BACKFORTY BUNKHOUSE NEWSLETTER Cowtown Society of Western Music Joe Baker, Publisher ‘2009 Publication of the Year’
2009-Western Swing Society, Distributed by BACKFORTY BUNKHOUSE PRODUCTIONS Sacramento Hall Of Fame 106 Roswell St. Ruidoso,NM 88345 (575) 808-4111 Home of Backforty Roundup and CD Chorale 2008-Western Swing Music Society Of Seattle - Pioneers Backforty Bunkhouse Publishing BMI Of Western Swing Hall Of Fame Venue/Show Productions *** Western Music Radio Marketing www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com *** 2007-Western Swing Music Society Southwest - Hall Of Fame [email protected] www.MySpace.com/BackfortyBunkhouse 2004-Cowtown Society Of twitter.com/backfortyBH Western Music - Disc Jockey Of The Year Established January 2007 2004-Academy Of Western Artists Howard Higgins, Co-Founder & Advisor - Disc Jockey Of The Year Joe Baker, Co-Founder & Publisher 2004-Cowtown Society Of Cheryl LeBleu,Editor Western Music Heroes Of Western Swing Hall Of Fame The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter is sent to over 1,050 email subscribers
Cowtown Society of Western monthly and is growing every day. There are DJs, artists and fans whose Music – Membership Director interests are Western Swing, Traditional Country, Cowboy Poetry, Cowboy Heritage and Texas Honky Tonk music genres. We solicit your comments, suggestions and ways we may better serve you. If you do not want to receive this newsletter and want to be removed from our mailing list, reply to this email by entering “UNSUBSCRIBE” in the subject box of the email. Joe Baker’s Backforty Bunkhouse Show is broadcast on 50,000 watt KRUI, 1490AM News-Talk-Tourism & 100,000 watt KWMW, 105.1FM, “Real Country W-105” every Saturday morning 6 am to 10 am in Ruidoso, New Mexico covering New Mexico & West Texas.Member: Western Music Broadcasters Association (WMBA.) Also available ‘Streaming Live’ 24/7 on the www.MTDRadio.com internet at www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com Click on Real Country W-105 Logo. www.Backfortybunkhouse.com Consider joining “The Western Swing Guild” at www.WesternSwingGuild.com
Lisa Morales, General Manager - MTD Media Eddie Ferrell, Editor – Ruidoso Free Press Will Rooney, Assistant Manager – MTD www.backfortybunkhouse.com Radio Operations
MARCH 2011
PLAYLISTS 3
ARTICLES 5
JOE BAKER 5 JULIE CARTER 6 CHUCK CUSIMANO 7 ALISA DOLLAR 8 BOBBE SEYMOUR 9
EMPTY SADDLES 10
OTHEROTHER NEWS 13
UPCOMING EVENTS 15
www.swinginwest.com www.Texascountyline.tv www.nchacutting.com www.cowboypoetry.com
www.awaawards.org www.westernmusic.com
www.cowtown-swm.org
www.cdtex.com westernswingsociety.org
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PLAYLISTS
JOE BAKER’S TOP 20 March 2011
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Western Swing Western Music/Cowboy Poetry 1. Brady Bowen, In My Spare Time – Vol. 6 1. Bar D Roundup, Vol.5 CowboyPoetry.com 2. Asleep At The Wheel & Leon Rausch, It’s A 2. Yvonne Hollenbeck, Sorting Time Good Day 3. R.J. Vandygriff, The Cowboy Ain’t Dead Yet 3. Tony Harrison & Hot Texas, Swingin’ Big Vol.3 4. Gayla Earlene, Traditional Sugar 4. The Texas Trailhands, Cowboy Swing, Vol. 5. Tom Houston, Tuxedo Country, Vol.#2 2 6. Lonnie Spiker, Coming To A Honky Tonk Near 5. Richard Elloyan, This Side Of The Dirt You 6. Larry McWhorter, Cowboy Poet (Prescott) 7. Jody Nix, Twin Fiddles Turn Me On 7. Ken Cook, Cowboys Are Like That 8. Randy Brown, High Price Of Low Living 8. Stardust Cowboys, Ridin’ Back To You 9. Jimmy Burson, Back In The Swing 9. Chuck Woller, (D. Johnson Vocals) Desert 10. Mike Siler, Live At Legends Corner Vol. 1 & 2 Moon 11. Larry Goddard, Long Way Back To Texas 10. Steve Anderson, Old Man Talking 12. Racheal Hester, Only Time Will Tell 11. Gil Prather, Last Of The Border Cowboys 13. Johnny Lyon, Wynn Stewart Fav, Vol.#3 12. Patty Parker, Southwest Serenade 14. Johnny Gimble, Celebrating With Friends 13. Horse Crazy, Daughters Of The West 15. Jerry Webb, “Live” At Pearl’s CD/DVD 14. Jim Jones, Feels Like Home To Me 16. Billy Mata, This Is Tommy Duncan Vol.#2 15. Backforty Roundup Vol. #47 17. David Ball, Sparkle City 16. Hugh McLennan, The Creak Of The Leather 18. Eddie McAlvain, Whatever You Want Me To Be 17. Mark Compere, Cowboy Songs 19. Chuck Cusimano, Swing me A Song 18. Chuck Cusimano, Wind Blow My Blues 20. Gena Roberts, Shuffle Back To Me Away 19. Allan Chapman, West Of The 98th Meridian 20. Frank Fara, Songs of the Untamed West
www.Cowboysymposium.org Ruidoso, New Mexico mountainannies.com
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"SWINGIN' WEST" Mike Gross KSEY-FM Seymour, Texas swinginwest.com
MARCH 2011 radioksey.com
SONGS ALBUMS 1. It’s a Good Day- Leon Rausch & Asleep at 1. It’s a Good Day- Leon Rausch & Asleep at the Wheel (Bismeaux) the Wheel (Bismeaux) 2. Lonestar Ladies- Ray Sanders (Hillside) 2. Have You Ever Even Heard of Milton Brown?- 3. The Mighty Santa Fe- The Tumbling Great Recession Orchestra of Ft. Worth, TX Tumbleweeds 3. Swing Big- Tony Harrison & Hot Texas 4. Texas To A “T”- The Ball Family 4. It’s A Swing Thing- Tony Smith 5. Angel Judy- Jody Nix (Hillside) 5. Twin Fiddles Turn Me On- Jody Nix (Hillside) 6. Oklahoma- 1955- Les Gilliam (Lunacy) 6. Back in the Saddle Again- Buck Pizzarelli & 7. Sweet Maddie Cates- RJ Vandygriff (CSP) West Texas Tumbleweeds (Arbors) 8. Trudie Sweet Trudie- Richard Lee Cody 7. 3 Trails West- 3 Trails West 9. That’s What I Call Cookin’- Carolyn Martin 8. Live at Pearls- Jerry Webb (CD & DVD) 10. Driftin’ Again- RW Hampton (Cimarron 9. Oklahoma- 1955- Les Gilliam (Lunacy) Sounds) 10. Goodbye Liza Jane Hello Western Swing- Lone Pine Western Swing Band (Gandy Dancer)
