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Summer 2013 Premier Edition .
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Publisher/Editor: .
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Chris Lash .
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Michael J. Daniels, Uncle Johnny, .
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Dave Heath, Ed Guy .
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Personal Collection of Ed Guy .
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KD and Associates .
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. For Input and Advertising: . Hank and the Billboard Charts 5 .
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24 Angela Drive
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Palm Coast, FL 32164 .
. Hank Williams Sr. This month we look at his country chart successes.
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The Mount Rushmore of Country, Let’s Debate . 6
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Website: www.catcountry.org .
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Hank Williams takes his place on our imaginary mountain, but who else .
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. Cowbells, 5,000 watts and Brad Paisley 9 .
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Retired and Unretired
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We showcase Alabama, and George Strait. And remember George Jones .
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Rowdy Yates
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. One of country radio's top disc jockeys returns to host the show he created!
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About the Cover: .
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...... Cat Country Radio Network Launches
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. A radio guy tries to retire, and can't. The network fuels his passion.
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The cover designed by Sharon Liguori, .
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features a photo of Hank Williams from .
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the personal collection of Ed Guy. . A Tribute to George Jones
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. The Possum died in April, we remember his entire career. If there were a Mt. Rushmore of .
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. Country Music, who should be on it?
Summer 2013 | The Cat Country Network | Country Legends Magazine 3
Hank Williams and The Billboard Charts ...... By Ed Guy
Hank Williams established an amazing 41 songs on the Billboard Charts. “Why Don’t You Love Me”, HHe wrote 25 of the songs and co-wrote another five. Others, including his and “Why Should We Try y
mentor Fred Rose, wrote 11 of the remaining songs. The performance credit Anymore”. u G
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on all by one of Hank’s MGM Records was Hank Williams and His Drifting Hank died on 1/1/53 and f o
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Cowboys. One of the “Non-Session” songs, “Please Don’t Let Me Love You”, had eight posthumous releas - t c e l l
which charted in 1955 was credited to Hank Williams and His Guita. es that became Billboard hits. o C
e h t The Sterling Record’s issue of “Never Again” was listed as “Hank The last four songs by m o r F
Williams and The Country Boys, but was changed to Drifting Cowboys when Hank that reached the Charts
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it was re-issued by MGM. (“Weary Blues From Waitin’”, o h From 1947 until January 1953, MGM, in keeping with industry practices, “Please Don’t Let Me Love P designated the most promising song on the “A” side, while relegating the You”, “I’m So Lonesome I “weaker” song to the “B” side. 24 of these charted songs were “A” sides and Could Cry”, and “Why Don’t 11 were “B” sides. MGM 10461 (Kaw-Liga & Your Cheatin’ Heart) was the You Love Me”) were not reg - last recording of Hank’s to indicate “A” and “B” sides. It is interesting to con - ular issues by MGM Records. sider some of Hank’s “weaker” songs that became “B” Sides including some The first two songs were “non-ses - of his classic songs: “Cold, Cold Heart”, “I Can’t Help It”, and “Your Cheatin’ sion” recordings which were overdubbed Heart”! in 1953 and 1955, respectively. The second two songs were only Ten MGM Records by Hank became two-sided hits. These included: released as 45 RPM singles since 78 RPM • “Lovesick Blues”/”Never Again” records were discontinued during 1957 in • “Lost Highway”/“You’re Gonna Change” the United States. These songs were re- • “Long Gone Lonesome Blues”/”My Son Calls Another issues with new background overdubbed. Man Daddy” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” was • “They’ll Never Take Her Love From Me”/”Why Should recorded on 8/30/49 but was determined We Try Anymore” to be “weaker” than “My Bucket’s Got A • “Moanin’ The Blues”/”Nobody’s Lonesome For Me” Hole In It” so it became the “B” side. This • “Dear John”/”Cold, Cold Heart” classic seemed to be a “sleeper” until over 13 years • “Howlin’ At The Moon”/”I’Can’t Help It” after Hank died when it finally became a charted hit • “Lonesome Whistle”/”Crazy Heart” song. • “Settin’ The Woods On Fire”/”You Win Again” “Why Don’t You Love Me” charted twice – in • “Kaw-liga”/”Your Cheatin’ Heart” 1950 and 1976. It reached No. 1 in 1950 and stayed on the charts for 25 weeks. In 1976, it was Due to the musicians’ strike, Hank did not have a recording session for a on the charts for seven weeks and reached No. year. His fifth session was 11/6/47 and the sixth session was not until 11/7/48. 