina, 1936 (now 73)
Greg Cook of Ricochet born in Vian, Oklahoma, 1965 (now 45)
Skeeter Willis died (lymph cancer), 1976 (was 58)
Al Dexter died (heart attack), 1984 (was 78)
Jimmy Fortune joins the Statler Brothers, 1982
January 29:
Patsy Sledd born in Falcon, Missouri, 1944 (now 66)
Irlene Mandrell of the Mandrell Sisters born in Corpus Christi, Texas, 1957 (now 53)
Lloyd Perryman of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Ruth, Arkansas, 1917 (died 1977)
Little Jimmy Sizemore born in Paintsville, Kentucky, 1928 (died 1985)
January 30:
Jeanne Pruett born in Pell City, Alabama, 1937 (now 73)
Norma Jean ("Pretty Miss Norma Jean") born in Wellston, Oklahoma, 1938 (now 72)
Harold Morrison born in High Lonesome, Missouri, 1931 (died 1993)
Melvin Endsley born in Drasco, Arkansas, 1934 (died 2004)
Ott Devine died (unknown cause), 1994 (was 83)
January 31:
Lynwood Lunsford of Lost & Found born in Roxboro, North Carolina, 1962 (now 48)
Warren Smith died (heart attack), 1981 (was 47)
Hall of Famers in bold
January 16:
Ronnie Milsap born in Robbinsville, North Carolina, 1943 (now 67)
Jim Stafford born in Eloise, Florida, 1944 (now 66)
Sandy Pinkard of Pinkard & Bowden born in Abbeville, Louisiana, 1947 (now 63)
Roy Lanham of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Corbin, Kentucky, 1923 (died 1991)
Ruby Falls born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1946 (died 1986)
Dizzy Dean born in Lucas, Arkansas, 1910 (died 1974). The legendary baseball player is credited with dubbing Roy Acuff "King of Country Music."
Bill Monroe seriously injured in a car wreck, 1953. Monroe was away from performing for six months while recovering.
January 17:
Amanda Wilkinson of the Wilkinsons born in Belleville, Ontario, 1982 (now 28)
Steve Earle born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, 1955 (now 55)
Walter Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1920 (died 2000)
Grady Martin born in Marshall County, Tennessee, 1929 (died 2001)
Cliffie Stone died (heart attack), 1998 (was 80)
Frank "Hylo" Brown died (natural causes), 2003 (was 81)
The street in front of Graceland renamed "Elvis Presley Boulevard," 1972
January 18:
Bobby Edwards born in Aniston, Alabama, 1926 (now 84)
Hargus "Pig" Robbins born in Spring City, Tennessee, 1938 (now 72)
Mark Collie born in Waynesboro, Tennessee, 1956 (now 54)
Linda Parker of the Cumberland Ridge Runners born in Covington, Kentucky, 1912 (died 1935)
Eddie Hill died (long-term illness), 1994 (was 74)
January 19:
Oscar Sullivan born in Edmonton, Kentucky, 1919 (now 91)
Stu Phillips born in Montreal, Quebec, 1933 (now 77)
Phil Everly born in Chicago, Illinois, 1939 (now 71)
Dolly Parton born in Locast Ridge, Tennessee, 1946 (now 64)
Stephanie Davis born in Bridger, Montana, 1958 (now 52)
Dennie Crouch of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Strawberry, Arkansas, 1967 (now 43)
Leo Soileau born in Ville Platte, Louisiana, 1904 (died 1980)
Ken Nelson born in Caledonia, Minnesota, 1911 (died 2008)
Ralph Peer died (unknown cause), 1960 (was 67)
Vic McAlpin died (unknown cause), 1980 (was 61)
Carl Perkins died (stroke), 1998 (was 65)
January 20:
Slim Whitman born in Tampa, Florida, 1924 (now 86). In 2008, Whitman was incorrectly listed as deceased the day after his birthday.
John Michael Montgomery born in Danville, Kentucky, 1965 (now 45)
George Burns born in New York, New York, 1896 (died 1996). The legendary comedian and actor had a top 20 country song in 1980 with "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again."
January 21:
Mac Davis born in Lubbock, Texas, 1942 (now 68)
Jim Ibbottson of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1947 (now 63)
Huddie "Leadbelly" Leadbetter born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, 1889 (died 1949). The year of Leadbelly's birth is open for debate, as is the actual day, with numerous sources citing January 20, January 21, or January 23, and years of 1888 or 1889.
Cedric Rainwater died (heart attack), 1970 (was 56)
Jim Anglin died (cancer), 1987 (was 73)
Colonel Tom Parker died (stroke), 1997 (was 87). In addition to Elvis, Parker managed Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, and Minnie Pearl early in their careers.
Patsy Cline appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and won the talent show,1957
January 22:
Teddy Gentry of Alabama born in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1952 (now 58)
J.P. Pennington of Exile born in Berea, Kentucky, 1949 (now 61)
Dickie McBride of Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers born in New Baden, Texas, 1914 (died 1971)
Jimmy Day died (cancer), 1999 (was 65)
Janette Carter, the last surviving member of the Carter Family, died (Parkinson's disease/illness), 2006 (was 82)
January 23:
Etta May born in Bald Knob, Arkansas, 1962 (now 48)
Johnny Russell born in Sunflower County, Mississippi, 1940 (died 2001)
T. Texas Tyler died (cancer), 1972 (was 55)
Art Stamper (fiddler in the Clinch Mountain Boys) died (throat cancer), 2005 (was 71)
Johnny Carson died (emphysema), 2005 (was 79). Carson had a number of country artists on The Tonight Show, including over three dozen appearances by Homer and Jethro, who Carson considered his favorites.
The Winter Dance Party begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1959. Three of the headliners, Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and Richie Valens, would die 11 days later.
January 24:
Doug Kershaw born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, 1936 (now 74)
Jack Scott born in Windsor, Ontario, 1936 (now 72)
Ray Stevens born in Clarksdale, Georgia, 1939 (now 71)
Becky Hobbs born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1950 (now 60)
Keech Rainwater of Lonestar born in Plano, Texas, 1963 (now 47)
Shot Jackson died (complications of stroke), 1991 (was 70)
Justin Tubb died (aortic aneurysm), 1998 (was 62)
January 25:
Claude Gray born in Henderson, Texas, 1932 (now 78)
Rusty Draper born in Kirksville, Missouri, 1923 (died 2003)
Speedy West born in Springfield, Missouri, 1924 (died 2003)
Cactus Jack Call died (car wreck), 1963. A benefit concert for the disc jockey five weeks later was the final performances by Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas.
January 26:
James O'Gwynn born in Winchester, Mississippi, 1928 (now 82)
Dave Rowland of Dave & Sugar born in Sanger, California, 1942 (now 68)
Lucinda Williams born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, 1953 (now 57)
Clayton McMichen born in Allatoona, Georgia, 1900 (died 1970)
Goebel Reeves died (heart attack), 1959 (was 59)
Hillary Clinton disparagingly invoked Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" during an interview, 1992
January 27:
Buddy Emmons born in Mishawaka, Indiana, 1937 (now 73)
Lee Carroll of Exile born in Glasgow, Kentucky, 1953 (now 57)
Cheryl White of the Whites born in Wichita Falls, Texas, 1955 (now 55)
Richard Young of the Kentucky Headhunters born in Glasgow, Kentucky, 1955 (now 55)
Tracy Lawrence born in Atlanta, Texas, 1968 (now 42)
Joe Callahan of the Callahan Brothers born in Madison County, North Carolina, 1910 (died 1971)
Claude Akins died (cancer), 1994 (was 67). Among the actor's roles was Sonny on the TV series Movin' On, which featured the title song performed by Merle Haggard.