LEESWING88 TOP 12 CDs & SONGS Lillies Ohlsson Bennerstigen 120 SE-733 95 SALA * SWEDEN
TOP 12 CDS TOP 12 SONGS
1. This Is Tommy Duncan, Vol.1, Billy Mata & The 1. Beale Street Blues – Milton Brown & His Texas Tradition Brownies 2. Master Of The Electric Steel Guitar, Bob Dunn 2. Black Rider – Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition 3. Thumbin´ It, Bobby Koefer 3. Heartbreak Town – Country Night Live 4. Swing Me A Song, Chuck Cusimano 4. I´ll Sail My Ship Alone – Cornell Hurd Band 5. Proven, Clint Martin 5. Mira Las Palomas – Mike Blakely 6. The Songs Of Moon Mullican, Cornell Hurd Band 6. My First Taste Of Texas – Ed Bruce 7. The Right Five, Vol.1, Country Night Live 7. Night Coach Out Of Dallas – Jake Hooker 8. Love & Heartache, Gaylynn Robinson 8. Somewhere South Of San Antone – Tommy 9. Celebrating With Friends, Johnny Gimble Hooker 10. Austin To Boston, R.W. Hampton 9. Soy De San Luis – Texas Tornados 11. Blaze Across the West. Tumbling Tumbleweeds 10. Stompin´ At The Honky Tonk – Bob Dunn´s 12. Esta Bueno!, Texas Tornados Vagabonds 11. Swing Me A Song – Chuck Cusimano
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12. T Texas Saturday Night – Tommy Lucas
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WYN MACHON Oamaru Heritage Radio 88.3 FM and Moeraki 107 FM 5 Lowther St. Oamaru 9400 Whitestone City, New Zealand [email protected]
Stephen R Cheney, Blueberry Hill. Tammy Jones , It Is No Secret What God Can Do
Deb Beckett, Ode To Elsie The Cox Family , When God Dips His Pen Of Love In My Heart Johnny Paycheck ,Elijah Marshall Clary , Jesus Wept Dottie West ,Let Love Come Lookin' For You The English Chorale , Swing Low
Brady, Stewart , Green & Young, Ride On David Thomas , The Message Of Love
Wendy Lynn Snider, Online Flower Deborah Pira , Lamb Of God
Steve Roberson , Howling At The Moon Grace Bawden , If I Only Had Wings
Cole Millington, The Tears Will Flow David Charles Combo , Balance Your Life With Jesus Marty Maggio , Faded Love Country Sound , Put On The New Self Ron Kinkham & Neon Rain, To Be Together Forever The Oak Ridge Boys , I'll Wake Up On The Other Side
ARTICLES
WESTERN SWING GUILD President’s Report By Joe Baker, President
I'm very pleased with the latest secretary's report and have generated in the world of western swing, traditional country and country gospel music the attention we all were looking for. "The Western Swing Guild, LLC" makes all of us a non-profit Limited Liability Company. I would like to send out a huge "Thank You" to the Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter editor, Cheryl LeBleu, for her legal assistance in securing the LLC status for The Western Swing Guild. In just a few more days, we will have The Western Swing Guild,LLC bank account with Wells Fargo completed.
As we all go on our ways, some folks to dances and musicians going to gigs throughout the country, please feel free to talk about the WSG to your audiences and friends along the way. One of our goals is to bring the WSG into existing functions. Most of the voting members have already voted “Yes” to buying a WSG Banner, which all of us can use at venues across the country.
Our membership advisor, Howard Higgins, has added something to the way we vote. Now, as a vote has been cast, your email vote will also have the subject of the vote as well. My hat’s off to Howard for his continued attention to the details on how to make our jobs easier all the way. We are making huge strides with the WSG and I sincerely thank each of you for your quick response on the voting items. We are keeping all items that have voted on and this will make all of our jobs easier when we are writing the WSG by-laws.
We are certainly making the WSG happen and we can’t do this without all of you. If anyone is interested in joining us, simply go to www.WesternSwingGuild.com.
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COWGIRL SASS & SAVVY AND THE WRECK WAS ON by Julie Carter [email protected] On its own, the word "wreck" conjures up endless images of smoke, dust, and disaster. When you throw in the words cowboy, horse and rope, it becomes not a picture, but a definition. Cowboy defined. The hard part of the job was over. The yearling stray was roped, tripped, tied down and all that was left was a ride back to get the pickup and trailer, loading up the critter and heading back to the corrals.
Like most cowboys on the job, he was alone, a long way from home and not a soul knew where he was, not exactly. He'd seen enough years to be "seasoned." He'd done this very same job hundreds of times. And maybe that was his undoing. When he stepped back up on his horse, rope still tied to one end of the yearling and the other end to the saddle horn, an errant loose coil of his rope snaked around his leg just as the rope pulled tight. The horse felt the sudden jerk on the rope, jumped and that yanked the cowboy to the ground. And the wreck was on.
It was a cowboy wreck of the epic kind. Ingredients were trees, sage, rocks big and little for a scenery framework, a scared horse trying to get away from the cowboy hung in the rope bouncing behind him and the yearling dragging along behind.
It happened in seconds. The cowboy was on the ground before he knew what had happened and it wasn't until many hours later that he could mentally think it through and even venture a guess at what took place. What he knew was that in those few minutes, it occurred to him they could be his last.
