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

Friday September 30th, 2011

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com

STORY BEHIND THE SONG

A lot of the ideas for hit songs came from real life characters and according to Ronnie Reno, Merle Haggard's 1974 # one, "Old Man From The Mountain" was one of those tunes!

According to ex-Stranger band member Reno, "this sort of rowdy old man would come to Las Vegas and stay with us when we played there. He became a good friend and he and Merle liked the same kind of music. We started calling him "the old man from the mountain." I think he was originally from Oklahoma and he loved Bob Wills music. And that's where that song came from."

Haggard's Capitol records single, Old Man From The Mountain" came on the country music charts June 29^th, 1974 and was at the top of the charts the week of August 24^th.

It was Merle's 36^th charted song and his 18^th number one.

The single was on the country charts for 14 weeks.

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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.

For information, email me at classics@countrymusicclassics.com

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QUESTION: Do you remember a song about "when they talk about fools-my ears oughta burn?" That may not be the correct title but I think it's close.

ANSWER: I think the correct title was "My Ears Should Burn When Fools Are Talked About," which scored a # 3 in 1961 for Claude Gray

QUESTION: I have heard a song on the radio a few times about "I Wouldn't Be A Man." It sounds like Don Williams. Did he record that song?

ANSWER: Don Williams scored a # 9 hit on the song in 1988 and Billy Dean took it to # 45 in 1996.

QUESTION: Do you remember a Marty Robbins song about "Running Gun?" I've only heard it a few times on the radio.

ANSWER: "Running Gun" was the flipside of Marty's 1959 hit, "El Paso."

# # # # # # # # # # # #

To my good friend --Roma----if you're still out there—send me an email at Classics@countrymusicclassics.com

Lost most of my address book in a computer meltdown.

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QUESTION: My dad says that other singers had recorded "Help Me Make It Through The Night" before Sammi Smith? Is that true?

ANSWER: The song was recorded by Bill Nash and was in a Ray Price album before Sammi Smith's hit version.

QUESTION: I have one of the 78 rpm recordings of Hank Williams "Lost Highway." Do you know who played steel guitar on that record.

ANSWER: Steel picker on Hank's "Lost Highway" was Don Davis

QUESTION: Who was the couple who had a record about "I'll Take The Dog" back in the 60's?

ANSWER: "I'll Take The Dog" peaked at # 9 in 1966 for Jean Shepard and Ray Pillow.

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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:

1948
Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go a Long Way) - Eddy Arnold

1956
Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

1964
I Guess I'm Crazy - Jim Reeves

1972
I Ain't Never - Mel Tillis

1980
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You - Dolly Parton

1988
Addicted - Dan Seals

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POTPOURRI AGAIN.

By: Jack Blanchard

"Potpourri" is French for "You poured soup in my pants."

My first public appearance was in front of my 4th grade class.
I played the ukulele and sang "Little Brown Jug".
I think I was an alto or soprano.
Then my voice changed, and spoiled my chance to be Tiny Tim.

I learned Morse Code in the Boy Scouts.
After that I could never stand tap dancing.

It's surprisingly hard to baptize a cat.

There are people who are good arguers,
and they jump at every opportunity to show off the facts, figures,
and "history" they have either gained second-hand or made up.

Get something pierced, kids.
A ring through your tongue couldn't make you, like, talk any worse.
And it's a good place to hang your keys.

I think a computer is better than a legal pad for stories.
and a piano or guitar is better for writing songs.
A lamp is good.
To me, a piano, a desk, or a guitar in soft lamplight is hard to resist.

Sex was more fun when it was underground.
The casualness takes away the thrill of getting away with something.

"An insanity defense doesn't fly for someone killing another person in a rage.
Insanity is when somebody breaks into your house and irons all your laundry."
(Ron Wiggins)

Joyce Kilmer wrote:
"Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree."
I think it's because it's so hard to get the bark on.

Money does not disappear in a recession,
It just changes hands,
and maybe leaves the country altogether.

"OK, that's it! No more mister nice guy."
Hitler's alleged response to the Allied invasion of Normandy.

Political debates would be more fun if the politicians were not allowed to talk.
At least we'd have a sporting chance of making them cry.

"You stink" is not constructive criticism.

I'm always anxious to hear how much you love our latest song,
but please stop there.
Don't say "I like your record,
but the rhythm ought to approximate the beat of the human heart."

A great artist has to suffer.
Van Gogh cut off his ear for the woman he loved.
She said, "You did this for me?" and he said, "What?"

I know this story is true because I was that ballerina.