January 28:
Bill Phillips born in Canton, North Carolina, 1936 (now 73)
Greg Cook of Ricochet born in Vian, Oklahoma, 1965 (now 45)
Skeeter Willis died (lymph cancer), 1976 (was 58)
Al Dexter died (heart attack), 1984 (was 78)
Jimmy Fortune joins the Statler Brothers, 1982
January 29:
Patsy Sledd born in Falcon, Missouri, 1944 (now 66)
Irlene Mandrell of the Mandrell Sisters born in Corpus Christi, Texas, 1957 (now 53)
Lloyd Perryman of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Ruth, Arkansas, 1917 (died 1977)
Little Jimmy Sizemore born in Paintsville, Kentucky, 1928 (died 1985)
January 30:
Jeanne Pruett born in Pell City, Alabama, 1937 (now 73)
Norma Jean ("Pretty Miss Norma Jean") born in Wellston, Oklahoma, 1938 (now 72)
Harold Morrison born in High Lonesome, Missouri, 1931 (died 1993)
Melvin Endsley born in Drasco, Arkansas, 1934 (died 2004)
Ott Devine died (unknown cause), 1994 (was 83)
January 31:
Lynwood Lunsford of Lost & Found born in Roxboro, North Carolina, 1962 (now 48)
Warren Smith died (heart attack), 1981 (was 47)
Monday, January 04, 2010
A 90-Second Pick-Me-Up
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: When I Lift Up My Head
ARTIST: BrownsSONGWRITER: Dottie Rambo
ALBUM: Old Country ChurchYEAR/LABEL: 1967; RCA Victor
That's not a song people usually mention.
(Maxine Brown, discussing "When I Lift Up My Head," July 4, 2009)
It has often been said, given the number of sibling acts in country music history, that there is no harmony like family harmony. Very few people have proven that more accurately than the Browns.
The trio began as a duet, just Jim Ed and his older sister Maxine. When Bonnie graduated from high school she joined the group. Their career seemed at an end when Jim Ed was drafted, but good friend (and guitarist on the first Browns recordings) Jim Reeves went to bat for them at RCA and got them signed. Their first RCA hit was one for the ages: the Louvin Brothers composition "I Take the Chance." Out of the Army, in 1959 Jim Ed recorded the landmark "The Three Bells" with his sisters. and set everyone in country and pop on their ears with the song. Other hits followed, including "Scarlet Ribbons" and a version of Hank Locklin's "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On." In 1967 the two sisters retired from show business to concentrate on raising their families, leaving Jim Ed as a solo artist.
Before they parted company professionally they recorded a gospel album, Old Country Church. The shortest song on the album is also the best: "When I Lift Up My Head."
Written by the late gospel great Dottie Rambo, the song takes up just 91 seconds of time. It is the most enjoyable, uplifting minute and a half on the record -- or just about anywhere. Maxine sang the lead with her sibling backing her on a "call and response" throughout the song. Regardless of a person's religious belief, the pure joy of this song will lift their spirit.
The Browns have performed numerous "reunion" shows on the Grand Ole Opry and the Midnite Jamboree in Nashville that have filled the auditoriums. The joy of the music provided by the first family of harmony is the reason people pack the house. That joy is most evident in the brief by exceptional "When I Lift Up My Head."
OTHER BROWNS MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Jim Edward, Maxine and Bonnie Brown album -- golden nuggets ("Lookin' Back to See," "I Heard the Bluebirds Sing"), an early Conway Twitty composition ("The Table Next to Me"), and a cover photo featuring Jim Ed holding Hawkshaw Hawkins' guitar.
"The Bandit" (from Three Shades of Brown) -- the theme to the 1953 film O Cangaceiro gets the harmony treatment from the Browns.
"Man With a Plan" (available on The Three Bells 8-CD set) -- a fun song written by Ira Louvin.
"The Three Bells" -- it may sound strange to include this, since it was not only the biggest hit of the Browns' career but one of the biggest songs in country music history, but get this recording out and enjoy it. It is a masterpiece. If you don't have goosebumps, have someone check your pulse.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
Rose of My Heart
Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me
Playboy
Our Town
Old Memories Mean Nothing to Me
Not That I Care
Nobody Eats at Linebaugh's Anymore
My Book of Memories
Lost to a Stranger
A Little Bitty Heart
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Life is Too Short
I Want a Home in Dixie
I Lost Today
Fingerprints
Down to the River to Pray
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs
A Death in the Family
Dark as a Dungeon
Bottomless Well
(Rock)
Stealin' Time
Starting Tomorrow
Spellbound
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
She's a Runaway
Painted Bells
Out to Sea
One More Song
New Delhi Freight Train
Millworker
Long Way Home
Island
Heart of Rome
Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home
Entella Hotel
Desperados Under the Eaves
Crossing Muddy Waters
Cliffs of Dooneen
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Baby Mine
That's not a song people usually mention.
(Maxine Brown, discussing "When I Lift Up My Head," July 4, 2009)
It has often been said, given the number of sibling acts in country music history, that there is no harmony like family harmony. Very few people have proven that more accurately than the Browns.
The trio began as a duet, just Jim Ed and his older sister Maxine. When Bonnie graduated from high school she joined the group. Their career seemed at an end when Jim Ed was drafted, but good friend (and guitarist on the first Browns recordings) Jim Reeves went to bat for them at RCA and got them signed. Their first RCA hit was one for the ages: the Louvin Brothers composition "I Take the Chance." Out of the Army, in 1959 Jim Ed recorded the landmark "The Three Bells" with his sisters. and set everyone in country and pop on their ears with the song. Other hits followed, including "Scarlet Ribbons" and a version of Hank Locklin's "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On." In 1967 the two sisters retired from show business to concentrate on raising their families, leaving Jim Ed as a solo artist.
Before they parted company professionally they recorded a gospel album, Old Country Church. The shortest song on the album is also the best: "When I Lift Up My Head."
Written by the late gospel great Dottie Rambo, the song takes up just 91 seconds of time. It is the most enjoyable, uplifting minute and a half on the record -- or just about anywhere. Maxine sang the lead with her sibling backing her on a "call and response" throughout the song. Regardless of a person's religious belief, the pure joy of this song will lift their spirit.
The Browns have performed numerous "reunion" shows on the Grand Ole Opry and the Midnite Jamboree in Nashville that have filled the auditoriums. The joy of the music provided by the first family of harmony is the reason people pack the house. That joy is most evident in the brief by exceptional "When I Lift Up My Head."
OTHER BROWNS MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Jim Edward, Maxine and Bonnie Brown album -- golden nuggets ("Lookin' Back to See," "I Heard the Bluebirds Sing"), an early Conway Twitty composition ("The Table Next to Me"), and a cover photo featuring Jim Ed holding Hawkshaw Hawkins' guitar.
"The Bandit" (from Three Shades of Brown) -- the theme to the 1953 film O Cangaceiro gets the harmony treatment from the Browns.
"Man With a Plan" (available on The Three Bells 8-CD set) -- a fun song written by Ira Louvin.
"The Three Bells" -- it may sound strange to include this, since it was not only the biggest hit of the Browns' career but one of the biggest songs in country music history, but get this recording out and enjoy it. It is a masterpiece. If you don't have goosebumps, have someone check your pulse.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
Rose of My Heart
Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me
Playboy
Our Town
Old Memories Mean Nothing to Me
Not That I Care
Nobody Eats at Linebaugh's Anymore
My Book of Memories
Lost to a Stranger
A Little Bitty Heart
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Life is Too Short
I Want a Home in Dixie
I Lost Today
Fingerprints
Down to the River to Pray
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs
A Death in the Family
Dark as a Dungeon
Bottomless Well
(Rock)
Stealin' Time
Starting Tomorrow
Spellbound
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
She's a Runaway
Painted Bells
Out to Sea
One More Song
New Delhi Freight Train
Millworker
Long Way Home
Island
Heart of Rome
Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home
Entella Hotel
Desperados Under the Eaves
Crossing Muddy Waters
Cliffs of Dooneen
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Baby Mine
Friday, January 01, 2010
The New Year Starts Off Hot on a Cold Night
Category: Concert review
Part of the beauty of bluegrass music is the close connection and interaction between fans and bands. That connection enabled the Cherryholmes family to earn an ovation for their sound check, which they conducted in front of the early-arriving crowd at the Shepherdsville Country Music Place on New Year's Day evening. The lucky early comers, about half of the capacity crowd who would fill the house at show's beginning, appreciated the bonus music. The band most likely appreciated the size of the audience watching them tune up, given that their first appearance in Shepherdsville was before fewer than fifty people.