61. It was issued three times as MGM 10696, 12611, and From the beginning of 1949 to the end of 1953, Hank Williams was well 14849. The last issue was only on 45 RPM and, in fact, was the last regular represented on the Billboard Charts. He often had three or four songs on the issue of Hank’s 45 singles in the U.S. charts, but during the week of 10/8/49, he surpassed himself with five songs “I Won’t Be Home No More” was recorded on July 11, 1952. It was not on Billboard simultaneously! Hank measured his success by consulting released until the middle of 1953 and first charted on 7/25/53. A special and Billboard. While in Montgomery, he would go to Cohen’s Amusement rare Promotional 78 (MGM 53-S-313) was released to Disc Jockeys only but Company (Phonograph/Record Store) to buy this weekly trade magazine. not for resale to the public. Ira Peck, the Editor of Dell Publications, intro - Hank’s first recording session for Sterling Records on 12/4/46 produced duces Hank. (Jimmy Swan is on the reverse side with “The Last Letter”, a trib - “Never Again” which, after the rights to the masters were purchased by MGM ute to Hank Williams.) It seems that this song, along with “I’ll Never Get Out in July 1948, became Side “B” for “Lovesick Blues”. “Never Again” also chart - Of This World Alive” was a fitting farewell from Hank to all his fans. ed for two weeks rising to the sixth position. The first song recorded by Hank ...... for MGM on 4/21/47 was “Move It On Over” which was his first charted Ed Guy is the largest dealer of Hank Williams’ recordings and memorabilia. song. It was on the Billboard Charts for three weeks and reached No. 4. He has been in business since 1973 and ships mail orders throughout the world. One session on 1/9/50 produced four songs and they all became Billboard Ed Guy, Hank Williams Collectibles, PO Box 350447, Palm Coast, FL 32135 hits: “Long Gone Lonesome Blues:, “My Son Calls Another Man Daddy”, (386) 283-4788 E-Mail: [email protected]
Summer 2013 | The Cat Country Network | Country Legends Magazine 5 TThhee MMoouunntt RRuusshhmmoorree ooff CCoouunnttrryy By Michael J. Daniels
e did not live to his So it is with Hank Williams Sr. Possum, he passed away in late April and was one of the longest mem - 30th birthday and died There is not enough space to detail of this year. bers of the Nashville venue. 60 years ago this year. all those who say the legendary artist His career began in the 1950s. Jones experienced a rebirth However, as we influenced them. This list includes He remained active until shortly thanks to a hit in 1980. “He Stopped Hplace the faces on The Mount the Beatles and Johnny Cash. before his death. He embarked on a Loving Her Today” was his signature Rushmore of Country, is there any - Williams’ influence on is his final tour billed as “The Grand song released more than 25 years one more synonymous with classic own son and beyond could be called Tour”. The final concert was to have into his career. The song is often at country music than Hiram King a family tradition. Hank Williams been in November. However, Jones or near the top of any list of all time Williams. Jr.’s career may end up being twice as became hospitalized in Nashville great country songs. Bobby We all know him as Hank long as his father’s lifespan. He start - and died about a week later. Braddock and Curly Putnam won Williams Sr. In those short 30 years, ed at the age of 15 in 1964 covering During his career, Jones racked song of the year honors from the he would go one to start his country one of his father’s hits. up in excess of a dozen No. 1 hits and Country Music Association in both music career in his early teens and Shortly after his death, Hank released about 150 singles. Jones 1980 and 1981 for the song. Jones be remember as one of the most Sr.’s daughter came into this world. appeared on country hits in five scored the Male Vocalist Award enduring country music writers and She did not grow up with the consecutive decades and scored those same two years. The song also singers. Williams’ name but eventually number one hits from during the 50s won single of the year by the CMA Williams had dozens of songs turned to a singing career. through the 80s. and won a Grammy for best Male that made the top ten and reached Still later Hank Jr.’s son, Hank If anyone could write and sing Country Vocal in 1980 number one on the charts more Williams III started in the business about the subject matter of many Among other honors, Jones