By Bill Morrison for the Rockabilly Hall of Fame ©2008
ALSO - VISIT BILL'S
All 12 Months - Packed Full of Country Music History - Click Here
By Bill Morrison for the Rockabilly Hall of Fame ©2008
ALSO - VISIT BILL'S
All 12 Months - Packed Full of Country Music History - Click Here
"May, 2008"
Volume 45
Bill Morrison ©2008
"Quote of the Month"
"If they'd had the pill when I was having babies, I'd have been eating them like popcorn." ... Loretta Lynn
Recording Session of the Month
On May 21, 1945, Ernest Tubb recorded a total of twenty songs in Chicago for Decca Records. The session personnel included: Ernest Tubb-vocals & rhythm guitar; Leon Short-lead guitar; Johnny Sapp-fiddle; Ray Head-steel guitar; Jack Drake-bass. A sampling of the tunes recorded: "At Mail Call Today" written by Gene Autry & Fred Rose; "There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder" by Jimmie Davis; "Wondering If You're Wondering Too" by E.T.; "My Hillbilly Baby: by Rex Griffin; "Too Late To Worry, Too Blue To Cry" by Al Dexter; "Each Night At Nine" by Floyd Tillman; "Love Gone Cold" by Johnny Bond;
Ten Questions
1. This artist recorded for RCA Victor, with a brief stay at MGM. The
artist's first 57 releases for RCA were all top 10 singles. The 58th
release was a Christmas song, and topped out at #12. Who is the artist?2. Red Stewart and Pee Wee King wrote "The Tennessee Waltz." Who charted
this song on the country charts?
3. Who was the first artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of
Fame?
4. Who was the first country female artist to win a Grammy?
5. Who did Skeeter Davis marry in 1960?
6. This artist recorded well over 800 commercial recordings during his career; Ernest Tubb was responsible for this man becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry; he recorded over 100 albums for RCA, and Chet Atkins insisted on personally producing his RCA recordings. This artist once fired his fiddle player, because he thought the man intentionally removed his hair piece with the tip of his fiddle bow during a concert; he stopped his car on the side of the road enroute to a tour date, and made Faron Young get out and hitchhike the rest of the way to their destination; (Faron had that effect on a lot of folks); who is this member of the Country Music Hall of Fame? Okay, one more morsel ... he hated Col. Tom Parker.
7. I charted my first Columbia single in 1969. My first #1 record on the ABC label hit the charts nine years later. I joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1972. From 1980-1982 I stayed busy with my own network TV show. During my career I charted duet singles with: Waylon Jennings; Lee Greenwood; David Houston; The Oak Ridge Boys; and George Jones. My last #1 single was a hit in 1983, my last chart record topped out at #49 in 1989. I was raised in California, and my family and I live there now. Who am I?
8. I was the youngest artist ever to become a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry. My dad and I were working at station WHAS in Louisville, when Harry Stone came to see our show, and invited us to go to work for WSM's pride and joy, the Grand Ole Opry. My dad agreed, and we debuted on September 24, 1932. We recorded several records for the Bluebird label in San Antonio, however our best source of income was the songbooks we sold by the thousands. The NBC network hired us away from the Opry, but we returned to the Opry stage after a few months. In 1938 my younger brother Buddy joined our act. I was five years old when dad and I came to work at WSM in 1932, and I could sing approximately two-hundred songs from memory, as well as sing harmony with my dad. What was the name of our act?
9. Who is the country music icon who made the following remarks about the 9-11 attacks, to the host of a nationally syndicated radio show, in February, 2008? "I saw those towers fall and I've seen an implosion in Las Vegas, there's too much similarities between the two. And I saw the building fall that didn't get hit by nothing, so, how naive are we, you know, what do they think we'll go for?"
10. Who was the only member of the Louisiana Hayride, to appear on shows
with both Hank Williams and Elvis Presley?
