Doug Davis
Owner/Publisher/Manager/Editor/
Writer/Gopher/Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Thursday July 14th, 2016
Email: djdclassics@gmail.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Down thru the years of history of the music business - several records have been
mentioned as "changing the course of music" or "taking music in a different
direction." One such record mentioned as having that effect on the music
business was Ferlin Husky's "Gone" - which was recorded for Capitol Records on
November 7th, 1956. He had previously recorded the song for Four Star Records in
1953 under the name Terry Preston. The original record had gone virtually
unnoticed. Husky wanted an entirely different sound for his second recording of
the song that was written by Smokey Rogers - a sound that Ferlin described as a
"kind of achy feeling" - a sound and a feeling he believed was possible with the
use of background voices - which he did not use on the first record.
Record producer Ken Nelson also wanted to include a female with The Jordanaires
for the background voices for the recording. And the Jordanaires suggested
Millie Kirkham who was working with The Anita Kerr Singers. Engineer Mort
Thomason built a makeshift echo chamber underneath a cement staircase in Owen
Bradley's 16th Avenue South studio - which consisted of a microphone and a
speaker inside and reverbed it back into the mixing board. The Jordanaires' Neal
Matthews arranged the song - working with the basic idea of getting a "large
choir sound" on the recording. And with the use of the echo chamber and Millie
Kirkham - it worked!
As soon as "Gone" began picking up airplay - the sound and "feel" created by
"Gone" - especially the use of echo chambers and co-ed backup groups began
showing up on more and more records.
Ferlin Husky later remarked that "Gone" did establish a trend as being the first
use of an echo chamber and the first use of background vocals done that way -
but things quickly got out of hand with too much overuse of echo and background
vocals soon after!
Ferlin Husky's Capitol Records single "Gone" came on the country music charts
February 23rd, 1957 and became his first number one as a solo artist (he had
previously scored a duet number one with "A Dear John Letter" with Jean Shepard
in 1953) and stuck there for ten weeks. It was his 7th charted song and was on
the charts for 27 weeks.
Ferlin placed 51 songs on the country music charts between 1953 and 1975.
Ferlin Husky died March 17th, 2011. He was 85 years old.
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MORE BOOKS FROM THE STORE ROOM:
232 page hardback "THE FACTS OF LIFE" by Willie Nelson – inside story of
Willie's life and career –told as only Willie could tell it – photos of Willie
as a child and early in his career – PLUS: 400 page 'READING COUNTRY MUSIC –
STEEL GUITARS – OPRY STARS AND HONKY TONK BARS" – the inner workings of the
country music industry – beginning with Hank Williams days – thru the
development of distinctive styles within the industry – including photos – PLUS:
398 page '50 YEARS DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD" – by Ralph Emery – Ralph's
distinctive perspective and how it changed during his career – includes photo
section – ALL THREE BOOKS FOR $35 and I'll pay shipping. PayPal – Check or
Money Order – reply to djdclassics@gmail.com
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Do you know anything about an Alan Jackson country faith album? The radio
guys talked about it.
A: Country Faith album series, "Country Faith Hymns" features 12-tracks of
songs of faith performed by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Collin Raye, Alan Jackson,
Brad Paisley, Gene Watson and Wade Hayes. "Country Faith Hymns" and past Country
Faith projects are available for purchase at CountryFaith.com.
Q: I have heard about a new book about the life of Guy Clark. Do you have any
information?
A: Guy Clark's biography, "Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and
Music of Guy Clark," is set for October 18th release. The project, which was
penned by Tamara
Saviano, was completed just before Clark's death in May. Clark died at age 74,
after years of declining health.
Q: According to my daughter - Dolly Parton has started her own record company.
Do you have any details?
A: Dolly's new "Pure & Simple" album is being released on her own Dolly
Records, through a joint venture with Sony Music Nashville's RCA Records. In
addition to her
new disc, Parton is currently on the road, on her Pure & Simple Tour, her
largest North American tour in more than 20 years.