Cherryholmes opened the show with a beautiful a cappella rendition of the National Anthem before launching into the first half of the show. The highlights included a brand new song they premiered for the loyal Kentucky fans, a bluesy gospel number called "Changed in a Moment" featuring mom Sandy on lead vocal, and a smoking version of "Brand New Heartache."
The influence of jazz on bluegrass has only been mentioned comically, in the late Randall Hylton's song "The Mother of Bluegrass." In this show, Cia mentioned Django Reinhardt, probably the first time the jazz master has ever been referenced at a bluegrass show. The children did two jazz numbers, one vocal and one instrumental, to close out the first half of the show.
Cherryholmes returned after the intermission with a list of requests, and they fulfilled them all. At one point regional bluegrass star Tommy Brown joined the band onstage for a superb version of "Room at the Top of the Stairs." After the intermission requests were filled, Jere asked the audience if there were more songs. People called for "Red Satin Dress" and "He Goes to Church" (which they did), and, of course, the obligatory cry of "Free Bird." After stunning renditions of "No One to Sing for Me" and "When He Reached Down His Hand for Me," the band finished off with a smoking encore of "Orange Blossom Special."
Cherryholmes will return to Shepherdsville in late February for friend Tommy Brown's mid-winter festival. The fans who walked away with smiles on their faces after the family's mesmerizing performance on New Year's day are counting the moments until that next appearance.
Part of the beauty of bluegrass music is the close connection and interaction between fans and bands. That connection enabled the Cherryholmes family to earn an ovation for their sound check, which they conducted in front of the early-arriving crowd at the Shepherdsville Country Music Place on New Year's Day evening. The lucky early comers, about half of the capacity crowd who would fill the house at show's beginning, appreciated the bonus music. The band most likely appreciated the size of the audience watching them tune up, given that their first appearance in Shepherdsville was before fewer than fifty people.
Cherryholmes opened the show with a beautiful a cappella rendition of the National Anthem before launching into the first half of the show. The highlights included a brand new song they premiered for the loyal Kentucky fans, a bluesy gospel number called "Changed in a Moment" featuring mom Sandy on lead vocal, and a smoking version of "Brand New Heartache."
The influence of jazz on bluegrass has only been mentioned comically, in the late Randall Hylton's song "The Mother of Bluegrass." In this show, Cia mentioned Django Reinhardt, probably the first time the jazz master has ever been referenced at a bluegrass show. The children did two jazz numbers, one vocal and one instrumental, to close out the first half of the show.
Cherryholmes returned after the intermission with a list of requests, and they fulfilled them all. At one point regional bluegrass star Tommy Brown joined the band onstage for a superb version of "Room at the Top of the Stairs." After the intermission requests were filled, Jere asked the audience if there were more songs. People called for "Red Satin Dress" and "He Goes to Church" (which they did), and, of course, the obligatory cry of "Free Bird." After stunning renditions of "No One to Sing for Me" and "When He Reached Down His Hand for Me," the band finished off with a smoking encore of "Orange Blossom Special."
Cherryholmes will return to Shepherdsville in late February for friend Tommy Brown's mid-winter festival. The fans who walked away with smiles on their faces after the family's mesmerizing performance on New Year's day are counting the moments until that next appearance.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, January 1-15
Category: News
(Hall of Famers in bold)
January 1:
Frank Kettering of the Hoosier Hot Shots born in Monmouth, Illinois, 1909 (died 1973)
Hank Williams died (cardiac arrest), 1953 (was 29)
Aubrey "Moon" Mullican died (heart attack), 1967 (was 57)
Floyd "Salty" Holmes of the Prairie Ramblers died (unknown cause), 1970 (was 60)
Townes Van Zandt died (heart attack), 1997 (was 52)
Del Reeves died (emphysema), 2007 (was 73)
Johnny Cash played at San Quentin prison, 1959. Among the prisoners in attendance was Merle Haggard.
January 2:
Harold Bradley born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1926 (now 84)
Dick Feller born in Bronaugh, Missouri, 1943 (now 67)
Roger Miller born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1936 (died 1992)
Red Smiley died (complications from diabetes), 1972 (was 46)
Tex Ritter died (heart attack), 1974 (was 68)
Wayne Walker died (unknown causes), 1979 (was 53)
Louise Scruggs, wife and manager of Earl Scruggs, died (respiratory disease), 2006 (was 78)
January 3:
Nikki Nelson of Highway 101 born in San Diego, California, 1969 (now 41)
Leon McAuliffe born in Houston, Texas, 1917 (died 1988)
Felton Jarvis died (stroke), 1981 (was 46)
Quanah Talmadge Tubb (better known as Billy Talmadge Tubb) died (unknown causes), 2007 (was 81)
Grandpa Jones suffered stroke after performing on the Grand Ole Opry, 1998
Sam Phillips opened Sun Recording Studio, 1950
January 4:
Lorene Mann born in Huntland, Tennessee, 1937 (now 73)
Mike Henderson born in Independence, Missouri, 1955 (now 55)
Kathy Forester of the Forester Sisters born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1955 (now 55)
Patty Loveless born in Pikeville, Kentucky, 1957 (now 53)
Deana Carter born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1966 (now 44)
Clayton McMichen died (unknown causes), 1970 (was 69)
Jake Hess died (complications of heart attack), 2004 (was 76)
First barn dance program in America airs on WBAP, Fort Worth, Texas, 1923
January 5:
Steve Ripley of the Tractors born in Boise, Idaho, 1950 (now 60)
Iris DeMent born in Paragould, Arkansas, 1961 (now 49)
Big Bill Lister born in Kenedy, Texas, 1923 (died 2009)
Sam Phillips (Sun Records owner) born in Florence, Alabama, 1923 (died 2003)
Tug McGraw, former baseball pitcher and father of Tim McGraw, died (brain cancer), 2004 (was 59)
January 6:
Earl Scruggs born in Flint Hill, North Carolina, 1924 (now 86)
Joey Miskulin ("Joey the Cow Polka King") of Riders in the Sky born in Chicago, Illinois, 1949 (now 61)
Jett Williams born in Montgomery, Alabama, 1953 (now 57)
Harry "Hap" Peebles born in Anthony, Kansas, 1913 (died 1993)
Autry Inman born in Florence, Alabama, 1929 (died 1988)
Bobby Lord born in Sanford, Florida, 1934 (died 2008)
Chubby Wise died (heart attack), 1996 (was 80)
Bobby Austin died (illness), 2002 (was 68)
Sneaky Pete Kleinkow died (complications of Alzheimer's disease), 2007 (was 72)
Ken Nelson died (natural causes), 2008 (was 96)
January 7:
Jack Greene born in Maryville, Tennessee, 1930 (now 80)
Leona Williams born in Vienna, Missouri, 1943 (now 67)
Marshall Chapman born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1949 (now 61)
David Lee Murphy born in Herrin, Illinois, 1959 (now 51)
John Rich born in Amarillo, Texas, 1974 (now 36)
Bunny Biggs (Jamup of Jamup and Honey) born, 1897 (died 1948)
Owen Bradley died (heart ailment/complications of flu), 1998 (was 82)
January 8:
Christy Lane born in Peoria, Illinois, 1940 (now 70)
Holly Tashian born in New York, New York, 1946 (now 64)
Hoke Rice of the Rice Brothers born in Gainesville, Georgia, 1909 (died 1974)
Luther Perkins born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1928 (died 1968)
Elvis Presley born in Tupelo, Mississippi, 1935 (died 1977)
Randall Hylton born in Willis, Virginia, 1946 (died 2001)
Sara Carter died (natural causes), 1979 (was 79)
Maxwell Emmett "Pat" Buttram, sidekick to Gene Autry, died (kidney failure), 1994 (was 78)
Elvis Presley postage stamp (29c) issued by the U.S. Postal Service, 1993. The stamp is the Postal Service's best-selling commemorative stamp of all-time, with sales of over 517,000,000.
Billboard publishes first "Hillbilly Records" chart, 1944. The first #1 song was "Pistol Packin' Mama" -- the Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters version. Al Dexter's original would be the second #1 song in Billboard chart history.
