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
Wednesday January 19th, 2011
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
A lot of hit songs have been written from a chance remark in a conversation and according to Merle Haggard, his 1974 number one, “Things Aren’t Funny Anymore” was one of those tunes!
Haggard said the idea for the song came from his guitar player Roy Nichols. Merle and the band had been out on the road for several days and during a conversation, Nichols remarked that being on the road just wasn’t fun anymore.
Merle took the line, added his songwriting genius and mixed in a dab of imagination and came up with “Things Aren’t Funny Anymore,” which came on the country music charts March 2nd, 1974 and was at the top of the charts the week of May 4th.
It was Haggard’s 35th charted song and was on the charts for 15 weeks.
The Capitol Records session was produced by Ken Nelson and was Haggard’s 17th number one.
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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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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
QUESTION: I have heard that Charlie Daniels died. Is that true?
ANSWER: Charlie Daniels is very much alive, but a former member of his band, guitarist Tommy Crain, passed away last week. The 59 year old Crain was part of the Charlie Daniels Band from 1975 through 1989, Crain played on many Charlie Daniels Band albums, including their biggest CD "Million Miles Reflections," which features the hit "The Devil Went Down To Georgia." Tommy left the group to devote himself to his family.
QUESTION: The radio guys were talking about somebody stealing a Bellamy Brothers song. Do you have any information?
ANSWER: According to The Bellamy Brothers, Britney Spears’ new track, "Hold It Against Me," is too close to their 1979 hit "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me."
QUESTION: Cal Smith’s record “Country Bumpkin” is my dad’s all-time favorite song. Did Cal write it?
ANSWER: Cal’s 1974 number one, “Country Bumpkin” was written by Don Wayne.
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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 Grove Road-Texarkana, Texas 75503. Or use PAYPAL ( http://www.paypal.com ) and donate (via your account or their secure credit card site) directly thru our email address (classics@countrymusicclassics.com). Thank you.
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 bought a 45 rep record at a garage sale that had the name “J.D. Martin” on it singing a song “Running Out Of Reasons To Run.” Have you ever heard of him?
ANSWER: J.D. Martin is Jerald Derstine Martin from Harrisburg, Virginia. “Running Out Of Reasons To Run” and “Wrap Me Up In Your Love” were his only chart records, peaking in the 70’s in 1986.
QUESTION: My dad found a vinyl album by Jim Glaser in the bargain bin. Is he any kin to the group “The Glaser Brothers” who were popular years back?
ANSWER: Jim Glaser was one third of The Glaser Brothers, who placed 22 songs on the country music charts between 1966 and 1982. Jim also recorded solo and also had 22 singles
on the charts between 1968 and 1986-including “You’re Getting’ To Me Again” which made it to number one in 1984.
QUESTION: Are John Conlee and Earl Thomas Conley related?
ANSWER: John and Earl Thomas are not related.
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Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to:Classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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NUMBER ONE ON THIS DATE:
1947
Rainbow at Midnight - Ernest Tubb
1955
Loose Talk - Carl Smith
1963
The Ballad of Jed Clampett - Flatt & Scruggs
1971
Rose Garden - Lynn Anderson
1979
Lady Lay Down - John Conlee
1987
What Am I Gonna Do About You - Reba McEntire
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ANYBODY KNOW A GOOD LAWYER?
By: Jack Blanchard
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Jack Blanchard's MUSIC HOSPITAL can make your old records sound new,
and your new recordings sound better.
Contact Jack Blanchard's MUSIC HOSPITAL restoration & mastering studio.
Email: musichospital@jackandmisty.com
Telephone: 407 330 1611.
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Once upon a time I wrote a song titled “Gemini”... an instrumental.
Misty and put out our record of it and it was getting airplay on Pop stations.
The Ventures covered it and put it out on Dolton/Liberty records.
They pretty much copied our whole arrangement.
The executives at Liberty Records were angry that I wouldn't give them the publishing,
so they flipped it over and made the A Side "La Bamba".
It was a hit record with "Gemini" on the back.
Since then they have included "Gemini" on several of The Ventures' albums,
and a box set from The Columbia Record Club called "The Versatile Ventures".
We've never been paid a cent for it.
We just found The Ventures' version of our song on YouTube.
Click here: http://tinyurl.com/4cuaacz
We also found a book Called "Walk Don't Run, the Story of The Ventures".
Here's an excerpt from the book:
"The Columbia Record Club was well acquainted with The Ventures,
having included tracks by the group since 1963 on its annual 'Headliners' compilation album
along with hit makers like Marty Robbins, Ferrante and Teicher, Ray Conniff,
and The New Christy Minstrels. Columbia... obtained some uncommon tracks from Liberty
for 'The Versatile Ventures'.
"The fact that such (elaborate) cover art had not appeared on U.S. Ventures releases since 1961
would have been enough to make the album something of a treasure,
but the contents were also enticing. The album became a trophy for the band's avid fans.
"Another bonus on 'Versatile' (Liberty SCR-5) was The Ventures' superb version of 'Gemini',
a track heard on the flip side of The Ventures' 'La Bamba' single (Dolton 311, 1965).