May Highlights
May 1, 2004 - Brad Cotter, age 33, was selected as the winner of the USA Network's Nashville Star, Season 2, contest. Prior to the contest, Brad was a demo singer in Nashville ... sound familiar? Last year's winner Buddy Jewel, also came from the ranks of Nashville Demo Singers.
May 2, 1960 - WLS Radio changed from its 36-year farm and country format, which featured some of the best live country and western music in America, to a Top 40 Rock & Pop station in 1960. With the growth of Rock music since 1955, WLS targeted a new and younger audience. Program Director Sam Holman and station owners made the decision, and thus began the demise of country music in the Windy City, and the WLS National Barn Dance became just another memory.
May 3, 1952 - Kitty wells recorded "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," at her first session for Decca. The session was held at the Castle Studio, in Nashville's Tulane Hotel. Owen Bradley produced, Jack Anglin played rhythm guitar, Shot Jackson played steel guitar, Johnnie Wright played bass, and Paul Warren played fiddle on the session. Joe Miller wrote the song, it charted two months later, went to #1, and is now a Grammy Hall of Fame song.
May 4, 1959 - The 1st Annual Grammy Awards were presented this evening. The Kingston Trio won the first ever Country Music Grammy for "Tom Dooley," NOTE: Music awards presented in 1959, honor the music of 1958 etc. That applies to all music awards, and if you think about it you will understand that it has to be presented in that manner, so as to give the music released late in any given year, an opportunity to be considered. If you have any questions ... ask your wife.
May 5, 1942 - Tammy Wynette 1942-1998, singer, songwriter, was born Virginia Wynette Pugh in Itawamba County, Mississippi. Tammy became the sixth female solo artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
May 6, 1985 - The Academy of Country Music celebrated it's 20th anniversary, at this evening's awards show at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The program was aired on NBC-TV and Alabama was the evening's big winner; Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year; and Top Vocal Group of the Year. Twenty years later, this very talented group of young men would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
May 7, 1940 - Hollywood columnist Louella Parsons reported in her column today: "Roy Acuff, young hill-billy brought here by Republic Pictures from Nashville, is suffering from appendicitis and will be operated on as soon as the picture is finished." The film, "Grand Ole Opry" was finished a short time later, but Roy had seen all of Hollywood that he cared to. He loaded the Smokey Mountain Boys into their touring car, and headed back to his beloved Tennessee. Upon arriving in Nashville, Roy was immediately admitted to St. Thomas Hospital, and the appendix was removed.
May 8, 1968 - The Solemn Old Judge "George D. Hay" 1895-1968, age 72, died in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Inducted into the CMHF in 1966. George was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk, Virginia. His contribution to the success of WSM's Grand Ole Opry is immeasurable.
May 9, 1989 - Keith Whitley, age 33, died from alcohol poisoning at his home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. At the time of his death, Keith had a blood alcohol content of .47%.
May 10, 1995 - Willie Nelson was arrested in Texas, for possession of marijuana. A judge threw out the evidence and dropped the charge on March 23, 1995.
May 11, 1979 - Lester Raymond Flatt 1914-1979, age 64, died in Nashville. Lester Flatt was laid to rest in Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery, Sparta, Tennessee. He was inducted into the CMHF in 1985, and the IBMAHH in 1991.
May 12, 1901 - Benjamin Francis "Whitey" Ford 1901-1986, The Duke of Paducah was born in Desoto, Missouri. Whitey joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1942, and was inducted into the CMHF in 1986.
May 13, 1960 - Freddy Fender was arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for possession of cannabis. Freddy was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of a very small amount of marijuana. The Governor of Louisiana pardoned Freddy, about half-way through the sentence.
May 14, 1914 - Foy Willing 1914-1978, singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader and actor, was born Foy Willingham in Bosque County, Texas. After moving to Hollywood Foy became a member of Jimmy Wakley's Saddle Pals, appearing in Western movies, and the Hollywood Barn Dance. Foy later formed the "Riders of the Purple Sage."
