CATEGORY: News
Hall of Fame members in bold
July 1:
John Lair born in Livingston, Kentucky, 1894 (died 1985). Lair, a one-time announcer on the WLS National Barn Dance, founded the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky in 1939.
Keith Whitley born in Sandy Hook, Kentucky, 1955 (died 1989)
July 2:
Marvin Rainwater born in Wichita, Kansas, 1925 (now 84)
Fred Maddox of the Maddox Brothers born in Boaz, Alabama, 1919 (died 1992)
Ken Curtis (one-time member of Sons of the Pioneers as well as Gunsmoke actor) born in Lamar, Colorado, 1916 (died 1991)
DeFord Bailey died (natural causes), 1982 (was 82)
Jim Reeves' final RCA recording session, 1964
July 3:
Johnny Lee born in Texas City, Texas, 1946 (now 63)
Aaron Tippin born in Pensacola, Florida, 1958 (now 51)
Johnny Russell died (complications of diabetes), 2001 (was 61)
Homer L. "Boots" Randolph died (subdural hematoma), 2007 (was 80)
July 4:
Ray Pillow born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1937 (now 72)
Charlie Monroe born in Rosine, Kentucky, 1903 (died 1975)
Marion Worth born in Birmingham, Alabama, 1930 (died 1999)
Big Al Downing died (leukemia), 2005 (was 65)
July 5:
James "Guy" Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Alex, Arkansas, 1915 (died 1981)
The Grand Ole Opry's first show at the War Memorial Auditorium, 1939
July 6:
Jeannie Seely born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, 1940 (now 69)
Nancy Griffith born in Austin, Texas, 1953 (now 56)
Roy Rogers died (heart failure), 1998 (was 86)
July 7:
Charlie Louvin born in Rainsville, Alabama, 1927 (now 82)
John "Lonzo" Sullivan born in Edmonton, Kentucky, 1917 (died 1967)
Doyle Wilburn born in Hardy, Arkansas, 1930 (died 1982)
George Morgan died (complications of heart bypass surgery), 1975 (was 50)
July 8:
Toby Keith born in Clinton, Oklahoma, 1961 (now 48)
Louis Jordan (a jazz artist who had two country #1 hits in 1944) born in Brinkley, Arkansas, 1908 (died 1975)
Ervin Rouse died (complications from diabetes), 1981 (was 64)
Marty Stuart and Connie Smith married, 1997
July 9:
Jesse McReynolds born in Coeburn, Virginia, 1929 (now 81)
David Ball born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, 1953 (now 56)
Eddie Dean born in Posey, Texas, 1907 (died 1999)
Molly O'Day born in Pike County, Kentucky, 1923 (died 1987)
The Country Music Association announced the largest Country Music Hall of Fame induction class ever -- a total of 12 inductees (Bill Anderson, Delmore Brothers, Everly Brothers, Don Gibson, Homer & Jethro, Waylon Jennings, Jordanaires, Don Law, Louvin Brothers, Ken Nelson, Webb Pierce, and Sam Phillips) -- to coincide with the opening of the new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 2001
July 10:
Randall E. "Hawk" Shaw Wilson of BR5-49 born in Topeka, Kansas, 1960 (now 49)
July 11:
Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Detroit, Michigan, 1947 (now 62)
July 12:
Steve Young born in Newman, Georgia, 1942 (now 67)
Jimmie Driftwood died (heart attack), 1998 (was 91)
July 13:
Louise Mandrell of the Mandrell Sisters born in Corpus Christi, Texas, 1954 (now 55)
Rhonda Vincent born in Kirksville, Missouri, 1962 (now 47)
Bradley Kincaid born in Level, Kentucky, 1895 (died 1989)
Tim Spencer born in Webb City, Missouri, 1908 (died 1974)
Riley Puckett died (blood poisoning), 1946 (was 62)
July 14:
Woody Guthrie born in Okemah, Oklahoma, 1912 (died 1967)
Marijohn Wilkin born in Kemp, Texas, 1920 (died 2006)
Del Reeves born in Sparta, North Carolina, 1933 (died 2007)
July 15:
Johnny Sea born in Gulfport, Mississippi, 1940 (now 68)
Linda Ronstadt born in Tucson, Arizona, 1946 (now 63)
Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas born in Adams County, Ohio, 1913 (died 1963)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Solo Harmony
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: My Book of Memories
ARTIST: Charlie Louvin
SONGWRITER: Bobby Austin
ALBUM: None, B-side of "I Don't Love You Anymore"
YEAR/LABEL: 1964, Capitol
Any song worth singing is worth singing with harmony.
(Charlie Louvin)
By 1963 Charlie Louvin had taken all he could from his 90-proof brother Ira. After a show where they shared the bill with Ray Price Ira said he was quitting, and Charlie called his bluff. Two weeks later, Charlie appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as a solo act for the first time, launching a career that was more commercially successful than the Louvin Brothers' had been -- although, in retrospect, not nearly as well remembered. That is a shame because Charlie recorded some great work in his solo career.
His new life began on a very high note with the Bill Anderson composition, "I Don't Love You Anymore," complete with its punch line ("trouble is, I don't love you any less"). As fine a tune as that was, the B-side of the 45 held a great treasure in the Bobby Austin song "My Book of Memories."
As it became more and more evident that the Louvin Brothers as an act were falling to pieces faster than a Patsy Cline song Charlie began looking for a replacement. That proved difficult because of the singularly unique quality of Ira's tenor. Amazingly, he found a quality vocalist/mandolin player by the name of Tommy Hagen (who was also a songwriter: he wrote "Oh Lord, My God" on Thank God for My Christian Home, the final album of the Louvin Brothers' career). Hagen accompanied Louvin on tour for a couple of years as well as on "What Can Any Man Do" from Louvin's first solo album (Less and Less and I Don't Love You Anymore) as well as "My Book of Memories."
The results were amazing. Austin's excellent composition (later recorded by George Jones) was elevated by the harmonies Louvin and Hagen delivered. Louvin delivered the lines recalling a broken relationship with marvelous emotion while Hagen joined him in the chorus, providing harmonies that can only be described (at the risk of sounding sarcastic) as Louvinesque.
By the time of Ira's death in 1965 Hagen had left Charlie to go into the ministry. For most of his successful solo era Louvin resorted to using female vocalists because he could not find another tenor singer to match his late brother's work or the gem he had found in Hagen. It was not until he teamed up with Charles Whitstein, the tenor half of the Whitstein Brothers, that he would rediscover the Louvin magic.
Charlie's first solo album has been released on CD (in a double package with Lonesome is Me), but this B-side was omitted. Hopefully one day it will make its way to CD release because it is far too good a song to be left in the "book of memories" of 1964.
OTHER CHARLIE LOUVIN MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Less and Less and I Don't Love You Anymore album -- songs like the Del Reeves composition "I'll Have Made It to the Bridge" are why country music has the reputation for sad songs that it does -- and I mean that as a compliment. This is an outstanding album, not just as a solo debut, but for all times. Louvin was nominated for a "Best New Country Artist" because of this masterpiece.
"Ira" (from Charlie Louvin [2007 CD]) -- Charlie looking back at his life without his brother and partner, realizing that "one day soon I'll join you with the angels" but having to get his feelings out before that happens. This song should've won a Grammy, a CMA award, an ACM award, and every other music award in existence, it's that good.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
SONG: My Book of Memories
ARTIST: Charlie Louvin
SONGWRITER: Bobby Austin
ALBUM: None, B-side of "I Don't Love You Anymore"
YEAR/LABEL: 1964, Capitol
Any song worth singing is worth singing with harmony.
(Charlie Louvin)
By 1963 Charlie Louvin had taken all he could from his 90-proof brother Ira. After a show where they shared the bill with Ray Price Ira said he was quitting, and Charlie called his bluff. Two weeks later, Charlie appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as a solo act for the first time, launching a career that was more commercially successful than the Louvin Brothers' had been -- although, in retrospect, not nearly as well remembered. That is a shame because Charlie recorded some great work in his solo career.
His new life began on a very high note with the Bill Anderson composition, "I Don't Love You Anymore," complete with its punch line ("trouble is, I don't love you any less"). As fine a tune as that was, the B-side of the 45 held a great treasure in the Bobby Austin song "My Book of Memories."
As it became more and more evident that the Louvin Brothers as an act were falling to pieces faster than a Patsy Cline song Charlie began looking for a replacement. That proved difficult because of the singularly unique quality of Ira's tenor. Amazingly, he found a quality vocalist/mandolin player by the name of Tommy Hagen (who was also a songwriter: he wrote "Oh Lord, My God" on Thank God for My Christian Home, the final album of the Louvin Brothers' career). Hagen accompanied Louvin on tour for a couple of years as well as on "What Can Any Man Do" from Louvin's first solo album (Less and Less and I Don't Love You Anymore) as well as "My Book of Memories."
The results were amazing. Austin's excellent composition (later recorded by George Jones) was elevated by the harmonies Louvin and Hagen delivered. Louvin delivered the lines recalling a broken relationship with marvelous emotion while Hagen joined him in the chorus, providing harmonies that can only be described (at the risk of sounding sarcastic) as Louvinesque.
By the time of Ira's death in 1965 Hagen had left Charlie to go into the ministry. For most of his successful solo era Louvin resorted to using female vocalists because he could not find another tenor singer to match his late brother's work or the gem he had found in Hagen. It was not until he teamed up with Charles Whitstein, the tenor half of the Whitstein Brothers, that he would rediscover the Louvin magic.
Charlie's first solo album has been released on CD (in a double package with Lonesome is Me), but this B-side was omitted. Hopefully one day it will make its way to CD release because it is far too good a song to be left in the "book of memories" of 1964.
OTHER CHARLIE LOUVIN MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Less and Less and I Don't Love You Anymore album -- songs like the Del Reeves composition "I'll Have Made It to the Bridge" are why country music has the reputation for sad songs that it does -- and I mean that as a compliment. This is an outstanding album, not just as a solo debut, but for all times. Louvin was nominated for a "Best New Country Artist" because of this masterpiece.
"Ira" (from Charlie Louvin [2007 CD]) -- Charlie looking back at his life without his brother and partner, realizing that "one day soon I'll join you with the angels" but having to get his feelings out before that happens. This song should've won a Grammy, a CMA award, an ACM award, and every other music award in existence, it's that good.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tim Krekel Dies
Category: News
The name Tim Krekel most likely doesn't ring a bell with anyone outside of Louisville or die-hard Jimmy Buffett fans. Krekel spent his life happily at home in his hometown, where he was a singer/songwriter legend.
Tim Krekel died today (June 24) of stomach cancer.
Krekel's songs have been recorded by the likes of rockers Jason & the Scorchers (the searing commentary on the music industry, "Greetings From Nashville," with the classic line, "Somewhere Hank and Lefty are rolling in their graves while kudzu vines grow over the signs that read 'Jesus saves'") and Jimmy Buffett ("Morris' Nightmare," which appeared on Buffett's 1978 live album You Had to Be There with Krekel in the band).
Several country artists found his songwriting appealing and covered his tunes. Jerry Reed, Vern Gosdin, and Martina McBride are among the many who recorded Krekel songs. Two of his songs, "You Can Feel Bad" (co-written with and recorded by Matraca Berg) and "Turning Away" (recorded by Crystal Gayle), won BMI songwriter's awards for Krekel.
Tim Krekel was 58.
The name Tim Krekel most likely doesn't ring a bell with anyone outside of Louisville or die-hard Jimmy Buffett fans. Krekel spent his life happily at home in his hometown, where he was a singer/songwriter legend.
Tim Krekel died today (June 24) of stomach cancer.
Krekel's songs have been recorded by the likes of rockers Jason & the Scorchers (the searing commentary on the music industry, "Greetings From Nashville," with the classic line, "Somewhere Hank and Lefty are rolling in their graves while kudzu vines grow over the signs that read 'Jesus saves'") and Jimmy Buffett ("Morris' Nightmare," which appeared on Buffett's 1978 live album You Had to Be There with Krekel in the band).
Several country artists found his songwriting appealing and covered his tunes. Jerry Reed, Vern Gosdin, and Martina McBride are among the many who recorded Krekel songs. Two of his songs, "You Can Feel Bad" (co-written with and recorded by Matraca Berg) and "Turning Away" (recorded by Crystal Gayle), won BMI songwriter's awards for Krekel.
Tim Krekel was 58.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, June 16-30
Category: News
Hall of Fame members in bold
June 16:
Billy "Crash" Craddock born in Greensboro, North Carolina, 1946 (now 63)
Bob Nolan of the Sons of the Pioneers died (heart attack), 1980 (was 72)
June 17:
Clyde "Red" Foley born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, 1910 (died 1968)
Dave Akeman (Stringbean) born in Annville, Kentucky, 1916 (died 1973)
Minnie Pearl suffered a stroke that ended her career, 1991
Ground breaking ceremonies held for the new Country Music Hall of Fame, 1999. Your blogger was a member of the "All-Guitar Marching Band," fronted by Chet Atkins, that led the Hall of Fame members to the grounds.
