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)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, December 1-15
Category: News
(Hall of Famers in bold)
December 1:
Darryl Ellis born in Norfolk, Virginia, 1964 (now 45)
Silm Willet born in Dublin, Texas, 1919 (died 1966)
Jim Nesbitt born in Bishopville, South Carolina, 1931 (died 2007)
Fred Rose died (heart failure), 1954 (was 57)
Carter Stanley died (cirrhosis of the liver), 1966 (was 41)
December 2:
John Wesley Ryles born in Bastrop, Louisiana, 1950 (now 59)
Herman Crook born in Scottsboro, Tennessee, 1898 (died 1988)
Marvin Hughes died (unknown cause), 1986 (was 75)
"Tennessee Waltz" recorded by Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart, 1947
December 3:
Ferlin Husky born in Flat River, Missouri, 1927 (now 82)
Paul Gregg of Restless Heart born in New York, New York, 1954 (now 55)
Rabon Delmore born in Dothan, Alabama, 1916 (died 1952)
Hubert Long born in Poteet, Texas, 1923 (died 1972)
Lew Childre died (various health issues), 1961 (was 60)
Grady Martin died (heart attack), 2001 (was 72)
Bob Wills recorded his last song, a Cindy Walker number, "What Makes Bob Holler," 1973
December 4:
Chris Hillman born in Los Angeles, California, 1944 (now 64)
Rabon Delmore died (lung cancer), 1952 (was 36)
Eddy Arnold's first record session as a solo artist, 1944
Sun Records' "Million Dollar Quartet" of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis record together, 1956
Connie B. Gay elected inaugural president of the Country Music Association, 1958
Connie B. Gay died (cancer), 1989 (was 75)
December 5:
Don Robertson born in Peking, China, 1922 (now 87)
Jim Messina of Poco born in Harlingen, Texas, 1947 (now 62)
Ty England born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1963 (now 46)
Molly O'Day died (cancer), 1987 (was 64)
Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) died (stomach tumor), 1996 (was 91)
The soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou released, 2000
December 6:
Helen Cornelius born in Hannibal, Missouri, 1941 (now 68)
Bill Lloyd of Foster & Lloyd born in Ft. Hood, Texas, 1955 (now 54)
Hugh Farr born in Llano, Texas, 1903 (died 1980)
Jim Eanes born in Mountain Valley, Virginia, 1923 (died 1995)
Roy Orbison died (heart attack), 1989 (was 52)
December 7:
Slim Bryant born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1908 (now 101)
Bobby Osborne born in Hyden, Kentucky, 1931 (now 78)
Gary Morris born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1948 (now 61)
Ronnie Sessions born in Henrietta, Oklahoma, 1948 (now 61)
Hugh X. Lewis born in Yeaddiss, Kentucky, 1932 (now 77)
Darrell Glenn born in Waco, Texas, 1935 (died 1990)
Bill Boyd died (unknown cause), 1977 (was 67)
December 8:
Marty Raybon born in Stanford, Florida, 1959 (now 50)
Jack Stapp born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1912 (died 1980)
Floyd Tillman born in Ryan, Oklahoma, 1914 (died 2003)
Marty Robbins died (heart attack), 1982 (was 57)
December 9:
Billy Edd Wheeler born in Whitesville, Virginia, 1932 (now 77)
David Kersh born in Humble, Texas, 1970 (now 39)
David Houston born in Bossier City, Louisiana, 1938 (died 1993)
Tommy Jackson died (unknown cause), 1979 (was 53)
December 10:
Johnny Rodriguez born in Sabinal, Texas, 1951 (now 58)
Kevin Sharp born in Weiser, Idaho, 1970 (now 39)
Eddie Miller born in Camargo, Oklahoma, 1919 (died 1977)
John Duffey of the Seldom Scene died (heart attack), 1996 (was 62)
Faron Young died (suicide [gunshot]), 1996 (was 64)
Jimmy Riddle died (cancer), 1982 (was 64)
Before the evening's WSM Barn Dance began, announcer George D. Hay commented, "For the past hour, you've been listening to selections taken from grand opera. Now we present Grand Ole Opry," 1927.