January 9:
Roy Head born in Three Rivers, Texas, 1943 (now 67)
Crystal Gayle born in Paintsville, Kentucky, 1951 (now 59)
Jimmy Day born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1934 (died 1999)
Big Al Downing born in Lenapah, Oklahoma, 1940 (died 2005)
Jimmy Boyd ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus") born in McComb, Mississippi, 1940 (died 2009)
Richard Nixon born in Yorba Linda, California, 1913 (died 1994). Nixon was the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Grand Ole Opry (1974).
Jon Hager of the Hager Twins died (illness), 2009 (was 67)
January 10:
Curly Ray Cline born in Braisden, West Virginia, 1923 (died 1997)
Zeb Turner died (cancer), 1978 (was 62)
Loretta Webb married Oliver "Mooney" Lynn, 1948
January 11:
Naomi Judd born in Ashland, Kentucky, 1946 (now 64)
Robert Earl Keen born in Houston, Texas, 1956 (now 54)
Tommy Duncan born in Hillsboro, Texas, 1911 (died 1967)
Goldie Hill Smith born in Kanes County, Texas, 1933 (died 2005)
Max D. Barnes died (pneumonia), 2004 (was 67)
Jimmy Griffin of the Remingtons died (cancer), 2005 (was 61)
Stonewall Jackson filed $10 million age discrimination lawsuit against the Grand Ole Opry, 2007
January 12:
Ray Price born in Perryville, Texas, 1926 (now 84)
William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Brewton, Alabama, 1939 (now 71)
Ricky Van Shelton born in Danville, Virginia, 1952 (now 58)
LaWanda Lindsey born in Tampa, Florida, 1953 (now 57)
Claudia Church Crowell born in Lenoir, North Carolina, 1962 (now 48)
Tex Ritter born in Panola County, Texas, 1905 (died 1974)
Paul Warren died (illness), 1978 (was 59)
The film O Brother, Where Art Thou opened nationwide, 2001. The soundtrack won three Grammy awards: Album of the Year, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (Dan Tyminski, "Man of Constant Sorrow"), and Best Male Country Vocal Performance (Dr. Ralph Stanley, "O Death"). It also sold over five million copies and sparked a brief resurgence in the popularity of bluegrass and traditional country music.
January 13:
Trace Adkins born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1962 (now 48)
Jenny Lou Carson born in Decatur, Illinois, 1915 (died 1978)
Doyle Holly died (prostate cancer), 2007 (was 70)
January 14:
Billie Jo Spears born in Beaumont, Texas, 1937 (now 73)
J. Henry "T-Bone" Burnett born in St. Louis Missouri, 1948 (now 62)
January 15:
David Lynn Jones born in Bexar, Arkansas, 1950 (now 60)
Kurt Howell of Southern Pacific born in Winter Haven, Florida, 1958 (now 52)
Billy Walker born in Ralls, Texas, 1929 (died 2006)
Jack Guthrie died (tuberculosis), 1948 (was 32)
Vic Willis died (car wreck), 1995 (was 72)
(Hall of Famers in bold)
January 1:
Frank Kettering of the Hoosier Hot Shots born in Monmouth, Illinois, 1909 (died 1973)
Hank Williams died (cardiac arrest), 1953 (was 29)
Aubrey "Moon" Mullican died (heart attack), 1967 (was 57)
Floyd "Salty" Holmes of the Prairie Ramblers died (unknown cause), 1970 (was 60)
Townes Van Zandt died (heart attack), 1997 (was 52)
Del Reeves died (emphysema), 2007 (was 73)
Johnny Cash played at San Quentin prison, 1959. Among the prisoners in attendance was Merle Haggard.
January 2:
Harold Bradley born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1926 (now 84)
Dick Feller born in Bronaugh, Missouri, 1943 (now 67)
Roger Miller born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1936 (died 1992)
Red Smiley died (complications from diabetes), 1972 (was 46)
Tex Ritter died (heart attack), 1974 (was 68)
Wayne Walker died (unknown causes), 1979 (was 53)
Louise Scruggs, wife and manager of Earl Scruggs, died (respiratory disease), 2006 (was 78)
January 3:
Nikki Nelson of Highway 101 born in San Diego, California, 1969 (now 41)
Leon McAuliffe born in Houston, Texas, 1917 (died 1988)
Felton Jarvis died (stroke), 1981 (was 46)
Quanah Talmadge Tubb (better known as Billy Talmadge Tubb) died (unknown causes), 2007 (was 81)
Grandpa Jones suffered stroke after performing on the Grand Ole Opry, 1998
Sam Phillips opened Sun Recording Studio, 1950
January 4:
Lorene Mann born in Huntland, Tennessee, 1937 (now 73)
Mike Henderson born in Independence, Missouri, 1955 (now 55)
Kathy Forester of the Forester Sisters born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1955 (now 55)
Patty Loveless born in Pikeville, Kentucky, 1957 (now 53)
Deana Carter born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1966 (now 44)
Clayton McMichen died (unknown causes), 1970 (was 69)
Jake Hess died (complications of heart attack), 2004 (was 76)
First barn dance program in America airs on WBAP, Fort Worth, Texas, 1923
January 5:
Steve Ripley of the Tractors born in Boise, Idaho, 1950 (now 60)
Iris DeMent born in Paragould, Arkansas, 1961 (now 49)
Big Bill Lister born in Kenedy, Texas, 1923 (died 2009)
Sam Phillips (Sun Records owner) born in Florence, Alabama, 1923 (died 2003)
Tug McGraw, former baseball pitcher and father of Tim McGraw, died (brain cancer), 2004 (was 59)
January 6:
Earl Scruggs born in Flint Hill, North Carolina, 1924 (now 86)
Joey Miskulin ("Joey the Cow Polka King") of Riders in the Sky born in Chicago, Illinois, 1949 (now 61)
Jett Williams born in Montgomery, Alabama, 1953 (now 57)
Harry "Hap" Peebles born in Anthony, Kansas, 1913 (died 1993)
Autry Inman born in Florence, Alabama, 1929 (died 1988)
Bobby Lord born in Sanford, Florida, 1934 (died 2008)
Chubby Wise died (heart attack), 1996 (was 80)
Bobby Austin died (illness), 2002 (was 68)
Sneaky Pete Kleinkow died (complications of Alzheimer's disease), 2007 (was 72)
Ken Nelson died (natural causes), 2008 (was 96)
January 7:
Jack Greene born in Maryville, Tennessee, 1930 (now 80)
Leona Williams born in Vienna, Missouri, 1943 (now 67)
Marshall Chapman born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1949 (now 61)
David Lee Murphy born in Herrin, Illinois, 1959 (now 51)
John Rich born in Amarillo, Texas, 1974 (now 36)
Bunny Biggs (Jamup of Jamup and Honey) born, 1897 (died 1948)
Owen Bradley died (heart ailment/complications of flu), 1998 (was 82)
January 8:
Christy Lane born in Peoria, Illinois, 1940 (now 70)
Holly Tashian born in New York, New York, 1946 (now 64)
Hoke Rice of the Rice Brothers born in Gainesville, Georgia, 1909 (died 1974)
Luther Perkins born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1928 (died 1968)
Elvis Presley born in Tupelo, Mississippi, 1935 (died 1977)
Randall Hylton born in Willis, Virginia, 1946 (died 2001)
Sara Carter died (natural causes), 1979 (was 79)
Maxwell Emmett "Pat" Buttram, sidekick to Gene Autry, died (kidney failure), 1994 (was 78)
Elvis Presley postage stamp (29c) issued by the U.S. Postal Service, 1993. The stamp is the Postal Service's best-selling commemorative stamp of all-time, with sales of over 517,000,000.
Billboard publishes first "Hillbilly Records" chart, 1944. The first #1 song was "Pistol Packin' Mama" -- the Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters version. Al Dexter's original would be the second #1 song in Billboard chart history.
