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
Email to: Classics@countrymusicclassics.com

Wednesday May 23rd, 2007

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.COUNTRYMUSICCLASSICS.COM

STORY BEHIND THE SONG

A lot of songs have come out of Tootsie’s—the famous watering hole on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee and according to Hank Cochran, “A-11” was one of those songs.

Hank said: “A friend of mine from California was in town and we were down at Tootsie’s…a-talkin’ and drinkin’ a little bit. And he asked me if I had anything on that jukebox over there. And I told him I did and just punch A-11 and that it was a new song I’d just had cut and I don’t even remember what the song was now. Whatever it was....it was a song I didn’t want to hear right then and I started thinking, “Please don’t play A-11.” So I told the guy I was with that I had to go to the house for awhile and I’d be back in a little bit. So I was writing “A-11” as I went out the door. So I went home, wrote the song, brought it back to him and he recorded it in California. And then Buck Owens cut it for an album and it got so much airplay, Johnny Paycheck asked me if he could record it for a single. And of course I told him that he certainly could. And he had the first hit on the song and since then, everybody has recorded that song.”

Johnny Paycheck’s Hilltop records single of “A-11” made the charts October 16th, 1965 and peaked at # 26. it was his first charted song and was on the charts for 12 weeks.

Buck’s Owens’ version of “A’11” entered the charts January 1^st, 1989 and made it to number 54. it was his 87^th charted song and was on the charts for 6 weeks.

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Read “The Story Behind The Song” on Janie Fricke’s “What Are you Doin’ Tonight” at

www.countrymusicclassics.com and click on Story behind The Song and Page Four

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QUESTION: I heard on the radio that Tanya Tucker was going to be in some fashion show. Do you know anything about it?

ANSWER: Tanya Tucker will join Clay Walker, Catherine Britt, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Lonestar, Neal McCoy, Danielle Peck, Trent Willmon, Darryl Worley and Chris Young, for the June 6^th “Country Weekly’s” Fashion Show. The magazine partners with Wrangler and Hard Rock Cafe to raise money and awareness for Musicians On Call.

QUESTION: Do you know anything about Kris Kristofferson getting some kind of Texas music award?

ANSWER: Kris Kristofferson was recently presented the Texas Legends award in Austin for his contributions to the culture and music scene. The concert, “The Road to Austin,”also featuree Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, and Joe Ely.

QUESTION: The TV news said a new Jerry lee lewis DVD is available. Do you have any information?

ANSWER: “Jerry Lee Lewis: Greatest Live Performances” DVD features 17 live performances and two bonus pieces from the '50s through the '90s for The Killer, including his first television appearance, his 1957 performance of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" for the Steve Allen Show and his performance of "Breathless" on the Dick Clark Show - the only live performance ever in the history of that show. The collection also features Jerry Lee in Memphis premiering "Great Balls of Fire" on the Dewey Phillips Show. It also contains his own television special that aired in England in 1964 and can be seen in its entirety for the first time since the day it aired., plus two performances from the 1970’s “Pop Goes the Country.” The DVD also contains one of the most comprehensive and revealing interviews Lewis has ever done as a bonus feature. Shot at Sam Phillips' legendary Sun Records in Memphis, Lewis talks in depth about his first historic recordings and his relationship with Elvis Presley and other greats from the era.

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QUESTION: The song “When Your House Is Not A Home” is my favorite tune and my favorite recording of it is by Jimmy Dickens. My sister in law says that George Jones also recorded that song but none of the radio stations know anything about it. Do you?

ANSWER: “When Your House Not A Home” was a track in Jones’ 1964 “George Jones Sings Like The Dickens” album

QUESTION: Do you know who wrote Conway Twitty’s “How Much More Can She Stand?”

ANSWER: The Conway Twitty 1971 # one was written by Harry Compton

QUESTION: My cousin talks about a Statler Brothers song about “Every Time I Trust A Gal.” I can’t find the song anywhere. Do you have any information?

ANSWER: ”Everytime I Trust A Gal” was the flipside of The Statler’s 1972 Hit, “Class of 57.”

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COUNTRY MUSIC’S TOP TUNES IN:

1951
Kentucky Waltz - Eddy Arnold

1959
The Battle of New Orleans - Johnny Horton

1967
Sam’s Place - Buck Owens

1975
I’m Not Lisa - Jessi Colter

1983
Common Man - John Conlee

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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

By: Bill Morrison

Mac Wiseman born Crimora, VA 1925. Mac was a founding member, and served as the first Secretary of the Country Music Association in 1958. Inducted

IBMAHH 1993.

The Prairie Ramblers recorded “I Just Don’t Care Anymore” 1939.

Misty Morgan of “Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan,” born Maryanne Donahue in Buffalo, NY 1945.

Buddy Alan, Capitol recording artist son of Buck & Bonnie Owens, born “Alvis Alan Owens” in Mesa, AZ 1948.