than 10 times during his career. and branched out into other genres country songs, it had to Jones. He entered the Country Music Hall of When someone dies at an early age, of music. The impact Hank Sr. left lived a tumultuous life. Jones mar - Fame in 1992. Jones gained recogni - it leaves folks to wonder “what on country music is remarkable con - ried four times and struggled with tion as one of the greatest contribu - might have been.” sidering his short time on earth. drinking and drug addiction. tors to country music during his life - One can only imagine how However, Jones was clean and sober time. He received the U.S. Medal of many hits Hank Sr. might have ***** during the last years. His was cer - Arts from the National Endow- racked up had he live a normal tainly a life that encompasses many ment of the Arts in 2002, and he lifespan. However, an artist’s true The next country legend on The of the elements of the classic country received Kennedy Center honors. impact cannot necessarily be mea - Mount Rushmore of Country songs he wrote or recorded Those, who had the opportunity sured by their success on the belongs to the late renowned George Jones was a member of the to see one of his final concerts or any music charts. Jones. Affectionately known as the Grand Ole Opry since the mid 50s performance during his career saw a
6 Country Legends Magazine | The Cat Country Network | Summer 2013 legend that broke the mold. He was Cash would go on to release two artists highlighted. Strait credited considered the great ladies of coun - and is the one and only George nearly 100 albums and more than both Hank Sr. and George Jones try music such as Patsy Cline, Jones. 150 singles during his career. He with being big influences on his Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and ***** married the love of his life, June musical style. more recently Dolly Parton and Carter Cash who wrote the classic Strait released his first hit single Reba McEntire. Their resumes are Ring of Fire. Cash took that song to din the spring of 1981. He was almost Next on The Mount Rushmore No. 1 in 1963. The pair also sang 29 at the time of that release, and the of Country, the Man In Black takes together on the classic tune Jackson, hits did not stop over the next three what many would say is his rightful and “If I Were A Carpenter”. decades. He has amassed a record place. Johnny Cash died 12 years ago He also had other collabora - amount of number one songs (nearly this September. Before his death, he tions including the Highway Men 60. His latest single was in the top 10 left us a treasure of musical memo - effort that brought Cash, Willie as this magazine went to publication. ries. Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Overall, Strait has released more than
The Arkansas native started his Kristofferson together. Still later, he 90 singles and only a handful have y u G
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career in the mid 1950s. His career returned to Sun Studios in not reached the top ten. E
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would continue right up his last year Nashville and recorded with Roy He also holds the record for the o i t c e l on earth. Orbison, and original Million most albums reaching number one l o C
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His early career intertwined Dollar Quartet members, Carl and the most gold platinum and h t
m o with other legendary performers a Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. multi-platinum LPs in the history of r F
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stable of artists at Sun Studios. A Cash also embarked on an act - country music. Strait also ranks high o h 1956 jam session included Cash with ing career in the 1960s. Later in his on those lists for all types of music. P Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry career he played historical charac - His album sales are closing in on 70 Lee Lewis. A recording of the event ters Frank James and Davy million...... became a record release titled Crockett. He has also been por - He has received numerous Million Dollar Quartet . That rare trayed in the movies. Mark Collie awards. The Academy of Country full of country hits and other teaming of talent later became a played him in a 1988 short film. Music named him artist of the achievements. stage musical under the same name Later, a movie about his life titled decade for the 2000s. Strait gained What about groups such as as the recording sessions. Walk The Line enjoyed consider - entry into the Country Music Hall of Alabama or the Oak Ridge Boys? Cash was already scoring num - able box office success in 2005. Fame in 2006. This happened while Could room be found for either of ber one songs on the Sun label by the Cash received numerous awards he was continuing his chart-topping those iconic bands on The Mount time of the Million Dollar Quartet including the rarity of a being a success. Billboard Magazine named Rushmore of Country? session. He hit the top during the member of three different music