January 9:
Roy Head born in Three Rivers, Texas, 1943 (now 67)
Crystal Gayle born in Paintsville, Kentucky, 1951 (now 59)
Jimmy Day born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1934 (died 1999)
Big Al Downing born in Lenapah, Oklahoma, 1940 (died 2005)
Jimmy Boyd ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus") born in McComb, Mississippi, 1940 (died 2009)
Richard Nixon born in Yorba Linda, California, 1913 (died 1994). Nixon was the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Grand Ole Opry (1974).
Jon Hager of the Hager Twins died (illness), 2009 (was 67)
January 10:
Curly Ray Cline born in Braisden, West Virginia, 1923 (died 1997)
Zeb Turner died (cancer), 1978 (was 62)
Loretta Webb married Oliver "Mooney" Lynn, 1948
January 11:
Naomi Judd born in Ashland, Kentucky, 1946 (now 64)
Robert Earl Keen born in Houston, Texas, 1956 (now 54)
Tommy Duncan born in Hillsboro, Texas, 1911 (died 1967)
Goldie Hill Smith born in Kanes County, Texas, 1933 (died 2005)
Max D. Barnes died (pneumonia), 2004 (was 67)
Jimmy Griffin of the Remingtons died (cancer), 2005 (was 61)
Stonewall Jackson filed $10 million age discrimination lawsuit against the Grand Ole Opry, 2007
January 12:
Ray Price born in Perryville, Texas, 1926 (now 84)
William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Brewton, Alabama, 1939 (now 71)
Ricky Van Shelton born in Danville, Virginia, 1952 (now 58)
LaWanda Lindsey born in Tampa, Florida, 1953 (now 57)
Claudia Church Crowell born in Lenoir, North Carolina, 1962 (now 48)
Tex Ritter born in Panola County, Texas, 1905 (died 1974)
Paul Warren died (illness), 1978 (was 59)
The film O Brother, Where Art Thou opened nationwide, 2001. The soundtrack won three Grammy awards: Album of the Year, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (Dan Tyminski, "Man of Constant Sorrow"), and Best Male Country Vocal Performance (Dr. Ralph Stanley, "O Death"). It also sold over five million copies and sparked a brief resurgence in the popularity of bluegrass and traditional country music.
January 13:
Trace Adkins born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1962 (now 48)
Jenny Lou Carson born in Decatur, Illinois, 1915 (died 1978)
Doyle Holly died (prostate cancer), 2007 (was 70)
January 14:
Billie Jo Spears born in Beaumont, Texas, 1937 (now 73)
J. Henry "T-Bone" Burnett born in St. Louis Missouri, 1948 (now 62)
January 15:
David Lynn Jones born in Bexar, Arkansas, 1950 (now 60)
Kurt Howell of Southern Pacific born in Winter Haven, Florida, 1958 (now 52)
Billy Walker born in Ralls, Texas, 1929 (died 2006)
Jack Guthrie died (tuberculosis), 1948 (was 32)
Vic Willis died (car wreck), 1995 (was 72)
Country Music's Final Notes of 2009
Category: Tribute
Here are the country performers we lost in 2009.
Ernie Ashworth (March 3, heart attack, age 80): long-time member of the Grand Ole Opry who is best known for the 1961 hit "Talk Back Tremblin' Lips."
Leona Johnson Atkins (October 21, long-term illness, age 85): member of the Johnson Twins on WLW in the 1940s who gave up her career to be Mrs. Chet Atkins.
Barry Beckett (June 10, illness, age 65): producer of albums by Kenny Chesney.
Molly Bee (February 7, stroke, age 68): singer based on the west coast who played with Tennessee Ernie Ford and Jimmy Dean.
Jimmy Boyd (March 8, cancer, age 70): he sang "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" as a child.
Tom Brumley (February 4, illness, age 73): son of gospel songwriter Albert Brumley, Tom was the original steel guitarist for Buck Owens' Buckaroos.
Whaley T. "Ric" Cartey (August 5, unknown cause, age 72): songwriter responsible for Sonny James' breakthrough hit "Young Love."
Jack Cooke (December 1, heart attack, age 72): one-time member of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys.
John Dawson (July 21, stomach cancer, age 64): co-founder of the 70s country-rock band New Riders of the Purple Sage.
Hal Durham (March 29, unknown cause, age 77): long-time Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM DJ.
Steve Ferguson (October 7, cancer, age 60): founder of the band NRBQ, the band that included Skeeter Davis' husband Joey Spampinato.
Vern Gosdin (April 29, stroke, age 74): when you said "the voice," you said it all about Vern.
Buck Griffin (February 14, heart failure, age 85): underrated country and rockabilly singer.
Jon Hager (January 9, illness, age 67): surviving member of Hee Haw's Hager Twins died less than a year after identical twin brother Jim's death.
Duane Jarvis (April 1, colon cancer, age 51): session guitarist who played with the likes of Dwight Yoakam and Lucinda Williams.
Arthur Kent (January 26, natural causes, age 88): songwriter best remembered for penning Skeeter Davis' hit "The End of the World."
Tim Krekel (June 24, stomach cancer, age 57): in addition to writing songs for Jimmy Buffett and playing in Buffett's band, the singer/songwriter won two BMI awards for Martraca Berg's "You Can Feel Bad" and Crystal Gayle's "Turning Away."
Big Bill Lister (December 1, illness, age 86): a member of the "replacement" Drifting Cowboys Band who first commercially recorded "There's a Tear in My Beer."
Hank Locklin (March 8, natural causes, age 91): the should-be Hall of Famer who gave us "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On," and many others.
Irby Mandrell (March 5, unknown causes, age 84): the father and manager of Barbara Mandrell died shortly after his daughter was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Les Paul (August 13, pneumonia, age 94): the inventor of multi-track recording and the electric guitar, he also won a Grammy for Chester and Lester with Chet Atkins.
Aaron Schroeder (December 2, Alzheimer's, age 83): a songwriter who saw Elvis Presley turn his songs into hits ("Stuck on You," "Good Luck Charm").
Dan Seals (March 25, mantle cell lymphoma, 61): beginning as a pop singer (as part of England Dan and John Ford Coley) and the brother of pop singer Jim Seals of Seals & Crofts, he "Bop"ped to country in the 1980s.
Shelby Singleton (October 7, brain cancer, age 77): influential Nashville producer who signed Roger Miller to Smash Records and launched the career of Jeannie C. Riley. He also owned Sun Records starting in 1969.
Kyle Woodring (September 8, suicide [hanged self], age 42): session drummer who worked with Deana Carter.
Ruby Wright (September 29, heart disease, age 69): daughter of Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright who had an "answer song" to "Dang Me" ("Dern Ya") become a hit.
Farewell, and thank you for the music.
Here are the country performers we lost in 2009.
Ernie Ashworth (March 3, heart attack, age 80): long-time member of the Grand Ole Opry who is best known for the 1961 hit "Talk Back Tremblin' Lips."
Leona Johnson Atkins (October 21, long-term illness, age 85): member of the Johnson Twins on WLW in the 1940s who gave up her career to be Mrs. Chet Atkins.
Barry Beckett (June 10, illness, age 65): producer of albums by Kenny Chesney.
Molly Bee (February 7, stroke, age 68): singer based on the west coast who played with Tennessee Ernie Ford and Jimmy Dean.
Jimmy Boyd (March 8, cancer, age 70): he sang "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" as a child.
Tom Brumley (February 4, illness, age 73): son of gospel songwriter Albert Brumley, Tom was the original steel guitarist for Buck Owens' Buckaroos.
Whaley T. "Ric" Cartey (August 5, unknown cause, age 72): songwriter responsible for Sonny James' breakthrough hit "Young Love."
Jack Cooke (December 1, heart attack, age 72): one-time member of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys.
John Dawson (July 21, stomach cancer, age 64): co-founder of the 70s country-rock band New Riders of the Purple Sage.
Hal Durham (March 29, unknown cause, age 77): long-time Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM DJ.
Steve Ferguson (October 7, cancer, age 60): founder of the band NRBQ, the band that included Skeeter Davis' husband Joey Spampinato.
Vern Gosdin (April 29, stroke, age 74): when you said "the voice," you said it all about Vern.
Buck Griffin (February 14, heart failure, age 85): underrated country and rockabilly singer.