Judy Rodman, singer/songwriter born Riverside, CA 1951.

Eddy Arnold’s “Kentucky Waltz” was #1 in 1951.

Kitty Wells recorded “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” at Castle Studio in Nashville. It was her first recording session for Decca 1953.

Jim Reeves “Mexican Joe,” charted in 1953. Later that same day Jim debuted on the Grand Ole Opry.

Shelley West born in Cleveland, OH 1958.

Johnny Horton’s “Battle of New Orleans” was #1 in 1959.

The Everly Brothers released “When Will I Be Loved,” 1960.

Buck Owens topped the charts with “Sam’s Place” 1967.

Jessi Colter’s “I’m Not Lisa” was #1 in 1975.

Tom T. Hall recorded “The Old Side Of Town” 1979.

Rex Gosdin, age 45, of The Gosdin Brothers, died 1983.

John Conlee’s “Common Man” went to #1 in 1983.

Johnny Cash performed on Bob Hope’s 81st Birthday Special 1984.

K. T. Oslin’s album “80’s Ladies” certified platinum 1989.

RCA released Floyd Cramer’s “Collector’s Series” 1995.

Columbia Legacy released Johnny Cash’s album “Murder” 2000.

Ashley Judd, daughter of Naomi, and sister of Wynonna lost her luxury bus to a fire in 2005. The bus caught fire while Ashley was filming a movie scene

in Little Rock, Arkansas.

by: Bill Morrison www.rockabillyhall.com/billmorrison.html

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LETTERS FROM SUBSCRIBERS:

Actually, Doug, Myron was wrong when he complained about you featuring Vern's record. 1990 is really the last year in the decade of the 1980s. When calendars were started, the first year was year No. 1 not year No. 0. So the decade of the 1980s ends 1990 and the decade of the 1990s begins 1-1-1991.

Just keep your newsletter coming any way you see fit. If I occasionally find something I don't care for I just skip it. I sure missed it last week.

Kenneth Jones

Texarkana, Ar.

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Hi Doug,

Welcome Back! We missed you, but know you enjoyed every minute of your well-deserved vacation.

May 21, 2006 marked a day all Country Music industry, family, fans and friends of The Tall Texan ~ Billy Walker & Bettie, his beautiful adoring soul-mate, along with Charles Lilly and Danny Patton lost their lives in the tragic automobile accident. They were on their way home to Nashville, returning from a concert in Alabama, doing what they loved most - entertaining and witnessing. Their memory and contribution to mankind will be remembered forever. While it was our intention they would be with us always, God ~ in His infinite wisdom ~ had other plans.

I felt the readers would enjoy checking out the updated memorial website, www.billywalker.com to view so many special pictures and articles of this special couple. Kelly, Bettie's daughter, has created a masterpiece here - Thank you, Kelly! Also, a copy of the Memorial Tribute, printed in Music City News and various media sources following this tragedy, can be requested at mocknbirdrose@gamewood.net.

This is a great loss of precious souls that can never be replaced here on earth, but their memory, friendship and love will last an eternity ~ until we meet again.....

Betty Parrish

Danville, VA

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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’re reading someone else’s copy of this newsletter OR it has been forwarded to you by a friend --- AND--- you’d like to receive your personal copy, get your complimentary subscription by emailing to Classics@countrymusicclassics.com with “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject box

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“Country Classics ~ Music From The Heart”

By: Bill Morrison

Quote: “We often crammed five musicians plus our instruments into an old car, drove all day, played the show, then drove all night back to Albuquerque in time for one of our home shows. It was more than uncomfortable to be so crowded in a car with no air-conditioning during southwestern summers. The 100-degree days, and sometimes 100-degree nights were a way of life.” –Glen Campbell in Rhinestone Cowboy/with Tom Carter

Who Am I? I recorded as “Henhouse Five Plus Too” in addition to recording under my own name.

Hattie Frost Stoneman 1900~1976 was a singer and fiddle player in the 1920’s and ‘30’s. Hattie was married to Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman, the founder of the Stoneman Family. Mrs. Stoneman bore Pop Stoneman 23 children during their life together.

K.T. Oslin is an Inductee of the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame. The Hall is located at One Convention Center Plaza, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Song Of The Day: “Coca Cola Cowboy” recorded by Mel Tillis, and released on the MCA label in 1979. Sam Atchley, Irving Dain, Steve Dorff, and Sandy Pinkard wrote the song, which charted in June 1979. The single climbed to #1 and remained on the Billboard chart for 15 weeks. This was Mel’s 55^th chart single, and his 5^th #1.

Gene Autry 1907~1998 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969.

Sarah Ophelia Colley (Minnie Pearl) married Henry Cannon on February 23, 1947.