December 11:
Charles Whitstein born in Colfax, Louisiana, 1945 (now 64)
Brenda Lee born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1944 (now 65)
Arthur Q. Smith born in Griffin, Georgia, 1909 (died 1963)
Cousin Jody (ne James Summey) born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1914 (died 1975)
Fiddlin' John Carson died (natural causes), 1949 (was 81)
Commercial plane with Tex Ritter aboard as a passenger hijacked to Cuba, 1968
December 12:
Hank Williams III born in Houston, Texas, 1972 (now 37)
LaCosta Tucker born in Seminole, Texas, 1951 (now 58)
Clifton Chenier died (kidney disease related to diabetes), 1987 (was 62)
December 13:
Buck White born in Oklahoma, 1930 (now 79)
Randy Owen of Alabama born in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1949 (now 60)
John Anderson born in Orlando, Florida, 1954 (now 55)
Wesley Tuttle born in Lamar, Colorado, 1917 (died 2003)
Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman wed, 1934
December 14:
DeFord Bailey born in Smith County, Tennessee, 1899 (died 1982)
Charlie Rich born in Forest City, Arkansas, 1932 (died 1995)
December 15:
Doug Phelps of Kentucky Headhunters born in Leachville, Arkansas, 1960 (now 49)
Alvin Pleasant Carter born in Maces Spring, Virginia, 1891 (died 1960)
Jerry Wallace born in Guilford, Missouri, 1928 (died 2008)
Ernie Ashworth born in Huntsville, Alabama, 1928 (died 2009)
Nudie Cohn (ne Nuta Kotlyarenko) born in Kiev, Ukraine, 1902 (died 1984)
William Eugene "Red" Rector born in Marshall, North Carolina, 1929 (died 1990)
Hank Williams marries Audrey Guy, 1944
(Hall of Famers in bold)
December 1:
Darryl Ellis born in Norfolk, Virginia, 1964 (now 45)
Silm Willet born in Dublin, Texas, 1919 (died 1966)
Jim Nesbitt born in Bishopville, South Carolina, 1931 (died 2007)
Fred Rose died (heart failure), 1954 (was 57)
Carter Stanley died (cirrhosis of the liver), 1966 (was 41)
December 2:
John Wesley Ryles born in Bastrop, Louisiana, 1950 (now 59)
Herman Crook born in Scottsboro, Tennessee, 1898 (died 1988)
Marvin Hughes died (unknown cause), 1986 (was 75)
"Tennessee Waltz" recorded by Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart, 1947
December 3:
Ferlin Husky born in Flat River, Missouri, 1927 (now 82)
Paul Gregg of Restless Heart born in New York, New York, 1954 (now 55)
Rabon Delmore born in Dothan, Alabama, 1916 (died 1952)
Hubert Long born in Poteet, Texas, 1923 (died 1972)
Lew Childre died (various health issues), 1961 (was 60)
Grady Martin died (heart attack), 2001 (was 72)
Bob Wills recorded his last song, a Cindy Walker number, "What Makes Bob Holler," 1973
December 4:
Chris Hillman born in Los Angeles, California, 1944 (now 64)
Rabon Delmore died (lung cancer), 1952 (was 36)
Eddy Arnold's first record session as a solo artist, 1944
Sun Records' "Million Dollar Quartet" of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis record together, 1956
Connie B. Gay elected inaugural president of the Country Music Association, 1958
Connie B. Gay died (cancer), 1989 (was 75)
December 5:
Don Robertson born in Peking, China, 1922 (now 87)
Jim Messina of Poco born in Harlingen, Texas, 1947 (now 62)
Ty England born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1963 (now 46)
Molly O'Day died (cancer), 1987 (was 64)
Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) died (stomach tumor), 1996 (was 91)
The soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou released, 2000
December 6:
Helen Cornelius born in Hannibal, Missouri, 1941 (now 68)
Bill Lloyd of Foster & Lloyd born in Ft. Hood, Texas, 1955 (now 54)
Hugh Farr born in Llano, Texas, 1903 (died 1980)
Jim Eanes born in Mountain Valley, Virginia, 1923 (died 1995)
Roy Orbison died (heart attack), 1989 (was 52)
December 7:
Slim Bryant born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1908 (now 101)
Bobby Osborne born in Hyden, Kentucky, 1931 (now 78)