June 18:
Sir Paul McCartney born in Liverpool, England, 1942 (now 67). The legendary Beatle hit the country chart in 1974 with "Sally G." He was also introduced to a Friday Night Opry audience in 1974 by Roy Acuff, where McCartney proclaimed Nashville the "music capital of the universe."
Marty Haggard born in Bakersfield, California, 1958 (now 51)
Blake Shelton born in Ada, Oklahoma, 1976 (now 33)
Zeke Turner born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1923 (died 2003)
Henry Maddox of the Maddox Brothers & Rose died (heart disease), 1974 (was 46)
A.P. Carter married Sara Dougherty, 1915
June 19:
Doug Stone born in Marietta, Georgia, 1956 (now 53)
Howard Dixon of the Dixon Brothers born in Darlington, South Carolina, 1903 (died 1951)
Lester Flatt born in Sparta, Tennessee, 1914 (died 1979)
Pat Buttram born in Addison, Alabama, 1915 (died 1994)
Bobby Helms died (emphysema), 1997 (was 63)
June 20:
Anne Murray born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, 1945 (now 64)
Evelyn Mae Cox of the Cox Family born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1959 (now 50)
Jimmie Driftwood born in Mountain View, Arkansas, 1907 (died 1998)
T. Texas Tyler born in Mena, Arkansas, 1916 (died 1972)
Chet Atkins born in Luttrell, Tennessee, 1924 (died 2001)
Ira Louvin died (car wreck), 1965 (was 41)
Whitey Ford, the "Duke of Paducah," died (cancer), 1986 (was 85)
June 21:
Charlie Lamb born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1921 (now 88)
Eddie Adcock born in Scottsville, Virginia, 1938 (now 71)
Leon Everette born in Aiken, South Carolina, 1948 (now 61)
Kathy Mattea born in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, 1959 (now 50)
Porter Howell of Little Texas born in Longview, Texas, 1964 (now 45)
June 22:
Peter Asher born in Williesden, Middlesex, England, 1944 (now 65). The former half of the pop duo Peter and Gordon was the producer of most of Linda Ronstadt's crossover hits.
Kris Kristofferson born in Brownsville, Texas, 1936 (now 72)
Ralph S. Peer born in Independence, Missouri, 1892 (died 1960)
Roy Drusky born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1930 (died 2004)
Elton Britt died (heart attack), 1972 (was 58)
June 23:
Zeb Turner born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1915 (died 1978)
June Carter Cash born in Maces Springs, Virginia, 1929 (died 2003)
June 24:
Johnnie Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1918 (died 1989)
Foy Willing of Riders of the Purple Sage died (heart attack), 1978 (was 63)
June 25:
Jenifer Strait, daughter of George Strait, died (car wreck), 1986 (was 13)
Boudleaux Bryant died (cancer), 1987 (was 67)
Lew DeWitt retires from the Statler Brothers because of health issues, 1982
Billboard magazine renames the "Hillbilly" music chart the "Country and Western" chart, 1949
June 26:
Doc Williams born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1914 (now 95)
Kenny Baker born in Jenkins, Kentucky, 1926 (now 83)
Gretchen Wilson born in Granite City, Illinois, 1973 (now 36)
Colonel Tom Parker born in Breda, Netherlands, 1909 (died 1997). Before Elvis, Colonel Tom managed Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, and Minnie Pearl.
Vernon Presley died (heart failure), 1979 (was 63)
Elvis Presley's final concert, at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, 1977
June 27:
Lorrie Morgan born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1959 (now 50)
Elton Britt born in Marshall, Arkansas, 1913 (died 1972)
Rosalie Allen born in Old Forge, Pennsylavania, 1924 (died 2003)
Little Roy Wiggins born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1926 (died 1999)
Joe Maphis died (lung cancer), 1986 (was 65)
Bob Keeshan born in Lynbrook, New York, 1927 (died 2004). The Statler Brothers referenced Keeshan's best-known character in their hit "Flowers on the Wall:" "Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo."
June 28:
George Morgan born in Waverly, Tennessee, 1924 (died 1975)
The WWVA Wheeling Jamboree began, 1940
June 29:
T. Tommy Cutrer born in Osyka, Mississippi, 1924 (died 1998)
Frank Loesser born in New York City, 1910 (died 1969). The legendary pop songwriter was the first "victim" of a Homer & Jethro parody in 1949, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." After Homer & Jethro recorded seven more parodies of Loesser compositions for an EP (Homer & Jethro Fracture Frank Loesser), Loesser, a fan of the pair, wrote the liner notes.
Rosemary Clooney died (lung cancer), 2002 (was 74)
June 30:
Dwayne O'Brien of Little Texas born in Ada, Oklahoma, 1963 (now 46)
Doyle Holly born in Perkins, Oklahoma, 1936 (died 2007)
R.W. Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet died (plane crash), 1954 (was 33)
Bill Lyles of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet died (plane crash), 1954 (age unknown)
Chet Atkins died (brain cancer), 2001 (was 77)
Hall of Fame members in bold
June 16:
Billy "Crash" Craddock born in Greensboro, North Carolina, 1946 (now 63)
Bob Nolan of the Sons of the Pioneers died (heart attack), 1980 (was 72)
June 17:
Clyde "Red" Foley born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, 1910 (died 1968)
Dave Akeman (Stringbean) born in Annville, Kentucky, 1916 (died 1973)
Minnie Pearl suffered a stroke that ended her career, 1991
Ground breaking ceremonies held for the new Country Music Hall of Fame, 1999. Your blogger was a member of the "All-Guitar Marching Band," fronted by Chet Atkins, that led the Hall of Fame members to the grounds.
June 18:
Sir Paul McCartney born in Liverpool, England, 1942 (now 67). The legendary Beatle hit the country chart in 1974 with "Sally G." He was also introduced to a Friday Night Opry audience in 1974 by Roy Acuff, where McCartney proclaimed Nashville the "music capital of the universe."
Marty Haggard born in Bakersfield, California, 1958 (now 51)
Blake Shelton born in Ada, Oklahoma, 1976 (now 33)
Zeke Turner born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1923 (died 2003)
Henry Maddox of the Maddox Brothers & Rose died (heart disease), 1974 (was 46)
A.P. Carter married Sara Dougherty, 1915
June 19:
Doug Stone born in Marietta, Georgia, 1956 (now 53)
Howard Dixon of the Dixon Brothers born in Darlington, South Carolina, 1903 (died 1951)
Lester Flatt born in Sparta, Tennessee, 1914 (died 1979)
Pat Buttram born in Addison, Alabama, 1915 (died 1994)
Bobby Helms died (emphysema), 1997 (was 63)
June 20:
Anne Murray born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, 1945 (now 64)
Evelyn Mae Cox of the Cox Family born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1959 (now 50)
Jimmie Driftwood born in Mountain View, Arkansas, 1907 (died 1998)
T. Texas Tyler born in Mena, Arkansas, 1916 (died 1972)
Chet Atkins born in Luttrell, Tennessee, 1924 (died 2001)
Ira Louvin died (car wreck), 1965 (was 41)
Whitey Ford, the "Duke of Paducah," died (cancer), 1986 (was 85)
June 21:
Charlie Lamb born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1921 (now 88)
Eddie Adcock born in Scottsville, Virginia, 1938 (now 71)
Leon Everette born in Aiken, South Carolina, 1948 (now 61)
Kathy Mattea born in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, 1959 (now 50)
Porter Howell of Little Texas born in Longview, Texas, 1964 (now 45)
June 22:
Peter Asher born in Williesden, Middlesex, England, 1944 (now 65). The former half of the pop duo Peter and Gordon was the producer of most of Linda Ronstadt's crossover hits.
Kris Kristofferson born in Brownsville, Texas, 1936 (now 72)
Ralph S. Peer born in Independence, Missouri, 1892 (died 1960)
Roy Drusky born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1930 (died 2004)
Elton Britt died (heart attack), 1972 (was 58)
June 23:
Zeb Turner born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1915 (died 1978)
June Carter Cash born in Maces Springs, Virginia, 1929 (died 2003)
June 24:
Johnnie Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1918 (died 1989)
Foy Willing of Riders of the Purple Sage died (heart attack), 1978 (was 63)
June 25:
Jenifer Strait, daughter of George Strait, died (car wreck), 1986 (was 13)
Boudleaux Bryant died (cancer), 1987 (was 67)
Lew DeWitt retires from the Statler Brothers because of health issues, 1982
Billboard magazine renames the "Hillbilly" music chart the "Country and Western" chart, 1949
June 26:
Doc Williams born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1914 (now 95)
Kenny Baker born in Jenkins, Kentucky, 1926 (now 83)
Gretchen Wilson born in Granite City, Illinois, 1973 (now 36)
Colonel Tom Parker born in Breda, Netherlands, 1909 (died 1997). Before Elvis, Colonel Tom managed Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, and Minnie Pearl.
Vernon Presley died (heart failure), 1979 (was 63)
Elvis Presley's final concert, at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, 1977
June 27:
Lorrie Morgan born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1959 (now 50)
Elton Britt born in Marshall, Arkansas, 1913 (died 1972)
Rosalie Allen born in Old Forge, Pennsylavania, 1924 (died 2003)
Little Roy Wiggins born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1926 (died 1999)
Joe Maphis died (lung cancer), 1986 (was 65)
Bob Keeshan born in Lynbrook, New York, 1927 (died 2004). The Statler Brothers referenced Keeshan's best-known character in their hit "Flowers on the Wall:" "Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo."
June 28:
George Morgan born in Waverly, Tennessee, 1924 (died 1975)
The WWVA Wheeling Jamboree began, 1940
June 29:
T. Tommy Cutrer born in Osyka, Mississippi, 1924 (died 1998)
Frank Loesser born in New York City, 1910 (died 1969). The legendary pop songwriter was the first "victim" of a Homer & Jethro parody in 1949, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." After Homer & Jethro recorded seven more parodies of Loesser compositions for an EP (Homer & Jethro Fracture Frank Loesser), Loesser, a fan of the pair, wrote the liner notes.
Rosemary Clooney died (lung cancer), 2002 (was 74)
June 30:
Dwayne O'Brien of Little Texas born in Ada, Oklahoma, 1963 (now 46)
Doyle Holly born in Perkins, Oklahoma, 1936 (died 2007)
R.W. Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet died (plane crash), 1954 (was 33)
Bill Lyles of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet died (plane crash), 1954 (age unknown)
Chet Atkins died (brain cancer), 2001 (was 77)
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Heartbreak on the Country Music Highway
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: Lost to a Stranger
ARTIST: Hylo BrownSONGWRITER: Frank Brown Jr.
ALBUM: Hylo BrownYEAR/LABEL: 1954, Capitol
We wanted to try new things and yet keep it with a bluegrass flavor.
(Hylo Brown)In eastern Kentucky Route 23 is named the "Country Music Highway." The federal road runs through or near the hometowns of many giants in country music: Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, the Judds, Keith Whitley, and Patty Loveless are among those honored with signs as the road meanders into the county in which they were born.
Probably the least-known name on the Country Music Highway is Frank "Hylo" Brown. Unlike the other stars, Brown had only minor national success in country before his recordings took a decided bluegrass turn in the early 1960s. Brown is still revered in bluegrass circles today with the likes of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver performing his songs.
One of Brown's most enduring songs is a song he originally wrote and submitted for Kitty Wells to record. Instead, he ended up with a record deal and recorded the song himself. The song is "Lost to a Stranger."
Ricky Skaggs had a major hit with his rendition of the song, and numerous other acts have recorded it. Nothing, however, compares to the original.
The legend is that Brown got his nickname, "Hylo," because of his vocal range. Without question, he had a great voice, and that clear mountain tenor helped enhance the beauty of "Lost to a Stranger." The song begins with a mournful fiddle played by Red Taylor, setting the tone for a sorrowful tale of a girl ditching her beau at a bar. They start innocently enough, entering the tavern, when the girl is asked by a stranger to dance to the waltz the house band plays. The meeting was chance, but Brown laments his girl is "lost to a stranger I never had seen, the waltz they were playing had ended my dreams."
Hylo Brown died in 2003 after a long career, mostly in bluegrass music. He has mostly been forgotten in country circles, although the bluegrass world remembers him fondly. Kentucky remembers him, too, on the Country Music Highway, and everyone should remember him for this great song.