The Wilburn brothers hometown tribute will be held in Hardy, Arkansas, on May 26^th. The new sign “Hardy Arkansas, the proud hometown of Teddy & Doyle, The Wilburn Brothers” will be dedicated by the Mayor. For more information about the celebration you can contact: countryjack@bellsouth.net or call the Hardy Chamber of Commerce at:
870-856-2136.

Sun Records was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in February 1952. Owned by Sam Phillips, and the first employee was Judd Phillips, brother of the owner. After Sam sold Elvis Presley’s contract to RCA for $35,000, against the advice of Judd, he departed the organization and formed Judd Records. One of Judd Records artists was my friend Joe Heathcock.

Buck Owens Joined Bill Woods & The Orange Blossom Playboys, house band at the Blackboard in Bakersfield, in September 1951.

***Who Am I? Ray Stevens a.k.a. Harold Ray Ragsdale

Remembering A Country Music Legend: Benjamin Francis “Whitey Ford 1901~1986

Known as The Duke of Paducah, Whitey was born in Desoto, Missouri on May 12, 1901. The singer, songwriter, banjo player was also an accomplished comedian. Ford served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He began touring with Gene Autry after meeting the singing cowboy at the WLS National Barn Dance in Chicago. John Lair, Red Foley, and Whitey formed the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in 1937, and in 1942 Whitey became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, making his debut appearance on September 19^th. Whitey often told his audience that he graduated from the University of Hark Knocks, and closed his shows with “I’m goin’ back to the wagon, boys, these shoes are killin’ me!” Whitey wrote, and published a book “Funnee” in 1980. The producers of Hee Haw purchased Whitey’s collection of jokes, and used the material for the duration of the show. As the result of cancer, Whitey was confined to a nursing home in later life lost his battle with the disease on June 20, 1986. Whitey Ford was 84.

Thought For Today: “The essence of faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus." -- John Piper

by: Bill Morrison www.rockabillyhall.com/billmorrison.html

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THE JOKE STRETCHER.

By: Jack Blanchard

Singers have to say something between songs,and Misty and I like to make audiences laugh,but not with long jokes.
Short and to the point gets the show going.
The last comic to have success with the long joke was Danny Thomas,and that's been a while.

I'm not too crazy about most jokes, being partial to funny remarks and one-liners.
But every once in a while a good joke comes along, and the joke-stretchers are waiting there to ruin it.

Some jokesters get dangerous once they have the floor.
They like being the center of attention, so they drag the joke on and on, stomping the life out of it.
They think they're building suspense,but what they are actually doing is losing the crowd's attention.

To illustrate, here's a good old joke: A guy with no arms applied for a job as bell ringer in a church.
The priest said, "A person has to have arms to ring a church bell”.
The guy said, "My family is starving! I need the job!" So he got hired and was up in the bell tower on Sunday morning,
worrying about how to ring the bell. People were coming to the church, and he had to do something,
so he ran at the big bell and hit it with his forehead. He knocked himself out, and fell out of the tower onto the ground.
One of the churchgoers said, "My God! Who is that?" Another said, "I don't know his name, but his face rings a bell”.

I heard a well-meaning idiot tell it as follows:

"This Irishman had lost his arms in a card game in the Gulf War... the first Gulf War... when George senior was in office.
Not the present war. The other one. When he came home his old job as a hen teaser was taken,
and he had to support his wife and three kids... one of each...ha ha ha.

"Anyhoo, after walking the streets all day with no luck he saw a priest and a rabbi walk into a bar, and thought "Is this some kind of a joke?"

"He went up to the priest and asked him for a job in his church,
because his wife was really sick with the screaming meemies, and his kids were eating pictures of food out of magazines.

"The priest said, "We do need a bell ringer...but your arms... You don't seem to have any. Your sleeves are floppy and all."
The armless guy insisted, "I can do it, I tell you”. The rabbi whispered, "He'll probably work cheap”.

(At this point in the story, people were trampling each other to get out the door,
and others were leaping from windows, but the jokester was in his glory, and didn't notice.)

"The days went by and finally it was Sunday...Nine AM, The guy was up in the tower trying to figure out what the hell to do.
He couldn't pull the rope. It wouldn't do any good to wrap his legs around the bell.
A loud gong could make him walk funny for life. "The townspeople were already coming up the walk to the church.
He had to do something fast, so he ran at the gigantic bell and rammed it with his head.
The bell rang, but it knocked him unconscious.
He fell over the railing, out of the tower, and landed on the ground in front of the churchgoers.

"An old lady wearing a hat with a chicken on it said "My goodness! Who is that?"
The kindly old priest knelt down with tears in his eyes and said,
"I don't know his name, but his face rings a bell”." When nobody laughed,
the jokester looked around and found himself alone, except for one man.
That was me. I loved it.

Jack Blanchard -
THE JACK BLANCHARD & MISTY MORGAN HOME PAGE:
http://jackandmisty.com

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FOOD FOR THE SOUL:

“My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spred out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.” Isaiah 48:13 NIV

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