Gary Morris born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1948 (now 61)
Ronnie Sessions born in Henrietta, Oklahoma, 1948 (now 61)
Hugh X. Lewis born in Yeaddiss, Kentucky, 1932 (now 77)
Darrell Glenn born in Waco, Texas, 1935 (died 1990)
Bill Boyd died (unknown cause), 1977 (was 67)
December 8:
Marty Raybon born in Stanford, Florida, 1959 (now 50)
Jack Stapp born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1912 (died 1980)
Floyd Tillman born in Ryan, Oklahoma, 1914 (died 2003)
Marty Robbins died (heart attack), 1982 (was 57)
December 9:
Billy Edd Wheeler born in Whitesville, Virginia, 1932 (now 77)
David Kersh born in Humble, Texas, 1970 (now 39)
David Houston born in Bossier City, Louisiana, 1938 (died 1993)
Tommy Jackson died (unknown cause), 1979 (was 53)
December 10:
Johnny Rodriguez born in Sabinal, Texas, 1951 (now 58)
Kevin Sharp born in Weiser, Idaho, 1970 (now 39)
Eddie Miller born in Camargo, Oklahoma, 1919 (died 1977)
John Duffey of the Seldom Scene died (heart attack), 1996 (was 62)
Faron Young died (suicide [gunshot]), 1996 (was 64)
Jimmy Riddle died (cancer), 1982 (was 64)
Before the evening's WSM Barn Dance began, announcer George D. Hay commented, "For the past hour, you've been listening to selections taken from grand opera. Now we present Grand Ole Opry," 1927.
December 11:
Charles Whitstein born in Colfax, Louisiana, 1945 (now 64)
Brenda Lee born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1944 (now 65)
Arthur Q. Smith born in Griffin, Georgia, 1909 (died 1963)
Cousin Jody (ne James Summey) born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1914 (died 1975)
Fiddlin' John Carson died (natural causes), 1949 (was 81)
Commercial plane with Tex Ritter aboard as a passenger hijacked to Cuba, 1968
December 12:
Hank Williams III born in Houston, Texas, 1972 (now 37)
LaCosta Tucker born in Seminole, Texas, 1951 (now 58)
Clifton Chenier died (kidney disease related to diabetes), 1987 (was 62)
December 13:
Buck White born in Oklahoma, 1930 (now 79)
Randy Owen of Alabama born in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1949 (now 60)
John Anderson born in Orlando, Florida, 1954 (now 55)
Wesley Tuttle born in Lamar, Colorado, 1917 (died 2003)
Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman wed, 1934
December 14:
DeFord Bailey born in Smith County, Tennessee, 1899 (died 1982)
Charlie Rich born in Forest City, Arkansas, 1932 (died 1995)
December 15:
Doug Phelps of Kentucky Headhunters born in Leachville, Arkansas, 1960 (now 49)
Alvin Pleasant Carter born in Maces Spring, Virginia, 1891 (died 1960)
Jerry Wallace born in Guilford, Missouri, 1928 (died 2008)
Ernie Ashworth born in Huntsville, Alabama, 1928 (died 2009)
Nudie Cohn (ne Nuta Kotlyarenko) born in Kiev, Ukraine, 1902 (died 1984)
William Eugene "Red" Rector born in Marshall, North Carolina, 1929 (died 1990)
Hank Williams marries Audrey Guy, 1944
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Old Time Religion
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me
ARTIST: Browns Ferry FourSONGWRITER: B.N. Hultsman
ALBUM: None, released on 78 YEAR/LABEL: 1946; King
The "Hee Haw Quartet" was just an attempt to try to imitate the Browns Ferry Four.
(Grandpa Jones)
King Records was the place to be for hillbilly recordings in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The roster reads like a "who's who" of Hall of Fame members or people who should be there. The Browns Ferry Four was a group that literally was a who's who of Hall of Famers: Alton and Rabon Delmore (2001 inductees), Grandpa Jones (1978), and rotating bass singers, usually Red Foley (1967) or Merle Travis (1977). These secular artists joined forces occasionally to record gospel sides for release. The results were usually good, but the standout was "Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me."