hall him the top country artist of the past There are numerous other summer of 1956 with “I Walk The of fame organizations. He is a mem - 25 years by Billboard Magazine in solo artists that might be consid - Line”. Cash would continue to have ber of the Nashville Songwriters Hall 2010. Earlier this year, he received ered just as worthy as those we’ve hits on the Sun label before switch - of Fame, the Country Music Hall of the Country Radio Broadcasters detailed. Kenny Rogers, Willie ing to Columbia near the end of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Achievement Award. Nelson and Waylon Jennings cer - 1958. His first single released on that Fame. Cash and Hank Williams Strait is now in the midst of a tainly have had a monumental label also went to number one. Sr.are two of five artists in all three farewell tour. He has also released impact on country music through Hall of Fames. Surely, being part his latest album in May. Strait may the ages. More recently, Garth of that exclusive no longer actively tour at the con - Brooks has achieved record sales club is a crowning clusion of his current set of dates, of more than 130 million copies. achievement in the but country fans are hopeful there He is easily the best-selling coun - career of the Man In are still years of recorded hits ahead try artist in history. Black. for the man from Poteet, TX. However, with all the achieve - ments noted here we have not men - ***** ***** tioned early pioneers such as Bob Wills and Jimmy Rodgers. Neither Now, the final of The revelation of the four faces can be excluded from consideration the four gentlemen fea - on The Mount Rushmore of as two of the most enduring faces of tured on the imaginary Country in this article cannot be country music. Rodgers had been
y u Mount Rushmore of considered definitive. It is simply a dubbed the father of country music. G
d E Country Music. starting point of those artists that Wills gained recognition as the king f o
n o i George Strait, born in one might think of automatically off of western swing. t c e l l o Texas during the early the top of your head if asked who Now, Cat Country fans, it is C
e h t 1950s, entered the world belonged on such a mountain. your turn. The question is which
m o r F just months before the end Many country music fans could artists would make your list if you
: o t o h of Hank Williams Sr.’s life. It make a case for other classic and had to pick the four faces that belong P was also not long before the even some more recent artists. on The Mount Rushmore of start of the careers of the other For example, we have not even Country. Let the debate begin!
Summer 2013 | The Cat Country Network | Country Legends Magazine 7 ......
8 Country Legends Magazine | The Cat Country Network | Summer 2013 PART 1 ...... Cowbells, 50,000 Watts & Brad Paisley
By Dave Heath / Executive Producer & Pres. Wheeling Jamboree
Overall-clad farmers would Opry”) then in 1933 “The WWVA drive for hours traveling hundreds Jamboree” now The Wheeling Oof miles to sit in the plush red seats Jamboree. These were the BIG of a 1920’s Beaux –Arts Theatre three to set the standard for the . and would shake dirty old cow - hundreds that followed. Each of .
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Wheeling Jamboree Cast Reunion – INCLUDES: Hank .
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. Country Music, Doc & Chickie Williams 1969, it became known as the showed response from fans in 538 more metropolitan sounding counties in 20 states and Canada. Jamboree USA. Today, it’s simply In its first 20 years, thousands of known as the Wheeling Jamboree. pieces of mail were received every Wheeling’s was not the first of the week from almost every state in 1958, as had been the case five Jamboree. Coming in PART 2, – popular barn dance shows to hit the nation. In the early 1950’s, it years earlier, the Jamboree show How Brad Paisley, launched his the crackling airwaves when the was popular for Jamboree enter - was featured on the CBS show, professional career on the technological wonder of broadcast tainers to make personal appear - Saturday Night Country Style . Wheeling Jamboree. radio burst on to the scene. That ances outside of Wheeling. In 1952 That nationwide salute was only ground breaking honor was first alone, Jamboree acts made 761 part of the acclaim being given the heralded in 1924 by “The WLS personal appearances in 436 cities Jamboree locally and nationally...... Barn Dance” in Chicago, followed and towns before a combined By December 2012 it is estimated in 1925 by “The WSM Barn audience of 536,789 people. that 10.5 Million Visitors have More Info: Dance” (renamed “The Grand Ole For the 25th anniversary in traveled to Wheeling just to see the www.WheelingJamboree.org
Summer 2013 | The Cat Country Network | Country Legends Magazine 9 RETIRED * AND * UNRETIRED: ...... Alabama, and King George By Chris Lash