Jack Blanchard

The Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan Home Page: http://jackandmisty.com
Restoration and mastering studio: 407 330 1611.
CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jackmisty

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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

compiled by Bill Morrison

Bob Wills recorded "Right Or Wrong," 1936.

Richard Bowden, "Pinkard & Bowden," born Linden, TX 1945.

WSM-TV went on the air 1950.

Billboard renamed their "Hillbilly" music chart, the "Country & Western" chart in 1950.

Deborah Allen born "Deborah Lynn Thurmond," Memphis, TN 1953.

Patsy Cline signed with Bill McCall and Four Star Records 1954.

Buddy Holly released "Peggy Sue," 1957.

Marty Robbins released "The Story Of My Life/Once-A-Week Date," 1957.

Marty Stuart born Philadelphia, MS 1958.

Johnny Cash appeared on the TV show "Hootenanny" 1963.

Eddie Montgomery of "Montgomery Gentry," born Danville, KY 1963.

Roy Acuff Jr. recorded his first session for Hickory Records 1965.

Daron Norwood born Lubbock, TX 1965.

Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "I've Got You On My Mind Again/That's All Right With Me" 1968.

Mel Tillis' "I Ain't Never" topped the charts 1972.

Mary Ford, "Iris Colleen Summers" age 49, singer, and wife of Les Paul, died 1977.

Robert Gardner, age 80, of "Mac & Bob" died 1978.

"Sweet Dreams" a movie about the life of Patsy Cline premiered in Nashville 1985.

George Jones and Frances Preston inducted CMHF 1992.

Dolly Parton, appearing on TNN's "Prime Time Country" in 1998, stated to the host that "President Clinton is a horny old toad."

Connie Eaton, age 49, died in Nashville, TN 1999.

Courtesy Bill Morrison: http://www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalMAR.html

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In response to many requests, YES I am on Facebook and you are welcome to become a friend—UNLESS you are one of those that posts photos of your grandkids or your pet cat every other day. I don't have the time or interest for that. SO—if that's what you do on Facebook.. just forget me !

I'm the Doug Davis with the photos of the guitars.

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The following information is from a periodic newsletter commemorating the lives of Faron Young and Marty Robbins. The University of Illinois Press published Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story in 2007 and is publishing Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins in February 2012.

Publication Update: I have seen and approved the cover for Twentieth

Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins. As soon as copyright issues

are settled, I'll post it for all to admire. I think you will be as pleased with

it as I am. I also approved the back matter for the paperback release of

Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story. My editor says , "We are now

targeting a February pub date for Twentieth Century Drifter to coincide

with the paperback release of Live Fast, Love Hard."

BIRTHDAY OF MARTY ROBBINS

If Martin David Robinson were alive today, he would have celebrated his 86th birthday on Monday, 26 September. He would also have held in his arms his one-day-old great-granddaughter, Brooklynn Grace Bachmann. The new mom, Courtney Robinson Bachmann, wrote on Facebook, "I was scheduled to be induced so I was excited for her to share Grandpa Marty's birthday, but she decided to come a day sooner on her own." Proud grandparents are Ronny and Cathy Robinson.

LETTERS

Michael McCall writes from the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum, "Someone may have passed along information on the Cherokee Cowboys by now. I was late getting a chance to read your newsletter. I talked to Ray Price about this in interviews we did for our museum exhibit on Ray back in 2006 and for the final cover story in the Journal of Country Music. According to Ray, he combined the names of the Drifting Cowboys and the Western Cherokees, a Texas band that had backed Ray and Lefty Frizzell in Texas. Once Ray decided he had to change bands to get away from his comparisons to Hank Williams, he recruited some members of the Cherokees to join him. When Ray had an Opry appearance with his new band, George D. Hay asked him the name of his band. Ray said they didn't have one. Hay said he better come up with one quick, they were going on in ten minutes. On the spot, Ray thought of combining the names of his old band with the name of the band in which some of his new musicians had played. So as he was about to go on, he told Hay the band's name was the Cherokee Cowboys. It has been said in some places that Ray chose the name because he was born in Cherokee County, Texas. But that wasn't true. He was born in Wood County."

Ken Johnson adds, "According to author Rich Kienzle in the Bear Family Ray Price CD box set, the creation of Ray's Cherokee Cowboys band dates back to 1954. Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys band provided backup for Ray until early 1954 when the departure of several key band members and financial difficulties forced the dissolution of that group. In August 1954 Ray and his manager Hal Smith hired a group that had formerly been touring with Lefty Frizzell, The Western Cherokees. The Cherokee Cowboys name was created by merging the names of both bands. . . . Tommy Hill was an inaugural member of the newly-named band that also provided Ray's musical nickname."