There was nothing complicated about the Browns Ferry Four. All they did was sing, and oh how they sang. The diverse vocal styles of the acts blended together perfectly to create a lovely sound reminiscent of a southern church house on Sunday morning. Red Foley was the bass singer on the session that produced this song. One guitar provided the musical accompaniment. On the chorus the quartet changed from singing together to a call-and-response style with Alton and Rabon taking turns while Foley provided the superb bass singing.
The Browns Ferry Four left too few (44) gospel recordings and no secular work. Their last recording session was in August 1952, less than four months before junior Delmore Brother Rabon lost his battle with lung cancer. The beautiful harmonies they left on this and the other tracks they did record show that they could have been the first "supergroup" in country music.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
The "Hee Haw Quartet" was just an attempt to try to imitate the Browns Ferry Four.
(Grandpa Jones)
King Records was the place to be for hillbilly recordings in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The roster reads like a "who's who" of Hall of Fame members or people who should be there. The Browns Ferry Four was a group that literally was a who's who of Hall of Famers: Alton and Rabon Delmore (2001 inductees), Grandpa Jones (1978), and rotating bass singers, usually Red Foley (1967) or Merle Travis (1977). These secular artists joined forces occasionally to record gospel sides for release. The results were usually good, but the standout was "Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me."
There was nothing complicated about the Browns Ferry Four. All they did was sing, and oh how they sang. The diverse vocal styles of the acts blended together perfectly to create a lovely sound reminiscent of a southern church house on Sunday morning. Red Foley was the bass singer on the session that produced this song. One guitar provided the musical accompaniment. On the chorus the quartet changed from singing together to a call-and-response style with Alton and Rabon taking turns while Foley provided the superb bass singing.
The Browns Ferry Four left too few (44) gospel recordings and no secular work. Their last recording session was in August 1952, less than four months before junior Delmore Brother Rabon lost his battle with lung cancer. The beautiful harmonies they left on this and the other tracks they did record show that they could have been the first "supergroup" in country music.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
Where the Legends Sang
Category: News
"We did it, Cincinnati!" R&B and funk superstar Bootsy Collins proclaimed. "We did it! We did it!!"
What was the bass player of P-Funk so excited about? The erection of a plaque about a hillbilly.
A crowd stood outside 811 Race Street in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday (11/22) afternoon as a plaque commemorating the location of Herzog Studios, the legendary studios that saw recordings by Flatt & Scruggs, the Delmore Brothers, Homer & Jethro, Cowboy Copas, Patti Page, Rex Allen, and many others, was unveiled.
The Herzog Studios marker
The other side of the marker salutes one recording star in particular: Hank Williams. Hank's "Lovesick Blues" was recorded at Herzog Studios in December 1948, and eight other sides were recorded in August 1949. With the tunes recorded at Herzog, Williams became an established superstar in country music.
The marker discussing Hank
Williams' recordings at Herzog
Among the distinguished guest were Zella Nathan, widow of King Records founder Syd Nathan, Debby Delmore, daughter of Alton Delmore of the Delmore Brothers, Cincinnati music ambassador and native Bootsy Collins, and Bucky Herzog's son Buck, who read the side of the plaque about his father's studio to the crowd.
Following the unveiling a reception was held on the second floor, which housed the Herzog Studios for a decade. Photos and stories of the acts who recorded at Herzog adorned the walls and a band played several songs that were cut there. Cincinnati Public Library music librarian and King Records historian Brian Powers put tape on the floors, working from a diagram provided by a studio musician who had worked there, to indicate where the control booth, storage room, and other elements of the original studio had been.
Congratulations to Brian Powers, who lobbied long and hard to have the Herzog Studios officially recognized as an historical site by the city of Cincinnati. Congratulations, too, to the "Queen City" for celebrating its rich musical heritage.
"We did it, Cincinnati!" R&B and funk superstar Bootsy Collins proclaimed. "We did it! We did it!!"
What was the bass player of P-Funk so excited about? The erection of a plaque about a hillbilly.