Jon Hager (January 9, illness, age 67): surviving member of Hee Haw's Hager Twins died less than a year after identical twin brother Jim's death.
Duane Jarvis (April 1, colon cancer, age 51): session guitarist who played with the likes of Dwight Yoakam and Lucinda Williams.
Arthur Kent (January 26, natural causes, age 88): songwriter best remembered for penning Skeeter Davis' hit "The End of the World."
Tim Krekel (June 24, stomach cancer, age 57): in addition to writing songs for Jimmy Buffett and playing in Buffett's band, the singer/songwriter won two BMI awards for Martraca Berg's "You Can Feel Bad" and Crystal Gayle's "Turning Away."
Big Bill Lister (December 1, illness, age 86): a member of the "replacement" Drifting Cowboys Band who first commercially recorded "There's a Tear in My Beer."
Hank Locklin (March 8, natural causes, age 91): the should-be Hall of Famer who gave us "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On," and many others.
Irby Mandrell (March 5, unknown causes, age 84): the father and manager of Barbara Mandrell died shortly after his daughter was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Les Paul (August 13, pneumonia, age 94): the inventor of multi-track recording and the electric guitar, he also won a Grammy for Chester and Lester with Chet Atkins.
Aaron Schroeder (December 2, Alzheimer's, age 83): a songwriter who saw Elvis Presley turn his songs into hits ("Stuck on You," "Good Luck Charm").
Dan Seals (March 25, mantle cell lymphoma, 61): beginning as a pop singer (as part of England Dan and John Ford Coley) and the brother of pop singer Jim Seals of Seals & Crofts, he "Bop"ped to country in the 1980s.
Shelby Singleton (October 7, brain cancer, age 77): influential Nashville producer who signed Roger Miller to Smash Records and launched the career of Jeannie C. Riley. He also owned Sun Records starting in 1969.
Kyle Woodring (September 8, suicide [hanged self], age 42): session drummer who worked with Deana Carter.
Ruby Wright (September 29, heart disease, age 69): daughter of Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright who had an "answer song" to "Dang Me" ("Dern Ya") become a hit.
Farewell, and thank you for the music.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
True Love's a Blessing
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: Rose of My Heart
ARTIST: Whitstein BrothersSONGWRITER: Hugh Moffatt
ALBUM: Rose of My HeartYEAR/LABEL: 1984; Rounder
That's a great love song, and it's exactly how I feel.
(Charles Whitstein)
In baseball, there's "Ruthian," a term used to describe a home run that's along the lines of what Babe Ruth might have hit. In country music, it's "Louvinesque" to describe harmonies. Granted, it is not used much, for a good reason: there simply are not many harmonies that come close to the Louvin Brothers.
Enter Robert and Charles Whitstein, two boys from central Louisiana. They grew up idolizing the Louvins, and as fate would have it the younger brother, Charles, developed a tenor voice not unlike Ira's, so much so that he would eventually stand next to Charlie Louvin onstage re-creating the songs of the Louvins for much of the early 1990s.
The Whitstein Brothers were pretty much at the wrong place at the wrong time early in their career. Just as they had made successful guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry as teenagers and toured with fellow Louisiana native Faron Young, the draft called and both boys sang for Uncle Sam in the Marines (Robert in Vietnam, Charles in the Marine Corps Reserves stateside). Things were put on hold as both men married and raised families, although they sang in churches and local festivals.
Jesse McReynolds brought them to the attention of Rounder Records and they were signed in 1983. Their debut album, 1984's Rose of My Heart, made many people sit up and take notice courtesy of their superb harmonies on a collection of songs, mostly old with a few surprises (such as a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water"). The album opened with the title song, a Hugh Moffatt composition that easily was one of the greatest love songs of the 1980s. The Whitsteins' vocal performance turned it into one of the great recordings of the decade as well.
The tune is the perfect song for the perfect marriage. "We're the best partners this world's ever seen," the song begins. The lyrics describe what God intended marriage to be. "You are the love of my life," the chorus says, adding at the conclusion, "You're my harbor in life's restless storm."
The Whitstein Brothers continued their recording career, tours and frequent appearances on the Grand Ole Opry until Robert suffered a fatal heart attack in November 2001. Charles toured briefly with friend Jesse McReynolds before retiring from the music business.
With all the headlines about messy divorces and cheating spouses it is most comforting to hear a song about enduring love. It is also most enjoyable to hear a song about enduring love with great harmonies as provided by the Whitstein Brothers.
OTHER WHITSTEIN BROTHERS MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Old Time Duets album -- nominated for a "best folk album" recording in 1989, this album contains the very old (traditional songs such as "Beautiful Lost River Valley") and the more recent (Hank Williams' "Mansion on the Hill"), recorded with just two voices, a mandolin (or tenor guitar on the Delmore Brothers' "Weary Lonesome Blues") and guitar. The more sparse the sound is the better it is, and this is about as good as it gets.
"What a Change One Day Can Make" (from Sweet Harmony) -- the cover of a latter Louvins song shows exactly why Charlie Louvin once said that, as a tenor singer, "Charles Whitstein is as close to Ira as I've ever heard."
"The High Cost of Living" (from Trouble Ain't Nothin' But the Blues) -- an old song with a very modern theme.
"Smoky Mountain Memories" (from Rose of My Heart) -- a minor hit for Mel Street gets a gorgeous harmony treatment.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me
Playboy
Our Town
Old Memories Mean Nothing to Me
Not That I Care
Nobody Eats at Linebaugh's Anymore
My Book of Memories
Lost to a Stranger
A Little Bitty Heart
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Life is Too Short
I Want a Home in Dixie
I Lost Today
Fingerprints
Down to the River to Pray
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs
A Death in the Family
Dark as a Dungeon
Bottomless Well
(Rock)
Starting Tomorrow
Spellbound
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
She's a Runaway
Painted Bells
Out to Sea
One More Song
New Delhi Freight Train
Millworker
Long Way Home
Island
Heart of Rome
Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home
Entella Hotel
Desperados Under the Eaves
Crossing Muddy Waters
Cliffs of Dooneen
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Baby Mine
That's a great love song, and it's exactly how I feel.
(Charles Whitstein)
In baseball, there's "Ruthian," a term used to describe a home run that's along the lines of what Babe Ruth might have hit. In country music, it's "Louvinesque" to describe harmonies. Granted, it is not used much, for a good reason: there simply are not many harmonies that come close to the Louvin Brothers.
Enter Robert and Charles Whitstein, two boys from central Louisiana. They grew up idolizing the Louvins, and as fate would have it the younger brother, Charles, developed a tenor voice not unlike Ira's, so much so that he would eventually stand next to Charlie Louvin onstage re-creating the songs of the Louvins for much of the early 1990s.
The Whitstein Brothers were pretty much at the wrong place at the wrong time early in their career. Just as they had made successful guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry as teenagers and toured with fellow Louisiana native Faron Young, the draft called and both boys sang for Uncle Sam in the Marines (Robert in Vietnam, Charles in the Marine Corps Reserves stateside). Things were put on hold as both men married and raised families, although they sang in churches and local festivals.
Jesse McReynolds brought them to the attention of Rounder Records and they were signed in 1983. Their debut album, 1984's Rose of My Heart, made many people sit up and take notice courtesy of their superb harmonies on a collection of songs, mostly old with a few surprises (such as a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water"). The album opened with the title song, a Hugh Moffatt composition that easily was one of the greatest love songs of the 1980s. The Whitsteins' vocal performance turned it into one of the great recordings of the decade as well.
The tune is the perfect song for the perfect marriage. "We're the best partners this world's ever seen," the song begins. The lyrics describe what God intended marriage to be. "You are the love of my life," the chorus says, adding at the conclusion, "You're my harbor in life's restless storm."
The Whitstein Brothers continued their recording career, tours and frequent appearances on the Grand Ole Opry until Robert suffered a fatal heart attack in November 2001. Charles toured briefly with friend Jesse McReynolds before retiring from the music business.
With all the headlines about messy divorces and cheating spouses it is most comforting to hear a song about enduring love. It is also most enjoyable to hear a song about enduring love with great harmonies as provided by the Whitstein Brothers.