We’ve all seen the emotional, sometimes over the top, retirement Wspeeches from athletes who for whatever reason reached the point of retirement. They cry or wipe back tears, and give long detailed retirement speeches, while wonder - ing what their going to do the rest of their lives. In country music, sometimes all we see or hear is a short story in USA Today or on a website, when one of the people we grew up listen - ing to on the radio announces they are done. With little fanfare, they Alabama George Strait disppear from concert stages, or from making records. Their are cases, for mostly ...... money reasons, that athletes and * music perfomers alike Unretire. Why? Because they miss the noise going to tour anymore, after 2014.” Strait’s sound never strayed far started happening. I believe I made of the crowds, or from being in a said Strait, 61, who broke into from his 1981 debut Strait Country . the right decision. I hope I did. recording studio? Maybe their pop - country music big-time in 1981, Over the following three decades, Only time will tell. In 2016, I might ularity is still strong, and fans during Ronald Reagan’s first term his songs featured plenty of fiddle say, “What a dummy. And if that’s demand it! In 2013, we’ve seen a as President. and steel guitar, and in a little way, the case maybe I’ll reconsider. But legend announce his final concert at “Don’t think I’m retiring rock-inspired guitar solos. As mod - at this particular time, I’m pretty the Ryman Auditorium in because I’m not,” he continued. ern country music tended towards sure I won’t.” So while the cowboy Nashville only to die on April 26th “I’m still going to make records, as bluster, Strait traded on restraint. might ride away from an arena near before his grand tour had started, long as the Universal Music Group Strait has sold nearly 70 million you, he won’t be leaving your another country hit king wraps up will let me. I’m going to write. If albums in the United States alone, favorite radio station any time his long two year farewell from when I quit touring, if a special including 33-million selling soon! touring, while the biggest country event comes up that I want to do, albums. He’s the 12th-best selling The stories alone about “The music group of all time, goes back I’m going to do it.” Born in Poteet, artist of any genre, according to the Possom” George Jones were leg - on the road to celebrate their 40th Texas, and reared in rural Pearsall, Recording Industry Association of endary in amongst themselves. At Anniversay. near San Antonio, Strait played in a America, and he has scored a record one point in his career he was In the case of George Strait, rock band in high school. While in 21 No. 1 country albums. known as “No Show Jones” for who this year hit a milestone that the Army, he began performing “I had in the back of my mind missing concerts. And while his age may never be broken, wraps up his country music, a style perfectly suit - that when I turned 60 it might be had taken a toll on his voice, there is two-year farewell in 2014. His 60 ed to his earnest, gentle voice. His the time to start thinking about get - no doubt he left a mark in country number one songs, will grow, move to country music mainstream ting off the road.” he said. “I also music that will never be duplicated. because while he plans to leave the was hastened by Music Row veteran didn’t want to book a tour and George Jones, often referred to as road, he won’t stop recording chart Erv Woolsey, who became his man - nobody came. It was important to the “the greatest living country topping songs. “As far as the tour - ager and guided him to a recording me to pick that time, rather than go singer” passed away on Friday, ing goes, I’ve decided that I’m not contract in 1981. that long when something like that April 26th in a Nashville hospital.
10 Country Legends Magazine | The Cat Country Network | Summer 2013 hold a guitar, the quartet known as Alabama was laying road for count - less country-rock crossover acts. And they did it at a time in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, when solo artists (Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn) were all the rage. Formed by cousins Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Teddy Gentry (bass guitar, back - ground vocals) and Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, keyboards), the band began in their hometown of Fort Payne, Ala., under the name Wildcountry. In an effort to get dis - covered, they moved to Myrtle George Strait Beach, S.C., where they landed a gig as the house band at beach bar called the Bowery. It was there — ...... playing for tips six nights a week, seven summers straight — that discrepancies. And in 2010, band members honed the razor- Alabama returned to the studio for sharp vocal harmonies for which the first time in 10 years to record they became known. “Are You Sure Hank Done It That Alabama Alabama went on to collect 21 Way” for a Waylon Jennings tribute consecutive No.1 hits (including album. “Love in the First Degree,” But it was a 2011 reunion to ...... “Mountain Music” and the peren - record “Old Alabama” with Brad nial holiday favorite “Christmas in Paisley and a live performance of (See Bio) He had begun his final they honed their