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 October 14th, 2011
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
A lot of folks are credited with writing or co-writing a lot of hit songs—when they really never wrote a word. According to Bill Anderson, such was the case in Faron Young's 1959 top ten hit, "Face To The Wall."
Bill commented, "I was riding with Faron in his big black Cadillac. We were on the way to Springfield, Missouri to do the Ozark Jubilee television show. The first time I was ever on network television. And all the way up there Faron kept telling me that he had two of my songs, "Face To The Wall" and "Riverboat," and there just ain't no way I can record both of them. That wouldn't be fair to Harlan Howard or Hank Cochran and all the other writers. I can't just record two of your songs. And I finally realized what he was gettin' at and he finally said, "Well maybe I could record both of'em if you'd give half of one of them."
"And I asked him which one he wanted half of. And I was sittin' there hoping that he wouldn't say "Riverboat." Cause I thought that "Riverboat" would be the bigger hit which it was.
And he finally said, "Oh I don't know….give me half of "Face To The Wall." But that just broke my heart. Now there was Faron Young, one of the top selling artists of the day and here I was, a little unknown struggling songwriter from Georgia trying to get songs cut. And it was like he was wanting half of one of my kids. And it was tough but it was a good decision. Because he did cut both songs and both did very well. And it turned out to be a good move."
"Riverboat" peaked at # 4 with "Face To The Wall" as the flipside made it to # 10 in 1959.
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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: Who was the guy who recorded the parody versions of hit songs years ago, one of which was "Don't Go Near The Eskimos?"
ANSWER: Sheb Wooley was the guy who recorded the parody songs under the name "Ben Colder."
QUESTION: I used to hear a song on the radio by a guy singing that he wouldn't take his wife to a dogfight. Do you know who has that record?
ANSWER: "I Wouldn't Take Her To A Dogfight" scored a # 33 in 1967 for Charlie Walker.
QUESTION: I have the original 45 recording of Norma Jean's "Let's Go All The Way." My mom says some couple also had a hit on that song. Is that true?
ANSWER: Norma Jean's original version peaked at # 11 in 1964. She re-recorded the song with Claude Gray in 1982, which peaked at # 68
QUESTION: I have read in a book that Carson Robison has a hit on the song "Life Gets Tee-Jus Don't It" and in another book that Tex Williams had the hit on that song. Which is correct?
ANSWER: Carson Robison and Tex Williams both scored chart records with the song-in 1948.
QUESTION: I love the old Ray Price record of "If You Don't, Somebody Else Will." I know someone else had a hit with that song. Who was it?
ANSWER: Jimmy & Johnny had the original, which peaked at # 3 in 1954. Price's version made it to # 8 that same year and Carl Smith took it to # 97 in 1976.
QUESTION: There was a song on the radio back in the 50's about "One Week Later" by a male/female duo. Was that Porter and Dolly?
ANSWER: "One Week Later" was # # 12 hit in 1958 for Webb Pierce and Kitty Wells.
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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:
1946
Divorce Me C.O.D. - Merle Travis
1954
I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow
1962
Devil Woman - Marty Robbins
1970
Sunday Morning Coming Down - Johnny Cash
1978
Heartbreaker - Dolly Parton
1986
Both to Each Other (Friends & Lovers) - Eddie Rabbitt & Juice Newton
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LIFE IS GETTING WEIRDER.
By: Jack Blanchard
Just about one year ago I went to renew my driver's license.
For some reason they now require the following:
Your birth certificate; your old driver's license;
two proofs of residence; your Social Security card;
a marriage license, whether or not you've ever been married;
medical records with your name and birth date;
a pint of blood; and two other proofs that you actually exist.
Misty went with me to renew hers. Our birthdays are close together.
She had to prove that her last name was now Blanchard.
This is true:
An 84 year old friend of mine was recently required to provide an affidavit
swearing that he and his elderly wife were actually married,
and not living in sin (as though they could)..
It was to prove that her last name was legally the same as his.
It must have something to do with Homeland Security.
We're all under suspicion.
Anyway...
They noticed that my driver's license and Social Security card both say "Jack Blanchard",
but my birth certificate says "John Blanchard".
This made me a suspect and they wouldn't renew my license.
They told me to go to the Social Security office 40 miles away through city traffic,
and get them to change my S.S. card to "John".
Misty was sent on a similar mission.
The next day was 85 degrees in the shade here in Florida,
and about double that in our car because the A/C freon was low.
We drove an hour each way and waited on the steel bench for two hours.