OTHER WHITSTEIN BROTHERS MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Old Time Duets album -- nominated for a "best folk album" recording in 1989, this album contains the very old (traditional songs such as "Beautiful Lost River Valley") and the more recent (Hank Williams' "Mansion on the Hill"), recorded with just two voices, a mandolin (or tenor guitar on the Delmore Brothers' "Weary Lonesome Blues") and guitar. The more sparse the sound is the better it is, and this is about as good as it gets.
"What a Change One Day Can Make" (from Sweet Harmony) -- the cover of a latter Louvins song shows exactly why Charlie Louvin once said that, as a tenor singer, "Charles Whitstein is as close to Ira as I've ever heard."
"The High Cost of Living" (from Trouble Ain't Nothin' But the Blues) -- an old song with a very modern theme.
"Smoky Mountain Memories" (from Rose of My Heart) -- a minor hit for Mel Street gets a gorgeous harmony treatment.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me
Playboy
Our Town
Old Memories Mean Nothing to Me
Not That I Care
Nobody Eats at Linebaugh's Anymore
My Book of Memories
Lost to a Stranger
A Little Bitty Heart
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Life is Too Short
I Want a Home in Dixie
I Lost Today
Fingerprints
Down to the River to Pray
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyeballs
A Death in the Family
Dark as a Dungeon
Bottomless Well
(Rock)
Starting Tomorrow
Spellbound
Sleep's Dark and Silent Gate
She's a Runaway
Painted Bells
Out to Sea
One More Song
New Delhi Freight Train
Millworker
Long Way Home
Island
Heart of Rome
Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home
Entella Hotel
Desperados Under the Eaves
Crossing Muddy Waters
Cliffs of Dooneen
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Baby Mine
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, December 16-31
Category: News
(Hall of Famers in bold)
December 16:
Jim Glaser of the Glaser Brothers born in Spalding, Nebraska, 1937 (now 72)
Jeff Carson born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1964 (now 45)
Shelby Singleton born in Waskom, Texas, 1931 (died 2009)
Jenny Lou Carson died (unknown causes), 1978 (was 63)
Martha Carson died (natural causes), 2004 (was 83)
Gary Stewart died (suicide), 2003 (was 58)
Dan Fogelberg died (cancer), 2007 (was 56)
December 17:
Sharon White Skaggs born in Wichita Falls, Texas, 1953 (now 56)
Frankie Miller born in Victoria, Texas, 1930 (now 79)
Tracy Byrd born in Vidor, Texas, 1966 (now 43)
Karl Davis born in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, 1905 (died 1979)
Spade Cooley born in Grand, Oklahoma, 1910 (died 1969)
Nat Stuckey born in Cass County, Texas, 1933 (died 1988)
Roy Huskey Jr. born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1956 (died 1997)
Rex Allen Sr. died (accidentally run over by car), 1999 (was 77)
Commercial plane carrying Doug Stone crash-lands in Chicago, 1999. Stone was uninjured.
December 18:
Cledus T. Judd (real name: James Poole) born in Crowe Springs, Georgia, 1964 (now 45)
Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) born in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, 1904 (died 1996)
The first recording session for the Louvin Brothers (they recorded "Alabama") at Castle Studios, Nashville, 1947
December 19:
Little Jimmy Dickens born in Bolt, West Virginia, 1920 (now 89)
Janie Fricke born in South Whitney, Indiana, 1947 (now 62)
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Bang born in Long Beach, California, 1945 (now 64)
Jumpin' Bill Carlisle born in Wakefield, Kentucky, 1908 (died 2003)
Marion Worth died (emphysema), 1999 (was 69)
Hank Williams' last show, given at the Skyline Club, Austin, Texas, 1952
Johnny Paycheck shot a man outside a bar in Greenfield, Ohio, 1985
December 20:
Skeeter Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Colton, Oklahoma, 1917 (died 1976)
Jack Stapp died (unknown cause), 1980 (was 68)
Don Law died (unknown cause), 1982 (was 80)
Hank Snow died (various illnesses), 1999 (was 85)
December 21:
Freddie Hart born in Lockapoke, Alabama, 1926 (now 83)
Lee Roy Parnell born in Abilene, Texas, 1956 (now 53)
Christy Forrester of the Forester Sisters born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1962 (now 47)
Vito Pellettieri born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1889 (died 1977)
Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance born in Como, Mississippi, 1925 (died 2005)
John Bailes of the Bailes brothers died (unknown cause), 1989 (was 71)
Harold Morrison died (illness), 1994 (was 62)
December 22:
Red Stegall born in Gainesville, Texas, 1937 (now 72)
Chuck Mead of BR5-49 born in Nevada, Missouri, 1960 (now 49)
Paul Martin of Exile born in Winchester, Kentucky, 1962 (now 47)
Harold "Hawkshaw" Hawkins born in Huntington, West Virginia, 1921 (died 1963)
Dave Dudley died (heart attack), 2003 (was 75)
December 23:
Murray "Buddy" Harman born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2008)
December 24:
Lulu Belle Wiseman born in Boone, North Carolina, 1913 (died 1999)
Jake Hess born in Limestone County, Alabama, 1927 (died 2004)
Stoney Edwards born in Seminole, Oklahoma, 1929 (died 1997)
Charlie Moore died (illness), 1979 (was 44)
December 25:
J.R. "Curly" Sechler born in China Grove, North Carolina, 1919 (now 90)
Jimmy Buffett born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, 1946 (now 63)
Barbara Mandrell born in Houston, Texas, 1948 (now 61)
Steve Wariner born in Noblesville, Indiana, 1954 (now 55)
Alton Delmore born in Elkmont, Alabama, 1908 (died 1964)
Billy Nelson, Willie Nelson's son, died (suicide), 1991 (was 33)
Johnny Cash and family robbed and held at gunpoint in their Jamaica home, 1982
December 26:
Ronnie Prophet born in Calument, Quebec, 1938 (now 71)
Bob Carpenter of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1946 (now 63)
Audrey Wiggins born in Asheville, North Carolina, 1967 (now 42)
Beecher Ray "Pete" "Bashful Brother Oswald" Kirby born in Sevier County, Tennessee, 1911 (died 2002)
Harry Choates born in Rayne, Louisiana, 1911 (died 1951)
Jimmie Osborne died (suicide), 1957 (was 34)
December 27:
Scotty Moore born in Gadsden, Tennessee, 1931 (now 78)
Les Taylor of Exile born in Oneida, Kentucky, 1948 (now 61)
Darrin Vincent of Dailey & Vincent born in Kirkville, Missouri, 1969 (now 40)
Bob Luman died (pneumonia), 1978 (was 41)
Vestal Goodman died (complications from the flu), 2003 (was 74)
Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland died (staph infection), 2004 (was 74)
December 28:
Joe Diffie born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1958 (now 51)
Mike McGuire of Shenandoah born in Haleyville, Alabama, 1958 (now 51)
Marty Roe of Diamond Rio born in Lebanon, Ohio, 1960 (now 49)
Dorsey Burnette born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1932 (died 1979)
Hank Williams Jr.'s first recording session at age 14, 1963
December 29:
Rose Lee Maphis born in Baltimore, Maryland, 1922 (now 87)
Ed Bruce born in Keiser, Arkansas, 1940 (now 69)
December 30:
Suzy Bogguss born in Aledo, Illinois, 1956 (now 53)
Melvin Goins born in Bramwell, West Virginia, 1933 (now 76)
Mike Auldridge born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 71)
Bob Ferguson born in Willow Spring, Missouri, 1927 (died 2001)
Skeeter Davis (nee Mary Frances Penick) born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, 1931 (died 2004)
John Hartford born in New York, New York, 1937 (died 2001)
December 31:
Dale Noe born in New Boston, Ohio, 1927 (died 2005)
Rex Allen Sr. born in Wilcox, Arizona, 1920 (died 1999)
John Denver born in Roswell, New Mexico, 1943 (died 1997)
Rick Nelson died (plane crash), 1985 (was 45)
Floyd Cramer died (lung cancer), 1997 (was 64)
Jim McReynolds of Jim & Jesse died (cancer), 2002 (was 75)
Charlie Louvin injured in car accident, 2001
The old Country Music Hall of Fame closed, 2000
(Hall of Famers in bold)
December 16:
Jim Glaser of the Glaser Brothers born in Spalding, Nebraska, 1937 (now 72)
Jeff Carson born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1964 (now 45)
Shelby Singleton born in Waskom, Texas, 1931 (died 2009)
Jenny Lou Carson died (unknown causes), 1978 (was 63)
Martha Carson died (natural causes), 2004 (was 83)
Gary Stewart died (suicide), 2003 (was 58)
Dan Fogelberg died (cancer), 2007 (was 56)
December 17:
Sharon White Skaggs born in Wichita Falls, Texas, 1953 (now 56)
Frankie Miller born in Victoria, Texas, 1930 (now 79)
Tracy Byrd born in Vidor, Texas, 1966 (now 43)
Karl Davis born in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, 1905 (died 1979)
Spade Cooley born in Grand, Oklahoma, 1910 (died 1969)
Nat Stuckey born in Cass County, Texas, 1933 (died 1988)
Roy Huskey Jr. born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1956 (died 1997)
Rex Allen Sr. died (accidentally run over by car), 1999 (was 77)
Commercial plane carrying Doug Stone crash-lands in Chicago, 1999. Stone was uninjured.