craft, become Dixie”, making it one of the most the song at the Academy of Country grand tour, but didn’t complete it making it big. successful bands in country music Music Awards in Las Vegas that with his untimely death. The icon’s Long before groups like the history. ultimately led to the band’s first full- hits, included “I Don’t Need Your Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts and Lady Alabama released more than 20 fledged tour in a decade. In subse - Rockin’ Chair”, “Who’s Gonna Fill Antebellum were old enough to albums in the 1980s and ‘90s, selling quent interviews, co-founder Jeff Their Shoes”, “White Lightning” more than 70 million copies and Cook said that the band regretted and “He Stopped Loving Her writing more than 30 chart-topping having ended its 2003 farewell tour Today” songs. Band members capitalized in North Dakota, rather than their In the 1980’s, you couldn’t turn on their success by launching native Alabama. After live perfor - on a radio station and not hear an numerous entrepreneurial ventures mances at the 2012 Stagecoach Alabama song. It didn’t matter if it in the ‘90s, including the successful Festival in California and the We was a country station, an adult con - Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach Fest in Minnesota, there seemed to temporary station or even a Top 40 and a chain of Alabama Grill be little doubt that the country leg - station. They changed country restaurants (Myrtle Beach, ends would reunite. music at a time it needed it. Their Nashville and Pigeon Forge, Tenn.). Recently, the band also went shows were more like rock concerts, In 2003, after 30 years together, the back into the studio to record brand long before Garth Brooks reinvent - group went on what was to be its new material for the first time in a ed the trend. The super group has farewell tour. decade. With 150 industry awards come out of retirement before, aid - Of course, Alabama didn’t go including eight entertainer of the ing victims of the tornadoes that away completely. In 2005, the group year honors, two Grammys, and struck their home state and name - was inducted into the Country recognition from the Recording sake in 2011. Earlier this year, their Music Hall of Fame. In 2008, other Industry Association of America as 40th Anniversary “Back to the members split with longtime drum - country group of the 20th century, Bowery Tour” begain at the original mer Mark Herndon during a very Alabama has earned the right to nightclub in Mrytle Beach, where George Jones public lawsuit over alleged payment cruise a little. Summer 2013 | The Cat Country Network | Country Legends Magazine *11 .
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GOLD WITH ROWDY YATES .
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89.1 KXCT * GOODLAND, KS ...... Launches Cat Country Network By Lance Venta
Cat Country 89.1 KXCT in Beaver, OK and Springfield, CO. We’ll be adding another station to by the legends, while we sit behind GoodlandVeteran radio station All will feature the Country Legends, our mix soon, and will continue to the microphone.” added Lash. owner Chris Lash, of Whiplash Cat Country format. Air talent on grow in the right markets, stations The Kansas station also features CCommunity Radio announces the the station includes Lash, Uncle and FM translators.” said Lash. a live country music radio showed creation of the Cat Country Johnny, Michael J. Daniels, Rowdy Much like the recent talked named The Fun on the Farm Network, featuring a classic country Yates, and Paul Heil of the Gospel about new country format brands, Jamboree . Similar to the Grand Old format from the 60’s to the 90’s. The Greats and more! Cat Country will focus on the classic Opry in Nashville, the first show network will also feature the launch 89.1 Cat Country, KXCT country music. And Lash is serious takes place at Goodland’s Sherman of Country Legends magazine with debuted on Saturday, March 1st in about it. “Our network studio is a Theater on Saturday, October 26th. articles, feature stories, rare pictures, Goodland, KS, and streams online at country music museum, from my Visit www.catcountry.org to see the from the four decades of artists the www.catcountry.org, and also creat - personal collection. It features rare artist line up! network stations will play, and live in ed its own phone app, and the sta - and one of a kind items from Johnny The Cat Country Network is studio concerts, and other shows in tion is listed already under the Cash, Elvis, Rascal Flatts, Little also available to any commercial or various theatres. Tunein radio app. “Retirement in Jimmy Dickens, Ernest Tubb, Hank non commercial station in the USA, Recently Lash purchased three Florida did not suit me well. I lasted Williams Sr., and many more.” network fed, or live and local deliv - stations in the mid-west including about three months, when this There’s no other radio studio like it ery. For more details reach out to KXCT in Goodland, KS, and others opportunity arose in the mid-west. in the country. We are surrounded Lash at [email protected] ......
