) RYSINGLES REVIEWS/ALBUM REVIEWS

CHET ATKINS RCA JH 10614 CONWAY TWITTY - Now And Then - MCA 2206 7. Same man. same talent — different Frog Kissin 3:1 ' Ahab — BMI ( Kalb) showcase Music Co. ) Buddy rhe flavor of fairytales and minstrel shows. Chet Atkins sings this clever novel- This is also true of the background musicians .vhich we predict will be the hottest single since "The Streak." Produced and ar- who have contributed to and made "The Nash- " ranged by Ray Stevens, the surprise is not that Chet sings, it’s that he hasn't done it ville Sound A Conway Twitty collector's item. sooner "Then" is pure rock — "Now" is pure country. GEORGE JONES & TAMMY WYNETTE (Epic 8-50235) The "Then" selections are “It's Only Make " Golden Ring '3:01 'Tree Pub Co — BMP 'B Braddock, R Van Hoy) Believe." "I'll Try "Danny Boy. "Lonely Blue Back together — on record — Tammy and George vocalize in solid country style Boy" and "Mona Lisa." and the "Now" side in- about a wedding ring. Sounds like a lot of box and air action cludes "After All The Good Is Gone." "I Got A

TOMMY OVERSTREET l ABC Dot DOA1 7630) Good Thing Going." There's More Love In Here Comes That Girl Again (2:54) ^Chappell & Co. — ASCAP) (R. Bourke. G. Dob- These Arms You Push Away." "At Least One

bins. J. Wilson’, Time" and "I Don't Feel Like Lovin' You." We Tommy's back with a new producer. Ron Chancey. and a new rock/blues flavored loved him then and we love him now! sound about saying yes and no. Good bet for heavy cross-over. EDDIE RABBITT'Elektra E-4531 5-A) JONI LEE - MCA 21 94 f 3 2 (Briar — BMP, ^Eddie Rabbitt) Rocky Mountain Music 3 1 Patch Music On her first album Joni Lee has included her Do You RightTonight'2 29) 'Briar Patch, Debdave — BMP hit singles "Don't Cry Joni." "I'm Sorry Charlie." This one will fight itself on two excellent sides — take your pick. "Do You Right and her current "Angel On My Shoulder " Other Tonight" makes a promise with a light up-tempo, slightly gospel flavored sound selections are “It Really Doesn't Matter "Rocky Mountain Music" fits the MOR up-tempo story bag. Produced by David Anymore.’' "I'v:e Just Got To Know.'' Malloy. " "Playmates." "Baby Love "Just Lead The Way.” LARRY GATLIN WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS (Monument ZS8-8696) "Run Like A Thief "And A Little Girl Cried." Warm And Tender ( 2:42) (First Generation Music — (Larry Gatlin) BMP many of which would do well as singles. Two of From the LP "Larry Gatlin And Family" comes this Fred Foster-produced tender our favorites are "Just Lead The Way” and "Baby love ballad with Larry's distinctive folk/club/progressive/country style. A good cross- Love." Like WOW — she's terrific. over CAL SMITH 'MCA 40563) MacArthur s Hand '3:05) (Tree Pub. Co — BMP (Don Wayne) A laid-back country sound with a story lyric about a war hero's veneration of

MacArthur Pulled from the "Jason's Farm" LP. it was produced by Walter Haynes and will be played by those who remember ONE PIECE AT A TIME - Johnny Cash And The THE HECKELS 'RCA JH 10685) Tennessee Three - Columbia KC 34193