"I felt a couple of my ribs break and knew then, if I didn't get out of this pretty quick, I wasn't going to get out of it alive."
Only the coyotes and the buzzards would have found him. Providence intervened. The strain of the rope pulling on his foot pulled his boot off. That released him enough to reach up and cut his rope with his pocketknife. That freed him from the surety of being drug to death - every cowboy's nightmare if they let themselves go there. It was a grueling trip back to the pickup and the drive home even more so, only to face a frightened wife who wished she could kill him before he killed himself. The blinding pain subsided a little each day in the weeks that followed, leaving only a bad memory and an edge of caution for doing things a little differently next time.
That caution is not what the world outside the cowboy life would do, like make sure you were never alone again, or be certain someone always knows where you are at all times. Not possible, not an option.
Instead, his mind goes over and over every step of what he believes happened that day.
When he has it all sorted out, his solution is simple "Be a little more careful when I step back up on my horse."
For a cowboy, the possibility and likelihood of some sort of "wreck" in his day-today business stays at about 101 percent probability.
He's not into the numbers nor does he care. It's just what he does.
www.radioksey.com ifco.org
wsmss.com
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KEEPING IT REAL Where Are They? By Chuck Cusimano Part One [email protected] www.chuckcusimano.com This month, I’m going to point out some of the spots on your radio dial, or your Computer keyboard, where you can find Real Country Music. This will have to be done in more than one part. This is part one.
Scattered around our great Nation, there are stations that DO play the kind of Country Music that I’m hoping will be around for many generations to come. A lot of them are small, privately owned, low wattage, stations in small towns.
If you can get 1460 on the AM dial, in the Fort Worth area, There is a great station in Cleburne that will put your heart at ease. KCLE plays Real Country Music starting at 11Am with award winning D.J., Ron Peterson. Ron does a good job of Keeping it Real until 2Pm. Then, Another award winning Country D.J., Jim Russell, keeps the ball rolling till 7 Pm. That small station has a lot of power and can be heard for many, many miles.
There are quite a few “Internet” stations that will play Real country Music and we’ll talk about them also. Not to be left out is Sirius XM radio propelled to you by a large Satellite hanging up in the sky. One of the most popular Sirius XM channels for playing Real Country is “Willies Place”. Radio personalities that you will hear are Bill Mack, (hours, 11:00am to 2:oopm) -Texas Time) Dallas Wayne, (hours, 2:00pm to 6:00pm*) There are other personalities on the air at other times, so the subscriber is always assured of a good supply of Real Country Music. I know a LOT of people subscribe to Satellite Radio, and in some cases it is the best thing since peanut butter. With Satellite Radio, you must pay a subscription fee. The up side of that being, you won’t hear commercials, just music. The “air” Jockey will give information as to where a lot of the artists will be appearing live but that is much different than an advertisement. When you tune into your local radio station, you don’t mind the commercials much, because you can also hear the local news and find out what the weather is up to.
One of the best partners I have in trying to preserve Real country is a little bitty station in Seymour Texas. KSEY, Owned and operated by Mark Alabaugh is getting things done on the front lines of this battle. The wattage isn’t huge, and the local coverage is (maybe) fifty miles in any direction, but you can also pick them up on the Internet. Log onto www.radioksey.com and hear some really great music. There are several D.J.s that have recorded programs that will be broadcast twenty four hours a day. Besides Mark hosting his own live show, you’ll also hear Tom Wardle, Mike Gross, and Jim Loessberg. This is an example of one station holding onto the Real Country Music that was recorded many years ago, and also playing the same kind of music being recorded today.
Another great station to listen to is KNEL in Brady TX. These folks really go above and beyond the call of duty to bring you that Real Country Music. Station Manager/Owner, Tracy Pitcox, Is the same Tracy Pitcox that owns the Heart Of Texas Record Label, and the fantastic Heart Of Texas Country Music Museum, also in Brady TX.
Although Pitcox owns H.O.T. Records, he still plays other artists on other labels. To me, Mr. Pitcox is a one man Army in this battle of saving Real Country Music, and he will be the first to tell you, he couldn’t get it done without some help from some of the best people in the business. I’m sure he’ll credit his right hand man as being Justin Trevino. Mr. Trevino produces all the projects for Heart Of Texas Records, and has one of the best set of ears in the entire industry. The fantastic stable of Real Country Artists that are signed to H.O.T. Records include, Justin Trevino, Darrell McCall, Mona McCall, Curtis Potter, Tony Booth, Amber Digby, Frankie Miller, Ferlin Husky, Georgette Jones, Landon Dodd, Kimberly Murray, Rance Norton. Traditional Country Music artists all! But wait! that‘s not all.
Tracy Pitcox also provides the entertainment in, at least, two regularly scheduled Real Country Music Opry type shows. The Mason Opry and Llano Opry have been in full swing for several years. Also the Marble Falls Opry. Log onto www.heartoftexascountry.com or call (325) 597-1895
Continuing on, I want to tell you about Joe Baker. Joe hosts his show from 6 am to 10 am on 50,000 watt station KRUI, 1490 AM on Saturday morning and also on 100,000 watt KWMW 105.1 FM and stream live 24/7 on the Internet at W-105. www.BackfortyBunkhouse.com. Simply go to his website and click on Real Country W-105 logo and turn up your volume. If his name is familiar to you, it should be. If his name is NOT familiar to you, it should be. Joe has worked tirelessly to promote Real Country Music along with Western/Cowboy Music and Poetry. Joe is heavily involved with the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso New Mexico and with The Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter and the Backforty Roundup and CD Chorale, all while
8 doing such a great job handling the disc jockey position, and he’s always being inducted into one “Hall of Fame” or another, and winning awards from coast to coast. Joe Baker is also the president of the new Western Swing Guild. The WSG will embrace and include all other Western Swing Organizations and be active in promoting and preserving Traditional Country and Western Swing Music- Worldwide! (Also included is Country Gospel)
Meet an old friend of mine who, for 19 years, has hosted a great radio program called, “Joe Bielinski’s Classic Country Music Review”. He can now be heard on KTFW on Sunday evenings from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Not only does he play some fantastic music, he will interview many artists, either in the studio or on the telephone, or he might play a previously recorded interview with some of our late Country Greats. Mr. Bielinski is a walking country music trivia encyclopedia. He along with the others mentioned above really knows his stuff. And if you’re in the Fort Worth area, you can find his program on Sunday evening from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at 92.1 FM KTFW.