Summer 2013 | The Cat Country Network | Country Legends Magazine 13 ...... George Jones Biography
...... By Chris Lash
More than 35 years ago, George moment, Jones was saluted by the Jones recorded “Who’s Gonna Fill Kennedy Center Honors in 2008. MTheir Shoes,” a song that wondered This year, Jones got another top aloud whether newcomers would honor to round out music’s most come along that could possibly walk enviable trophy shelf, as the in the footsteps of the progenitors Grammys presented him with their and giants of country music. All this Lifetime Achievement Award. time later, it’s not a question we’ve Short of being carved into Mount had to seriously consider: Jones Rushmore, there aren’t many all- himself had been around to step time plaudits left for him to earn into those shoes of sublimity. They even posthumously. just happened to be exactly his size. You don’t rack up that kind of Now, he too is gone. adoration by playing possum – A jury of his peers had found unless, of course, you’re the him guilty… of unparalleled vocal Possum, to name one of Jones’ superiority. Consider some of these affectionately bestowed nicknames. endorsements from fellow music (You don’t get it by being a “no- legends: Frank Sinatra famously show,” either, though Jones had a (and coyly) referred to Jones as “the few notorious years where he second greatest singer in America.” earned that particular term of Garth Brooks summed up the con - endearment.) No, you merit it sensus view when he called him through the kind of work ethic that “the greatest voice ever to sing can be measured partially in num - country music.” Waylon Jennings bers. With a run of songs extending expressed a common jealousy when from the mid-1950s into the 21st he said, “If we all could sound the century, Jones has had a whopping way we wanted, we’d all sound like 143 Top 40 country hits – a chart George Jones.” Keith Richards of run that renders any “best-of” set the Rolling Stones put things in that’s not a bulky boxed set woefully more honorific terms: “George incomplete. Jones is a national treasure and But Jones has always been more should be treated accordingly.” about soul than stats. And that’s the Don’t worry, Keith: America kind of quality that can best be ...... didn't fall down on the job when it explained by the stars who continue came to that kind of lionization. to take a lesson from his classic Jones received the four highest hon - recordings. ors that can be granted to anyone in “George’s voice is equal parts his line of work, starting with his pain and home,” young country induction into the Country Music singer Eric Church told the Hall of Fame in 1992. Ten years Washington Post. Jamey Johnson later, the president bestowed the put it this way: “His voice is the National Medal of Arts upon him. voice of your own spirit. If your In yet another executive-branch spirit could jump out and have its
14 Country Legends Magazine | The Cat Country Network | Summer 2013 own voice and sing a country song and ‘80s, their work together exem - After Jones’ second marriage ended of his final tour and audiences were to you, it’d sound like George Jones. plified the lusciously string- in divorce, he met Tammy and still flocking to hear the voice that He feels everything for you.” Said drenched style known as country- moved to Nashville, where they wed was country's most indescribable as Emmylou Harris: “He has a politan, and it became clear that his in 1969. In 1971, he moved over to well as, by acclamation, its finest. remarkable voice that flows out of records were better for drowning her label, Epic, and began working Jones was the single greatest link to him effortlessly and quietly, but sorrows than any drink a bartender with her producer, Sherrill. country's golden age when he died. with an edge that comes from the could ever proffer. One outright The years that followed were That fact was not lost on a genera - stormy part of the heart.” weeper, 1980’s “He Stopped Loving some of the most personally unhap - tion younger singers who revered He’s been compared to Sinatra Her Today,” became widely regard - py but commercially successful of him but continually name-checked as a saloon-singer stylist. Inter- ed as the greatest country single of Jones’ career, as he racked up hit him in their own hits. estingly, though, many fellow all time, to go along with the best- after iconic hit, including “A Good Even a partial list of songs that singers keep referring to blues and in-class kudos racked up by its Year for the Roses” (later covered mention Jones by name is exhaust - R&B as the nearest antecedents for singer. by one of Jones’ most enthusiastic ing and could fill an entire compila - Jones’ inimitable phrasing. Noted Born in 1931, George was rock protégés, Elvis Costello), “The tion album. That Jones-revering Kid Rock, “It’s a country voice, but reared in Beaumont, Texas on the Grand Tour,” “I Always Get Lucky roundup would include Alan he has such a great blues range, the twin weekly rituals of hymn-singing With You,” and “If Drinkin’ Don’t Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the way he bends all those notes.” As and Grand Ole Opry radio broad - Kill Me (Her Memory Will).” Even Jukebox,” the Jackson/Strait duet Vince Gill put it for the Post, casts, where he took his first musical though Jones and Wynette split up “Murder on Music Row,” the