The legend is that Brown got his nickname, "Hylo," because of his vocal range. Without question, he had a great voice, and that clear mountain tenor helped enhance the beauty of "Lost to a Stranger." The song begins with a mournful fiddle played by Red Taylor, setting the tone for a sorrowful tale of a girl ditching her beau at a bar. They start innocently enough, entering the tavern, when the girl is asked by a stranger to dance to the waltz the house band plays. The meeting was chance, but Brown laments his girl is "lost to a stranger I never had seen, the waltz they were playing had ended my dreams."
Hylo Brown died in 2003 after a long career, mostly in bluegrass music. He has mostly been forgotten in country circles, although the bluegrass world remembers him fondly. Kentucky remembers him, too, on the Country Music Highway, and everyone should remember him for this great song.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
(Country)
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)
Millworker
Long Way Home
Island
Heart of Rome
Harriet Tubman's Gonna Carry Me Home
Entella Hotel
Desperados Under the Eaves
Crossing Muddy Waters
Cliffs of Dooneen
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)
Baby Mine
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, June 1-15
Category: News
(Hall of Fame members in bold)
June 1:
Dale Warren of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Summerville, Kentucky, 1925 (now 84)
Andy Griffith born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, 1926 (now 83)
Pat Boone born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1934 (now 75). The legendary pop crooner married Red Foley's daughter Shirley.
Hazel Dickens born in Mercer County, West Virginia, 1935 (now 74)
Wayne Kemp born in Greenwood, Arkansas, 1941 (now 68)
Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn born in Coleman, Texas, 1953 (now 56)
Elsie McWilliams born in Harperville, Mississippi, 1896 (died 1985)
Johnny Bond born in Enville, Oklahoma, 1915 (died 1978)
Lee Allen of the Allen Brothers born in Sewanee, Tennessee, 1906 (died 1981)
Jimmy Murphy died (unknown cause), 1981 (was 55)
June 2:
Carl Butler born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1927 (died 1992)
Helen Carter died (heart failure), 1998 (was 70)
Adolph Hofner died (illness), 2000 (was 83)
June 3:
Fred "Too Slim" LeBour of Riders in the Sky born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1948 (now 61)
Jamie O'Neal born in Sydney, Australia, 1968 (now 41)
Curly Williams born in Cairo, Georgia, 1914 (died 1970)
Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph born in Paducah, Kentucky, 1927 (died 2007)
Wally Fowler died (drown), 1994 (was 77)
Van Stoneman of the Stoneman Family died (Parkinson's disease), 1995 (was 54)
Graceland opens to the public, 1982
June 4:
Linda Martell born in Leesville, South Carolina, 1941 (now 68). She was the first Black female artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
Texas Ruby Owens born in Wise County, Texas, 1910 (died 1963)
Freddy Fender born in San Benito, Texas, 1937 (died 2006)
Zeke Clement died (unknown cause), 1994 (was 82)
John Hartford died (cancer), 2001 (was 63)
Alabama's annual "June Jam" concert began in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1982
June 5:
Don Reid of the Statler Brothers born in Staunton, Virginia, 1945 (now 64)
Gail Davies born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, 1948 (now 61)
William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd born in Cambridge, Ohio, 1895 (died 1972)
Hal Lone Pine born in Pea Cove, Maine, 1916 (died 1977)
John "Lonzo" Sullivan died (heart attack), 1967 (was 48)
Conway Twitty died (abdominal aneurysm), 1993 (was 59)
Ronald Reagan died (complications of Alzheimer's disease), 2004 (was 93). While governor of California, the former president signed a full pardon for former convict Merle Haggard.
Grand Ole Opry's first performance at the Ryman auditorium, 1943
June 6:
Joe Stampley born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1943 (now 66)
Gid Tanner of the Skillet Lickers born in Thomas Bridge, Georgia, 1885 (died 1960)
Asher Sizemore born in Manchester, Kentucky, 1906 (died 1973)
Charlie Cline of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers born in Gilbert, West Virginia, 1931 (died 2004)
Claudette Orbison, wife of Roy Orbison, died (motorcycle accident), 1966 (was 24)
Grant Turner began his tenure as Grand Ole Opry announcer, 1944
June 7:
Sir Tom Jones born in Treforest, South Wales, 1940 (now 69). The legendary pop/rock singer had a hit with a cover of "Green, Green Grass of Home" in 1967 and hit the country charts with "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" in 1977.
Larry Boone born in Cooper City, Florida, 1956 (now 53)
Dean Martin born in Steubenville, Ohio, 1917 (died 1995). The pop crooner recorded two albums of country music on Reprise in the early 60s and sang with Ricky Nelson in the John Wayne classic Rio Bravo in 1969.
Wynn Stewart born in Morrisville, Missouri, 1934 (died 1985)
Courtney Johnson of New Grass Revival died (lung cancer), 1996 (was 56)
June 8:
Vernon Oxford born in Rogers, Arkansas, 1941 (now 68)
Tony Rice born in Danville, Virginia, 1951 (now 58)
Adolph Hofner born in Moulton, Texas, 1916 (died 2000)
Alton Delmore died (alcohol-related illness), 1964 (was 55)
Roba Stanley died (unknown cause), 1986 (was 76). She is credited as being the first female solo artist recorded in country music history (1924).
Tommy Perkins of the Texas Playboys died (car accident), 2003 (was 69)
June 9:
Les Paul born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, 1915 (now 94). In addition to his recordings with wife Mary Ford, Paul invented the solid-body electric guitar and multi-track recording. He also won a Grammy for his album with Chet Atkins, Chester and Lester, in 1976.
Willard Cox of the Cox Family born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, 1937 (now 72)
Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent born in Corbin, Kentucky, 1975 (now 34)
June 10:
Herman Crook of the Crook Brothers died (heart attack), 1988 (was 89)
Steve Sanders, who replaced William Lee Golden in the Oak Ridge Boys for 15 years, died (suicide), 1998 (was 45)
Ray Charles died (complications of liver disease), 2004 (was 73). Charles made the country charts in the 80s with duets with George Jones and Willie Nelson, and his ground-breaking 1963 album Modern Sounds in Country Music presented country songs to a wide audience.
June 11:
Jay McDowell of BR-549 born in Bedford, Indiana, 1969 (now 40)
Edwin Duhon of the Hackberry Ramblers born in Lafayette, Louisiana, 1910 (died 2006)
Brother Dave Gardner born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1926 (died 1983)
Jud Strunk born in Jamestown, New York, 1936 (died 1981)
Wilma Burgess born in Orlando, Florida, 1939 (died 2003)
John Wayne died (cancer), 1979 (was 72). The actor has been referenced in a number of country songs.
June 12:
Junior Brown born in Kirksville, Indiana, 1952 (now 55)
Rebecca Holden born in Austin, Texas, 1958 (now 50)
Penny Jay born in Monteagle Mountain, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2006)
Dr. Humphrey Bate of the Possum Hunters died (unknown cause), 1936 (was 61)
J.E. Mainer died (heart attack), 1971 (was 72)
Johnny Bond died (heart attack), 1978 (was 63)
Danny Davis died (heart failure), 2008 (was 83)
June 13:
Howard Vokes born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, 1931 (now 78)
Slim Dusty born in Kempsey, Australia, 1927 (died 2003)
June 14:
Burl Ives born in Newton, Illinois, 1909 (died 1995)
Lash LaRue born in Gretna, Louisiana, 1917 (died 1996). The Western actor was the first sidekick to western singer/actor/songwriter Eddie Dean and was mentioned in the Statler Brothers' "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott."
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman died (illness), 1968 (was 75)
Patsy Cline seriously injured in a car accident, 1961
June 15:
RCA engineer Bill Porter born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1931 (now 78)
Terri Gibbs born in Miami, Florida, 1954 (now 55)
Blind Alfred Reed born in Floyd, Virginia, 1880 (died 1956)
Tex Owens born in Killeen, Texas, 1892 (died 1962)
Marvin Hughes born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1911 (died 1986)
Leon Payne born in Alba, Texas, 1917 (died 1969)
Waylon Jennings born in Littlefield, Texas, 1937 (died 2002)
Ruby Falls died (unknown cause), 1986 (was 40)
The summer replacement show for the CBS variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour began airing, 1969. That show was Hee Haw.
(Hall of Fame members in bold)
June 1:
Dale Warren of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Summerville, Kentucky, 1925 (now 84)
Andy Griffith born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, 1926 (now 83)
Pat Boone born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1934 (now 75). The legendary pop crooner married Red Foley's daughter Shirley.
Hazel Dickens born in Mercer County, West Virginia, 1935 (now 74)
Wayne Kemp born in Greenwood, Arkansas, 1941 (now 68)
Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn born in Coleman, Texas, 1953 (now 56)
Elsie McWilliams born in Harperville, Mississippi, 1896 (died 1985)
Johnny Bond born in Enville, Oklahoma, 1915 (died 1978)
Lee Allen of the Allen Brothers born in Sewanee, Tennessee, 1906 (died 1981)
Jimmy Murphy died (unknown cause), 1981 (was 55)
June 2:
Carl Butler born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1927 (died 1992)
Helen Carter died (heart failure), 1998 (was 70)
Adolph Hofner died (illness), 2000 (was 83)
June 3:
Fred "Too Slim" LeBour of Riders in the Sky born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1948 (now 61)
Jamie O'Neal born in Sydney, Australia, 1968 (now 41)
Curly Williams born in Cairo, Georgia, 1914 (died 1970)
Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph born in Paducah, Kentucky, 1927 (died 2007)
Wally Fowler died (drown), 1994 (was 77)
Van Stoneman of the Stoneman Family died (Parkinson's disease), 1995 (was 54)
Graceland opens to the public, 1982
June 4:
Linda Martell born in Leesville, South Carolina, 1941 (now 68). She was the first Black female artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
Texas Ruby Owens born in Wise County, Texas, 1910 (died 1963)
Freddy Fender born in San Benito, Texas, 1937 (died 2006)
Zeke Clement died (unknown cause), 1994 (was 82)
John Hartford died (cancer), 2001 (was 63)
Alabama's annual "June Jam" concert began in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1982
June 5:
Don Reid of the Statler Brothers born in Staunton, Virginia, 1945 (now 64)
Gail Davies born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, 1948 (now 61)
William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd born in Cambridge, Ohio, 1895 (died 1972)
Hal Lone Pine born in Pea Cove, Maine, 1916 (died 1977)
John "Lonzo" Sullivan died (heart attack), 1967 (was 48)
Conway Twitty died (abdominal aneurysm), 1993 (was 59)
Ronald Reagan died (complications of Alzheimer's disease), 2004 (was 93). While governor of California, the former president signed a full pardon for former convict Merle Haggard.
Grand Ole Opry's first performance at the Ryman auditorium, 1943
June 6:
Joe Stampley born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1943 (now 66)
Gid Tanner of the Skillet Lickers born in Thomas Bridge, Georgia, 1885 (died 1960)
Asher Sizemore born in Manchester, Kentucky, 1906 (died 1973)
Charlie Cline of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers born in Gilbert, West Virginia, 1931 (died 2004)
Claudette Orbison, wife of Roy Orbison, died (motorcycle accident), 1966 (was 24)
Grant Turner began his tenure as Grand Ole Opry announcer, 1944
June 7:
Sir Tom Jones born in Treforest, South Wales, 1940 (now 69). The legendary pop/rock singer had a hit with a cover of "Green, Green Grass of Home" in 1967 and hit the country charts with "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" in 1977.
Larry Boone born in Cooper City, Florida, 1956 (now 53)
Dean Martin born in Steubenville, Ohio, 1917 (died 1995). The pop crooner recorded two albums of country music on Reprise in the early 60s and sang with Ricky Nelson in the John Wayne classic Rio Bravo in 1969.
Wynn Stewart born in Morrisville, Missouri, 1934 (died 1985)
Courtney Johnson of New Grass Revival died (lung cancer), 1996 (was 56)
June 8:
Vernon Oxford born in Rogers, Arkansas, 1941 (now 68)
Tony Rice born in Danville, Virginia, 1951 (now 58)
Adolph Hofner born in Moulton, Texas, 1916 (died 2000)
Alton Delmore died (alcohol-related illness), 1964 (was 55)
Roba Stanley died (unknown cause), 1986 (was 76). She is credited as being the first female solo artist recorded in country music history (1924).
Tommy Perkins of the Texas Playboys died (car accident), 2003 (was 69)
June 9:
Les Paul born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, 1915 (now 94). In addition to his recordings with wife Mary Ford, Paul invented the solid-body electric guitar and multi-track recording. He also won a Grammy for his album with Chet Atkins, Chester and Lester, in 1976.
Willard Cox of the Cox Family born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, 1937 (now 72)
Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent born in Corbin, Kentucky, 1975 (now 34)
June 10:
Herman Crook of the Crook Brothers died (heart attack), 1988 (was 89)
Steve Sanders, who replaced William Lee Golden in the Oak Ridge Boys for 15 years, died (suicide), 1998 (was 45)
Ray Charles died (complications of liver disease), 2004 (was 73). Charles made the country charts in the 80s with duets with George Jones and Willie Nelson, and his ground-breaking 1963 album Modern Sounds in Country Music presented country songs to a wide audience.