We couldn't share our anger with any of the crowd,
because they were just as mad as we were about this new license mess.
Misty got a friendly clerk and zipped right through.
The woman greeted her with "You're Misty Morgan, aren't you?"
She was a fan.
I got a sleepy-eyed clerk who had her young child with her, ready to go home.
We weren't happy to see each other.
She looked at her computer, which was out of my line of sight, and said this:
"We have you as 'Jack' for your whole life."
I said I'd never used any other name, and that nobody had ever questioned it.
She asked if I could name any companies I'd worked for.
I named about six Buffalo factories where I'd labored away my youth.
She studied the computer screen and said nothing.
At this point she knew who I was, but she wouldn't admit it.
I had two large manila envelopes packed with what I thought were important papers.
She shoved them back at me and said, "You need two pieces of ID that say "John".
I said "I know. That's why they sent me here... to have you change my S.S. card to "John",
and then I'll have to live as John for life."
She said "You will have to change all your legal things to John...
titles to your home and vehicles, your credit, your will, your bills, and everything else."
"I can't wait", I said.
She was getting tired of me.
She told me it would be easier to legally change my first name to "Jack".
I've been Jack all my life and didn't know I was committing a crime.
I stomped out the door like everybody else had been doing.
But, on second thought, her idea wasn't all bad.
So the next day I called our lawyer and made an appointment for Monday.
I said this: "Hi. This is Jack. I need to change my name to Jack."
He said "First you have to go to the Sheriff's headquarters
and get a criminal background check. You'll need an appointment."
So, three days later I was fingerprinted.
and waited several hours to find out that I'm not a crook.
There were a pile of legal papers were filled out and notarized,
we drove to the courthouse, went through the semi-strip search,
pleaded our case to the judge, and got a name change court order.
Next I'm supposed to advertise the court order in the local newspaper,
and send the whole pile to Albany, New York to get a new birth certificate.
I haven't done that yet.
I've already got $1100 and three weeks invested in the driver's license.
I need a rest.
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
Dorsey Murdock Dixon, "Dixon Brothers, born Darlington, SC 1897.
Kenny Roberts, born "George Kingsbury" radio star, in Lenoir City, TN 1926.
Melba Montgomery, born Iron City, TN 1938.
The R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company purchased a 30-minute segment of the Grand Ole Opry in 1938. The Prince Albert Show was born, and Roy Acuff was picked to be the host. The NBC radio Red network picked up the show, and broadcast it every Saturday night to twenty-six NBC stations, in addition to WSM. By 1943 the show was featured on the full NBC network, and could be heard coast to coast on 125 stations. Country music was on it's way.
Grandpa Jones married Ramona Riggins 1946.
Hank Snow went to #1 with "I Don't Hurt Anymore" in 1954.
The phrase "Nashville Sound," first appeared in Time magazine 1960.
Del Reeves joined the Grand Ole Opry 1966.
Johnny Paycheck's single "Take This Job and Shove It" was released 1977. It went to #1 the following month.
David Frizzell married Judy Britting 1982.
Sarah Ogan Gunning, age 73, of the singing Ogan clan, died 1983.
The 1985 CMA Awards show was presented in Nashville. Ricky Skaggs was named Entertainer of the Year, and Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs were inducted into the CMHF.
The Judds won their first, of three straight, CMA Vocal Group of the Year awards 1985.
Eddie Rabbitt & Juice Newton's duet "Both To Each Other (Friends & Lovers)" went to #1 in 1986.
Holly Dunn Joined the Grand Ole Opry 1989.
The last "Nashville Now" TV show was aired on TNN 1993.
The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2000.
Bryan White and actress Erika Page married in Dallas, TX 2000.
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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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
THERE IS A HAPPINESS IN ME
There is a happiness in me which lives in spite of all
The days of pain and misery that sometimes I recall.
A little joy whose roots are deep, and keep on holding-on,
And even though the times I weep…Are solid as a stone.
There is happiness in me that's near to having wings,
And I'm convinced it's sure to be each time my Angel sings.
Sometimes I feel it's not enough, this meager bit I give,
And that this life so cold and rough…Is not where I should live.
I hunger for a different kind of place than I have been,
Not comprehended by the mind, with not a single sin
To mar its pure perfection, detract from all it is,
And so in that direction,…My feet must follow His.
Because this happiness in me was planted long ago,
To shield me from the things to be while I remain below,
God cut my earth-bound moorings, and granted I should be
Attuned to Heaven's voices, through…This happiness in me.
Grace E. Easley
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