Dixie “People are drawn to the soulful - cues from heroes like Bill Monroe in 1974, they continued recording Chicks’ “Long Time Gone,” Shooter ness of the way George sings, and Roy Acuff. (“I would give any - together through 1980, making his - Jennings’ “4th of July,” Aaron [even though] it doesn’t equate thing if I could sing like George tory as the first divorced couple ever Lewis’ “Country Boy,” Gretchen that twangy beer-drinkin’ and Jones,” Acuff, the teacher, later said to have No. 1 duets as “Golden Wilson’s “California Girls,” Eric Lee cheatin’ songs would be thought of about the student.) Ring” and “Near You” hit the top of Beddingfield’s “The Gospel as ‘soulful’… You can’t define the His early life was a school of the charts. According to Jones,” Jamey ache that’s in George’s voice. It’s hard knocks not uncommon to east Jones’ substance abuse during Johnson’s “Between Jennings and just something inherently him.” Texas. He ran away at 14, and was those years made buying a ticket for Jones” and “Keepin’ Up With the No singer has ever made (or soon on the honky-tonk circuit one of his shows legendarily like Jonesin’,” Brantley Gilbert’s “Rock helped) more people cry. That’s a backing seemingly more promising buying a lottery ticket, even if the This Town,” and most recently legacy he hardly shied away from. crooners. Marriage at 20 was fol - odds slightly favored his making it Jason Aldean’s smash “Dirt Road “Jones told me once that he’d rather lowed by divorce at 21 and a stint in to the show. “I never had anything Anthem.” sing a sad song than eat,” Tennessean the Marines. Then, in 1954, he as a kid and all of a sudden I had What about that voice was so music columnist Peter Cooper signed with Starday Records and everything thrown at my feet. It can captivating even to fans and per - noted. But Jones wasn’t always began recording with Lefty ruin you quickly,” Jones recounted formers who are several decades known as “The King of Broken Frizzell’s backup band. After the in his 1996 autobiography, I Lived Jones’ junior? Legendary folk-rock - Hearts” (to mention a Jim first run of up-tempo hits, he really to Tell It All . er James Taylor could only liken Lauderdale song that was written as a came into his own with haunting But after he married the former those pipes to another great country tribute to Jones and became a salu - ballads like “The Window Up Nancy Sepulvedo in 1983, his per - instrument, when he spoke about tary hit in the hands of George Strait). Above” that seemed to exist in a sonal life began an upward spiral Jones in an issue of Rolling Stone At first, Jones was known as a romantic past, haunted present, and and he shed his “No Show Jones” devoted to the greatest singers of all good-time guy and honky-tonk deliriously uncertain future all at reputation for one that might as time. “George Jones doesn’t sound man. He even recorded some rock - once. well have gotten him nicknamed like he was influenced by any other abilly early in his career. He was a In the ‘60s, Jones recorded hun - Old Reliable. A series of critically singer,” said Taylor (who wrote his co-writer on his first chart hit, dreds of songs for the Mercury, acclaimed albums for the MCA late ‘70s hit “Bartender” in the style 1955’s “Why Baby Why,” which Musicor, and United Artists labels, label followed. There were relapses of Jones and later re-recorded it buried the lyrical heartbreak in a including the No. 1 classics “Tender in his sobriety, but following an with him). “He sounds like a steel fast-paced rave-up of a tune. (No Years,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” automobile accident in the late ‘90s, guitar. It’s the way he blends notes, wonder that breakout song was and “Walk Through This World Jones sobered up for good. With the the way he comes up to them and subsequently covered by everyone With Me,” as well as more professional as well as personal sup - comes off them, the way he crescen - from Webb Pierce and Charlie ephemeral fare like “Love Bug.” He port of his wife, Jones reemerged dos and decrescendos. The dynamic Pride to –just in the past few years also found out just how much fans with a Garth Brooks duet and a of it is very tight and really con - — Patty Loveless, Buddy Miller, loved him not just as a soloist but series of hits and rarities retrospec - trolled — it’s like carving with the and the Secret Sisters.) His first No. recurring duet partner – at the time, tives on his own label, Bandit voice.” 1 hit, 1959’s “White Lightning,” was Melba Montgomery, his foil on Records. Following his death on Friday, a blur of hilarious tics and hiccups “We Must Have Been Out of Our Fifty-six years after being April 26th, a lot of people asked the that established him as a vocal mar - Minds” and other ‘60s singles. named the Most Promising New question “Whose Gonna Fill These vel but hardly hinted at the master Of course, the partner he’s most Country Vocalist of 1956, Jones was Shoes.”? When it comes to George balladeer to come. associated with is Tammy Wynette, still living out that promise with a Jones, the answer is “nobody.” But after Jones paired up with who had a major impact on the regular touring routine at the time ...... producer Billy Sherrill in the 1970s direction of his solo career as well. of his passing. He was in the midst ......
Summer 2013 | The Cat Country Network | Country Legends Magazine 15