June 11:
Jay McDowell of BR-549 born in Bedford, Indiana, 1969 (now 40)
Edwin Duhon of the Hackberry Ramblers born in Lafayette, Louisiana, 1910 (died 2006)
Brother Dave Gardner born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1926 (died 1983)
Jud Strunk born in Jamestown, New York, 1936 (died 1981)
Wilma Burgess born in Orlando, Florida, 1939 (died 2003)
John Wayne died (cancer), 1979 (was 72). The actor has been referenced in a number of country songs.
June 12:
Junior Brown born in Kirksville, Indiana, 1952 (now 55)
Rebecca Holden born in Austin, Texas, 1958 (now 50)
Penny Jay born in Monteagle Mountain, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2006)
Dr. Humphrey Bate of the Possum Hunters died (unknown cause), 1936 (was 61)
J.E. Mainer died (heart attack), 1971 (was 72)
Johnny Bond died (heart attack), 1978 (was 63)
Danny Davis died (heart failure), 2008 (was 83)
June 13:
Howard Vokes born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, 1931 (now 78)
Slim Dusty born in Kempsey, Australia, 1927 (died 2003)
June 14:
Burl Ives born in Newton, Illinois, 1909 (died 1995)
Lash LaRue born in Gretna, Louisiana, 1917 (died 1996). The Western actor was the first sidekick to western singer/actor/songwriter Eddie Dean and was mentioned in the Statler Brothers' "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott."
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman died (illness), 1968 (was 75)
Patsy Cline seriously injured in a car accident, 1961
June 15:
RCA engineer Bill Porter born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1931 (now 78)
Terri Gibbs born in Miami, Florida, 1954 (now 55)
Blind Alfred Reed born in Floyd, Virginia, 1880 (died 1956)
Tex Owens born in Killeen, Texas, 1892 (died 1962)
Marvin Hughes born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1911 (died 1986)
Leon Payne born in Alba, Texas, 1917 (died 1969)
Waylon Jennings born in Littlefield, Texas, 1937 (died 2002)
Ruby Falls died (unknown cause), 1986 (was 40)
The summer replacement show for the CBS variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour began airing, 1969. That show was Hee Haw.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
If Those Walls Could Talk
Category: News
The 26th annual International Country Music Conference held its Friday evening keynote in the legendary RCA Studio B. The panelists, moderated by Country Music Foundation historian John Rumble, were producer Fred Foster of Monument Records and legendary session men Ray Edenton and Harold Bradley (the latter in the Country Music Hall of Fame).
The panel told stories and jokes about their experiences in the legendary studio, nicknamed "Home of 1,000 Hits" because of all the classic tunes recorded there (a few: "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "He'll Have to Go," "Bye Bye Love," and "The Three Bells"). They held the ICMC attendees spellbound for over 90 minutes.
Hall of Fame guitarist Harold Bradley
The highlight of the evening was Harold Bradley picking up one of his guitars and strumming along to Roy Orbison's "Running Scared," a song he originally played on. After the official presentation ended Bradley graciously showed guitar techniques to those who asked.
The 26th annual International Country Music Conference held its Friday evening keynote in the legendary RCA Studio B. The panelists, moderated by Country Music Foundation historian John Rumble, were producer Fred Foster of Monument Records and legendary session men Ray Edenton and Harold Bradley (the latter in the Country Music Hall of Fame).
The panel told stories and jokes about their experiences in the legendary studio, nicknamed "Home of 1,000 Hits" because of all the classic tunes recorded there (a few: "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "He'll Have to Go," "Bye Bye Love," and "The Three Bells"). They held the ICMC attendees spellbound for over 90 minutes.
Hall of Fame guitarist Harold Bradley
The highlight of the evening was Harold Bradley picking up one of his guitars and strumming along to Roy Orbison's "Running Scared," a song he originally played on. After the official presentation ended Bradley graciously showed guitar techniques to those who asked.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Heaven at the Hut
Category: News
The Thursday keynote session of the 26th International Country Music Conference (ICMC) was held at the Quonset Hut on Music Row. The historic studio, first built by Owen Bradley and later the home of Columbia Records, entertained the conference attendees with dinner and a presentation by legendary session men and producers.
For nearly two and a half hours, Shelby Singleton (current owner of Sun Records, one-time owner of Plantation Records, and producer of numerous country and pop hits), Jerry Kennedy (great session guitarist and producer of legendary recordings of folks like Roger Miller and the Statler Brothers), and Bob Moore (one of the most recorded bass players in Nashville and a hit performer on his own with 1960's instrumental hit "Mexico") told stories of recording sessions in the Quonset Hut and other studios (Kennedy and Moore played on Elvis sessions over at RCA's Studio B).
The keynote at the Quonset Hut concluded the first day of ICMC. The highlight of the afternoon session was a presentation on the recently-released Mother's Best Flour Radio Shows from WSM by Hank Williams. One of the radio shows, not included in the three-CD set, was played in its entirety for the audience. Following that presentation, Williams biographer Colin Escott gave a presentation on the making of the box set, including how the tapes were rescued from WSM's garbage can in the 1960s and the subsequent legal problems that prevented the public from hearing these pieces of history for decades.
ICMC continues through Saturday afternoon in Nashville.
The Thursday keynote session of the 26th International Country Music Conference (ICMC) was held at the Quonset Hut on Music Row. The historic studio, first built by Owen Bradley and later the home of Columbia Records, entertained the conference attendees with dinner and a presentation by legendary session men and producers.
For nearly two and a half hours, Shelby Singleton (current owner of Sun Records, one-time owner of Plantation Records, and producer of numerous country and pop hits), Jerry Kennedy (great session guitarist and producer of legendary recordings of folks like Roger Miller and the Statler Brothers), and Bob Moore (one of the most recorded bass players in Nashville and a hit performer on his own with 1960's instrumental hit "Mexico") told stories of recording sessions in the Quonset Hut and other studios (Kennedy and Moore played on Elvis sessions over at RCA's Studio B).
The keynote at the Quonset Hut concluded the first day of ICMC. The highlight of the afternoon session was a presentation on the recently-released Mother's Best Flour Radio Shows from WSM by Hank Williams. One of the radio shows, not included in the three-CD set, was played in its entirety for the audience. Following that presentation, Williams biographer Colin Escott gave a presentation on the making of the box set, including how the tapes were rescued from WSM's garbage can in the 1960s and the subsequent legal problems that prevented the public from hearing these pieces of history for decades.
ICMC continues through Saturday afternoon in Nashville.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The 26th International Country Music Conference Starts Thursday
Category: News
The International Country Music Conference opens its 26th annual session on Thursday at Belmont University. Scheduled topics this year will focus on "what is country music," a look at Charlie Louvin's fabulous Murder Ballads album, and Bill Monroe. A tour of Owen Bradley's Quonset Hut studio and a picking session in RCA's Studio B are also on the itinerary.
The International Country Music Conference opens its 26th annual session on Thursday at Belmont University. Scheduled topics this year will focus on "what is country music," a look at Charlie Louvin's fabulous Murder Ballads album, and Bill Monroe. A tour of Owen Bradley's Quonset Hut studio and a picking session in RCA's Studio B are also on the itinerary.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, May 16-31
Category: News
Hall of Fame members in bold
May 16:
Rick Trevino born in Austin, Texas, 1971 (now 38)
May 17:
Penny DeHaven born in Winchester, Virginia, 1948 (now 61)
Pat Flynn of the New Grass Revival born in Los Angeles, California, 1952 (now 57)
Grant Turner born in Abeline, Texas, 1912 (died 1991)
Paul Warren born in Lyles, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1978)
Red Smiley of Reno & Smiley born in Marshall, North Carolina, 1925 (died 1984)
Wiley Walker of Wiley & Gene died (unknown causes), 1966 (was 54)
New Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum building opened, 2001
May 18:
Leon Ashley born in Newton County, Georgia, 1936 (now 73)
Rodney Dillard of the Dillards born in East St. Louis, Illinois, 1942 (now 67)
Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1948 (now 61)
Gary Scruggs born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 60)
George Strait born in Poteet, Texas, 1952 (now 57)
May 19:
Martha Carson born in Neon, Kentucky, 1921 (died 2004)
Rex Gosdin born in Woodland, Alabama, 1938 (died 1983)
Mickey Newberry born in Houston, Texas, 1940 (died 2002)
May 20:
"Lonesome George" Gobel born in Chicago, Illinois, 1919 (died 1991). Although many may remember him as a comedian and regular on Hollywood Squares, one of Gobel's earliest jobs in entertainment was on the WLS National Barn Dance when he was a teenager in the 1930s.
Jack Cash, brother of Johnny Cash, died (chain saw accident), 1944 (was 15)
May 21:
Henry Glover born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1921 (died 1991). The R&B songwriter and pioneering black record company executive co-wrote "Blues, Stay Away From Me" with the Delmore Brothers and Wayne Raney in 1949.
Charlie Poole died (heart failure), 1931 (was 39)
Billy Walker died (car wreck), 2006 (was 77)
Vaughn Monroe died (post-operative complications), 1973 (was 61). Among the pop singer's many hits was "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky."
May 22:
Miggie Lewis of the Lewis Family born in Richmond County, Georgia, 1926 (now 83)
Buddy Alan born in Mega, Arizona, 1948 (now 61)
Rich Alves of Pirates of the Mississippi born in Pleasanton, California, 1953 (now 56)
Dana Williams of Diamond Rio born in Dayton, Ohio, 1961 (now 48)
Ralph S. Peer born in Independence, Missouri, 1892 (died 1960)
Royce Kendall died (stroke), 1988 (was 63)
May 23:
Mac Wiseman born in Crimora, Virginia, 1925 (now 84)
Ken Irwin, co-founder of Rounder Records, born in New York, New York, 1944 (now 66)
Misty Morgan born in Buffalo, New York, 1945 (now 64)
Shelley West born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1958 (now 51)
Rosemary Clooney born in Maysville, Kentucky, 1928 (died 2002). The legendary pop singer recorded a number of country songs, including covering Carl Smith's hit "If Teardrops Were Pennies."
Rex Gosdin died (heart attack), 1983 (was 45)
May 24:
Mike Reid born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, 1947 (now 62)
Rosanne Cash born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1955 (now 54)
Billy Gilman born in Westerly, Rhode Island, 1988 (now 21). Gilman's "One Voice" hit #1 when he was 12, making him the youngest person in Billboard country chart history to have a #1 song.
Gene Clark of the Byrds and Dillard & Clark died (bleeding ulcer), 1991 (was 46)
Vivian Liberto died (cancer), 2005 (was 71). Vivian was Johnny Cash's first wife and Rosanne Cash's mother.
Jimmie Rodgers recorded "Old Love Letters (Bring Memories of You)," "Mississippi Delta Blues," "Somewhere Down Below the Dixon Line," and "Years Ago" in New York City, 1933. Ravaged with tuberculosis, they would serve as the final recordings of the Father of Country Music.
May 25:
Tom T. Hall born in Olive Hill, Kentucky, 1936 (now 73)
Jessi Colter born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1947 (now 62)
Dr. Humphrey Bate of the Possum Hunters born in Castallian Springs, Tennessee, 1875 (died 1936)
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman born in Monarat, Virginia, 1893 (died 1968)
Dick Curless died (stomach cancer), 1995 (was 63)
May 26:
Levon Helm of the Band born in Marvell, Arkansas, 1940 (now 69). The actor and drummer/singer for the Band made his acting debut in Coal Miner's Daughter.
Hank Williams Jr. born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1949 (now 60)
Jimmie Rodgers died (tuberculosis), 1933 (was 35)
Onie Wheeler died (heart attack), 1984 (was 62). He died on the Grand Ole Opry stage during a performance of the post-Friday Night Opry show, Grand Ole Gospel.
The first International Country Music Conference held in Meridian, Mississippi, 1983. The three-day event began as a memorial to Jimmie Rodgers and coincides with the anniversary of his death.
May 27:
Don Williams born in Floydada, Texas, 1939 (now 70)
Redd Stewart born in Ashland City, Tennessee, 1921 (died 2003)
Kenny Price born in Florence, Kentucky, 1931 (died 1987)
Opryland opened, 1972 (died 1997)
May 28:
John Fogerty born in Berkeley, California, 1945 (now 64). The leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded an album of country songs under the pseudonym Blue Ridge Rangers in 1973, hitting the country chart with his rendition of "Jambalaya."