There’s a small building in La Luz New Mexico, KALH where you can dial up Ken Bass at 95.1 FM. Ken takes his place in the front lines of this battle to promote and preserve Real Country Music. I spoke to Mr. Bass in Ruidoso, N.M. last fall and I could tell that, this man loves Real Country Music
My great longtime friend, Larry Scott, mans the battle stations on 13 stations with a show called “Singin’ and Swingin’” Stretching from West Virginia to New Mexico. Larry and Real Country Music go back to 1955 at KBTN Neosho Mo. Stops along the way, Include, KLAC Los Angeles, KUZZ in Bakersfield, KVOO in Tulsa and KWKH Shreveport La. Mr. Scott was awarded the Disc Jockey of the year four times by the A.C.M. ( Academy of Country Music) in 1969- 1972- 1973- and 1975. Larry was the C.M.A. Disc Jockey of The Year in 1980 big market. He was awarded a spot in the D.J. Hall Of Fame in Nashville in 1993. He was also inducted into the Texas Country Music hall of fame in 1999 and that same year, he was awarded the Will Rogers award for D.J. of the year. In 1990 he was entered into the Texas Western Swing Hall Of Fame. This man loves Real Country Music and can tell you about virtually every Country Music Great living or Dead. Larry Scott has one of the best, most distinctive, identifiable voices in the business and has a tremendous collection of recorded music in his library. Google Singin’ and Swingin’.
Well folks, I’ll have to continue this next month to tell you where even more of these stations and folks are (that I know of) that are still “Keeping It Real” In the meantime, go out and support Live Real Country Music, and call your favorite radio station. Recommending a Radio Station is like recommending a Resturant. You have to try it to see if it fits your taste. Find one and thank them for Keeping It Real! (Continued next Month)
A DOLLAR’S WORTH Do after Christmas sales sucker you in, enticing itchy hands to By Alisa Dollar grab before someone else? [email protected] Do you find yourself walking down aisles absolutely disgusted seeing things you bought early for gifts are now 75 to 90% discounted?
Do you find yourself wondering why you bought bags, wrapping paper and fake snow for next Christmas? I suppose it’s a good investment if I can just remember where I put it all.
I even bought a really cute Baby’s First Christmas tiny stocking and Santa hat. They had pink ones and blue ones but I settled for traditional red. Son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child and we don’t know the gender, so traditional seemed best.
I bought baby-to-be a Teddy Bear right after we found out we were to be grandparents again.
Baby won’t be born until summer.
I’ve had the cute bear sitting where I can see it because mommy and daddy live in Turkey. Not Bob Wills Turkey, but the country Turkey.
I felt the need to have this bear so it bought me. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
When we find out the gender, he/she will have clothes for at least…well forever it seems. Oldest grandchildren are 15 and 13 and clothes fall into my hands--on sale of course.
Husband doesn’t understand. Especially the 75 to 90% off Christmas is beyond his grasp of good shopping knowledge.
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His favorite thing to say is, “If a yacht was on sale would you buy it?”…..meaning he thinks I would buy anything on sale, which of course is not true.
I always answer, “What was the original price?”
Who knows? There might be a use for one—perhaps to navigate to Turkey this summer.
Sales are definitely a woman thing. Marketers everywhere know they can sell at regular price, especially at Christmas because we women just have to have this and this and this for gifts…..oh….and don’t forget this!
There seems to be no stopping point. I even buy Max the mini presents.
I used to decorate the whole house.
It was so bad, husband feared the bathroom.
Now, I just shop sales.
The paper, bags, and fake snow are stored.
Teddy Bear is by the hat and stocking.
Out where I can see them.
They bring a big smile because, like my other two grandchildren, this baby is special.
I’m in pre-spoil mode.
Don’t tell husband!
BOBBE’S TIPS Hello fellow players, by Bobbe Seymour www.steelguitar.net I ran across a list of musicians that played on the road with Faron [email protected] Young on a permanent basis over the years. I thought it was very www.youtube.com/bobbeseymour interesting as most of the players were definitely first class, over the www.myspace.com/bobbeseymour top, great players. No, not good players, they were all great players with eight of the players now being in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Steel Guitar Nashville 123 Mid Town Court Hendersonville, TN. 37075 The steel players were Big Ben Keith, Dicky Overbey, Sonny Burnette, (615) 822-5555 Lloyd Green, Joe Vincent, Buddie Emmons, Johnny Paycheck, Jerry Open 9AM – 4PM Monday – Friday Merhar, George Edwards, Jimmy Crawford, Doug Jernigan, Bobbe Seymour, Skip Jackson, Hank Corwin, Al Lewis, Cal Sharp, Daryl Hornberger, Ron Hogan and Stu Basore.
Faron seemed to always have some of the finest, most popular, crazy, good ole boy musicians that he could hire and that would work for him. Faron was a real mess, but I loved working for him. He never gave me any trouble and always seemed to be very proud of me and my work.
However, my great friend Lloyd Green back in the early sixties had a lot of trouble with Faron and they came very close to fisticuffs several times according to Lloyd. I can understand it because Lloyd’s personality was very quiet, laidback and very intelligent. And Faron probably lashed out at him because of those very traits.
I always found Faron extremely funny and no matter what he said, I found great humor in it. Like the time Charley Pride got on the bus and Faron was sitting in the third seat back reading a book and Faron just yelled out, “ All n----rs to the back of the bus.”
Now to all my readers. I have hesitated telling this story for over six years of doing these newsletters because of not wanting to use the words that Faron used, but it was just so darned funny, at least after it was over, when Faron jumped up and grabbed Charley and kissed him right on the mouth, but at the time it truly terrified me.
Then Charley’s wife Rosine got on the bus and Faron slapped me on the back and said, “Hey Seymour, this is the famous Charley Pride with his wife Rosine. This guy has out sold Elvis Presley on RCA Records. He’s 10 the greatest star in country music today (1970). You’d think he could afford a white woman by now.”