May 15, 2003 - June Carter Cash 1929-2003, age 73, died at 5:04 PM, in Baptist Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee. The singer, songwriter, producer, author, and actress was laid to rest in Hendersonville Memorial Gardens, Hendersonville, Tennessee.
May 16, 1933 - Jack Strange bass guitarist, and mandolin player was born in Flora, Illinois. Jack was a road musician for Bill Morrison's band, and played for numerous Opry artists that did not have their own road band. Jack is now semi-retired and living in Colorado.
May 17, 2001 - The New "Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum," opened for business in downtown Nashville. This magnificent $37 million facility is the Crown Jewel of Music City USA. Having said that, the jewels in this crown would shine much brighter if more honesty, and less politics were involved in the selection process, regarding who gets inducted into this elite body. Do you know the names of the Music Row geniuses, who have had the final say in deciding who goes in, and who stays out of the Hall of Fame? Of course you don't. Who would admit to being responsible for inducting only seven female solo artists into the Hall of Fame since 1961.
May 18, 2003 - The funeral for June Carter Cash was held at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. June was laid to rest in Hendersonville Memory Gardens next to her mother Maybelle, her father, Ezra, and her sister, Anita. 1800 people attended the ceremony. Rosanne Cash was the only family member to speak at the funeral. John Carter Cash's wife Laura played the fiddle during the service.
May 19, 1950 - Jean Shepard recorded her #1 Capitol Records single "A Dear John Letter," with Ferlin Huskey.
May 20, 1929 - Jack D. Cash 1929-1944, age 14, older brother of Johnny Cash, died in the hospital after a chain saw accident in Arkansas, in 1944. Jack was laid to rest in the Bassett, Arkansas, cemetery. His tombstone reads: Jack D. Cash, 1929-44. Johnny Cash believed that his brother had been murdered, and named the young man he thought had killed his brother. That young man disappeared the same day that Jack Cash was fatally injured. No arrest was ever made.
May 21, 2003 - Toby Keith left the ACM Awards Show before it was announced that he had won Entertainer of the Year. Toby told the press that he and Willie Nelson went to the bus to write songs. That's his story, and he's stickin' to it. I'm betting the bus was filled with a lot of smoke.
May 22, 1892 - Ralph Peer 1892-1960, the first country music talent scout, publisher, and music industry pioneer, was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He recorded Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family and many other pioneer artists.
May 23, 1989 - K. T. Oslin's RCA album "80's Ladies" was certified Platinum. The album was released two years earlier, and produced five chart singles including two #1 hits. The title track single won a Grammy for K.T. as Best Female Vocal Performance in 1988. In case you ever wondered, K.T. is short for Kay Toinette. A very classy, and talented addition to the country music charts. Kay's first RCA chart hit occurred in 1987, when she was 46 years old. That would never happen in today's Rock-Pop Tennessee. But that's okay. I have been blessed with a Sirius Satellite radio, that plays real country music 24/7. My heart is happy.
May 24, 2005 - Vivian Liberto age 71, first wife of Johnny Cash died in California. Vivian divorced Johnny in 1966. The couple had four daughters Rosanne, Kathleen, Cindy, and Tara. Vivian married a police officer sometime after the divorce.
May 25, 1936 - Tom T. Hall, The Storyteller, was born in a log cabin, in Olive Hill, Kentucky. I believe it was Ralph Emery who was once quoted as saying "If T. could play golf a little better he would be the perfect man." But then, I might be wrong about that quote. It might have been Grammy winner Randy Kohrs, a former member of T.'s band, or any number of Nashville's older music community. Everybody loves Tom T. and Miss Dixie. I know for sure that Ernest Tubb loved him like a son, so that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this songwriting legend...except, when Tootsie Bess, owner and founder of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville died, it was Tom T. who went to the legendary watering hole, and ask to see the cigar box where Tootsie kept all of the unpaid tabs. These were the tabs of unemployed singers, songwriters, and some of the best musicians in the world, dating back several years. Tom put the tabs on a table, added up the total amount due, and paid the debt in full. When Tom came to Nashville he had forty-six dollars, an old guitar, and a wonderful God given gift. Tom T. Hall is a very special man, and the history of country music has been enhanced by the man, and his gift.