Jerry Douglas born in Warren, Ohio, 1956 (now 53)
Phil Vassar born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1965 (now 44)
Gary Stewart born in Jenkins, Kentucky, 1945 (died 2003)
May 29:
Carl Story born in Lenoir, North Carolina, 1916 (died 1995)
Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family become members of the Grand Ole Opry, 1950
Hank and Audrey Williams divorced, 1952
May 30:
Mike Snider born in Gleason, Tennessee, 1960 (now 49)
Lewis Crook of the Crook Brothers born in Trousdale County, Tennessee, 1909 (died 1996)
Karl Davis of Karl & Harty died (cancer), 1979 (was 73)
Bobby Harden of the Harden Trio died (unknown cause), 2006 (was 70)
May 31:
Vic Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Schulter, Oklahoma, 1922 (died 1995)
Johnny Paycheck born in Greenfield, Ohio, 1938 (died 2003)
William "Red" Rector died (heart attack), 1990 (was 60)
Hall of Fame members in bold
May 16:
Rick Trevino born in Austin, Texas, 1971 (now 38)
May 17:
Penny DeHaven born in Winchester, Virginia, 1948 (now 61)
Pat Flynn of the New Grass Revival born in Los Angeles, California, 1952 (now 57)
Grant Turner born in Abeline, Texas, 1912 (died 1991)
Paul Warren born in Lyles, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1978)
Red Smiley of Reno & Smiley born in Marshall, North Carolina, 1925 (died 1984)
Wiley Walker of Wiley & Gene died (unknown causes), 1966 (was 54)
New Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum building opened, 2001
May 18:
Leon Ashley born in Newton County, Georgia, 1936 (now 73)
Rodney Dillard of the Dillards born in East St. Louis, Illinois, 1942 (now 67)
Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1948 (now 61)
Gary Scruggs born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 60)
George Strait born in Poteet, Texas, 1952 (now 57)
May 19:
Martha Carson born in Neon, Kentucky, 1921 (died 2004)
Rex Gosdin born in Woodland, Alabama, 1938 (died 1983)
Mickey Newberry born in Houston, Texas, 1940 (died 2002)
May 20:
"Lonesome George" Gobel born in Chicago, Illinois, 1919 (died 1991). Although many may remember him as a comedian and regular on Hollywood Squares, one of Gobel's earliest jobs in entertainment was on the WLS National Barn Dance when he was a teenager in the 1930s.
Jack Cash, brother of Johnny Cash, died (chain saw accident), 1944 (was 15)
May 21:
Henry Glover born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1921 (died 1991). The R&B songwriter and pioneering black record company executive co-wrote "Blues, Stay Away From Me" with the Delmore Brothers and Wayne Raney in 1949.
Charlie Poole died (heart failure), 1931 (was 39)
Billy Walker died (car wreck), 2006 (was 77)
Vaughn Monroe died (post-operative complications), 1973 (was 61). Among the pop singer's many hits was "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky."
May 22:
Miggie Lewis of the Lewis Family born in Richmond County, Georgia, 1926 (now 83)
Buddy Alan born in Mega, Arizona, 1948 (now 61)
Rich Alves of Pirates of the Mississippi born in Pleasanton, California, 1953 (now 56)
Dana Williams of Diamond Rio born in Dayton, Ohio, 1961 (now 48)
Ralph S. Peer born in Independence, Missouri, 1892 (died 1960)
Royce Kendall died (stroke), 1988 (was 63)
May 23:
Mac Wiseman born in Crimora, Virginia, 1925 (now 84)
Ken Irwin, co-founder of Rounder Records, born in New York, New York, 1944 (now 66)
Misty Morgan born in Buffalo, New York, 1945 (now 64)
Shelley West born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1958 (now 51)
Rosemary Clooney born in Maysville, Kentucky, 1928 (died 2002). The legendary pop singer recorded a number of country songs, including covering Carl Smith's hit "If Teardrops Were Pennies."
Rex Gosdin died (heart attack), 1983 (was 45)
May 24:
Mike Reid born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, 1947 (now 62)
Rosanne Cash born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1955 (now 54)
Billy Gilman born in Westerly, Rhode Island, 1988 (now 21). Gilman's "One Voice" hit #1 when he was 12, making him the youngest person in Billboard country chart history to have a #1 song.
Gene Clark of the Byrds and Dillard & Clark died (bleeding ulcer), 1991 (was 46)
Vivian Liberto died (cancer), 2005 (was 71). Vivian was Johnny Cash's first wife and Rosanne Cash's mother.
Jimmie Rodgers recorded "Old Love Letters (Bring Memories of You)," "Mississippi Delta Blues," "Somewhere Down Below the Dixon Line," and "Years Ago" in New York City, 1933. Ravaged with tuberculosis, they would serve as the final recordings of the Father of Country Music.
May 25:
Tom T. Hall born in Olive Hill, Kentucky, 1936 (now 73)
Jessi Colter born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1947 (now 62)
Dr. Humphrey Bate of the Possum Hunters born in Castallian Springs, Tennessee, 1875 (died 1936)
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman born in Monarat, Virginia, 1893 (died 1968)
Dick Curless died (stomach cancer), 1995 (was 63)
May 26:
Levon Helm of the Band born in Marvell, Arkansas, 1940 (now 69). The actor and drummer/singer for the Band made his acting debut in Coal Miner's Daughter.
Hank Williams Jr. born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1949 (now 60)
Jimmie Rodgers died (tuberculosis), 1933 (was 35)
Onie Wheeler died (heart attack), 1984 (was 62). He died on the Grand Ole Opry stage during a performance of the post-Friday Night Opry show, Grand Ole Gospel.
The first International Country Music Conference held in Meridian, Mississippi, 1983. The three-day event began as a memorial to Jimmie Rodgers and coincides with the anniversary of his death.
May 27:
Don Williams born in Floydada, Texas, 1939 (now 70)
Redd Stewart born in Ashland City, Tennessee, 1921 (died 2003)
Kenny Price born in Florence, Kentucky, 1931 (died 1987)
Opryland opened, 1972 (died 1997)
May 28:
John Fogerty born in Berkeley, California, 1945 (now 64). The leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded an album of country songs under the pseudonym Blue Ridge Rangers in 1973, hitting the country chart with his rendition of "Jambalaya."
Jerry Douglas born in Warren, Ohio, 1956 (now 53)
Phil Vassar born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1965 (now 44)
Gary Stewart born in Jenkins, Kentucky, 1945 (died 2003)
May 29:
Carl Story born in Lenoir, North Carolina, 1916 (died 1995)
Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family become members of the Grand Ole Opry, 1950
Hank and Audrey Williams divorced, 1952
May 30:
Mike Snider born in Gleason, Tennessee, 1960 (now 49)
Lewis Crook of the Crook Brothers born in Trousdale County, Tennessee, 1909 (died 1996)
Karl Davis of Karl & Harty died (cancer), 1979 (was 73)
Bobby Harden of the Harden Trio died (unknown cause), 2006 (was 70)
May 31:
Vic Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Schulter, Oklahoma, 1922 (died 1995)
Johnny Paycheck born in Greenfield, Ohio, 1938 (died 2003)
William "Red" Rector died (heart attack), 1990 (was 60)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
On the Other Side of Wolverton Mountnain
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: A Little Bitty Heart
ARTIST: Claude King
SONGWRITER: Claude King
ALBUM: Meet Claude King
YEAR/LABEL: 1962; Columbia
I grew up about as poor as you can be.
(Claude King)
A song about an Arkansas mountain man namd Clifton Clowers made Claude King an overnight success (after a decade or so working in country music) in 1961. His album Meet Claude King featured the hit "Wolverton Mountain" and two other hits, "Big River, Big Man" and "The Comancheros" (inspired by the John Wayne movie).
The best song on Meet Claude King is side two's ballad "A Little Bitty Heart." King penned this superb ballad about the dangers of falling in love, then delivered it with a quiet (think Bill Anderson) vocal that only enhanced the heartbreak. "The strangest thing in all the world is a heart so small," King begins. He continues through the song dealing with "the mystery of how a thing so tiny could control so much of me." In the second verse he addresses the woman who broke this fragile heart by singing, "I wish that I could find a way to get a heart that's new, I would lock it deep inside me, just out of reach of you." In many ways it is standard country hurt-by-love fare, but the fresh approach and King's lovely vocals raise the song to a new level.
King enjoyed a moderate career in the 1960s before fading from the limelight at the end of the decade. He still lives in his native Louisiana and performs occasionally. He gave country music a classic in "Wolverton Mountain;" fortunately, he also gave country music a gem in "A Little Bitty Heart."
OTHER CLAUDE KING MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Meet Claude King album -- good covers of Jimmie Rodgers' "Pistol Packin' Papa" Karl & Harty's "I'm Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail" are featured along with the hits and songs ("Would You Care," "I Backed Out") that should have been hits.
The entire I Remember Johnny Horton album -- King and Horton were friends, and Horton's manager Tillman Franks was also King's manager. King paid homage to Horton in this superb album, featuring excellent versions of "Whispering Pines" and "All for the Love of a Girl."
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
SONG: A Little Bitty Heart
ARTIST: Claude King
SONGWRITER: Claude King
ALBUM: Meet Claude King
YEAR/LABEL: 1962; Columbia
I grew up about as poor as you can be.
(Claude King)
A song about an Arkansas mountain man namd Clifton Clowers made Claude King an overnight success (after a decade or so working in country music) in 1961. His album Meet Claude King featured the hit "Wolverton Mountain" and two other hits, "Big River, Big Man" and "The Comancheros" (inspired by the John Wayne movie).
The best song on Meet Claude King is side two's ballad "A Little Bitty Heart." King penned this superb ballad about the dangers of falling in love, then delivered it with a quiet (think Bill Anderson) vocal that only enhanced the heartbreak. "The strangest thing in all the world is a heart so small," King begins. He continues through the song dealing with "the mystery of how a thing so tiny could control so much of me." In the second verse he addresses the woman who broke this fragile heart by singing, "I wish that I could find a way to get a heart that's new, I would lock it deep inside me, just out of reach of you." In many ways it is standard country hurt-by-love fare, but the fresh approach and King's lovely vocals raise the song to a new level.
King enjoyed a moderate career in the 1960s before fading from the limelight at the end of the decade. He still lives in his native Louisiana and performs occasionally. He gave country music a classic in "Wolverton Mountain;" fortunately, he also gave country music a gem in "A Little Bitty Heart."
OTHER CLAUDE KING MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Meet Claude King album -- good covers of Jimmie Rodgers' "Pistol Packin' Papa" Karl & Harty's "I'm Just Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail" are featured along with the hits and songs ("Would You Care," "I Backed Out") that should have been hits.
The entire I Remember Johnny Horton album -- King and Horton were friends, and Horton's manager Tillman Franks was also King's manager. King paid homage to Horton in this superb album, featuring excellent versions of "Whispering Pines" and "All for the Love of a Girl."
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Happy Birthday to One of the Greatest Songs in Country Music History
Category: News
Sixty years ago, in a studio in Cincinnati, Ohio, two brothers and two harmonica players stepped up to the microphones and recorded a song for the ages.
The song was "Blues, Stay Away From Me," and the participates were Alton and Rabon Delmore and harmonica wizards Wayne Raney and Lonnie Glosson.
In honor of the 60th anniversary of this great song, that is still being covered by acts as diverse as Mark Knopfler and k.d. lang, the Cincinnati Public Library's main branch is holding a forum panel this Saturday (May 9) from 3-6 p.m.
More information
Sixty years ago, in a studio in Cincinnati, Ohio, two brothers and two harmonica players stepped up to the microphones and recorded a song for the ages.
The song was "Blues, Stay Away From Me," and the participates were Alton and Rabon Delmore and harmonica wizards Wayne Raney and Lonnie Glosson.
In honor of the 60th anniversary of this great song, that is still being covered by acts as diverse as Mark Knopfler and k.d. lang, the Cincinnati Public Library's main branch is holding a forum panel this Saturday (May 9) from 3-6 p.m.
More information
Friday, May 01, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music, May 1-15
Category: News
Hall of Fame members in bold
May 1:
Sonny James born in Hackleburg, Alabama, 1929 (now 80)
Wayne Hancock born in Dallas, Texas, 1965 (now 44)
Tim McGraw born in Delhi, Louisiana, 1967 (now 42)
Sam McGee born in Williamson County, Tennessee, 1894 (died 1975)
Jimmy Gately born in Springfield, Missouri, 1931 (died 1985)
Ott Devine born in Gadsen, Alabama, 1910 (died 1994)
Spike Jones died (emphysema), 1965 (was 53). The novelty band leader recorded "Pal-Yat-Chee" with Homer and Jethro, and Red Ingle (of Red Ingle & Natural Seven, of "Temp-Tay-Shun" fame) was once a member of Jones' City Slickers.