Q: One of all-time favorite songs is Connie Smith's "Run Away Little Tears."
Do you know who wrote that song?
A: The 1968 top ten Connie Smith hit was written by Dallas Frazier.
Q: Do you know if Conway Twitty ever recorded the Charlie Walker hit "Pick Me
Up On Your Way Down?" My dad says it was on the radio years ago.
A: Conway's version of that song is in his 1974 "Conway Twitty's Honky Tonk
Angel" album
Q: My grandpa used to sing a song about "I Never See Maggie Alone." He said it
was quite popular on the radio years ago. Do you know who had that record?
A: It was a number 4 hit for Kenny Roberts in 1949.
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A T T E N T I O N: R A D I O S T A T I O N S:
Our short form daily radio feature, "Story Behind The Song" is now
available to radio stations at no
charge.
For information, email me at djdclassics@gmail.com
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NUMBER ONES ON THIS DATE
1947
Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) - Tex Williams
1955
A Satisfied Mind - Porter Wagoner
1963
Act Naturally - Buck Owens
1971
When You're Hot, You're Hot - Jerry Reed
1979
Amanda - Waylon Jennings
1987
All My Ex's Live in Texas - George Strait
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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY
Courtesy: Bill Morrison
Woodie Guthrie born "Woodrow Wilson Guthrie," Okemah, OK 1912.
Marijohn Wilkin songwriter/publisher/musician born Kemp, TX 1920.
Del Reeves "The Dean Martin of Country Music," born Sparta, NC 1933.
Guitarist Spencer Davis born in Whales, 1941.
Riley Puckett of the Skillet Lickers died 1946.
Hank Williams released "Hey Good Lookin'," 1951.
The Eddy Arnold Show premiered on CBS-TV 1952.
Pee Wee King released "Hoot Scoot," 1956.
Richard Underwood, of the Johnson Mountain Boys, born Washington, D.C. 1956.
Patsy Cline released "Stop, Look, and Listen," 1956.
Johnny Cash announced that he was leaving Sun Records 1958.
Ray Herndon "McBride & The Ride" born Phoenix, AZ 1960.
Bill Anderson joined the Grand Ole Opry 1961.
The Everly Brothers break-up while on stage at Knott's Berry Farm, 1973.
Loretta Lynn's "Love Is The Foundation," is the #1 country song on Billboard
1973.
Tom T. Hall recorded "Magnificent Music Machine" 1975.
The Bellamy Brothers #1 single "If I Said You Have A Beautiful Body Would You
Hold It Against Me" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart 1979.
Dolly Parton's "Halos & Horns," album debuted on the Billboard Country Album
Charts at #4, in 2002.
CBS aired their tape of the CMA Music Festival 2004. This was the festival
formerly known as Fan Fair.
Courtesy: <http://www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalendar.html>
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LOST SOUL
By: Jack Blanchard
I look out our front windows every day
and see more beauty then I deserve.
Across our little paved lane there is a park,
or more accurately, a small forest with a mowed lawn.
There are lots of trees and flowers.
The trees include oaks, pines, pineapple palms, and royal palms.
I think that's what they call those tall thin ones
with the burst of fronds at the top…
like fireworks.
I don't know the names of all the flowers and butterflies.
If it gets any prettier
I'll have to get some spray-on butterfly repellent.
On the other hand,
we're approaching the height of the hurricane season,
when the tropical storms lurk off the coast and look at us funny.
We got three direct hits one year and had to evacuate each time.
Fun for the whole family.
I'm just squirrelly enough to miss the snow and cold,
along with autumn and spring.
Florida is no place for a Buffalo kid.
We have summer all year punctuated by frequent violent storms.
This is the lightning center of the world, next to India's rain forests.
If there were any noticeable tradition here
they would immediately pave it over.
They tear down fine old buildings to build condos,
water parks, car dealerships, and convention centers.
Florida is America's southernmost mall.
Most of the people here are not from here.
