C O U N T R Y M U S I C C L A S S I C S
Doug Davis
Owner/Publisher/Manager/Editor/
Writer/Gopher/Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Monday August 9th, 2010
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
A lot of writers have written songs similar to another song they heard, and according to Merle Haggard, his 1973 hit, “Everybody’s Had The blues,” was one of those tunes!
Haggard commented, “I was trying to write a song like Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime.” I was trying to write a hit for Dean because I was a big fan of his songs. But we recorded the song in a live album before I got to play the song for Dean.”
But Dean Martin’s loss was Merle Haggard’s gain, as “Everybody’s Had The Blues” made the country charts June 30th, 1973 and was in the number one slot the week of August 25th, where it stayed for two weeks.
The Capitol records single was produced by Fuzzy Owen and was Haggard’s 33rd charted song.
It was also his 15th number one and was on the charts for 16 weeks.
The record also scored a # 62 on the pop music charts.
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BLUE HIWAYS TV NEEDS YOUR H E L P :
Out good friend Stan Hitchcock is trying to convince Dish Network to add Blue Hiways TV to Dish Network’s program lineup.
PLEASE email Dave Schull --DISH Program Director, at Dave.Shull@dishnetwork.com or call him at (303) 808-7228 and ask him to PLEASE add Blue Hiways TV to Dish network’s program schedule. THEN email all your friends and ask them to do likewise.
Several subscribers have said they’re not familiar with Blue Hiways TV –so here are the facts:
BlueHighways TV features "roots music" such as classic country, bluegrass, gospel, folk, blues and western that grew out of the great interest that audiences have in exploring the folklore, music, traditions, destinations, festivals and artistry of America. BlueHighways TV captures that welcoming, down-home spirit that Americans are known for - and are increasingly seeking on television -- delivered with an interesting, honest and exploratory voice. BlueHighways also takes its musical offerings on the road to highlight the talent and traditions of the awakening entertainment centers in the United States such as Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge,
PLEASE EMAIL Dave Schull at Dave.Shull@dishnetwork.com NOW !
OR call him at (303) 808-7228
AND IF YOU’VE ALREADY DONE IT---DO IT AGAIN ! !
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
QUESTION: This morning on the radio, a guy said that they’re building a statue of Hank Thompson. Do you know where?
ANSWER: Ann Thompson has commissioned Deep In The Heart Foundry in
QUESTION: My son says that George Hamilton IV is recording a CD of songs with other artists. Do you have any details?
ANSWER: George Hamilton IV has released a new 28 track CD featuring duets from several secular and gospel music entertainers. “George Hamilton IV & Friends: Old Fashioned Hymns and Gospel Songs (From Those Who Miss Them!)”, is a package of titles that includes Family Bible, Mansion Over The Hilltop, When Could I Go (But To The Lord), When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder, Love Lifted Me, Leaning On The Everlasting Arms and Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You,” and featuring duets with Charley Pride, The Whites, Connie Smith, George Beverly Shea, Marty Stuart, Bill Clifton, Jim Ed Brown, Charlie Louvin, Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith, Del McCoury and Tommy Cash, plus a brand new song, “Ain’t It Alright,” written especially for the album by John D. Loudermilk.
QUESTION: Have you heard anymore about Charlie Louvin since his surgery?
ANSWER: According to his son, Sonny Louvin. Charlie is home recuperating and gaining back his strength. He is in great spirits looking forward to singing again, and especially Hosting the Midnight Jamboree on Aug. 21st. Please continue to keep Charlie in your prayers and prayer lines, asking the Good Lord to bless him with a speedy recovery.
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“Country Music Classics” is made possible only by donations from subscribers like you. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please support us by sending a check payable to “Country Music Classics” for any amount to:
Doug Davis—Country Music Classics—3702 Pleasant
If you wish to make a contribution but do not have a Pay Pal account, you may use any major credit card and donate thru our secure Pro Pay account.
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QUESTION: I heard on radio that Ralph Emery was in the radio hall of fame. I though he was already in the hall of fame.
ANSWER: Ralph has been chosen for induction into National Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2010. Induction is scheduled for Saturday November 6, 2010 from The Mayne Stage in
QUESTION: Is there a new Johnny Paycheck of Johnny Paycheck on the market? My dad says it was on the radio.
ANSWER: A DVD or VHS of the last video performance of Johnny Paycheck and his band is now available. The performance was recorded at The Stockyard Restaurant in
QUESTION: Do you know anything about Tanya Tucker filing a lawsuit against somebody somebody? My mom says it was on the radio.
ANSWER: Tanya Tucker has reportedly filed suit against a
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Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to:Classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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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 features, “Classic Country First” and “Story Behind The Song” are now available to radio stations.
Both features are available at no charge thru barter.
For information, email me at classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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NUMBER ONE ON THIS DATE:
1952
Are You Teasing Me - Carl Smith
1960
Please Help Me, I’m Falling - Hank Locklin
1968
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
1976
Golden Ring - George Jones & Tammy Wynette
1984
Mama He’s Crazy - The Judds
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OUR BIG NIGHT WITH JIMMY DEAN.