A crowd stood outside 811 Race Street in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday (11/22) afternoon as a plaque commemorating the location of Herzog Studios, the legendary studios that saw recordings by Flatt & Scruggs, the Delmore Brothers, Homer & Jethro, Cowboy Copas, Patti Page, Rex Allen, and many others, was unveiled.
The Herzog Studios marker
The other side of the marker salutes one recording star in particular: Hank Williams. Hank's "Lovesick Blues" was recorded at Herzog Studios in December 1948, and eight other sides were recorded in August 1949. With the tunes recorded at Herzog, Williams became an established superstar in country music.
The marker discussing Hank
Williams' recordings at Herzog
Among the distinguished guest were Zella Nathan, widow of King Records founder Syd Nathan, Debby Delmore, daughter of Alton Delmore of the Delmore Brothers, Cincinnati music ambassador and native Bootsy Collins, and Bucky Herzog's son Buck, who read the side of the plaque about his father's studio to the crowd.
Following the unveiling a reception was held on the second floor, which housed the Herzog Studios for a decade. Photos and stories of the acts who recorded at Herzog adorned the walls and a band played several songs that were cut there. Cincinnati Public Library music librarian and King Records historian Brian Powers put tape on the floors, working from a diagram provided by a studio musician who had worked there, to indicate where the control booth, storage room, and other elements of the original studio had been.
Congratulations to Brian Powers, who lobbied long and hard to have the Herzog Studios officially recognized as an historical site by the city of Cincinnati. Congratulations, too, to the "Queen City" for celebrating its rich musical heritage.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, November 16-30
Category: News
(Hall of Famers in bold)
November 16:
Troy Seals born in Bill Hill, Kentucky, 1938 (now 71)
Larry Cordel born in Cordell, Kentucky, 1949 (now 60)
Will Goleman of the Cactus Brothers born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1963 (now 46)
Ernest Tubb biographer Ronnie Pugh born in Texas, year unknown
Earl Bolick born in Hickory, North Carolina, 1919 (died 1998)
J.D. Sumner died (heart attack), 1998 (was 73)
November 17:
Gordon Lightfoot born in Orilla, Ontario, Canada, 1938 (now 71). The legendary folk singer has written such hits as Marty Robbins' "Ribbon of Darkness" and Bill Anderson's "Did She Mention My Name."
Eva Foley (Red Foley's wife) died (suicide), 1951 (was 33)
Don Gibson died (natural causes), 2003 (was 75)
November 18:
Jessi Alexander born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1976 (now 33)
John McFee of Southern Pacific born in Santa Cruz, California, 1953 (now 56)
Doug Sahm died (heart attack), 1999 (was 58)
November 19:
Billy Currington born in Savannah, Georgia, 1973 (now 36)
Jerry Foster born in Tallapoosa, Missouri, 1935 (now 74)
Joe Falcon died (unknown cause), 1965 (was 65). Falcon is credited with making the first recording of a Cajun song in 1928 with "Allons a Lafayette."
Bobby Russell died (coronary artery disease), 1992 (was 51)
November 20:
Curly Putman born in Princeton, Alabama, 1930 (now 79)
George Grantham of Poco and Ricky Skaggs' band born in Cordell, Oklahoma, 1947 (now 62)
Dierks Bentley born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1975 (now 34)
Josh Turner born in Hannah, South Carolina, 1977 (now 32)
Judy Canova born in Starke, Florida, 1913 (died 1983)
Eck Robertson born in Madison County, Arkansas, 1897 (died 1975)
RCA buys the contract of Elvis Presley from Sun Records for $35,000, 1955
November 21:
Jean Shepard born in Paul Valley, Oklahoma, 1933 (now 76)