Incidentally, this tune is not written by Del Shannon, as was hurriedly stated on the album.
Credit for this goes to prolific songwriter Jack Blanchard."
I've just spoken another lawyer who turned it down as a contingency case because it's too old,
but he asked for our phone number in case he changed his mind.
He said "You've piqued my interest.".
I think that's the first time I've ever "piqued" anybody.
We've been ripped off many times, but that's the music business.
Bur this one keeps coming back just to rub it in.
Jack Blanchard
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Grammy Nominees. Billboard's Country Duet of the Year.ASCAP and BMI Awards. ^^^^^^^^^^^^
TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY
compiled by Bill Morrison
1911 - Ken Nelson, Capitol Records producer, author, radio announcer and founding member of the Country Music Association was born in Caledonia, Minnesota. Ken was inducted into the CMHF 2001.
1919 - Rollin “Oscar” Sullivan, of “Lonzo and Oscar,” born Edmonton, Kentucky.
1933 - Stu Phillips of the Grand Ole Opry was born Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
1939 - Phil Everly was born Philip Everly in Chicago, Illinois. Along with brother Don, the Everly’s found fame in multiple genres. They became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1957. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, the NSHF 2001, the CMHF in 2001, and finally the RHOF. The brothers were presented with the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
1946 - Dolly Parton, born Locast Ridge, Tennessee. Dolly became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1969, Inducted into the NSHF 1986, and the CMHF 1999. Dolly was presented with The National Medal of Arts by President Bush in 2005.
1953 - Marty Robbins moved to Nashville, and joined the Grand Ole Opry.
1954 - George Jones, age 22, recorded his first session for Starday Records.
1957 - Pat Boone, son-in-law of Red Foley, and father of Debbie Boone, sang at President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Inaugural Ball.
1957 - Johnny Cash made his network TV debut on The Jackie Gleason Show on CBS.
1958 - Stephanie Davis singer, songwriter, born in Bridger, Montana.
1958 - Carl Perkins left Sun Records and signed with Columbia. Carl became Columbia Record’s first Rockabilly artist.
1959 - Johnny Cash self-penned Columbia single “Don’t Take Your Guns To Town." hit the country chart today. The song went to #1 where it remained for 6 weeks. This was John's 20th chart hit, and his 4th #1. The Man In Black joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956. He met his second wife June Carter backstage at the Ryman Auditorium.
1960 - Ralph Peer 1892~1960, age 67, recording pioneer, talent scout, publisher, and industry executive died in Hollywood. Ralph was the first to record Jimmy Rodgers, the Carter Family, Pop Stoneman and many others. Inducted CMHF 1984.
1966 - Charlie Stripling 1896~1966, age 69, of the “Stripling Brothers” died.
1967 - Dennis Crouch of the Nashville Bluegrass Band, born Strawberry, Arkansas.
1970 - Charley Pride's RCA Victor album "The Best of Charley Pride" was certified Gold by the RIAA.
1971 - Marty Robbins and Connie Smith were featured guests on “Hee Haw.”
1974 - Loretta Lynn, Kenny Starr, Stoney Edwards and Jerry Clower were featured guests on "Hee Haw."
1977 - Charlie Daniels and The Marshall Tucker Band performed at Jimmy Carter’s Inaugural Ball.
1980 - Vic McAlpin, songwriter, died in Nashville. Vic served on the first CMA board of directors, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
1990 - Reba McEntire’s first movie "Tremors” opens in theaters across America.
1993 - One day before Bill Clinton is sworn into office as President of the United States, for his second term, the Presidential Inaugural Gala was held in Washington D.C. Entertainers hired to perform for the Gala included Barbara Streisand, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, and Chuck Berry.
1998 - Carl Perkins 1932~1998, age 65, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, died following a series of strokes at County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. Elected into the NSHF 1985, the R&RHF in 1987. He was a member of the Johnny Cash Show for ten years. Carl was laid to rest in Ridgecrest Cemetery, in Jackson, Tennessee. His wife Valda died November 15, 2005, and now rests next to her darling Carl. After Carl’s death, Valda placed a pair of Carl’s pajamas on the bed next to her, every night before going to sleep.
1998 - The National Association of Chiefs of Police awarded Pat Boone their first annual “Michael The Angel Award.”
Courtesy Bill Morrison: http://www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalMAR.html
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I THANK THE LORD
I thank Thee, Lord for sunny days, refreshing rain that comes our way,
For skies of blue, a morn that’s new, a friend that kneels with me to pray.
I thank Thee, Lord, for things that grow, for gentle cooling winds that blow,
For harvests reaping food to eat, a cooling breeze in a Summer heat.
For flowers that spread their colors gay, on a lovely Spring or Summer day,
For mountains high and valleys too, a sunset with its varied hues.
For trees that bear sweet fruit to eat, for plants that spread their fragrance sweet,
For ear’s to hear bird melodies, and hands to touch and eyes to see.
For beauty round for us to see, for miracles that all are free,
A heart to love, Your Word to trust, For faithful friends that pray for us.
For these I thank You and for more, Mansions that wait by Heaven’s door,
Eternal Life for us above, but most of all, for Your Great Love.
Helen Gleason
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