FRIDAY March 28th, 2008 C O U N T R Y M U S I C C L A S S I C S

           

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

 

 FRIDAY March 28^th,  2008

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com 

 

 

                STORY   BEHIND  THE  SONG

 

Steve Warmer's first number one, "All Roads Lead To You," was originally mean't to be a Ronnie Milsap recording.

According to record producer Tom Collins, "Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan wrote that song in just a few minutes and when they played it for me, I immediately thought of Ronnie Milsap. So I booked the session and Ronnie worked for six hours trying to make that song work for him but he just couldn't do it So we just put that track in the can. A couple of months later I dug the song out again and played it for Steve Wariner. Steve liked the song so we went into the studio and within a few minutes, he had it recorded.”

"All Roads Lead To You" entered the country music charts September 26^th, 1981 and made the number one spot on December 19^th—one week before his 27^th birthday-on Christmas day!

During that time in his career, Steve Wariner was being compared to Glenn Campbell-because of the lyric content of his records-and his talents as a singer and guitarist.

Steve commented, "My producer, Tom Collins and I were both big fans of the Jimmy Webb type of records. But it was never a conscious effort to imitate Glen Campbell. A lot of people were comparing us and that was okay with me but I didn't want to be labeled as a "sound-alike" or anything like that."

"All Roads Lead To You" was Steve Wariner's 9^th chart single and his first number one.

 

 

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                           QUESTIONS    AND    ANSWERS

 

 

QUESTION:   Do you know anything about Reba McEntire going to a fight? It was mentioned on the radio.

ANSWER:     Reba McEntire is one of several celebrities who will be honored at Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night 14, taking place in Phoenix on April 4^th and 5th. She be joining Kevin Costner, Clive Davis, and LaDainian Tomlinson at the benefit, which supports several charities including Ali’s Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute. Collin Raye, John Mellencamp, Dionne Warwick, Sinbad and Jordin Sparks will be the featured entertainment for the evening.

QUESTION:   I have heard that Ricky Skaggs received some kind of degree. Do you have any details?

ANSWER:      Ricky Skaggs recently  received an honorary doctorate from Boston’s Berklee College of Music during a performance on the Opry. The honor is for Skaggs’ contribution in keeping bluegrass music “alive and kicking.”

 

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I’m still searching for artists/songwriters/record producers, who had songs in the TOP  40  country music charts from the 1950’s thru the 1980’s...also any musicians who might have played on those recording sessions. If you have contact information for any of those folks, please email info to: classics@countrymusicclassics.com

Many thanks to all of you who have provided contact information on several folks!

ANYONE  HAVE  CONTACT  INFORMATION  FOR   BILLIE JO SPEARS?

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QUESTION:   I’m interested in anything you might have on Alan Jackson’s wife writing another book. The first one as great!

ANSWER:    Alan Jackson's wife has already completed her second book, “The Road Home.” Denise Jackson was on the “New York Times” best-seller list with her debut as an author, “It’s All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life.” Her second inspirational book will be out in time for Mother's Day.

QUESTION:  Do you have any information on Jerry Lee Lewis coming to New York City?

ANSWER:   Jerry Lee Lewis was in New York City’s Town Hall recently to perform his classic “Great Balls of Fire” on the 50th Annual Grammy Awards to commemorate  the 50th anniversary of that song topping the pop charts.

 

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OUR FIRST NASHVILLE RECORDING.

   by: Jack Blanchard

 

After knocking around every bar in the Miami area,
from luxury hotels to creepy back street dumps,
Misty and I lucked into a pretty good job
at El Bolero Steak House.

El Bolero was a Coral Gables supper club,
and our band played dance music for the classy clientèle.
Larry King, some movie actors,
and big time politicians were regulars.
Richard Nixon came in and played the piano.
It was that kind of a joint.

We stayed there about three years,
which beat our previous record of three weeks.
But, we were going nowhere, careerwise.
We needed a big change, and soon,
so we decided to take a chance.

We worked out a new image for ourselves,
which was the exact opposite of the old suit and gown.
Misty got some hotpants outfits,
and I wore sort of a hippie Captain America outfit.

I wrote some new songs for duets.
The first one was "Bethlehem Steel",
a composite of the Buffalo factories where I'd worked.
We booked a gig at the Gold Coast Lounge in Key West.
and thought everybody would laugh at the way we looked,
but they didn't. They ate it up.

I sang in my new rough voice,
which is now the only one I have,
and we opened with "Bethlehem Steel".
The crowd, mostly sailors, went wild,
and the place became packed every night.

In just a couple of weeks we were offered a recording contract,
and went to make our first Jack and Misty recording in Nashville.
Our first single release "Bethlehem Steel", got a "Pick" in Billboard,
and went about half way up the chart.
You can hear the original recording here: http://tinyurl.com/2w6dbb.

There were two more singles,
and then "Tennessee Birdwalk".
Things moved fast after that.

 

Jack Blanchard

 

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Grammy Nominees... Billboard's Duet of the Year.
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *
Home page: jackandmisty.com

 

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Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to:Classics@countrymusicclassics.com

 

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COUNTRY  MUSIC  HITS THIS DAY IN:

1951     The Rhumba Boogie - Hank Snow

1959     Don’t Take Your Guns to Town - Johnny Cash

1967     I Won’t Come in While He’s There - Jim Reeves

1975     Before the Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender

1983     Swingin’ - John Anderson

 

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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

             compiled by Bill Morrison

 

 

1920 - Marion Sumner "Fiddle King of the South" was born in Vicco, Kentucky.