Joe Carson born in Holliday, Texas, 1936 (died 1964)
Jim Eanes died (congestive heart failure), 1995 (was 71)
Charlie Daniels pulls out of "Country Freedom Concert" after being told not to perform "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag," 2001
November 22:
Wiley Post born in Grand Saline, Texas, 1899 (died 1935)
First Disc Jockey Convention held in Nashville, 1952
Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan married, 1986
November 23:
Jerry Sullivan born in Wagarville, Alabama, 1933 (now 76)
Charlie Sizemore born in Richmond, Kentucky, 1960 (now 49)
Spade Cooley died (heart attack), 1969 (was 58)
Grady Nutt died (plane crash), 1982 (was 48)
Roy Acuff died (congestive heart failure), 1992 (was 89)
Smokey Rogers died (unknown cause), 1993 (was 76)
November 24:
Johnny Carver born in Jackson, Mississippi, 1940 (now 69)
Stoney Edwards born in Seminole, Oklahoma, 1929 (died 1997)
Teddy Wilburn died (congestive heart failure), 2003 (was 71)
Wanted! The Outlaws by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and Jessi Colter certified platinum, making it the first certified platinum album in country music
November 25:
Amy Grant born in Augusta, Georgia, 1960 (now 49)
Eddie Stubbs born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, 1961 (now 48)
Biff Collie born in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1926 (died 1992)
Ralph Emery debuts on WSM in overnight slot, 1957
November 26:
Joe Nichols born in Rogers, Arkansas, 1976 (now 33)
November 27:
Eddie Rabbitt born in Brooklyn, New York, 1941 (died 1998)
Charlene Arthur died in Idaho (atherosclerosis), 1987 (was 58)
November 28:
WSM Barn Dance (later known as the Grand Ole Opry) born, 1925 (now 84)
Carrie Rodgers, widow of Jimmie Rodgers, died (cancer), 1961
November 29:
Merle Travis born in Rosewood, Kentucky, 1917 (died 1983)
Jody Miller born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1941 (now 68)
Joel Whitburn born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 1938 (now 71)
Jim Nesbitt died (heart ailment), 2007 (was 75)
November 30:
Bob Moore born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1932 (now 77)
Jeannie Kendall born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1954 (now 55)
Mindy McCready born in Ft. Myers, Florida, 1975 (now 34)
Teddy Wilburn born in Hardy, Arkansas, 1931 (died 2003)
Jack Reno born in Bloomfield, Iowa, 1935 (died 2008)
David Houston died (brain aneurysm), 1993 (was 54)
(Hall of Famers in bold)
November 16:
Troy Seals born in Bill Hill, Kentucky, 1938 (now 71)
Larry Cordel born in Cordell, Kentucky, 1949 (now 60)
Will Goleman of the Cactus Brothers born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1963 (now 46)
Ernest Tubb biographer Ronnie Pugh born in Texas, year unknown
Earl Bolick born in Hickory, North Carolina, 1919 (died 1998)
J.D. Sumner died (heart attack), 1998 (was 73)
November 17:
Gordon Lightfoot born in Orilla, Ontario, Canada, 1938 (now 71). The legendary folk singer has written such hits as Marty Robbins' "Ribbon of Darkness" and Bill Anderson's "Did She Mention My Name."
Eva Foley (Red Foley's wife) died (suicide), 1951 (was 33)
Don Gibson died (natural causes), 2003 (was 75)
November 18:
Jessi Alexander born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1976 (now 33)
John McFee of Southern Pacific born in Santa Cruz, California, 1953 (now 56)
Doug Sahm died (heart attack), 1999 (was 58)
November 19:
Billy Currington born in Savannah, Georgia, 1973 (now 36)
Jerry Foster born in Tallapoosa, Missouri, 1935 (now 74)
Joe Falcon died (unknown cause), 1965 (was 65). Falcon is credited with making the first recording of a Cajun song in 1928 with "Allons a Lafayette."