By: Jack Blanchard
In 1970 we had three hits and were constantly on the road
doing shows and tv and radio guest appearances.
We worked with enough famous people to fill six pages of name dropping.
We were stars but we were also fans.
Misty got autographs from most of the big names we worked with.
Before we had records going,
Groucho Marx sent me an autographed picture, saying "Keep trying, Jack".
I was a big fan of his, and had sent him a humorous little book I'd written.
I think he was wheelchair bound at the time, and I was Alabammy bound.
I know that's cruel but Groucho would have liked it.
Back to our story...
Our very first job after hearing that we had a number one record
was a disaster in some ways, but a little funnier looking back at it.
Most acts that do shows get there with their band hours ahead
to set up all the equipment and tune up.
Maybe run through a song or two to get out the kinks from the road. (Kink of the Road?)
Our first tour booking was to be guests of Jimmy Dean
for five consecutive nights in
When we got there with our band members and all the equipment,
including a full size organ, we were tired but excited.
We hadn't had time yet to buy a bus or motor home,
and the five of us were traveling cross-country in a Ford station wagon
with a U-haul trailer full of our stuff.
Jimmy Dean was friendly and funny. We liked him right away.
He sent a big bouquet of flowers to Misty in our dressing room,
and being a fan, she got an autographed picture from him.
Click here to see the picture:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/jackandmisty/JIMMYDEANPIC.jpg
So far so good, right? Not for long.
When we went to set up our equipment,
we were confused to find that the stage was round, and rotated while you were on it.
Jimmy Dean's manager was there. I call him Bob Hitler.
I asked him what part of the stage we were supposed to set up on,
and he said "You can't set up before the show. Jimmy uses the whole stage."
I asked if we could work from the orchestra pit below the stage edge
and was told that it would be occupied by an orchestra.
I explained that we need about an hour to set up and get a sound check.
He said that we would have to cut that time down to a couple of minutes,
run on stage after our introduction,
and set up in front of the crowd before we started our act.
It was too late to go 3,000 miles back home, and if I killed him I might get caught.
Showtime.
We watched Jimmy Dean from the backstage passageway entrance and he was terrific.
He had the audience in stitches with his jokes,
and the music was beautiful with the 18 piece band, with strings.
Then he gave us a nice buildup and we ran on.
Well, we didn't exactly run because we were all carrying amps,
microphones, stands, wires, drums, instruments,
and then we went back for the two ton organ.
For the next five or ten years we were crawling around on the floor plugging things in.
The silence got pretty uncomfortable for us and the crowd... a packed house.
I felt like a stripper who couldn't get her clothes off.
When we got our mikes working, I tried to think of something to say while our guys finished the setup.
I said "Isn't Jimmy Dean Great?" It was a bad idea.
According to Bob Hitler later, I had committed the cardinal sin of show business.
"You should NEVER say a word to the audience before at least two songs!.
He actually said the exclamation point.
Anyway, the crowd loved us.they gave us a standing ovation at the end,
which was only slightly marred us trying to find our way off that rotating stage.
To add to the fun...
Misty played left-foot bass on the organ and worked with one boot off.
While we were wandering around like ants, trying to find where to get off,
she was limping with one boot on and the other in her hand.
We did mostly our own songs, closing with
told the people stories and brought them into the music.
Our musicians on lead guitar, sax, and drums were the best.
I just played rhythm twelve-string, and did most of the talking.
We had a fine, if unusual show. We'd been at it a long time, paying our dues.
Bob Hitler told our manager and agent that we needed experience,
and they booked us running all over the map for a whole year... cheap.
Nobody seemed to understand that a band has to set up before the show,
unless they are all playing kazoos.
Jack Blanchard
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Grammy Nominees. Billboard's Country Duet of the Year.ASCAP and BMI Awards.HOME PAGE: http://jackandmisty.com
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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY
compiled by Bill Morrison
Wyatt "Merle" Kilgore born
Bonnie Campbell joined Buck Owens band in 1947, when she was fifteen years old. They were married the following year and she became Bonnie Owens.
The "
The
Cathy Fink, singer/guitarist/banjoist, born
Jesse Ashlock, age 61, songwriter/fiddle player, "
Randy Travis' album "Storms Of Life," went to #1 1986.
The Father of
Bobby McBay, age 60, died Texarkana, Texas, in 1998 following a stroke. McBay was a
former bass player in Bob Wills'
Steve Runkle, age 49, singer/songwriter, died in
Proper Records released Red Foley's album "
Hank Cochran inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame 2003.
Sam Hogin, songwriter, twice nominated for the CMA's Song of the Year award, died in Nashville 2004.
Courtesy Bill Morrison: http://www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalMAR.html
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
THE HILLS OF LIFE
The hills of life are steep to climb when burdened with defeat;
Broken dreams like shattered glass lay heaped there at our feet.
God did not promise life would be all sunshine and no rain,
But that He’d give us strength anew to climb life’s hills again.
So do not fret and worry and think all hope is dead.
With God’s help you’ll reach the top and wear a smile instead.
Kay Hoffman
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