Like me.
Many of us have never become acclimated.
Our home town, Buffalo, has had its problems
but it has kept its soul.
I think that's what I miss most... the soul.
Jack Blanchard
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Home Page: http://www.jackandmisty.net
YouTube: www.youtube.com/jackandmisty -
http://www.youtube.com/jackandmisty
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/jackblanchard.mistymorgan -
<http://www.facebook.com/jackblanchard.mistymorgan>
Mastering & restoration studio: 352-530-2068.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
View From The Front Porch-Stan Hitchcock
Random Acts Of Kindness
October 20, 1962-26 years old, One year earlier, I signed my recording contract
with Columbia/Epic Records, had recorded my first session at Owen Bradley's
Quonset Hut, Don Law Producing, and had my first single record out. The A side
was "Somebody Had To Lose", written by Jimmy Gately, the B side was "I Had
Heaven In My Hands, And Let It Go" written by Sonny James. Now, I was jumping
into music with both feet, moving to Nashville.
Jimmy Gateley was my lifelong friend. He had grown up on a farm about 5 miles
from where I grew up, in the Ozarks, and we both had attended Pleasant Hope High
School. Jimmy was 5 years older than me, and had graduated the year before I
started High School, but, growing up in the same area, we knew each other. By
the time I got out of High School, 1954, Jimmy was a seasoned entertainer. I
joined the Navy, he joined the cast of The Ozark Jubilee Network Television show
from Springfield, MO. Jimmy was an all around talented man, singer, musician and
songwriter. We kept in touch, after I got out of the Navy in 1958, Jimmy and his
wife, Esther, had moved to Nashville, and when I came into town, in 1961,
looking for songs to record for my first session, Jimmy had just the one.
So now, 1962, I'm moving to the big city, and Jimmy and Esther told me to come
to their house in Madison, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville, to sleep on
their couch until I got settled into this Music Business. I found their house
and was welcomed like home folks always do. Esther, who was a World Class cook,
had me a big Supper on the table and a bed made up on the couch. I stayed there
my first week in Nashville, Esther cooking, and Jimmy taking me around Music
Row, introducing me to Owen Bradley, at Decca, Chet Atkins at RCA and Jim
Foglesong at ABC Dot. It was a great first week, and the kindness shown by
Esther and Jimmy was so encouraging that I felt at home immediately in the Music
Row part of Nashville, which was like a city within a city, in those days. Jimmy
was always there, as a friend, for me, two guys from the same farm area of the
Ozarks, following their music dreams
For the second week in Music City, I slept on Leo Taylor's couch. Leo was a
friend and drummer in Kitty Wells/Johnny Wright family band. He was very
generous with his couch, and later, even slipped me $30 dollars for when I was
struggling to make ends meet, in the music biz, where ends do not always meet.
I got to return the favor, for Jimmy, a couple of years later. In 1965, Billy
Sherrill, my producer at the time on Epic, was looking for songs to record for
Cliff Richards, an artist from Europe that he was working with. I had always
loved the song that Jimmy wrote called, "The Minute You're Gone". Sonny James
had a huge country hit with it in 1961, and I thought that it would be a good
song for Cliff. I took my copy of "The Minute You're Gone" to Billy Sherrill and
he cut the song on Cliff. It was a big European hit, and was a good lick for
Jimmy as a songwriter. (come to think about it, I never did get my copy of the
record back).
Kindness and friendship are human traits that make life just a little bit easier
and smooth the way in a sometimes rocky road. Jimmy Gateley and Esther Gateley
made it possible for me to ease into a business that can be almost impossible to
crack, just by being kind and generous. Leo Taylor was always a friend in need
and a friend indeed. It meant the world to me then, and it means even more to me
today. It's almost certain that those random acts of kindness come back to those
that give them, and the joy of true friendship is the reward. stan
www.hitchcockcountry.com -
http://www.hitchcockcountry.com
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through
his Spirit in your inner being,
– Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
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