Bobby Russell died (coronary artery disease), 1992 (was 51)
November 20:
Curly Putman born in Princeton, Alabama, 1930 (now 79)
George Grantham of Poco and Ricky Skaggs' band born in Cordell, Oklahoma, 1947 (now 62)
Dierks Bentley born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1975 (now 34)
Josh Turner born in Hannah, South Carolina, 1977 (now 32)
Judy Canova born in Starke, Florida, 1913 (died 1983)
Eck Robertson born in Madison County, Arkansas, 1897 (died 1975)
RCA buys the contract of Elvis Presley from Sun Records for $35,000, 1955
November 21:
Jean Shepard born in Paul Valley, Oklahoma, 1933 (now 76)
Joe Carson born in Holliday, Texas, 1936 (died 1964)
Jim Eanes died (congestive heart failure), 1995 (was 71)
Charlie Daniels pulls out of "Country Freedom Concert" after being told not to perform "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag," 2001
November 22:
Wiley Post born in Grand Saline, Texas, 1899 (died 1935)
First Disc Jockey Convention held in Nashville, 1952
Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan married, 1986
November 23:
Jerry Sullivan born in Wagarville, Alabama, 1933 (now 76)
Charlie Sizemore born in Richmond, Kentucky, 1960 (now 49)
Spade Cooley died (heart attack), 1969 (was 58)
Grady Nutt died (plane crash), 1982 (was 48)
Roy Acuff died (congestive heart failure), 1992 (was 89)
Smokey Rogers died (unknown cause), 1993 (was 76)
November 24:
Johnny Carver born in Jackson, Mississippi, 1940 (now 69)
Stoney Edwards born in Seminole, Oklahoma, 1929 (died 1997)
Teddy Wilburn died (congestive heart failure), 2003 (was 71)
Wanted! The Outlaws by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and Jessi Colter certified platinum, making it the first certified platinum album in country music
November 25:
Amy Grant born in Augusta, Georgia, 1960 (now 49)
Eddie Stubbs born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, 1961 (now 48)
Biff Collie born in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1926 (died 1992)
Ralph Emery debuts on WSM in overnight slot, 1957
November 26:
Joe Nichols born in Rogers, Arkansas, 1976 (now 33)
November 27:
Eddie Rabbitt born in Brooklyn, New York, 1941 (died 1998)
Charlene Arthur died in Idaho (atherosclerosis), 1987 (was 58)
November 28:
WSM Barn Dance (later known as the Grand Ole Opry) born, 1925 (now 84)
Carrie Rodgers, widow of Jimmie Rodgers, died (cancer), 1961
November 29:
Merle Travis born in Rosewood, Kentucky, 1917 (died 1983)
Jody Miller born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1941 (now 68)
Joel Whitburn born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 1938 (now 71)
Jim Nesbitt died (heart ailment), 2007 (was 75)
November 30:
Bob Moore born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1932 (now 77)
Jeannie Kendall born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1954 (now 55)
Mindy McCready born in Ft. Myers, Florida, 1975 (now 34)
Teddy Wilburn born in Hardy, Arkansas, 1931 (died 2003)
Jack Reno born in Bloomfield, Iowa, 1935 (died 2008)
David Houston died (brain aneurysm), 1993 (was 54)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Knee Slapper
Category: Tribute
Robert Whitstein was a knee-slapper.
Not in a painful or vicious way, but that was his way of letting his friends know he was joking.
Robert could be as straight-faced as the best dramatic actor while pulling their leg. Then he'd slap the poor victim's knee and everyone was in on the joke.
One of my favorite times was at the 1994 IBMA convention. Robert and Charles had just reunited after Robert took some time off because he didn't like the road. (That's understandable when you're in St. Louis tonight, Boise the next night, and Minneapolis the night after!) After their showcase performance we were heading up to the Rounder Records suite in the elevator. A young boy, maybe 10 years old, was in the elevator with us. He gazed up at Robert for a long time and finally said, "You guys were good."
"Thanks," Robert replied politely.
When we got to the suite things changed.
"You know what I should've told that boy?" Robert asked me with a solemn face. "When he said, 'You guys were good?' I should've said, 'Hell, I know it!'"
Then came the knee slap.
Robert Whitstein at City Stages in
Birmingham, Alabama, 1998
There are probably a lot of people in Heaven who've had their knees slapped in the eight years since Robert left us on November 14, 2001.
Robert Whitstein was a knee-slapper.
Not in a painful or vicious way, but that was his way of letting his friends know he was joking.
Robert could be as straight-faced as the best dramatic actor while pulling their leg. Then he'd slap the poor victim's knee and everyone was in on the joke.
One of my favorite times was at the 1994 IBMA convention. Robert and Charles had just reunited after Robert took some time off because he didn't like the road. (That's understandable when you're in St. Louis tonight, Boise the next night, and Minneapolis the night after!) After their showcase performance we were heading up to the Rounder Records suite in the elevator. A young boy, maybe 10 years old, was in the elevator with us. He gazed up at Robert for a long time and finally said, "You guys were good."
