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
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
A lot of hits songs were originally written for someone other than the artists who wound up recording that song. And according to Glenn Sutton, Lynn Anderson's 1974 number one, "What A Man My Man Is," was just such a tune!
Sutton commented, "I wrote that song for the Lennon Sisters. They had a recording deal with Atlantic records, asked me for some songs, so I wrote it, flew to Las Vegas, met with them, had an arrangement written for them and then all at once, their deal with Atlantic records fell through.
I kind of liked the song - so I decided to use it in a Lynn Anderson recording session and it clicked."
"What A Man My Man Is" entered the country music charts October 26th, 1974 and became Anderson's 33rd charted song and her 5th and final number one.
The Columbia Records single was on the charts for 13 weeks and scored a # 93 on the pop record charts.
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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. (NOT AVAILABLE TO INTERNET STATIONS)
Both features are available at no charge.
For information, email me at classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Whatever happened to the guy who had the song "Skip A Rope?"
A: Henson Cargill died in 2007 at the age of 66.
Q: We used to have some distant neighbors in Arizona named Dalton who had a daughter who was very talented. I wonder if that could have been Lacy J. Dalton.
A: Very unlikely. Lacy J. Dalton was born Jill Byrem in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.
Q: There was a song played on the radio quite often several years ago about "Green Snakes On The Ceiling." Do you know who had that record?
A: "Green Snakes On The Ceiling" scored a # 53 for Johnny Bush in 1973.
Q: I found an old 45 recording of a song titled "Tell it Like It Is" by Sammy Sadler. I seem to remember hearing that song before. Did someone else record it?
A: Don't know who all recorded it but the artists who scored hits on that tune were Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann in 1968, John Wesley Ryles in 1976, Billy Joe Royal in 1989 and Sammy Sadler that same year.
Q: There was a guy back in the 70's who was being marketed as another Elvis and called "Orion." Do you know who he was and did he have any hits?
A: Orion was born Jimmy Bell in 1945, was later adopted by a family whose last name was Ellis. He placed 11 songs on the country charts between 1979 and 1982, none any higher than number 63. He was killed during an attempted robbery in 1998.
Q: Do you remember a song about "Days Of Sand And Shovels?" I have the Nat Stuckey recording but my mom says it was on the radio by someone else.
A: Before Nat Stuckey's version made it to # 26 in 1978, Waylon Jennings took it to # 20 in 1969.
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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:
1945
I'm Losing My Mind Over You - Al Dexter
1953
I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive - Hank Williams
1961
North to Alaska - Johnny Horton
1969
Daddy Sang Bass - Johnny Cash
1977
Let My Love Be Your Pillow - Ronnie Milsap
1985
A Place to Fall Apart - Merle Haggard with Janie Fricke
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THERE'S NO BIZ LIKE THE MUSIC BIZ.
By: Jack Blanchard
While looking around for our songs and reviews,
I actually found a Jack Blanchard grave on Google,
but somebody was already in it.
In 1977 we did a big all-star show with Jerry Reed, B.J. Thomas, T.G. Shepard,
and The Flying Wallendas, the high-wire act.
Misty and I were the only ones that got paid.
You have to be quick in the music business.
It's best to get half your money with the return of the signed contract,
and the other half in cash before you go on stage.
We played a short cruise on a ship just once.
Due to tilting of the deck, we were chasing the piano and drums around the room all evening.
We don't like boats, ships, rafts, or water wings.
We don't go anyplace that we can't walk away from, if it goes bad.
A former associate of ours once kept our new Corvette locked in his garage in New Mexico,
and wouldn't let us have it.
We called a friend in Massachusetts and he flew out there, broke into the garage,
and stole it back for us.
If there is one line from one song that comes close to describing our life, it's this:
"I'll get by with a little help from my friends."
The first time we worked with Waylon Jennings, it was a two-star show...
just us and Waylon and his band.
Waylon and I dressed sort of alike with leather vests, black jeans, and longish hair.
Misty walked up to Waylon and patted him on the behind. She thought it was me.
That's her story anyway.
Our longtime friends Dick and Sheryl Schultz came over for a while yesterday.
He remembers every one of our sessions, the studios, and the musicians.
There are whole decades I barely remember.
I'm sure I was happy, though.
I drove all over the USA with a beer on the dashboard, and I was never healthier.
Those days are gone.
I get nervous before we go on, but as soon as we get out there I'm calm.
I feel at home on stage, so I guess I'm in the right line of work.
Funny... When we get on stage my metabolism seems to slow down.
I speak and blink a little slower, and it feels like my heart rate slows.
I feel more at ease than I do in more personal situations with just a couple of people.
In 1970 we did a lot of flying to do TV appearances.
Once, our plane was actually struck by lightning as we approached Chicago.
It dropped 1,000 feet straight down and then it caught.
I asked the pilot, ""Did we land, or were we shot down?
The 60s were good, but to us, the 70s were WAY better. The 80s got kinda rough,
but then we shifted gears and started playing jazz clubs around New York.
They had no idea we had hit records, but they were nice to us.
An audio engineer friend of mine has built a rig
that allows him to speak to Taco Bell drive-thru customers
and tell them "We are out of beans."
Technology has entered its declining years.
I just got this email local news fro, Volusia County, Florida:
"At Misty Morgan and Ranchette roads, a fire burned up to 25 acres."
We've never been out to see Misty Morgan Road.
We wonder who named it that.
When I was about 21, I got a job in a big truck terminal.
