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 16TH, 2012
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Contrary to popular belief, Dolly Parton says she did NOT write "Kentucky Gambler" for Merle Haggard.
Dolly adds, "And I was not on the road with Merle when I wrote the song, even though my Travelin' Family Band and I did do some road shows with him in 1974 and 1975. I guess I was on the road with him at the time he recorded the song but I just thought I had written a good song and that it might fit Merle and it did."
"I really wrote that song from a story about my grandpa Parton. He had a reputation for gambling and I was told that he would leave home quite often--as soon as he had saved enough money---and then come home broke because he had lost it all gambling."
Merle Haggard's Capitol record single "Kentucky Gambler" entered the country music charts November 9th, 1974 and was at the top of the country charts the week of January 18th, 1975.
It was his 37th charted song and his 19th number one.
The single was on the charts for 15 weeks and was produced by Ken nelson and Fuzzy owen.
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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: I know that Roy Acuff was a forerunner in the early days of country music but did he have any hit records?
A: Roy Acuff placed 17 songs on the country music charts between 1944 and 1989.
Q: There was a song that was quite popular back in the 60's about a pinball machine. Do you know who had that record and is he still around?
A: "Pinball Machine" peaked at # 13 for Lonnie Irving in 1960. Irving died in 1960 at the age of 28.
Q: Hank Williams Jr. had some hit records back in the 70's with a girl singer. Was it Dolly Parton?
A: Hank placed four songs on the charts in the early 70's with duets with Lois Johnson.
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I'm receiving more than a hundred questions each week and I can only use half a dozen in each newsletter--SO--within the next few days, I hope to start mailing a "DAILY Q & A" which will consist of one question and answer. And now the downside---the "Daily Q & A" will be mailed out to the complete newsletter mailing list. I CANNOT maintain a separate mailing list for those who want just the newsletter WITHOUT the daily Q & A or vice versa. So IF you receive the weekly newsletter, you will also receive the daily Q & A.
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Q: My sister has a tape recording of David Houston singing the old song "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen." When did he record that song?
A: The song was the flipside of his 1966 # 47 hit, "Sammy."
Q: I have the 45 record of George Jones' "Sometimes You Just Can't Win" that I bought in 1962 but my dad says that song came out later than that.
A: George's original version of that song peaked at # 17 in 1962. He re-recorded it in 1971 and the re-cut peaked at # 10
Q: On one of the old country music TV shows, Ray Price sings a song about "How Can I Write On Paper What I Feel In My Heart." Did he record that song?
A: The song was the flipside of Ray's 1969 # 11 hit, "Sweetheart Of The Year."
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Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to:Classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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If you still haven't ordered your copy of "Jim Reeves: His Untold Story," you're missing something. I've just finished Chapter 10 :"Waiting For A Train," which is just part of this 660 page book…plus photos you've never seen before. Order your copy at www.jimreevesbook.com
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NUMBER ONE ON THIS DATE:
1951
There's Been a Change in Me - Eddy Arnold
1959
Billy Bayou - Jim Reeves
1967
Don't Come Home a'Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) - Loretta Lynn
1975
Devil in the Bottle - T.G. Sheppard
1983 I Gain Control Again - Crystal Gayle
1991
Brother Jukebox - Mark Chesnutt
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THINGS I THINK I KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC RACKET.
By: Jack Blanchard
A lot of articles dish out advice to "wannabees".
Don't take offense at the term
because it's the first requirement for stardom.
Most of the instructive writings contain some good stuff.
Others are spoiled by ulterior motives, like big money for offering advice.
This isn't always bad, but here's an example of how it could be bad:
A writer wants to market a book on How To Get A Job because he's out of work and need money.
This genius knows about ten helpful hints, but he needs more for the other 199 blank pages.
So he bulks it out with whatever will fill the space,
and gives you too much to worry about.
My advice is this:
Listen to advice, but analyze it before you act on it.
It's not gospel unless he's wearing a halo... like mine.
I have a few other thoughts to offer, no charge.
You knew I would.
1. Bands that laugh and talk to each other onstage, off mike are leaving the audience out.
This is annoying to everybody but the band.
They think they're showing personality, but it's one of the most common offenses.
If you're going to talk and laugh, do it so the audience can hear every word.
It doesn't have to be Class A material. The people like to be in on the process.
They don't like to be left out or ignored.
They can stay home and get that.
2. Even if you have to play cover material to pay the rent don't "become" a cover band
unless playing at the VFW is your career plan..
3. If you're really good but you can't compete with the local bands for gigs,
maybe you're meant to compete on a higher level.
I've found that acts that do well in the big scene
often can't make it in the neighborhood because they're too original.