May 26, 1933 - James Charles "Jimmie" Rodgers 1897-1933, age 35, died in his Hotel room in New York City. Jimmie was known as "The Singing Brakeman," and became the first person to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1961).
May 27, 1971 - Bob Dunn 1908-1971, Western Swing steel guitarist, died at the age of 63. Bob was the first country session musician, to use an electrified string instrument during a recording session (1935) with Milton Brown's Musical Brownies.
May 28, 1945 - Gary Stewart 1945-2003, singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born in Letcher County, Kentucky. Gary charted 30 singles on the country charts, his biggest hit, the #1 RCA Victor single "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles) was released in 1975. Gary's wife of 43 years died in November 2003. The following month on December 16th, 2003, Gary took his own life with a self-inflicted gun shot, in his Fort Pierce, Florida, residence. Gary was 58.
May 29, 1965 - Jody Miller's Capitol single "Queen Of The House" charted today. This was Jody's first chart record and it won her a Grammy for Best Female Vocal. From 1965-1979 Jody charted a total of 27 singles.
May 30, 1909 - Lewis Crook 1909-1997, of the Grand Ole Opry's Crook Brothers, was born in Trousdale County, Tennessee.
May 31, 1938 - Johnny Paycheck 1938-2003, was born Donald Eugene Lytle in Greenfield, Ohio. Paycheck's early records were recorded under the name Donny Young. He once played in the bands of Faron Young, Porter Wagoner, Ray Price and George Jones. With a little help from Johnny Russell, Paycheck became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1997.
Check out "Bill Morrison's Country Music Calendar" at: www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalendar.html
If you see something that needs to be corrected, or you would like to contact Bill, he can be reached at: RockabillyCountryNewsViews@gmail.com
RCNV Songwriter's Spotlight
William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell 1928-1975
Lefty Frizzell was one of the top country music singers of all-time. I believe the same could be said about his songwriting abilities ... one of the top songwriters in the business. Like most super-stars Lefty had his demons, but I've come to believe the pain in his heart was responsible for the genius displayed in his music. Here is a partial list of Lefty Frizzell penned songs:
"I Want To Be With You Always" co-written with Dallas studio owner Jim Beck; "I Love You A Thousand Ways" co-written with Jim Beck; "Always Late (With Your Kisses)" co-written with Blackie Crawford; "If You've Got The Money Honey, I've Got The Time"; "Mom and Dad's Waltz"; "Give Me More, More, More (Of Your Kisses)"; "I Never Go Around Mirrors" and many others. In the movie "Tender Mercies" Robert Duvall sang "It Hurts to Face Reality." Lefty wrote this song, however, like many of the songs he wrote he never recorded it.
Lefty was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. A massive stroke took the life of Lefty Frizzell on
July 19, 1975, at age 47. He was laid to rest in Forrest Lawn Memorial Gardens, in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Book Of The Month
"The Bristol Sessions: Writings About the Big Bang of Country Music" --By Charles K. Wolfe and Ted Olson © 2005
First & Last
Boudleaux and Felice Bryant were the first songwriters to move to Nashville, and attempt to make their living by doing nothing other than writing songs. They were extremely successful after signing their first publishing contract with Fred Rose at Acuff Rose Publishing in 1948. The man and wife team provided the music world with: Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, Hey Joe, Bird Dog, Rocky Top, Raining in My Heart, Let's Think About Living, Love Hurts, Devoted To You, Come Live With Me, Take Me As I Am (or Let Me Go), Take a Message to Mary, Fall Away, Out Behind The Barn, We Could, and hundreds more. The Hall of Fame songwriting team were married on September 5, 1945, and moved to Nashville in 1950.