December 18:
Cledus T. Judd (real name: James Poole) born in Crowe Springs, Georgia, 1964 (now 45)
Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) born in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, 1904 (died 1996)
The first recording session for the Louvin Brothers (they recorded "Alabama") at Castle Studios, Nashville, 1947
December 19:
Little Jimmy Dickens born in Bolt, West Virginia, 1920 (now 89)
Janie Fricke born in South Whitney, Indiana, 1947 (now 62)
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Bang born in Long Beach, California, 1945 (now 64)
Jumpin' Bill Carlisle born in Wakefield, Kentucky, 1908 (died 2003)
Marion Worth died (emphysema), 1999 (was 69)
Hank Williams' last show, given at the Skyline Club, Austin, Texas, 1952
Johnny Paycheck shot a man outside a bar in Greenfield, Ohio, 1985
December 20:
Skeeter Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Colton, Oklahoma, 1917 (died 1976)
Jack Stapp died (unknown cause), 1980 (was 68)
Don Law died (unknown cause), 1982 (was 80)
Hank Snow died (various illnesses), 1999 (was 85)
December 21:
Freddie Hart born in Lockapoke, Alabama, 1926 (now 83)
Lee Roy Parnell born in Abilene, Texas, 1956 (now 53)
Christy Forrester of the Forester Sisters born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1962 (now 47)
Vito Pellettieri born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1889 (died 1977)
Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance born in Como, Mississippi, 1925 (died 2005)
John Bailes of the Bailes brothers died (unknown cause), 1989 (was 71)
Harold Morrison died (illness), 1994 (was 62)
December 22:
Red Stegall born in Gainesville, Texas, 1937 (now 72)
Chuck Mead of BR5-49 born in Nevada, Missouri, 1960 (now 49)
Paul Martin of Exile born in Winchester, Kentucky, 1962 (now 47)
Harold "Hawkshaw" Hawkins born in Huntington, West Virginia, 1921 (died 1963)
Dave Dudley died (heart attack), 2003 (was 75)
December 23:
Murray "Buddy" Harman born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2008)
December 24:
Lulu Belle Wiseman born in Boone, North Carolina, 1913 (died 1999)
Jake Hess born in Limestone County, Alabama, 1927 (died 2004)
Stoney Edwards born in Seminole, Oklahoma, 1929 (died 1997)
Charlie Moore died (illness), 1979 (was 44)
December 25:
J.R. "Curly" Sechler born in China Grove, North Carolina, 1919 (now 90)
Jimmy Buffett born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, 1946 (now 63)
Barbara Mandrell born in Houston, Texas, 1948 (now 61)
Steve Wariner born in Noblesville, Indiana, 1954 (now 55)
Alton Delmore born in Elkmont, Alabama, 1908 (died 1964)
Billy Nelson, Willie Nelson's son, died (suicide), 1991 (was 33)
Johnny Cash and family robbed and held at gunpoint in their Jamaica home, 1982
December 26:
Ronnie Prophet born in Calument, Quebec, 1938 (now 71)
Bob Carpenter of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1946 (now 63)
Audrey Wiggins born in Asheville, North Carolina, 1967 (now 42)
Beecher Ray "Pete" "Bashful Brother Oswald" Kirby born in Sevier County, Tennessee, 1911 (died 2002)
Harry Choates born in Rayne, Louisiana, 1911 (died 1951)
Jimmie Osborne died (suicide), 1957 (was 34)
December 27:
Scotty Moore born in Gadsden, Tennessee, 1931 (now 78)
Les Taylor of Exile born in Oneida, Kentucky, 1948 (now 61)
Darrin Vincent of Dailey & Vincent born in Kirkville, Missouri, 1969 (now 40)
Bob Luman died (pneumonia), 1978 (was 41)
Vestal Goodman died (complications from the flu), 2003 (was 74)
Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland died (staph infection), 2004 (was 74)
December 28:
Joe Diffie born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1958 (now 51)
Mike McGuire of Shenandoah born in Haleyville, Alabama, 1958 (now 51)
Marty Roe of Diamond Rio born in Lebanon, Ohio, 1960 (now 49)
Dorsey Burnette born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1932 (died 1979)
Hank Williams Jr.'s first recording session at age 14, 1963
December 29:
Rose Lee Maphis born in Baltimore, Maryland, 1922 (now 87)
Ed Bruce born in Keiser, Arkansas, 1940 (now 69)
December 30:
Suzy Bogguss born in Aledo, Illinois, 1956 (now 53)
Melvin Goins born in Bramwell, West Virginia, 1933 (now 76)
Mike Auldridge born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 71)
Bob Ferguson born in Willow Spring, Missouri, 1927 (died 2001)
Skeeter Davis (nee Mary Frances Penick) born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, 1931 (died 2004)
John Hartford born in New York, New York, 1937 (died 2001)
December 31:
Dale Noe born in New Boston, Ohio, 1927 (died 2005)
Rex Allen Sr. born in Wilcox, Arizona, 1920 (died 1999)
John Denver born in Roswell, New Mexico, 1943 (died 1997)
Rick Nelson died (plane crash), 1985 (was 45)
Floyd Cramer died (lung cancer), 1997 (was 64)
Jim McReynolds of Jim & Jesse died (cancer), 2002 (was 75)
Charlie Louvin injured in car accident, 2001
The old Country Music Hall of Fame closed, 2000
Thursday, December 03, 2009
A Tear in Your Beer
Category: Obituary
In 1952 Hank Williams gave one of his band members an acetate because the man said he wanted a "beer-drinkin' song" to record. The man recorded the song after Hank's death and had a hit with it.
Decades later, the man found that acetate and gave a copy to Hank Williams Jr., who cleaned up the vocals and added his own for a "duet" with his father.
The song: "There's a Tear in My Beer."
The man who first commercially recorded that song, Big Bill Lister, died December 1 in Texas.
Lister was called "Big Bill" for a good reason: he was 6'7". He had a record deal with Capitol and recorded a number of regional hits (including "RC Cola and a Moon Pie").
As recently as October 2009 Lister was still performing.
Big Bill Lister was 86.
In 1952 Hank Williams gave one of his band members an acetate because the man said he wanted a "beer-drinkin' song" to record. The man recorded the song after Hank's death and had a hit with it.
Decades later, the man found that acetate and gave a copy to Hank Williams Jr., who cleaned up the vocals and added his own for a "duet" with his father.
The song: "There's a Tear in My Beer."
The man who first commercially recorded that song, Big Bill Lister, died December 1 in Texas.
Lister was called "Big Bill" for a good reason: he was 6'7". He had a record deal with Capitol and recorded a number of regional hits (including "RC Cola and a Moon Pie").
As recently as October 2009 Lister was still performing.
Big Bill Lister was 86.
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