Like I say, I have held off for a very long time telling everybody this story but it was just too hilarious not to tell. It seemed like Charley might have enjoyed it more than anybody on the bus at the time. I later found out that Faron and Charley were very dear friends and Faron just thought Charley was one of the greatest people in the world. But good gosh, what a sense of humor Faron had.
This opens up one of my subjects I’d like to talk about. It is the reason people loved country music stars. The reason they did is because country music stars weren’t like everyday people on the street, they weren’t any better, but they were different. Most of them were extremely funny, from the old days anyway, and uniquely different.
They all sung differently, had totally different reputations, dressed differently in Nudie suits and seemed to have had a lot of fun aggravating policemen everywhere. I asked Faron Young one day why he was so darn weird. He looked me right in the eye without hesitating and said, “Who’s gonna pay to see anybody normal? People see normal people every day. I’m going to be totally different than anything they’ve ever seen before.” And he was.
I started thinking back about stars in the fifties and the golden era. Hank Williams was totally different as was Hank Snow, Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright. I was the first steel player that George Jones took on the road, and believe me, this guy was different. Stonewall Jackson was a different kind of star. George Morgan was one of the most hilarious practical jokers ever to come out of Nashville. I loved this guy.
I’m sure you’ve heard about Johnny Cash painting an entire luxury hotel room and everything in it flat black and about him buying a thousand baby chicks, having them delivered to the basement of the Andrew Jackson Hotel in Nashville, putting them on the elevator and pushing all the buttons and letting out a hundred of them to run free on each floor during the disc jockey convention of 1965.
The guys today just don’t have that ole magic pizzazz. And it wasn’t just the guys. Jeannie Seely, Jean Shepard, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Martha Carson, these girls were about as crazy as the guys were. Thank God.
I cannot see Shania Twain, Taylor Swift or Patty Loveless or any of the new singers of today being able to pull off any of the silliness with the style and grace that the great singers of the golden era pulled off.
I remember my grandfather telling me about a WWVA show that he saw in 1948. He was awe struck when he saw Big Slim, the Lone Cowboy, come out of the back door of the Jamboree, walk over to a brand new stretched Cadillac limo, reach in his pocket, pull out the keys and started to get in when my grandfather caught him and said, “Wow, I love your car. Singing hillbilly music must pay pretty well.”
Big Slim just looked at him scornfully, pulled out another set of keys from his pocked and said, “Yeah. I got another one at home just like it.” Grandpa said, “Well, I have a ’38 DeSoto and a ’40 Ford Ferguson tractor.” Grandpa said he never bothered Big Slim anymore after that.
I do remember grandpa telling all his friends about Big Slim having two new Cadillacs. He use to kid about them being so long that they were hinged to bend in the middle to go around corners, which reminds me of that hit song that I wrote that was stolen from me by Whitey Shafer. I wrote “I Never Go Around Corners” and Whitey changed it to “I Never Go Around Mirrors”. I’m just kidding about this, however I did do the original demo on “I Never Go Around Mirrors” for the great Whitey Shafer.
Remembering the older days in Nashville now, I loved doing demo sessions and made a very good living doing so. It kept me in new motorcycles and sports cars and I enjoyed working with all the crazy musicians that were too loose to settle down and do masters.
Star songwriters are in a world of their own, a lot like star singers. We musicians were definitely a different class and breed from the stars and the writers. I love being a musician, but if I had it to do again, I would work a lot harder to also be a songwriter in Nashville. I would have made a lot of money and I wouldn’t have had to work the road.
Being a songwriter would have set me up for many years where money would be continually coming in without me having to spend a lot of time slaving over a hot steel guitar. I was living right on Anchor High Marina and one of my closest friends was a songwriter named Mickey Newberry. Mickey and I enjoyed each other’s company and spent a lot of time on the water on Old Hickory Lake which is really the Cumberland River dammed up.
Mickey died a few years ago, but his wife Susan I hear from once in a while. Kris Kristofferson was another
11 great friend before he got so famous and I needed a two and a half year waiting list just to say hello to him, even though he’s one of the very nicest people I’ve ever met, without a speck of ego.
I saw a sign in front of a drug rehab center, Keep Off The Grass. I remember when Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones was arrested for carrying marijuana. The headline read, A Rolling Stone Gathers No Grass.
Have you bought your second Nashville 112 yet? I’ll make you a deal you won’t understand.
Check out our monthly specials at http://www.steelguitar.net/monthlyspecials.html We can save you a lot of money.
EMPTY SADDLES
COUNTRY MUSIC SUFFERS ANOTHER LOSS
LEGENDARY HALL OF FAME STEEL GUITARIST RALPH MOONEY PASSES AT 82
From: Marty Martel
Born 16 September 1928, Duncan, Oklahoma, USA. Mooney became one of country music’s finest steel guitar players and during his career he played in the bands of many stars. He also ensured that his name would be remembered as co-author with Chuck Seals of the country standard ‘Crazy Arms’.
He became interested in music as a child and after relocating to live with a sister in California, he was taught to play guitar, mandolin and fiddle. He later stated that until he was 12 he had never seen a steel guitar but soon became attracted to the instrument after hearing Leon McAuliffe’s recording of ‘Steel Guitar Rag’. Using a knife as a bar he learned to play the number on his flat top guitar. He first played in several amateur bands and for a time worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company. After appearing with local band Merle Lindsey And His Oklahoma Nightriders, he joined Skeets McDonald’s band with whom he made his first recordings. He refined his style of playing steel with the help of Texas Playboy, Jesse Ashlock and for a time played a self-built steel guitar. In 1950, while he was a regular on Squeakin’ Deacon’s popular radio show, he first met Wynn Stewart and gained session work. He played on early Buck Owens’ hits such as ‘Foolin’ Around’ and ‘Under Your Spell Again’ and also played lead guitar on Stewart’s first Capitol Records recordings.