Ralph Emery conducted his last all night radio show for WSM on July 22, 1972.
The Carter Family had their first recording session for Ralph Peer and Victor Records in Bristol, Tennessee, August 1, 1927.
Uncle Dave Macon made his last Grand Ole Opry appearance on March 1, 1952. He became sick after the show and died three weeks later in a Murfreesboro, hospital.
Talkin' 'Bout Bands
Coleman County Cowboys: Red Steagall's Western Swing band was formed in the 1970's.
Vagabonds: A Chicago based trio that joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1931.
The Tenneva Ramblers: This band was first named the Jimmie Rodgers Entertainers in the 1920's. After an argument with Rodgers, the group left Jimmie a short time before he recorded his first record, and then changed the name of the group.
Golden West Cowboys: This was Gene Autry's band when he was a cast member of the WLS National Barn Dance in Chicago. After Autry moved to the west coast in the 1930's, it became Pee Wee King's band.
Crazy Hickory Nuts: The Crazy Water Company sponsored this band. They were cast members of the "Crazy Barn Dance" on WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Wedding Bells
Rex Allen and Bonita Linder were married August 25, 1946.
Harold Breau and Rita Cote were married on June 29, 1940. They then formed "Lone Pine & Betty Cody"
Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto were married in San Antonio, Texas, August 6, 1954. The best man was John's brother Roy. Marshall Grant bass player for the Tennessee Two, loaned John the money to get to San Antonio for the wedding.
Spade Cooley and Ella Mae Evans were married in 1945. Spade murdered Ella in front of their young daughter on April 3, 1961. He was sentenced to life in California's Vacaville penitentiary. Spade died two months prior to being released from prison on parole.Hollywood Walk of Fame
Webb Pierce's star is located at 1600 Vine Street, Hollywood, California.
Reba McEntire's star is located at 7018 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California.
Gone But Not Forgotten
David "Stringbean" Akeman 1916-1973
Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Goodlettsville, Tennessee
Bill Carlisle "Jumping Bill" 1908-2003
Cremated
Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower 1926-1998
East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, Mississippi
Betty Jack Davis 1932-1953
Member of the "Davis Sisters" along with Skeeter. Betty was killed in a car wreck, and Skeeter was seriously injured.
Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
Pete Drake -1932-1988
(Steel guitarist,) Dobro, Guitar, Music Publisher, and Record Producer
Spring Hill Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee
Did You Know?
When Frank King was hired to play the accordian in Gene Autry's band, there were already two other members of the group named Frank. As a result, Frank was given the nickname "Pee Wee," because he was 5'6" short. Frank "Pee Wee" King was born Julius Frank Kuczynski in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on February 16, 1914.
Jan Howard released a tribute single "My Son" in 1968. Two weeks later her son was killed in Vietnam.
Tennessee Ernie Ford served as a bombardier during World War II.
Patty Loveless replaced Loretta Lynn as featured singer on the Wilburn Brother's
TV Show when she was still in high school. She remained a part of the show for three
years.
If Ricky Nelson was still alive he would have celebrated his 68th birthday on March 8th, 2008. Where have all of those decades gone? Never mind ... I was just thinking out loud.
The California based Academy of Country Music presented their first awards in 1965. The Country Music Association initiated their awards two years later.
Chet Atkins father was a voice coach, and piano teacher in Lutrell, Tennessee. Chet's half-brother Jim played guitar in the Les Paul Trio.
Moe Bandy formed his first band in San Antonio, Texas, while working as a metalworker. He named his group "The Mavericks," and began recording for some of the record labels in the area. From 1974-1989 Moe charted over 50 singles, including nineteen Top Ten's.
