DAVE'S OFFICIAL WEB SITE
DAVE RICH DVD
PHOTOS and POSTERS
Cowboy Songs page from October 1956
Dave's "Louisiana Hayride" Poster from 1957
RCA'S 1957 Country Artists Roster
Dave Rich
From: "Ain't it Fine" Volume 1 Country
Dave Rich was tutored by his world famous brother, James "Spider" Rich, the writer of the
mega hit "Yakety Sax". Spider arranged the songs and played Guitar. Chet Atkins producer
also played Guitar.
World Famous Pianist, Floyd Crammer played his slide note piano first on "City Lights".
Bobby Moore Bass and Buddy Harmon Drums. The writer of "Sugar Foot Rag" a world famous
standard instrumental played by Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland also played Guitar on the Ain't
it Fine Volumes.
Steel Guitar Hall of Famer, Jimmy Day played Steel. The world renowned guitarist,
Grady Martin also played on this album. Known as one of the greatest fiddle players
to ever hit Nashville, the late Tommy Jackson also played on this volume.
The Fantastic "Papa" John Gordy Piano and William Billy Harlan, Dave's first Bass
Picker in his first band who later went with Jim Reeves also played on this Album and
became a famous song writer.
Elvis Presley's vocal back-up singers, the "Jordanaires" were the vocal background
singers for both volumes. Also, the great Anita Kerr Singers provided vocal chorus.
Ray Edenton, rhythm guitar played on almost every session that came out of Nashville for
twenty-five years. Hargus M "Pig" Robins holds the record for playing on over four-thousand
hits from Nashville also played Piano on this album.
One of the "A-Team" players "Roy M. "Junior" Husky, Bass Guitar.
Dave Rich wrote ten of the thirteen songs on this album. "Tuggin on my Heart Strings:
was the first song Mel Tillis wrote that was recorded. "Lonely Street" was co-written by
Carl Belew and became a standard hit recorded by many but the person who made it most
famous was pop singer "Andy Williams". A little of Dave's style on "Lonely Street" was
done by everyone who recorded it after him.
"City Lights" was written by Bill Anderson, Commerce GA, and Bill gives Dave credit
for all his success he ever gained. Most of the time Chet Atkins only wanted Dave
to record his own material but these were exceptions. Dave was somewhat uncomfortable
with certain lyrics to songs written in this era so he discreetly changed one line
of "City Lights" that was undetected by Chet Atkins and all other RCA executives.
Bill Anderson wrote the line on the second verse that said ... "the world was dark and
God made stars to brighten up the night, did the God who put the stars above make those
City Lights"? Dave understood what Bill was saying in the song but still felt that
a more "powerful statement" was needed. Dave changed the lyrics to say "the world was
dark and God made stars to brighten up the night but the God who put the stars above
I don't believe made those city lights".
Dave's record of "City Lights" was high in the charts all over the country when Dave's
manager, Hal Smith, who also managed Ray Price and Ernest Tubbs, suggested to Ernest
Tubbs that maybe Ray Price, who had many hits at that time, should cover it. Ernest and
Ray were driving across Nashville when Ernest mentioned to Ray Price that he ought to
record "City Lights". He did record it and since about four hundred artists have
recorded this song.
Ray Price's record of "City Lights" was a super hit! Ray Price was only doing what
his manager instructed him to do. Dave Rich and Ray Price are close friends to this day!
On Volume 1 & 2 of "Ain't it Fine" this body of work covers all spectrums from
country, R & B, Rockabilly, and Pop. There are songs on both volumes that anyone
would like. This may be a first in the recording industry!... The songs being recorded
in eight "three hour" sessions over a three year period 1955-59 the variety making
this a timeless production.
More on Dave Rich
From: Ain't it Fine Volume 2
Rockabilly Rock n Roll & Do Wop & Pop
Everything written in "Ain't if Fine" Volume 1 is applicable for this album. Please refer to
Volume 1 Bio for particulars and information concerning this album. This compilation of
music by Dave Rich was written in the "wake" of ELVIS PRESLEY.
Chet Atkins of RCA was Dave's Producer during all of the years Dave recorded for RCA.
When Elvis burst into the scene Chet Atkins expressed a real concern that his (Elvis)
style would wipe out "country music" as they knew it in that era. To prevent this Chet,
knowing Dave's amazing talent for writing as well as singing, asked Dave to come up with
some Rock and Roll tunes and some songs with the R & B twist to it. A meeting took place
in Chicago by RCA Executives and a decision was made to put the most or major efforts
behind the promotion of two people!
Elvis Presley, for Rock and Roll, and Dave Rich for what we now call "Rockabilly".
This information was provided to Dave by a personal friend who was a RCA distributor in
four states and who attended this meeting. Dave learned about this several years after
the meeting.
Chet Atkins was correct in his assessment of Dave's ability to write and sing Country
Rock and Country Rhythm and Blues later called "Rockabilly" and "Do Wop". Dave went
even further with his writing and singing ability because there are "Pop" style songs on
this album as well, such as "Just like mine" and "Key to my Heart" also "Sunshine in my
Heart" and "Burn on Love Fire". Music Icon Buddy Killen was the co-writer of "Just like mine".
Dave, without knowing it at the time, made a major contribution to the style of music we
now call "ROCKABILLY".
His greatest Rockabilly Hit that went international is "Rosie Let's Get Cozy". Others
that went international were "Chicken House", Burn on Love Fire", "Red Sweater", "School Blues".
The songs "I've thought it over" and "I've Learned" demonstrated Dave's ability to
"Do Wop" with all the rest!! Dave wrote all the songs on this album with exception
of "I've Learned" written by Nathan Russell & Jet Nelson and "Key to My Heart"
written by Glen Van Dell & Pete Strecker and "Red Beads"
written by Boudleaux & Felice Bryant.
Bookings:
214-476-7192
lrclinton@daverichmusic.com
3000 Conner Lane
Wylie, TX 75098
Rockabilly Hall of FameŽ