The small time hates an original.
4. Learn the phrase "Escape Clause". (There ain't no sanity clause.)
And a contract should benefit both parties, but the first draft usually doesn't.
5. Think outside the container.
If you cater to trends your material has a short shelf life.
Watch what everybody else is doing and do something else.
7. You haven't failed until you quit.
Some artists get better with a little age on 'em. It gathers character.
I've outlived some of the competition and most of my enemies.
I keep crossing out names in my address book as the people die off.
When I get them all crossed out the game is over and nobody wins...
well, maybe me.
8. If you're a writer, relax and let it flow first.
Have fun and don't be too critical.
When that's done, edit with extreme cruelty.
Don't lose a song trying to hang on to a pet line.
No line or title is sacred if it prevents a song from being born.
The secret is this:
Get a lot of ideas and then throw most of them away.
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
1914 - James Clarence "Jimmy" Wakely 1914-1982, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist born Mineola, Arkansas.
1916 - Bill Doggett, Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1924 - Jo Walker-Meador was born Edith J. Denning in Orlinda, Tennessee. Walker-Meador was the executive Director of the CMA for twenty-nine years. Inducted CMHF 1995.
1932 - Otis Blackwell 1931-2002, songwriter, born Brooklyn, New York. Inducted NSHF 1986, and the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame 1991.
1943 - Ronnie Milsap singer, songwriter, and pianist, born Robbinsville, North Carolina. Ronnie was the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1974, 1976, and 1977. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1976, and was named the CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1977. Ronnie was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1990.
1946 - Jack Guthrie, Western singer-songwriter debuted as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry.
1950 - Paul Worley musician, songwriter, and producer born Nashville, Tennessee.
1958 The Everly Brothers single "This Little Girl Of Mine" charted.
1963 Patsy Cline's "Leavin' On Your Mind," charted today. Wayne Walker wrote the song, it was Patsy's 9th chart hit, and the last she would have in her lifetime. Patsy died in a plane crash 17 days later.
1967 - Smiley Burnette 1911-1967, age 55, singer, songwriter, actor and comedian, died today. Smiley was inducted into the NSHF in 1971. He was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills cemetery, in Los Angeles, California.
1968 - Elvis Presley's RCA album "How Great Thou Art" was certified Gold by the RIAA.
1969 - George Jones and Tammy Wynette were married in Ringgold, Georgia.
1971 - Jody Miller was the featured guest on "Hee Haw."
1971 - Johnny Cash recorded "Man In Black."
1974 - John Denver's #1 hit "Sunshine On My Shoulders" charted on Billboard's Top 40.
1974 - Johnny Cash, Jean Shepard, and George Lindsey were featured guests on "Hee Haw."
1974 - Lefty Frizzell's ABC single "I Never Go Around Mirrors" charted this week, and topped out before reaching the Top Twenty. Keith Whitley included the song on his 1988 RCA Victor album "Don't Close Your Eyes," however, he never released the song as a single.
1975 - Marty Robbins crashed his car, in the Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
1983 - Crystal Gayle's single, "Till I Gain Control Again," topped the charts.
1986 - NBC aired "The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James," starring Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.
1999 - Koch released Bobby Bare's album "Bare Tracks."
2001 - Andy Griggs was arrested in Tallahassee, Florida, along with a member of his band. They reportedly stole an ambulance and took it for a joyride. The two men were charged with felony charges of Grand Theft Auto.
2002 - James "Lucky" Ward, age 65, guitarist, died in Georgia.
2003 - Travis Tritt, Marty Stuart, and other Grand Ole Opry artists paid tribute to Waylon Jennings, who had died three days earlier in Arizona.
2005 - "Kid Rock" a.k.a. Bob Ritchie was arrested by Nashville police on assault charges. The Detroit based rap singer was in town to participate in Merle Kilgore's memorial service.
2005 - Grammy winner Sammi Smith's Memorial Service was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sammi was laid to rest in Elmhurst Cemetery, Guymon, Oklahoma.
2006 - CRB's list of performers for their CRS-37, BMI WCRS LIVE! included; Miranda Lambert, Craig Morgan, Time Nichols and Jon Randall. The show was hosted by Bob DiPiero.
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
THE GIFT OF LOVE
We mortals tend to take in stride each gift our Lord bestows.
Our health and wealth we wear with pride…make certain that it shows.
We live each day without a thought of giving thanks to God,
We walk amid the beauty wrought along each path we trod.
We listen to a tiny bird who has a song to sing.
And never give a sign we heard the sound of anything.
I sometimes feel that God on high must give up in despair,
But all He seems to do is sigh…and give more loving care.
Marian Ford Park
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