In 1961, he moved with Stewart to Las Vegas and for two years worked there in Stewart’s club. Merle Haggard was also a band member for a time and when Haggard made his first Tally recordings, Mooney played steel guitar on them. When he returned to California, Stewart remained based in Las Vegas for a further six years, during which time he played on occasions with Stewart on his Vegas appearances and with several singers including Bobby Austin. He also worked for a time with Haggard, by that time fronting his own band, but a dislike of the heavy travelling schedule saw him leave. However, Mooney played steel guitar on several of Haggard’s hit records including ‘Sing Me Back Home’, ‘Swinging Doors’ and ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’. In the late 60s, he once again joined up with Stewart and stayed with him until Stewart’s health made him disband. In 1969, Mooney became the steel guitarist in Waylon Jennings’ band the Waylors, where he remained for over 20 years. Later he continued to make appearances at special instrumental festivals or conventions and became noted for his lectures and demonstrations of his favorite instrument.
Mooney is rated one of the important steel guitarists who restored the popularity of the instrument to country music recordings after it had almost been lost during the country pop years. He wrote several successful country songs, the most popular being ‘Crazy Arms’, that became Ray Price’s first number 1 record in 1956 and was later a Top 20 hit for both Marion Worth and Willie Nelson. Mooney once said, ‘It has been recorded by so many different people. I would starve to death if it wasn’t for those royalty checks.’ He also wrote ‘Foolin’’, a Top 4 chart hit for Johnny Rodriguez in 1983.
Although he played on numerous recording sessions with many artists, Mooney did not make too many solo recordings. A noted album with guitarist James Burton was recorded in the late 60s and examples of his talent may be found on various compilation releases. He recorded some instrumentals for Challenge Records, two notable ones being ‘Release Me’ and ‘Moonshine’, which gained single release on Challenge 59105. Both later appeared on 4 Star various artists albums namely Country Love and Tennessee Pride 12 respectively. He may also be heard with the Waylors on the soundtrack album from the 1975 movie Mackintosh And T.J. In 1983 Mooney was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.
From: John Payne HE 'KEPT ON KEEPING ON' IN 50-YR. LI'L ABNER'S GIG Cathalena E. Burch Arizona Daily Star Posted: Wednesday, March 9, 2011 12:00 am Every night between sets, Dean Armstrong strolled the dining room at Li'l Abner's Steak House. He would shake hands with longtime fans and introduce himself to strangers, who quickly became friends. "He was the nicest man that ever was," said waitress Connie Gilbert. "He was, for me, Li'l Abner's." Armstrong died Sunday of pneumonia. He was 87 and had been in failing health since he fell and broke his leg in late November. When Gilbert last spoke with Armstrong two weeks ago, he told her he was feeling better and was eager to return to his Arizona Ranch Hands band. They had played nearly every weekend at the Marana steakhouse for more than 50 years, and Armstrong's son, Larry, said his father had been focused since his accident on getting well enough to return. "He was bound and determined to get back there," said the younger Armstrong, who followed his father into music and has been sitting in with his dad's band for the past few months. "That's where he looked like he was home. That's where he enjoyed being and loved to be, and you could see it in his face. Every time he'd get up on stage, it took 20 years off his appearance." Dean Armstrong was born on July 2, 1923, in Illinois and began playing an old beater guitar his father bought him when he was 8. He kept the guitar through high school, where he met his future wife, Ardith. The couple married not long out of high school. He was 18 or so; she was 20. "He was the greatest person that ever lived. He loved everybody," Ardith Armstrong said. "He never said a bad word about anybody." A few years into their marriage, when their son was 2 years old, they set out from Illinois to Tucson to visit Armstrong's aunt. "Dean fell in love with the mountains, and we just never went home," his wife recalled. The couple had just begun settling in when Armstrong landed a singing gig at the old Chanticleer Night Club on the south side in 1946. He made a good living, he said in a 2005 Star interview, moving on to the Open Door Night Club at South Park Avenue and Benson Highway when the Chanticleer closed in 1948. It was there that Armstrong formed his Western swing band, the Arizona Dance Hands. "His band was one of the first bands I ever danced to when I was in college at the university in the '50s," said longtime fan and friend John Payne, who heads the Arizona Cowboy Symposium Association. By the early 1950s, Armstrong and his band were making Tucson history when they performed on the old KOPO, which is now KOLD. It was the first local TV program. The band was featured regularly on the station, filling in dead airtime when the TV shows did not arrive by bus from Phoenix on time. The exposure gave Armstrong a chance to perform with some of his heroes - Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Rex Allen. It also landed him at Li'l Abner's, which was a hot spot for cowboys in the rural setting between Marana and Tucson. The clientele also included tourists from neighboring guest ranches. "(Armstrong and the Arizona Ranch Hands) epitomized what Tucson was known for, and they were extremely talented," said David Hoffman, who has owned Li'l Abner's since 1981. "I can remember big-time movie stars like Kris Kristofferson and Treat Williams coming in and singing along with him. ... When people talk about Li'l Abner's, they're constantly asking, 'You still got that same band there?' People loved them." "I used to go out there and listen to the band every Saturday night," said Opha Probasco, 91. "I would watch him sit at the side by himself before they'd start playing, and he'd sit there and he'd be singing to himself. That's what I remember. He had music on his mind all the time." In the 2005 Star interview, Armstrong said retirement was the furthest thing from his mind. "I wouldn't know how to handle it," he said, adding that he hoped to be remembered one day as "one who kept on keeping on." Hoffman said Armstrong's legacy will continue with his son, the 67-year-old lead singer of the country group Copper Moon, who will continue fronting the Arizona Ranch Hands at Li'l Abner's. "Dean was the face of Li'l Abner's. He was a wonderful, wonderful man and a talented musician, and we're all going to miss him," Hoffman said. "He was a very dear friend. It's a tremendous loss to the city of Tucson," added Payne. 