Jim Hager of the Hager Twins died (heart attack), 2008 (was 66)
May 2:
R.C. Bannon born in Dallas, Texas, 1945 (now 64)
Larry Gatlin born in Seminole, Texas, 1948 (now 61)
Ty Herndon born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1962 (now 47)
Roy Lee Centers of the Clinch Mountain Boys died (shot during a bar fight), 1974 (was 29)
May 3:
Jerry Chestnut born in Harlan County, Kentucky, 1931 (now 78)
Cactus Moser of Highway 101 born in Montrose, Colorado, 1957 (now 52)
Bing Crosby born in Tacoma, Washington, 1903 (died 1977). The pop crooner has the distinction of being the performer of the first #1 single in Billboard magazine's "Hillbilly and Western Singles" history with his rendition of Al Dexter's "Pistol Packin' Mama." Dexter's own recording was the second #1 song.
Dave Dudley born in Spencer, Wisconsin, 1928 (died 2003)
Patsy Montana died (unknown cause), 1996 (was 83)
Dollywood theme park opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 1986
May 4:
Stella Parton born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 60)
Robert Ellis Orrall born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 54)
Randy Travis born in Marshville, North Carolina, 1959 (now 50)
Al Dexter born in Jacksonville, Texas, 1902 (died 1984)
Bobby Austin born in Wenatchee, Washington, 1933 (died 2002)
Joe L. Frank died (illness), 1952 (was 52)
Leo Jackson died (suicide [gunshot]), 2008 (was 73)
May 5:
Ace Cannon born in Grenada, Mississippi, 1934 (now 75)
Roni Stoneman born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 71)
Glen Duncan of Lonesome Standard Time born in Columbus, Indiana, 1955 (now 54)
Tammy Wynette born in Itawamba County, Mississippi, 1942 (died 1998)
J.D. Miller born in Iota, Louisiana, 1922 (died 1996)
Jerry Wallace died (congestive heart failure), 2008 (was 79)
May 6:
Jimmie Dale Gilmore born in Austin, Texas, 1945 (now 64)
Cliff Carlisle born in Taylorsville, Kentucky, 1904 (died 1983)
May 7:
Lorie Collins of the Collins Kids born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 1942 (now 67)
Riley Puckett born in Alpharetta, Georgia, 1894 (died 1946)
Horace "Aytchie" Burns born in Cisco, Georgia, 1918 (died 1974). Aytchie was a bass player at WNOX and the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. He was also the older brother of Jethro Burns.
Eddie Rabbitt died (cancer), 1998 (was 56)
May 8:
Homer Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1922 (now 87)
Jack Blanchard born in Buffalo, New York, 1942 (now 67)
Del Anthony Gray of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1968 (now 41)
Jimmie Tarlton of Darby & Tarlton born in Cheraw, South Carolina, 1892 (died 1979)
Benny Martin born in Sparta, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2001)
Rick Nelson born in Teaneck, New Jersey, 1940 (died 1985)
Leon Huff of the Light Crust Doughboys died (unknown cause), 1952 (was 39)
George D. Hay died (unknown cause), 1968 (was 72)
Eddy Arnold died (complications from a fall), 2008 (was 89)
May 9:
Richie Furay of Poco born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1944 (now 65)
Bobby Lewis born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, 1946 (now 63)
Fuzzy Knight born in Fairmont, West Virginia, 1901 (died 1976). The actor appeared in several films as Tex Ritter's sidekick.
Hank Snow born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1914 (died 1999)
Nudie Cohen died (unknown cause), 1984 (was 81)
Keith Whitley died (alcohol poisoning), 1989 (was 33)
Jimmie Davis elected governor of Louisiana, 1944
May 10:
Carl T. Sprague born in Houston, Texas, 1895 (died 1979)
Mother Maybelle Carter born in Nicklesville, Virginia, 1909 (died 1979)
Shel Silverstein died (heat attack), 1999 (was 68)
May 11:
Mark Herndon of Alabama born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 54)
Bob Atcher born in West Point, Kentucky, 1914 (died 1993)
Lester Flatt died (heart failure), 1979 (was 64)
May 12:
Kix Brooks born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1955 (now 54)
The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin "Whitey" Ford, born in DeSoto, Missouri, 1901 (died 1986)
Joe Maphis born in Suffolk, Virginia, 1921 (died 1986)
W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel died (unknown cause), 1969 (was 79)
May 13:
Johnnie Wright born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, 1914 (now 95)
Ray Kennedy born in Buffalo, New York, 1954 (now 55)
Lari White born in Dunedin, Florida, 1965 (now 44)
Jack Anglin born in Columbia, Tennesee, 1916 (died 1963)
Gid Tanner died (unknown cause), 1960 (was 74)
Bob Wills died (pneumonia/complications of 1973 stroke), 1975 (was 70)
May 15:
K.T. Oslin born in Crossett, Arkansas, 1941 (now 68)
Eddy Arnold born in Henderson, Tennessee, 1918 (died 2008)
June Carter Cash died (complications from open heart surgery), 2003 (was 73)
Hall of Fame members in bold
May 1:
Sonny James born in Hackleburg, Alabama, 1929 (now 80)
Wayne Hancock born in Dallas, Texas, 1965 (now 44)
Tim McGraw born in Delhi, Louisiana, 1967 (now 42)
Sam McGee born in Williamson County, Tennessee, 1894 (died 1975)
Jimmy Gately born in Springfield, Missouri, 1931 (died 1985)
Ott Devine born in Gadsen, Alabama, 1910 (died 1994)
Spike Jones died (emphysema), 1965 (was 53). The novelty band leader recorded "Pal-Yat-Chee" with Homer and Jethro, and Red Ingle (of Red Ingle & Natural Seven, of "Temp-Tay-Shun" fame) was once a member of Jones' City Slickers.
Jim Hager of the Hager Twins died (heart attack), 2008 (was 66)
May 2:
R.C. Bannon born in Dallas, Texas, 1945 (now 64)
Larry Gatlin born in Seminole, Texas, 1948 (now 61)
Ty Herndon born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1962 (now 47)
Roy Lee Centers of the Clinch Mountain Boys died (shot during a bar fight), 1974 (was 29)
May 3:
Jerry Chestnut born in Harlan County, Kentucky, 1931 (now 78)
Cactus Moser of Highway 101 born in Montrose, Colorado, 1957 (now 52)
Bing Crosby born in Tacoma, Washington, 1903 (died 1977). The pop crooner has the distinction of being the performer of the first #1 single in Billboard magazine's "Hillbilly and Western Singles" history with his rendition of Al Dexter's "Pistol Packin' Mama." Dexter's own recording was the second #1 song.
Dave Dudley born in Spencer, Wisconsin, 1928 (died 2003)
Patsy Montana died (unknown cause), 1996 (was 83)
Dollywood theme park opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 1986
May 4:
Stella Parton born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 60)
Robert Ellis Orrall born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 54)
Randy Travis born in Marshville, North Carolina, 1959 (now 50)
Al Dexter born in Jacksonville, Texas, 1902 (died 1984)
Bobby Austin born in Wenatchee, Washington, 1933 (died 2002)
Joe L. Frank died (illness), 1952 (was 52)
Leo Jackson died (suicide [gunshot]), 2008 (was 73)
May 5:
Ace Cannon born in Grenada, Mississippi, 1934 (now 75)
Roni Stoneman born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 71)
Glen Duncan of Lonesome Standard Time born in Columbus, Indiana, 1955 (now 54)
Tammy Wynette born in Itawamba County, Mississippi, 1942 (died 1998)
J.D. Miller born in Iota, Louisiana, 1922 (died 1996)
Jerry Wallace died (congestive heart failure), 2008 (was 79)
May 6:
Jimmie Dale Gilmore born in Austin, Texas, 1945 (now 64)
Cliff Carlisle born in Taylorsville, Kentucky, 1904 (died 1983)
May 7:
Lorie Collins of the Collins Kids born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 1942 (now 67)
Riley Puckett born in Alpharetta, Georgia, 1894 (died 1946)
Horace "Aytchie" Burns born in Cisco, Georgia, 1918 (died 1974). Aytchie was a bass player at WNOX and the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. He was also the older brother of Jethro Burns.
Eddie Rabbitt died (cancer), 1998 (was 56)
May 8:
Homer Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1922 (now 87)
Jack Blanchard born in Buffalo, New York, 1942 (now 67)
Del Anthony Gray of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1968 (now 41)
Jimmie Tarlton of Darby & Tarlton born in Cheraw, South Carolina, 1892 (died 1979)
Benny Martin born in Sparta, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2001)
Rick Nelson born in Teaneck, New Jersey, 1940 (died 1985)
Leon Huff of the Light Crust Doughboys died (unknown cause), 1952 (was 39)
George D. Hay died (unknown cause), 1968 (was 72)
Eddy Arnold died (complications from a fall), 2008 (was 89)
May 9:
Richie Furay of Poco born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1944 (now 65)
Bobby Lewis born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, 1946 (now 63)
Fuzzy Knight born in Fairmont, West Virginia, 1901 (died 1976). The actor appeared in several films as Tex Ritter's sidekick.
Hank Snow born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1914 (died 1999)
Nudie Cohen died (unknown cause), 1984 (was 81)
Keith Whitley died (alcohol poisoning), 1989 (was 33)
Jimmie Davis elected governor of Louisiana, 1944
May 10:
Carl T. Sprague born in Houston, Texas, 1895 (died 1979)
Mother Maybelle Carter born in Nicklesville, Virginia, 1909 (died 1979)
Shel Silverstein died (heat attack), 1999 (was 68)
May 11:
Mark Herndon of Alabama born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 54)
Bob Atcher born in West Point, Kentucky, 1914 (died 1993)
Lester Flatt died (heart failure), 1979 (was 64)
May 12:
Kix Brooks born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1955 (now 54)
The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin "Whitey" Ford, born in DeSoto, Missouri, 1901 (died 1986)
Joe Maphis born in Suffolk, Virginia, 1921 (died 1986)
W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel died (unknown cause), 1969 (was 79)
May 13:
Johnnie Wright born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, 1914 (now 95)
Ray Kennedy born in Buffalo, New York, 1954 (now 55)
Lari White born in Dunedin, Florida, 1965 (now 44)
Jack Anglin born in Columbia, Tennesee, 1916 (died 1963)
Gid Tanner died (unknown cause), 1960 (was 74)
Bob Wills died (pneumonia/complications of 1973 stroke), 1975 (was 70)
May 15:
K.T. Oslin born in Crossett, Arkansas, 1941 (now 68)
Eddy Arnold born in Henderson, Tennessee, 1918 (died 2008)
June Carter Cash died (complications from open heart surgery), 2003 (was 73)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Voice is Now Silent
Category: News
"The Voice" was the nickname that the great writer Robert K. Oermann pinned on Vern Gosdin. The name fit, too: Gosdin had one of the absolute best post-Jim Reeves voices in country music.
That marvelous voice is now silent.
Vern Gosdin died in a Nashville hospital today (April 29), three weeks after suffering a massive stroke. Gosdin had been in poor health for the past several years.
The great Vern Gosdin was 74.
"The Voice" was the nickname that the great writer Robert K. Oermann pinned on Vern Gosdin. The name fit, too: Gosdin had one of the absolute best post-Jim Reeves voices in country music.
That marvelous voice is now silent.
Vern Gosdin died in a Nashville hospital today (April 29), three weeks after suffering a massive stroke. Gosdin had been in poor health for the past several years.
The great Vern Gosdin was 74.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sick Call: Ferlin Husky
Category: News
Country legend Ferlin Husky was hospitalized April 19 with congestive heart failure and pneumonia, according to his web site.
The 82-year-old singer, best-known for hits such as "Gone" and "Wings of a Dove," was released after a few days in a Springfield, Missouri hospital and is now recovering at his home.
Please keep this great country singer in your prayers.
Ferlin's web site
Country legend Ferlin Husky was hospitalized April 19 with congestive heart failure and pneumonia, according to his web site.
The 82-year-old singer, best-known for hits such as "Gone" and "Wings of a Dove," was released after a few days in a Springfield, Missouri hospital and is now recovering at his home.
Please keep this great country singer in your prayers.
Ferlin's web site
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Why I Love Hillbilly Music (Part 385,607)
Category: News
John Roger Simon, author of a new book on legendary country singer Cowboy Copas, headlined a panel at the Cincinnati Public Library on Saturday (April 25). The topic was the "golden era of country music," focusing on Copas and Cincinnati's contribution to that time through King Records.
Copas' daughter, Kathy Copas Hughes (who was hit by double tragedy by the 1963 plane crash: not only did she lose her father, but her husband, Randy Hughes, was the pilot of the ill-fated airplane that crashed in a thunderstorm near Camden, Tennessee), was also on the panel, along with former Mercury Records singer and WLW/Midwestern Hayride performer Judy Perkins.