"Thanks," Robert replied politely.
When we got to the suite things changed.
"You know what I should've told that boy?" Robert asked me with a solemn face. "When he said, 'You guys were good?' I should've said, 'Hell, I know it!'"
Then came the knee slap.
Robert Whitstein at City Stages in
Birmingham, Alabama, 1998
There are probably a lot of people in Heaven who've had their knees slapped in the eight years since Robert left us on November 14, 2001.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Thanks to Country Music's Veterans
Category: Tribute
We pause on Veterans Day to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our nation by service in the Armed Forces.
Here is a list of some of the country music singers and songwriters who have blessed us with their music and their military service.
ARMY: Jules Verne Allen (World War I), Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, Aytchie Burns (World War II), Jethro Burns (World War II), Tommy Cash, Homer Haynes (World War II), Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Louvin (World War II and Korea), Ira Louvin, Darrell McCall, Skeets McDonald, Jesse McReynolds (Korea), Jim McReynolds (Korea), Roger Miller, Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, John Prine, Boots Randolph, Jerry Reed, Don Reno (World War II), Ralph Stanley (World War II), George Strait, Nat Stuckey (Korea), Conway Twitty, Charlie Walker, Doyle Wilburn (Korea), Teddy Wilburn (Korea), Faron Young.
NAVY: Archie Campbell (World War II), Cy Coben (World War II), Larry Cordle, Stonewall Jackson, Johnny Lee (Vietnam), Bill Nettles (World War I), Johnny Paycheck, Ray Pillow, Marty Robbins (World War II), Carl Smith, Hank Thompson (World War II).
AIR FORCE/ARMY AIR CORPS: Gene Autry (World War II), Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dean, Tennessee Ernie Ford (World War II), Willie Nelson, Mike Nesmith, Del Reeves, Charlie Rich, Carter Stanley (World War II), Mel Tillis.
MARINES: Wendy Bagwell (World War II), Tommy Collins, Don Everly, Phil Everly, Freddy Fender, Josh Garcin, Freddie Hart (World War II), George Jones, Ray Price (World War II), Charles Whitstein, Robert Whitstein (Vietnam).
MERCHANT MARINES: Ferlin Husky (World War II).
TWO BRANCHES: Bob Ferguson (first Army, then Marines; in the Korean War as a Marine).
Thank you.
We pause on Veterans Day to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our nation by service in the Armed Forces.
Here is a list of some of the country music singers and songwriters who have blessed us with their music and their military service.
ARMY: Jules Verne Allen (World War I), Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, Aytchie Burns (World War II), Jethro Burns (World War II), Tommy Cash, Homer Haynes (World War II), Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Louvin (World War II and Korea), Ira Louvin, Darrell McCall, Skeets McDonald, Jesse McReynolds (Korea), Jim McReynolds (Korea), Roger Miller, Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, John Prine, Boots Randolph, Jerry Reed, Don Reno (World War II), Ralph Stanley (World War II), George Strait, Nat Stuckey (Korea), Conway Twitty, Charlie Walker, Doyle Wilburn (Korea), Teddy Wilburn (Korea), Faron Young.
NAVY: Archie Campbell (World War II), Cy Coben (World War II), Larry Cordle, Stonewall Jackson, Johnny Lee (Vietnam), Bill Nettles (World War I), Johnny Paycheck, Ray Pillow, Marty Robbins (World War II), Carl Smith, Hank Thompson (World War II).
AIR FORCE/ARMY AIR CORPS: Gene Autry (World War II), Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dean, Tennessee Ernie Ford (World War II), Willie Nelson, Mike Nesmith, Del Reeves, Charlie Rich, Carter Stanley (World War II), Mel Tillis.
MARINES: Wendy Bagwell (World War II), Tommy Collins, Don Everly, Phil Everly, Freddy Fender, Josh Garcin, Freddie Hart (World War II), George Jones, Ray Price (World War II), Charles Whitstein, Robert Whitstein (Vietnam).
MERCHANT MARINES: Ferlin Husky (World War II).
TWO BRANCHES: Bob Ferguson (first Army, then Marines; in the Korean War as a Marine).
Thank you.
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