My job was to stand behind a long counter, take the truckers' paperwork,
and search through thousands of pages of huge black books
to find the tariffs for every state and county they went through, and charge them the taxes.
I couldn't ever find them all so I started making up the numbers.
Nobody ever said anything.
We have a recording session coming up.
Tomorrow I have to start getting down to the business of writing music.
Goodnight, Jim Bob. Goodnight, Mom Bob and Dad Bob.
And a goodnight to the Marx Brothers' mother, Mommo.
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
1891 - Frank "Cicero" Weaver 1891-1967, of "The Weaver Bros. & Elviry" born in Ozark, Missouri.
1900 - Emmett Miller, early recording artist, born in Macon, Georgia. Emmett was the first singer to record "Lovesick Blues," "Anytime," and "Right or Wrong."
1902 - Lester McFarland 1902-1984, of "Mac & Bob," born in Gray, Kentucky.
1935 - Glenn Barber country, rockabilly, vocals, and guitarist born in Hollis, Oklahoma.
1938 - Rusty Kershaw, of "Rusty & Doug" born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana.
1946 - Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers born in Darby, Florida.
1959 - David Parmley of the "Bluegrass Cardinals," born in Alameda, California.
1961 - Johnny Horton's Columbia Records single "North to Alaska," topped the charts. This song came from the movie soundtrack by the same name. The movie starred the Duke, a.k.a. (John Wayne) for you young whipper-snappers.
1965 - Ken White, of "New Tradition" born in Louisville, Kentucky.
1968 - Jenks "Tex' Carman 1903-1968, singer, and guitarist died at the age of 64.
1970 - Susan Raye and Buck Owens Capitol single "We're Gonna Get Together" was released today.
1971 - Loretta Lynn, and Bill Anderson were featured guests on "Hee Haw" 1971.
1974 - Dolly Parton's RCA Victor single "Jolene" topped the charts. The self-penned tune became Dolly's 2nd chart topper. Dolly's next four releases also claimed the chart's top spot. They include I Will Always Love You; Please Don't Stop Loving Me (w/Porter Wagoner); Love Is Like A Butterfly; and The Bargain Store. All were written by Dolly.
1974 - Tom T. Hall, Sunday Sharpe, Charlie McCoy Johnny Bench, and Ralph Emery were featured guests on "Hee Haw."
1977 - The ACM announced the nominees for this years Awards show in California. Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, and Mickey Gilley all received multiple nominations.
1978 - Rita Coolidge's A&M single "We're All Alone" was certified Gold by the RIAA. Rita was married to Kris Kristofferson from 1973-1980.
1980 - Alabama's hit MDJ single "My Home's In Alabama" charted. This would be the last record released by Alabama on any label other than RCA.
1981 - George Strait recorded his first hit record in Nashville. "Unwound" was released by MCA later this year made it to the Top Ten on the charts. The song was written by Dean Dillon. Dean Dillon was inducted into the NSHF in 2002.
1985 - Merle Haggard and Janie Fricke's Epic single "A Place To Fall Apart," topped the charts.
1986 - Blaine Larsen, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and BNA recording artist, was born in Tacoma, Washington, and raised in California.
1987 - The Judd's RCA album "Heartland" was certified platinum by the RIAA.
1988 - Tanya Tucker checked in to the Betty Ford Center today, after years of drug and alcohol abuse.
1993 - Willie Nelson and the IRS settled a long-standing dispute in regard to Willie's unpaid taxes. The IRS keeps 3.6 million in property that was seized earlier, and Willie will pay 5.4 million of the unpaid balance of 13.1 million that is owed.
1999 - Sony released Johnny Cash's album "16 Biggest Hits."
2001 - People Magazine reported that Garth Brooks and ex-wife Sandy are sharing the same ranch in Oklahoma. Sandy and the three daughters, occupy a house trailer, until their new home is completed. Garth lives in a house on the ranch.
2001 - Hal Blair 1915-2001, age 85, died in Biggs, California. Blair wrote, "Please Help Me I'm Falling," and "One Has My Name, The Other Has My Heart," among others. Hal was inducted into the NSHF in 2003.
2003 - Gary Allan's #1 single "Man To Man" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart 2003.
2005 - Jimmie Crawford 1935-2005, member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, died at 69.
2006 - Louise Certain Scruggs 1927-2006, age 78, wife of Earl Scruggs died at Nashville's Baptist Hospital. Louise managed her husband's career, and was the first female manager in country music history. Louise was awarded the 25th Annual IFCO Tex Ritter Award in 1999, in recognition of her very successful five decades of artist booking and management. Louise saw Earl for the first time at the Ryman Auditorium.
2007 - The 49th Annual Grammy Awards were presented at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Vince Gill won for Best Male Country Vocal Performance; Carrie Underwood for Best Female Country Vocal; Bryan Sutton & Doc Watson for Best Country Instrumental, Best Country Song was Jesus Take The Wheel; and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.
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
ALWAYS
Lord, in the morning when I rise, my thoughts first turn to You,
In thanks for safety through the night and for morn's sky of blue.
Then through the day as I traverse the path You've given me,
I know you're walking by my side to share the joys I see.
If pathways are too rocky, Lord, You lend a helping hand,
So I can cope, with faith and trust, across this trouble land.
Then when day turns to even time, once more, I turn to Thee,
In thanks for strength throughout the day; For friends and family.
Lord, always You are there for me; You are my dearest friend,
And ever will I trust in You until my journey's end.
Sandra Town Lytle
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