For two and a half exquisite hours the trio, moderated by Cincinnati Library's music librarian Brian Powers, discussed Copas, his importance to country music (to quote Eddie Stubbs every time he plays a Copas song, "Cowboy Copas did a lot more in country music than just die in a plane crash with Patsy Cline"), his time in Cincinnati on King Records, many of the other musicians he worked with, and a general overview of the immediate post-World War II era of country music that was the advent of what many historians consider the greatest time of the genre. Several clips, both audio and video, were played, including Copas' version of "Tennessee Waltz" (he was the first person to record the tune), his masterful "Signed, Sealed and Delivered," and a rare Pet Milk Opry video clip of him performing "Alabam," his massive 1960 "comeback" hit.
Judy Perkins, who was a regional star but never achieved national stardom despite a beautiful voice, was also shown on the Midwestern Hayride from the early 1950s and featured in a couple of audio clips, including one from her days on Eddy Arnold's radio show for the Mutual Network.
Kathy Copas shared many memories of her father's career. She was also represented in audio, as she recorded with her father.
Simon, author of Cowboy Copas and the Golden Age of Country Music, presented an overview of Copas' career from his days with Natchee the Indian through his stint as the lead singer of Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys to his solo superstardom and 16-year stay on the Grand Ole Opry.
The only excuse anyone can make for Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas not being enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame is that the voters aren't doing their jobs by educating themselves regarding Copas' importance to the history of country music. Hopefully next year his name will be called.
And hopefully the Cincinnati Public Library will continue to present magical afternoons such as this one.
John Roger Simon, author of a new book on legendary country singer Cowboy Copas, headlined a panel at the Cincinnati Public Library on Saturday (April 25). The topic was the "golden era of country music," focusing on Copas and Cincinnati's contribution to that time through King Records.
Copas' daughter, Kathy Copas Hughes (who was hit by double tragedy by the 1963 plane crash: not only did she lose her father, but her husband, Randy Hughes, was the pilot of the ill-fated airplane that crashed in a thunderstorm near Camden, Tennessee), was also on the panel, along with former Mercury Records singer and WLW/Midwestern Hayride performer Judy Perkins.
For two and a half exquisite hours the trio, moderated by Cincinnati Library's music librarian Brian Powers, discussed Copas, his importance to country music (to quote Eddie Stubbs every time he plays a Copas song, "Cowboy Copas did a lot more in country music than just die in a plane crash with Patsy Cline"), his time in Cincinnati on King Records, many of the other musicians he worked with, and a general overview of the immediate post-World War II era of country music that was the advent of what many historians consider the greatest time of the genre. Several clips, both audio and video, were played, including Copas' version of "Tennessee Waltz" (he was the first person to record the tune), his masterful "Signed, Sealed and Delivered," and a rare Pet Milk Opry video clip of him performing "Alabam," his massive 1960 "comeback" hit.
Judy Perkins, who was a regional star but never achieved national stardom despite a beautiful voice, was also shown on the Midwestern Hayride from the early 1950s and featured in a couple of audio clips, including one from her days on Eddy Arnold's radio show for the Mutual Network.
Kathy Copas shared many memories of her father's career. She was also represented in audio, as she recorded with her father.
Simon, author of Cowboy Copas and the Golden Age of Country Music, presented an overview of Copas' career from his days with Natchee the Indian through his stint as the lead singer of Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys to his solo superstardom and 16-year stay on the Grand Ole Opry.
The only excuse anyone can make for Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas not being enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame is that the voters aren't doing their jobs by educating themselves regarding Copas' importance to the history of country music. Hopefully next year his name will be called.
And hopefully the Cincinnati Public Library will continue to present magical afternoons such as this one.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
For Better or Worse
Category: 50 Songs to Hear
SONG: Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
ARTIST: Charlie Rich
SONGWRITER: Margaret Ann Rich
ALBUM: The Fabulous Charlie Rich
YEAR/LABEL: 1969; Epic
The radio spittin' out Charlie Rich
He sure can sing, that son of a bitch
("Putnam County," Tom Waits)
Johnny Cash had a song that said, "Understand your man." Margaret Ann Rich certainly did understand her man, legendary country/rockabilly singer Charlie Rich. A good songwriter herself, she composed a love song that Charlie recorded in 1969. Rich's version of the song bombed as a single, but the sentiment in the song stood the test of time. That song was "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs."
Many others have recorded "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs" (or the alternate title, "Life's Little Ups and Downs") including Ricky Van Shelton, who had a top ten hit with the song in 1990. Nothing, however, matches the original. Charlie Rich knew this was written for him, the observations of his love for his wife by the woman he loved. With that knowledge he poured his heart and soul into the tune about dealing with the disappointments that come along, knowing that the marriage bond is stronger than whatever the outside world throws.
The wonderful chorus compares the "ups and downs" of life to "ponies on a merry-go-round," and Rich notes, "No one grabs the brass ring every time." Rich, however, recognizes the one ring that he DID grab: "She wears a gold ring on her finger, and I'm so glad it's mine."
Charlie Rich passed away on July 25, 1995 from a pulmonary embolism. He left behind a legacy of great music that has generally been overlooked or forgotten. That's a shame. He was a good singer and songwriter and a very gifted musician -- so good, in fact, that a Sun Records engineer told him to listen to Jerry Lee Lewis then come back for a record deal when Rich played "that bad." One of his greatest moments was this lovely ode to the love of his life.
OTHER CHARLIE RICH MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Feel Like Going Home: The Essential Charlie Rich album -- the hits, the near-hits, and some obscure gems such as the wonderfully-titled pun "Peace on You" and his version of "Sittin' and Thinkin'," which has been covered by acts as diverse as Ray Price and Elvis Costello.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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
SONG: Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
ARTIST: Charlie Rich
SONGWRITER: Margaret Ann Rich
ALBUM: The Fabulous Charlie Rich
YEAR/LABEL: 1969; Epic
The radio spittin' out Charlie Rich
He sure can sing, that son of a bitch
("Putnam County," Tom Waits)
Johnny Cash had a song that said, "Understand your man." Margaret Ann Rich certainly did understand her man, legendary country/rockabilly singer Charlie Rich. A good songwriter herself, she composed a love song that Charlie recorded in 1969. Rich's version of the song bombed as a single, but the sentiment in the song stood the test of time. That song was "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs."
Many others have recorded "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs" (or the alternate title, "Life's Little Ups and Downs") including Ricky Van Shelton, who had a top ten hit with the song in 1990. Nothing, however, matches the original. Charlie Rich knew this was written for him, the observations of his love for his wife by the woman he loved. With that knowledge he poured his heart and soul into the tune about dealing with the disappointments that come along, knowing that the marriage bond is stronger than whatever the outside world throws.
The wonderful chorus compares the "ups and downs" of life to "ponies on a merry-go-round," and Rich notes, "No one grabs the brass ring every time." Rich, however, recognizes the one ring that he DID grab: "She wears a gold ring on her finger, and I'm so glad it's mine."
Charlie Rich passed away on July 25, 1995 from a pulmonary embolism. He left behind a legacy of great music that has generally been overlooked or forgotten. That's a shame. He was a good singer and songwriter and a very gifted musician -- so good, in fact, that a Sun Records engineer told him to listen to Jerry Lee Lewis then come back for a record deal when Rich played "that bad." One of his greatest moments was this lovely ode to the love of his life.
OTHER CHARLIE RICH MUSIC TO INVESTIGATE:
The entire Feel Like Going Home: The Essential Charlie Rich album -- the hits, the near-hits, and some obscure gems such as the wonderfully-titled pun "Peace on You" and his version of "Sittin' and Thinkin'," which has been covered by acts as diverse as Ray Price and Elvis Costello.
PREVIOUS SONGS:
(Country)
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)
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, April 21, 2009
The Voice of an Angel
Category: Birthday/Tribute
Bill Monroe had a comment he used frequently whenever someone brought up the subject of tenor singers around him. "There ain't been but two tenors in country music," Monroe would say, "and Ira Louvin's the other one."
For all his boasting, and with all due respect to the Father of Bluegrass, Monroe wasn't even in the same league as Ira Louvin. NOBODY was. There were two tenor singers in country music, true: Ira Louvin, and those who wished they were. The man with the beautiful voice of an angel was born 85 years ago on April 21.
This may sound odd to say of a Hall of Fame inductee, but the Louvin Brothers were mostly in the wrong place at the wrong time. They bounced from one end of Tennessee (WNOX's Midday Merry-Go-Round) to the other (Memphis' WMPS) and discovered, more than one time, that people in other regions heard them singing their songs on the radio and copied them so it appeared that the Louvins were doing the covering. As their career picked up steam with a contract with MGM in 1951 Charlie was drafted again. (Charlie being drafted twice -- once for World War II and once for Korea -- led to a law being passed that stipulated prior service counted toward total service, ensuring that men didn't have to serve two four-year terms.) When they got to Capitol and wanted to try their hand at country music (they were known strictly as a gospel act until 1955), Capitol told them no, there was already a mandolin-and-guitar brother duet (Jim and Jesse) signed to the label and they didn't want "copycats." (Contrast that with today, where labels want copycats and nothing original!) When they persisted, Capitol allowed them to make a country record but warned them if it didn't sell they were off the label. Thankfully, their one shot was a masterpiece: "When I Stop Dreaming." And, just as their career took off, so did rock and roll, effectively draining a considerable audience away from them and all of country music.
In the book for the Louvin Brothers' eight-CD Bear Family box set Close Harmony, the late Charles Wolfe called Ira "country music's best post-Hank Williams songwriter." Songwriting is an aspect of Ira Louvin that many people tend to overlook. Louvin was a great songwriter, he was prolific, and he was quick. Charlie told the story of how their gospel song "I See a Bridge" came about, showing exactly how fast a song could come to his elder brother: as they drove along a river near their Sand Mountain, Alabama hometown they spotted a bridge that had been constructed over the river after they left home. Their sister, Lorene (the one for whom the My Baby's Gone song "Lorene" was named), was in the car with them and blurted out, "Ooh, look, I see a bridge!" "Ira stopped the car," Charlie said, "got out, and just like that, wrote the song on the spot." Charlie's assessment of his contribution to Louvin Brothers songs was that he "held the paper while Ira wrote the words." In addition to the Louvin Brothers songs, the Browns ("I Take the Chance"), Roy Acuff ("Baldknob, Arkansas"), Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper ("West Virginia Polka"), and the Carlisles ("Is Zat You, Myrtle?") recorded songs that Ira and Charlie wrote.
The most enduring aspect of the Louvin Brothers is the thing that set them apart from everyone else, then and now: Ira's tenor singing. Charlie's voice was good, but nothing spectacular. Ira, on the other hand, could freeze Death Valley in the middle of summer with his exquisite voice. His voice was high enough to enable him to create a female character, Sal Skinner, for the Louvin Brothers' radio act. However, when he worked with Charlie Monroe's Kentucky Partners he actually was the bass singer.
The most enduring aspect of the Louvin Brothers is the thing that set them apart from everyone else, then and now: Ira's tenor singing. Charlie's voice was good, but nothing spectacular. Ira, on the other hand, could freeze Death Valley in the middle of summer with his exquisite voice. His voice was high enough to enable him to create a female character, Sal Skinner, for the Louvin Brothers' radio act. However, when he worked with Charlie Monroe's Kentucky Partners he actually was the bass singer.
There are a lot of people who will tell you that the only thing angelic about Ira was his voice. Without question, the man had his demons, most of which came out of a bottle. He fought many battles with booze, especially after 1958 when Louvin Brothers producer Ken Nelson (who, ironically, went into the Hall of Fame the same year as the Louvins) laid the blame on the decline in Louvin Brothers record sales to Ira's mandolin (instead of the meteoric rise in popularity of a young fellow on RCA Victor by the name of Elvis Presley). "Ira's drinking got a lot worse after that," Charlie said. Ira was almost schizophrenic: when sober, he was a polite, humble, give-you-the-shirt-off-his-back man; while drinking, he was an intolerable, instrument-smashing (think Pete Townshend of the Who invented that?) jerk. An argument with his third wife, Faye, resulted in Ira taking five bullets; and Faye (no angel herself while drinking) promised that she'd shoot him again if he didn't die.
In early 1965 Ira, married for the fourth time to a singer by the name of Anne Young, recorded 15 tracks for a solo album. He played some dates with his wife including a five-night stand in Kansas City in June.
While on the way home from the Kansas City date Ira, his wife, and a band member and his wife were killed in a car wreck near Jefferson City, Missouri. Ironically the man who had finally managed to control his drinking demon had his life ended by a drunk driver. Ira was just 41.
The Louvin Brothers enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, in many ways surpassing their popularity when they actually performed, thanks to fans like Emmylou Harris and Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler. It is hard to get through a bluegrass festival without hearing at least half a dozen different acts perform Louvin Brothers songs. They were finally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 with eleven other acts including their producer, Ken Nelson, and their boyhood idols, the Delmore Brothers (who were honored with a tribute album by the Louvins in 1960).