13 Band mate Toni Clark, who has played upright bass with Armstrong since 1970, said that in their recent phone calls, Armstrong insisted he was coming back to work. "I would tell him that he had to, because he was the only one who knew all the words to all those songs," she recalled. "And he said, 'Yeah, that's the plan.' " In addition to his wife of 68 years and his son, Armstrong is survived by his daughter-in-law, Kathy Armstrong; two grandsons, Michael and Ryan, both of Tucson; two great-great-grandsons, Jeremy Michael and James Dean, both of Tucson; a brother, Duane Armstrong of Tucson; and a sister, Lois Flori of Illinois. PRIVATE SERVICES ARE THURSDAY Posted: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 11:59 pm Private services will be held Thursday. A public memorial and celebration of Armstrong's life is being planned at Li'l Abner's for sometime in April Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 3:52 PM Subject: Hall of Famer Ferlin Husky Passes Away Country Music Hall of Famer Ferlin Husky passed away this afternoon in Nashville at the age of 85. Funeral services are pending. Tracy Pitcox www.ferlinhusky.com (325) 597-1895 Ferlin Husky is considered to be one of the most resourceful and versatile entertainers in the pop-country field. Born near Flat River, Missouri, in a town so small it was prone to be mistaken for a fly-speck by map makers, he left home for a hitch in the Merchant Marines and D-Day found him under forty-eight hours of continuous battle-fire during the invasion of Cherbourg. He was later awarded a citation as "Volunteer Gunner" as a result of his action during the battle. After completing service, Ferlin moved to the west coast where he began recording under the name of Terry Preston. "Terry" never quite made it. It wasn't until Ferlin re-released his disc of "Gone", using his real name, Ferlin Husky, (and adding background singers to round out the basic country rhythm) that he hit pay dirt. This time,, "Gone" earned him a coveted gold record, signifying one million sales on the disc. Since that time, Ferlin has sold over 20 million records, of which "Gone", Wings of a Dove", "A Dear John letter" and "Country Music is Here to Stay" (alter-ego Simon Crum's contribution) were all gold. Ferlin Husky has also made more than eighteen motion pictures, and has had the honor of having his name placed among the greats in the sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard. He has played a part in pictures starring such famous Hollywood-ites as the Gabors, Henry Fonda, Mamie Van Doran, Glen Ford, John Carradine and the late Jayne Mansfield, Lon Chaney and Basil Rathbone. In the field of television, Husky's memorable appearances on the Kraft Television Theater were highlights of his crowded career, followed by a two-week hitch as CBS's choice for Arthur Godfry's TV and radio replacement. He has made frequent appearances on top-notch shows such as Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Dean Martin and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Ferlin also had a network show of his own. His road show has literally traveled around the world to Germany, England, Japan, all Canadian provinces and all fifty states. OTHER NEWS This is Wonderful News! Western Swing is AlivAlivee and Well! From: Barbara [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 7:46 PM To: WS Friends Subject: Official State Music of Texas Friends: This is HUGE news. Senator Jeff Wentworth authored the legislation. Kudos to State Senator Wentworth! This note came in from Kalli Burk, and Stacy and Tracy Bohn, fiddlers on Texas Stardust Band out of Lubbock . texas-stardust.com. 14 Kalli shared the exciting news with Bobby and Judy Koefer and then I got a note from them. Kalli wrote “Looks like it is a bill that was passed yesterday, March 22nd, in the Texas State Senate. This link will take you to some more info about it: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=SCR35” COWTOWN SOCIETY OF WESTERN MUSIC HOSTS ROY LEE BROWN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY! 3rd in a series American Native Influence on Western Swing - by Joyce Miller On Sunday afternoon, February 27, 2011 friends and family of Roy Lee Brown gathered at the Holiday Hills Country Club in Mineral Wells, Texas to celebrate his 90th birthday. Roy Lee is the younger brother of Milton and Derwood Brown, pioneers of western swing. Roy Lee’s family heritage is Choctaw Indian, originally from Oklahoma on his mother’s side. At the time his brothers, Milton and Derwood were already playing in crowded dancehalls in Texas and Oklahoma, another young man of Creek Indian descent was emerging from a family of fiddlers in the Texas Panhandle…his name was Bob Wills. Coincidentally, a young man named Spade Cooley who was Choctaw Indian from Oklahoma, was taking classical violin and cello lessons from a music teacher at Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon. This was in the early 1930’s, The Great Depression era, and was the beginning of western swing. The first era of western swing was led by Milton Brown, whose Musical Brownies provided the model that was copied by aspiring string bands, mainly in Texas and Oklahoma. Milton Brown converted traditional Texas fiddle bands into dance bands designed to entertain in dance halls as opposed to individual homes. Bob Will’s first recording session with his own band did not come until September of 1935, by which time, Milton Brown had already produced three sessions, amassing fifty-four recorded sides. The Musical Brownies, led by Milton Brown and his brother, Derwood, were a group of extraordinarily talented musicians who were able to merge their abilities into one music-making machine that became the envy of all who saw and danced before them. Although every fan of the Brownies will say that people came to Crystal Springs to see Milton Brown, it was Milton’s band that established the sound and rhythm admired for so many years by southwestern musicians. Roy Lee is still sharp as ever and looked dapper in his black western suit and black hat. He was all smiles as he entered the banquet hall. He is still a captivating storyteller and loves to recall the past times spent with his brothers and The Musical Brownies. He told of standing back stage as just a young teen-ager, stringing his brother, Derwood’s guitar, as Derwood boisterously played so hard that his strings would break. This process usually occurred several times during a performance each night, keeping Roy Lee busy. He spoke of being a rhythm guitarist/vocalist since the age of fifteen. He talked about his own western swing bands throughout his lifetime and his service to the City of Fort Worth Fire Department for 36 years where he worked his way up through the ranks to District Captain of