R.C. Bannon was born Dan Shipley on May 2, 1945, in Dallas, Texas. This singer, songwriter, guitarist charted seventeen singles from 1977-1982 on five different labels. Dan and Louise Mandrell were married in 1979, and divorced in 1991.
Jack Barlow recorded for Dot Records. His birth name was Jack Butcher, and he also recorded as Zoot Fenster. No, I didn't make that up ... every hillbilly knows that truth is stranger than fiction.
Jimmie Davis 1899-2000, served as Governor of Louisiana from 1944-1948 and 1960-1964. A prolific songwriter, Jim recorded his self-penned "You Are My Sunshine" on February 4, 1940. The Decca single was released in March and sold over a million copies in the U.S. His recording was covered by Guy Lombardo, Wayne King, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Faron Young, the Andrew Sisters, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Wakely, Delbert McClinton, Ray Charles and many others. Jimmie Davis died on November 5, 2000, at the age of 101. The "Singing Governor" was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1972. Jimmie Davis was laid to rest in the Davis Family Cemetery, in Quitman, Louisiana.
Answers To Ten Questions
1. Eddy Arnold
2. Pee Wee King on April 3, 1948; the record went to #3
Cowboy Copas on May 1, 1948; #3
Roy Acuff on November 6, 1948; #12
Patti Page on December 30, 1950; #2
Lacy J. Dalton on February 2, 1980; #17
3. Jimmie Rodgers
4. Dottie West-1964 "Here Comes My Baby"
5. Ralph Emery
6. Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow
7. Barbara Mandrell
8. Asher Sizemore and Little Jimmie
9. Willie Nelson. Willie's publicist refused to comment on the remarks. In fairness to Willie, I don't think we should be too critical of his political opinions. He will celebrate his 75th birthday later this year. How many decades can one man consume large amounts of illegal drugs, and be expected to retain any significant amount of functioning brain matter. Sing Willie sing, and leave the politics to the two pathetic choices we'll have to choose between next November.
10. Billy Walker
From The Wisdom Desk
The Christian and Government:
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Romans 13: 1-4
God said it. I believe it. And that's it.
Please pray for our troops and their families ... because they deserve our thanks and prayers. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and our nations leaders because God said we should.
Well, thanks for dropping by RCNV, it's always good to cyber-see you. Good Lord willing I'll see you here next month. If not ... it's to a much better place I go. I pray that I'll see you there to ... Shalom.
You can reach Bill Morrison at: RockabillyCountryNewsViews@gmail.comNote: If you would like a free Gmail account, with lots of free storage and other helpful innovations and information, send me your current email address. I will send you the required invitation that will allow you to sign up for all Gmail has to offer. Nothing to buy ... give it a try.
Bill's Favorite Music Links
Rockabilly pioneers and their records
World Famous Ernest Tubb's Record Shops
Good people providing good music, interviews, and more
Tandy's home away from home
Rockabilly at its Best
Midnight Cowboy was named by Hank Williams
Bill's Induction Page
Canadian Country Music Association
Just click on your state
www.countrymusicplanet.com/american.htm
List of Artists and their Concert Dates & Location
Ryman Auditorium
Branson Has Traditional Country On Display
Today's Country Music News
Grammy Awards
Best Search Engine/Free Gmail
Radio Hall of Fame
All Genre
Atlanta's WSB Radio 1920 - 1990
650 WSM
International Fan Club Organization
http://www.countryhall.com
Newsletter and website
Links Galore
No Rock-Pop Here
Latest Country Music News
Dick Shuey, Founder of TwangTown USA
Former Showcase of Country Music
Rockabilly News
Bill's Country Music Calendar
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Academy of Country Music
Country Music Association
International Bluegrass Music Association
For folks who travel with their animals (husbands not included)
Bill's 4th Set of Columns Here
Bill's 3rd Set of Columns Here
Bill's 2nd Set of Columns Here
Bill's 1st Set of Colmns Here
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