There was only one Ira Louvin.
There was only one Ira Louvin.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Dates of Note in Country Music April 15-30
Category: News
Hall of Fame members in bold
April 16:
Dusty Springfield born in London, England, 1939 (died 1999). The legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer hit the country charts in 1962 as part of the Springfields with "Silver Threads and Golden Needles."
April 17:
Craig Anderson of Heartland born in Huntsville, Alabama, 1973 (now 36)
Eddie Cochran died (car wreck), 1960 (was 21). The rockabilly pioneer co-wrote "Summertime Blues," which Alan Jackson covered in country.
Dorsey Dixon died (heart attack), 1968 (was 70)
Hank Penny died (heart failure), 1992 (was 73)
Linda McCartney died (breast cancer), 1998 (was 56). Linda and husband Sir Paul McCartney's band, Wings, hit the country charts in 1974 with "Sally G."
Glenn Sutton died (heart attack), 2007 (was 69)
April 18:
Walt Richmond of the Tractors born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1947 (now 62)
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown born in Vinton, Louisiana, 1924 (died 2005)
Your blogger born in Louisville, Kentucky, 19(censored) (not too old to cut the mustard, and still younger than my brother!)
April 19:
Bill Rice born in Datto, Arkansas, 1939 (now 70)
Gary Brewer born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1965 (now 44)
Bobby Russell born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1941 (died 1992)
Earl Bolick of the Blue Sky Boys died (unknown cause), 1998 (was 78)
The "National Barn Dance" debuted on WLS, Chicago, 1924
April 20:
Johnny Tillotson born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1939 (now 70)
Doyle Lawson of the Country Gentlemen and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver born in Ford Town, Tennessee, 1944 (now 65)
Wade Hayes born in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, 1969 (now 40)
Frank "Hylo" Brown born in River, Kentucky, 1922 (died 2003)
Benny Hill found dead in his London flat (coronary thrombosis), 1992 (was 68). The British comedian's Benny Hill Show featured Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" as its theme song.
April 21:
Wade Mainer born in Buncombe, North Carolina, 1907 (now 101!)
Paul Davis born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1948 (died 2008)
Ira Louvin born in Rainsville, Alabama, 1924 (died 1965)
Carl Belew born in Salina, Oklahoma, 1931 (died 1990)
April 22:
Glen Campbell born in Delight, Arkansas, 1936 (now 73)
Ray Griff born in Vancouver, British Columbia, 1940 (now 69)
Pat Enright of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Huntington, Indiana, 1945 (now 64)
Cleve Francis born in Jennings, Louisiana, 1945 (now 64)
Larry Groce born in Dallas, Texas, 1948 (now 61). The Mountain Stage host had one charted record, 1977's "Junk Food Junkie," which was a minor country hit.
Reuben Gosfield of Asleep at the Wheel born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1951 (now 58)
Heath Wright of Ricochet born in Vian, Oklahoma, 1967 (now 42)
Steve Sholes died (heart attack), 1968 (was 57)
Felice Bryant died (cancer), 2003 (was 77)
Paul Davis died (heart attack), 2008 (was 60)
Richard Nixon died (stroke), 1994 (was 81). The former president's political troubles were chronicled in Tom T. Hall's song "Watergate Blues." Nixon also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry during its first night at the Opry House in 1974.
April 23:
Roland White of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Madawaska, Maine, 1938 (now 71)
Roy Orbison born in Vernon, Texas, 1936 (died 1988)
April 24:
Shirley Boone born in Chicago, Illinois, 1934 (now 75). Pat Boone's wife is also the daughter of Red Foley.
Rebecca Lynn Howard born in Salyersville, Kentucky, 1979 (now 30)
Harry McClintock died (unknown cause), 1957 (was 74). His greatest success would come years after his death when his recording of "Big Rock Candy Mountain" began the film O Brother, Where Art Thou.
Bonnie Owens died (Alzheimer's disease), 2006 (was 73)
April 25:
Larry Robbins of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Dickerson, Maryland, 1945 (now 64)
Karl Farr of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Rochelle, Texas, 1909 (died 1961)
Cliff Bruner born in Texas City, Texas, 1915 (died 2000)
Vassar Clements born in Kinard, South Carolina, 1928 (died 2005)
O.B. McClinton born in Senatobia, Mississippi, 1940 (died 1987)
The musical Big River opened on Broadway, 1985. It won a "Best Musical" Tony for songwriter Roger Miller, making him, to date, the only country performer to ever win a Tony Award.
April 26:
Johnny Mosby born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1933 (now 76)
Duane Eddy born in Corning, New York, 1938 (now 71)
Fiddlin' Doc Roberts born in Richmond, Kentucky, 1897 (died 1978)
Cecil Null born in East War, West Virginia, 1927 (died 2001)
Tim Spencer of the Sons of the Pioneers died (unknown cause), 1974 (was 65)
Wesley Rose died (unknown cause), 1990 (was 72)
April 27:
Maxine Brown of the Browns born in Campti, Louisiana, 1931 (now 78)
Herb Pedersen of the Dillards and Desert Rose Band born in Berkley, California, 1944 (now 65)
Sydney Nathan, founder of King Records, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1904 (died 1968)
Jimmie Skinner born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, 1909 (died 1979)
April 28:
Dale Potter born in Puxico, Missouri, 1929 (died 1996)
Tommy Caldwell of the Marshall Tucker Band died (car wreck), 1980 (was 30)
Ken Curtis died (natural causes), 1991 (was 74). The Gunsmoke star was also a one-time member of the Sons of the Pioneers.
April 29:
Billy Mize born in Arkansas City, Kansas, 1929 (now 80)
Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Taylortown, Texas, 1943 (now 66)
Wayne Secrest of Confederate Railroad born in Alton, Illinois, 1950 (now 59)
Karen Brooks born in Dallas, Texas, 1954 (now 55)
Danny Davis of the Nashville Brass born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1925 (died 2008)
Eddie Noack born in Houston, Texas, 1930 (died 1978)
April 30:
Fuzzy Owen born in Conway, Arkansas, 1929 (now 80)
Willie Nelson born in Abbott, Texas, 1933 (now 76)
Darrell McCall born in New Jasper, Ohio, 1940 (now 69)
Robert Earl Reynolds of the Mavericks born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1962 (now 47)
Johnny Horton born in Los Angeles, California, 1930 (died 1960)
Curly Chalker died (natural causes), 1998 (was 66)
WLS airs the final broadcast of the National Barn Dance, 1960, after 36 years on the air.
Hall of Fame members in bold
April 16:
Dusty Springfield born in London, England, 1939 (died 1999). The legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer hit the country charts in 1962 as part of the Springfields with "Silver Threads and Golden Needles."
April 17:
Craig Anderson of Heartland born in Huntsville, Alabama, 1973 (now 36)
Eddie Cochran died (car wreck), 1960 (was 21). The rockabilly pioneer co-wrote "Summertime Blues," which Alan Jackson covered in country.
Dorsey Dixon died (heart attack), 1968 (was 70)
Hank Penny died (heart failure), 1992 (was 73)
Linda McCartney died (breast cancer), 1998 (was 56). Linda and husband Sir Paul McCartney's band, Wings, hit the country charts in 1974 with "Sally G."
Glenn Sutton died (heart attack), 2007 (was 69)
April 18:
Walt Richmond of the Tractors born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1947 (now 62)
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown born in Vinton, Louisiana, 1924 (died 2005)
Your blogger born in Louisville, Kentucky, 19(censored) (not too old to cut the mustard, and still younger than my brother!)
April 19:
Bill Rice born in Datto, Arkansas, 1939 (now 70)
Gary Brewer born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1965 (now 44)
Bobby Russell born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1941 (died 1992)
Earl Bolick of the Blue Sky Boys died (unknown cause), 1998 (was 78)
The "National Barn Dance" debuted on WLS, Chicago, 1924
April 20:
Johnny Tillotson born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1939 (now 70)
Doyle Lawson of the Country Gentlemen and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver born in Ford Town, Tennessee, 1944 (now 65)
Wade Hayes born in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, 1969 (now 40)
Frank "Hylo" Brown born in River, Kentucky, 1922 (died 2003)
Benny Hill found dead in his London flat (coronary thrombosis), 1992 (was 68). The British comedian's Benny Hill Show featured Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" as its theme song.
April 21:
Wade Mainer born in Buncombe, North Carolina, 1907 (now 101!)
Paul Davis born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1948 (died 2008)
Ira Louvin born in Rainsville, Alabama, 1924 (died 1965)
Carl Belew born in Salina, Oklahoma, 1931 (died 1990)
April 22:
Glen Campbell born in Delight, Arkansas, 1936 (now 73)
Ray Griff born in Vancouver, British Columbia, 1940 (now 69)
Pat Enright of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Huntington, Indiana, 1945 (now 64)
Cleve Francis born in Jennings, Louisiana, 1945 (now 64)
Larry Groce born in Dallas, Texas, 1948 (now 61). The Mountain Stage host had one charted record, 1977's "Junk Food Junkie," which was a minor country hit.
Reuben Gosfield of Asleep at the Wheel born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1951 (now 58)
Heath Wright of Ricochet born in Vian, Oklahoma, 1967 (now 42)
Steve Sholes died (heart attack), 1968 (was 57)
Felice Bryant died (cancer), 2003 (was 77)
Paul Davis died (heart attack), 2008 (was 60)
Richard Nixon died (stroke), 1994 (was 81). The former president's political troubles were chronicled in Tom T. Hall's song "Watergate Blues." Nixon also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry during its first night at the Opry House in 1974.
April 23:
Roland White of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Madawaska, Maine, 1938 (now 71)
Roy Orbison born in Vernon, Texas, 1936 (died 1988)
April 24:
Shirley Boone born in Chicago, Illinois, 1934 (now 75). Pat Boone's wife is also the daughter of Red Foley.
Rebecca Lynn Howard born in Salyersville, Kentucky, 1979 (now 30)
Harry McClintock died (unknown cause), 1957 (was 74). His greatest success would come years after his death when his recording of "Big Rock Candy Mountain" began the film O Brother, Where Art Thou.
Bonnie Owens died (Alzheimer's disease), 2006 (was 73)
April 25:
Larry Robbins of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Dickerson, Maryland, 1945 (now 64)
Karl Farr of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Rochelle, Texas, 1909 (died 1961)
Cliff Bruner born in Texas City, Texas, 1915 (died 2000)
Vassar Clements born in Kinard, South Carolina, 1928 (died 2005)
O.B. McClinton born in Senatobia, Mississippi, 1940 (died 1987)
The musical Big River opened on Broadway, 1985. It won a "Best Musical" Tony for songwriter Roger Miller, making him, to date, the only country performer to ever win a Tony Award.
April 26:
Johnny Mosby born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1933 (now 76)
Duane Eddy born in Corning, New York, 1938 (now 71)
Fiddlin' Doc Roberts born in Richmond, Kentucky, 1897 (died 1978)
Cecil Null born in East War, West Virginia, 1927 (died 2001)
Tim Spencer of the Sons of the Pioneers died (unknown cause), 1974 (was 65)
Wesley Rose died (unknown cause), 1990 (was 72)
April 27:
Maxine Brown of the Browns born in Campti, Louisiana, 1931 (now 78)
Herb Pedersen of the Dillards and Desert Rose Band born in Berkley, California, 1944 (now 65)
Sydney Nathan, founder of King Records, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1904 (died 1968)
Jimmie Skinner born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, 1909 (died 1979)
April 28:
Dale Potter born in Puxico, Missouri, 1929 (died 1996)
Tommy Caldwell of the Marshall Tucker Band died (car wreck), 1980 (was 30)
Ken Curtis died (natural causes), 1991 (was 74). The Gunsmoke star was also a one-time member of the Sons of the Pioneers.
April 29:
Billy Mize born in Arkansas City, Kansas, 1929 (now 80)
Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Taylortown, Texas, 1943 (now 66)
Wayne Secrest of Confederate Railroad born in Alton, Illinois, 1950 (now 59)
Karen Brooks born in Dallas, Texas, 1954 (now 55)
Danny Davis of the Nashville Brass born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1925 (died 2008)
Eddie Noack born in Houston, Texas, 1930 (died 1978)
April 30:
Fuzzy Owen born in Conway, Arkansas, 1929 (now 80)
Willie Nelson born in Abbott, Texas, 1933 (now 76)
Darrell McCall born in New Jasper, Ohio, 1940 (now 69)
Robert Earl Reynolds of the Mavericks born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1962 (now 47)
Johnny Horton born in Los Angeles, California, 1930 (died 1960)
Curly Chalker died (natural causes), 1998 (was 66)
WLS airs the final broadcast of the National Barn Dance, 1960, after 36 years on the air.
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