 

1924 - Arlie Duff, singer, songwriter born in Jack's Branch, Texas.

 

1924 - WGN-AM broadcast for the first time in Chicago, Illinois.

 

1937 - Roy Dean Webb of "The Dillards," born in Independence Missouri. The Dillards appeared frequently on the Andy Griffith Show as the Darling Family.

 

1941 - Charles Ray "Charlie" McCoy, harmonica player, born Oak Hill, West Virginia. Charlie was an award winning Nashville studio musician, and the musical director of "Hee Haw." Charlie played on over 5000 sessions from 1960-1975.

 

1948 Gerry House D.J. and songwriter, born in Covington, Kentucky.

 

1950 - Hank Snow recorded his first #1 single, the self-penned "I'm Movin' On" for RCA Victor. This was the Singing Ranger's 2 ^nd chart hit, and the recording is now in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Hank became a member of the Grand Ole Opry this year, with the help of Ernest Tubb.

 

1953 - Marty Robbins' self-penned Columbia single "I Couldn't Keep From Crying" charted. The song topped out at #5. This was Mr. Teardrops 2^nd chart hit. Marty joined the Grand Ole Opry later this year.

 

1954 - Reba Nell McEntire singer, actress, industry executive born in Chockie, Oklahoma. Reba and rodeo champion Charlie Battles were married 1976-1987. She married Narvel Blackstock in 1968. Seven members of her band were killed in a plane crash in 1991.

 

1959 - Eddie Cochran recorded "Summertime Blues."

 1960 - The Browns single "The Old Lamplighter" charted today.

 

1960 - Brenda Lee recorded her International hit "I'm Sorry" for Owen Bradley, and Decca Records. This record would become Brenda's career song, after its release two months later.

 

1964 - Connie Smith flew to Nashville, to appear on the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree.

 

1966 - Roy Orbison played a concert date in England and was introduced to two of his biggest U.K. fans Ringo Star and George Harrison. Roy's biggest fan in the U.S. was Elvis Presley.

 

1968 - Eddy Arnold's RCA album "The Best of Eddy Arnold" was certified gold by the RIAA.

 

1969 - Rodney Atkins was born in Knoxville, Tennessee.

 

1970 - Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan's #1 hit "Tennessee Bird Walk" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart.

 

1971 - The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour featured guests Bobby Goldsboro, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Paul Lynde.

 

1974 - Arthur Crudup died in Virginia. A short time later The Crudup Brothers, sons of Arthur, retired the band.

 

1974 - John Denver's RCA Victor single "Sunshine on My Shoulder" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1975 - Freddy Fender topped the charts with "Before The Next Teardrop Falls."  This was Freddy's first chart hit, and his first #1 record. The CMA named this recording their Song of the Year.

 

1980 - Johnny Cash recorded "The Last Time" in Nashville. Earl Poole Ball produced the session, the song was written by Kris Kristofferson. Session personnel included: Johnny Cash-vocals & guitar; Bob Wooton-guitar; Joe Allen-bass; W.S. Holland-drums; Earl Poole Ball-piano; Jerry Hensley-guitar & harmony vocals; Marty Stuart-mandolin & harmony vocals; Shane Keister-syntheizers.

 

1980 - Tom T. Hall rejoined The Grand Ole Opry. He had quit in 1974 when the Opry moved from the Ryman Auditorium, to Opryland. Ernest Tubb told Tom to "come on home where you belong." A short time later The Story Teller was entertaining Opry audiences once again. 

 

1983 - Don Henley's Asylum single "Dirty Laundry" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1995 - Lyle Lovette and wife Julia Roberts separated.

 

2000 - Capitol Nashville released John Berry's "Greatest Hits" album.

 

2001 - Richard Byron Hays, songwriter, and guitarist, age 45, died from a heart attack.

 

2003- Rusty Draper 1923-2003, age 80, died in a Seattle, Washington hospital. The singer songwriter, guitarist, suffered from heart disease and cancer of the throat. Rusty Draper was laid to rest in Mount Si Memorial Cemetery, North Bend, Washington.

 

 

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

 

                                  

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LETTERS  FROM SUBSCRIBERS:

 

Hi Doug,

Just wanted to tell you that Bill Bolick,(The Blue Sky Boys) passed away on Thursday March 13th in Hickory NC. He was 90 years old. It seems a shame that no one in the media or entertainers have mentioned him. He and Earl were arguably the best old time country duets ever. We old timers who still love his music will miss miss him. Just thought you may want to pass this on to those who remember The Blue Sky Boys.

 

Thanks, Doug,

Ray from VA

 

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Dear Editor:

It amazes me as to how you continue to take credit for knowing everything about country music. My dad and I agree that you only answer questions that you already have the answers to and most of those are made up questions. Anyone can write a newsletter and we are a little sick of you passing yourself off as an expert!

 

Raymond in Seattle, Washington

 

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Dear Raymond:

I do not take credit for knowing everything about country music ( or anything else) and as for passing myself off as an expert...at my age about the only thing I pass is gas!

 

As for the questions in the newsletter: Since I receive a couple of hundred each week....there is certainly no reason to make any up.

 

And as for what I’m doing in this newsletter making both of you sick...I would suggest that the two of you get a life....but before you do ...give each other a strong coffee enema and use the unsubscribe instructions at the end of this newsletter!

 

DD

Editor

 

 

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THIS  I  BELIEVE:

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but  may have eternal life (John 3:‘16)

 

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