Jon Philibert writes from the U.K, "First, a big thank you for including Janet's inquiry into the newsletter. Also please tell Jean Earle that I have just reviewed the Frank Jennings album for Country Music People and gave it a pretty positive review. I had been thinking of emailing you about it as there are a couple of Faron's hit reworked on it, namely 'Three Days' and 'You'll Drive Me Back Into Her Arms Again' and yes, his vocal style is reminiscent of Faron's."

Anna Jane Grossman, sister of Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography in Nashville, sends this note: Leila underwent surgery for breast cancer in August. She had a double mastectomy. She is doing well. Leila is a self-employed single mother of two small girls and has been juggling a lot during this time. I have been working to try to help organize her friends, family and work colleagues to get through this time financially. Specifically, we're hoping to raise enough money so that she can have as much time as possible to recover without stressing about her business finances. Leila, who has hardly taken a week off since she purchased Grannis Photography in 1997, normally works seven days a week. She is going to be recouping in bed for some time to come. The fundraising site we have set up is: http://giveforward.com/leilag. There is also a site for those who'd like to bring her food. It is http://www.takethemameal.com/. The password is Leila. Lastly, she recently started selling prints from her collection of original vintage images of Nashville taken by Bob Grannis in the mid 1900s. If you'd like to support her by purchasing one of these fine prints, you'll certainly be getting something very special in return. You can see the images at http://grannisphotographyproofs.com/vintage."

Betty Smith in Toledo, Ohio, says, "So good to see and hear about Faron's band members. Known them all for many many years wayyyyyy back. They all was like family to me, my husband Chuck and our daughter Cindy. And Faron well he will forever be family, Spent a lot of time and years with him. The memories of going to his home, and taking him bowling, going to tv show tapings and so many more will forever be Precious Memories. Love and miss him every day. Never be another like him. Can't wait for your book on Marty to come out. Good luck and looking forward to your book release."

Terry Counts writes from White Bluff, Tennessee, "Great to see those nifty pics...Dave Hall is/was a great buddy of mine, when he had offices next door with Roger Ball....what a couple of characters!!!! I remember when Dave was driving for the Kendalls, also."

Carolyn Babin says, "What a sweet picture of you and Faron. I never knew Dave Hall. You sure were a cute little thing!!! Thanks once again for sending these news letters. I look forward to reading them."

Noel Clarke writes from Australia, "Just read your latest edition of the newsletter great to hear the Marty book is nearing release I'll be looking for it. Diane I'd like you to listen to the best tribute I've ever heard about the great Marty Robbins, was written & recorded by a very easy to listen to Jim Reynolds titled 'Marty Remembered'. Jim wrote this on his way home from a gig after hearing the news of Marty's passing whilst sitting in the back of a mini bus. Jim was kind enough to allow me to use it as background for Helen's Website www.martyrobbins.250x.com. Congratulations on your monthly newsletter."

Diane Jordan remembers, "When I was searching for a cosmetic surgeon to 'bob' my nose in 1970, I settled on Dr. Greer Ricketson for one reason: I had heard he was the gifted surgeon who had reattached Faron's tongue after his auto accident. During the surgery, I was awake and talking, and high on drugs, I might add. I said, 'I hear you sewed Faron's tongue back on; did you make him talk any cleaner?' Dr. Ricketson laughed and diplomatically replied, 'Faron is quite a guy.' That, he was!"

SIDEMAN SIDEBAR

Skip Jackson played steel guitar for Faron Young for the first half of the decade of the '70s, after which he became a professional photographer. During the 2000 Country Deputy reunion, Skip told the group, "For each one of sitting here, it was an opportunity. You were raised, I was raised, everyone of us were pups when he got ahold of us. We experienced everything we did, boys, cuz we loved that man. All that stuff we're talking about, we liked it, or hell we wouldn't be there." Skip recalled the "Tell it like it is" segment of Faron's shows at the end of the Vietnam era: "It was all off the top of his head. We would play 'Just a Closer Walk With Thee' or something, as background for his speech. Every night it was different. Every night you're sittin' there, you can't hardly play, listening to what he's saying. He is entertaining you as much as he is them. You didn't know what was gonna happen. It was just as exciting for every one of us."

Diane Diekman
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
diane@dianediekman.com

Live Fast, Love Hard:The Faron Young Story

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

IN GOD'S TIME

Oh God, the time has come to ask for solace, peace of mind;

There is no Greater Source than Thee to rid the ties that bind.

Our cares at times do give us pause to change our worldly ways;

For in our days on earth we see great proof of Your bright rays.

Remembering all that has gone past we ask for grace today;

For in our striving we have found there's only one true way.

The end we ask is heaven above where all is right and free;