Precinct #16. Lovingly, he recalled marrying his wife, Ellen, of 73 years on Christmas Day 1937 in Hobart, Oklahoma; he was just 16 and she was 17. They were both still attending high school at the time and eloped to Oklahoma to exchange their vows. They returned to Texas and attended classes the next day; unsuccessfully, trying for a while he said, “to keep it a secret.” He proudly showed old black and white photographs of his wife as a young girl, his first band members clowning around, and his 1929 automobile. He was smiling with gratitude and pride when he accepted a framed letter of recognition from Ray Benson and Asleep At The Wheel, presented by Bill Tarwater in a short ceremony. He crooned a wonderful song written by his beloved wife, Ellen, accompanied by Leon Rausch on vocals. The band backing them up consisted of lovers of Brownies’ music such as; Bill Gilbert, Bill Mitchell, Dick Bridges, Charlie O’Bannon, Al Muladough, Kinneth Doyle and many more. Tears filled his eyes and those of his granddaughter, Dana, when he escorted her around the dance floor. He watched adoringly as little Macy, his great, great, granddaughter danced too. You could almost feel the memories flooding his soul. He was greeted and wished well by many old friends such as Johnny Case, Durwood Strube, Charlie and Linda O’Bannon and Leon Rausch and he made some new acquaintances as well. Gary Beaver, President of CSWM was more than honored to present Roy Lee with a 1931 Kay (Great Depression Era) guitar signed by all the party’s attendees. Roy Lee remarked, “I remember owning a guitar just like this one before.” He also commented, eyes sparkling, “I’ve never been kissed by so many women in my life.” Cameras flashed all afternoon long. Everyone attending was in awe of this wonderful man and his many accomplishments throughout his 90 years. It was a glorious celebration for a very humble and grateful-hearted gentleman. 15 Roy Lee is known as a walking encyclopedia of western swing and its pioneers. He raised his wonderful family in the Fort Worth area and played the music of his brothers’ throughout his long and dignified lifetime. He is truly a living legend. He has single-handedly educated generations about the musicalheritage he loves. His numerous contributions over the years have made an immeasurable impact on not only the preservation, but, the future of western swing. Cowtown Society of Western Music “tips our hat” to Roy Lee Brown and says thank you for a job well done. You are a Hero of Western Swing! FOLKS WHO NEED OUR PRAYERS Henry Baker Jessica Davis Cheryl LeBleu Dean Pitchford O.B.Barnes Steve Driskell Bill Manning Patty Pounds Randy Barnett Jack Edgar Jay Maulsby Bob Pratt Bobby Bearden Glynn Fairburn Eddie McAlvain (lost Hope Reed Cathy Anson Lou Bischoff's Pat Goodbla brother) Bill Reed daughter Bill Gordon Fred Miller Bobby Riddle Mike Bobbitt Lockie Hamilton Sam Montgomery Diane Riddle Ted Branson Roberta Hendrickson Ralph Mooney Family JoAnn Roberts Sedonia Brewer Briggs Hill Lisa Mosley Ruth Rose Don Brown Barbara Holman Donna Nelson Jan Sanderson Johnny Buffington Dave Holter Joel North Alton Simpson John & Barbara Brutsche Danny Huddleston( Norma Holly Norton Zane Smith Jessie Burgin Johnson's son) Virgie O'Daniel Mike Vaughn Joyce Carter Debra Hudnall Tom & Claudia Padilla TJ Watts Bob Cobb Mary Hunter Lyall Paulson Metisha Welch Harry Coffman Jay Jalen Joe Ned Payton Family Ed White Barbara Coleman Gregg Jones deceased 3-13-11 Jackie Willingham Cade Copeland Patty Jones Beth Yancey Mary Corley Jack Kindt family Deceased 3-14-11 UPCOMING EVENTS Cowtown Society of Western Music 13th Annual Swing Fest Saturday - May 7, 2011 Noon - 11:00 PM Holiday Hills Country Club Highway 180 (Mineral Wells Highway) Mineral Wells, Texas Admission - $10.00 Adults Chilrdren 12 and Under - $5.00 Past and Present CSWM Heroes of Western Music - Free Admission if they give their name to the ladies at the front door or wear their medals. Lunch and Dinner Food Buffet available for a nominal charge Cash Bar Swing Fest gets kicked off on Friday night, May 6th, with a CSWM jam session starting at 7:00 PM at Charlie and Linda O'Bannon's Music Barn - 10708 Mineral Wells Highway (on right just before Mineral Wells (Cool, Texas). Snacks, beer, coffee and soft drinks will be served. BYOL. Western Swing music and dancing from 7:00 PM until ? Free Admission - Call Gary Beaver 817-558-7580 or Linda O'Bannon 940-452-1118 or 940-682-7797 for more information or directions. On Saturday May 7th, live western swing music begins at Noon. We have the following bands booked so far, Larry Lange and the Lone Star Troubadours from Wichita Falls, Bill Gilbert and the Heroes Band (these two bands will play in the afternoon). Starting about 6:30 PM will be Brady Bowen and Swing Country until closing. There will be lots of special guest musicians and singers, such as Leon Rausch and Casey Dickens of the Texas Playboys, Charlie O'Bannon, Bill Mitchell, Kinneth Doyle, Dick Hammonds, Dick Bridges, George 16 Uptmore, Albert Talley and many, many more. There will be three awards ceremonies throughout the afternoon to honor our thirty-four 2011 Heroes of Western Music Inductees. Dressy western attire is recommended. Our Host Motel is Best Western in Mineral Wells, Texas. Mention Cowtown Society Swing Fest and get a discounted room rate of $55.00 per night. Cowtown Society of Western Music was organized in 1999 and we had our first Swing Fest to honor Heroes of Western Music at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth. CSWM is a non-profit 501(c)3 Corporation dedicated to promoting, preserving and perpetuating western swing/western music. For more information and lists of past heroes who have been inducted, go to our website: www.cowtown-swm.org 2011 Heroes (Living) of Western Music 2011 Heroes (Posthumous) of Western Music Walter Lyons, TX Merle David, TX Charlie McBay, AR Billy Braddy, TX Bert Rivera, TX Curtis Doyle, TX Kinneth Doyle, TX Clyde Brewer, TX Jimmy Burson, TX Candy Bennett, TX Ray Benson, TX Carolina Cotton, CA Rod Foster, TX Dean McKinney Moore, CA Bob Genzel, AR Waid Peeler, TX Gene Carter, OK Loyd Edwards, TX Bob Lemley, TX Presidents Choice Award - Katy Brown, TX Fans Of The Year: Dick & Rhonda Craig, OK - Promoter Of The Year: Jason Roberts, TX Dorothy Blair, OK Disc Jockey Of The Year: Enola Gay Mathews - KSST Creative Achievement Award Of The Year: Bob - Suphur Springs, TX Williams, OK Publication Of The Year: Swing Beat, WSMSS Chuck Living Legends Award: Herb Remington, TX Hayes Louise Rowe, OK Venue Of The Year: Big Balls Of Cowtown - Gary Ora Mae Hubbard, TX Beaver/Joyce Miller Pat Jacobs, TX Rising Star Of The Year: Coleman Smith, TX Living Legends Award is presented by CSWM/Backforty Bunkhouse demingradio.com gabeandtony.com nwwsms.org realwestoldwest.com sblackwell18 @comcast.net 17