A Cowboy Like You f 2:08 ) (Moss Rose Pub / Ensign Music — BMP (Tompall Glaser) In his liner notes for this LP. Johnny Cash This new group produced by Roy Dea captures the “outlaw" sound and could cap- writes: “Like a favorite old shoe that you pulled ture good charting on their first outing. off and threw in the trash then found your new GENE WATSON 'Capitol P4279) ones hurt your feet, wore them new ones all you Because You Believed In Me (2:54) (Belinda Music — BMI) (Owens — Hall Vowell) could, then shined the old ones up real good, felt No doubt about this solid country ballad pulled from the LP "Because You Believed as natural as an old familiar street — like a warm- In — is Me" prediction top charting and box action. Russ Reeder and Bob Webster ing April wind, here ! am back again." In addition produced to his hit single "One Piece At A Time." he sings "Let ''In WEBB PIERCE 'Plantation PL 1 41 There Be Country." A Young Girl's Appleton (2:40) 'T uesday Music — BMP (Webb Pierce. Max Powell. Arnold Pillows) Mind." "Mountain Lady." "Michigan City Howdy Webb Pierce sings and Shelby Singleton. Jr. produces this true story lyric set to an Do." "Sold Out Of Flagpoles." "Committed To up-tempo country sound. Could happen — country style. Parkview." "Daughter Of A Railroad Man." “Love Has Lost Again" and "Go On Blues." ROY HEAD 'ABC/Dot DOA 1 7629) Bridge For Crawling Back (2:1 3) (Ma-Ree Music/Porter Jones — ASCAP) (R. Porter B. E. Jones! A RUMOR IN MY OWN TIME - Steven Fromholz It's rockabilly bump, and sounds like the jingle of many quarters in the boxes. - Capitol ST 11521

Pulled from the LP "Head First.” it should pull much chart action Bud Logan pro- Steven Fromholz is the latest in a long line of duced country artists to come out of Austin. Texas, and MARY LOU TURNER fMCA 40566) shows off both his singing and songwriting ability on this LP. which contains nine It s Different With You 13:44) (Stallion Music BMI) (Bill Anderson; Fromholz com- positions. Mary Lou sets her own style on this Bill Anderson-penned lyric. Produced by Snuf- plus John Sebastian's "She's A Lady." fy Miller, the title tells the story. Backed by such sidemen as Doug Dillard, John VERNON OXFORD (RCA JH 10693) Sebastian and Willie Nelson. Fromholz shines on "Blue Lines On White Linen." "Ain't It Nice To Redneck! (The Redneck National Anthem) (2 28) (Velour — BMI) (Mitch Torok. Ramona Redd) Be Alone." "Late Nite Neon Shadows." "Dear Darcie" and "I'd Have To Be Crazy." Some cuts Aimed straight at the boxes and charts. Vernon Oxford delivers a solid hand- should see airplay on progressive as well as clappin'. foot stompin’, country fiddle sound. Produced by Bob Ferguson, it can’t miss country stations. the top if given a chance

MICHAEL CLARK r Capitol P4275)

Busted In ^ - Down Houston 2: 59 ) (Window Music (Michael Clark) BMP SIDE OF THE ROAD GANG - Capitol ST 1 1 526 Newcomer Michael Clark projects solid charisma in fine style. Listen well, we pre- Many sides of country combine in this LP to dict this to be first of many good ones. make up the new country sound which we pre- ED BRUCE 'United Artists U A XW 81 1 -Y) dict will appeal to many listeners. Selections are Sleep All Mornin’ (2:29) (United Artists - Music/Big Ax ASCAP) (A Harvey) “What Am I Doin' Hangin' "Round." “Hear That It's back to early rock 'n' roll on this Larry Butler-produced. Alex Harvey-penned Whistle Blow." "Broken Hearted People.” 'Sittin' tune Chances are it will "roll" on the boxes, along with the same good charting By The Side Of The Road." "Yours For Life." SHYLO (Columbia 3-10343) “People In Dallas Got Hair." "Suitcase Life."

Livin' On Love Street ^ "Runaway Heart." “Lovesick Blues" and "On A 2:08) (Partner/Julep — BMI ) (R Scaife. D. Hogan) " With a mellow Texas swing. Shylo tells the tale of awareness thru love Produced by Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor Favorites are

Larry Rogers, it's a sure bet for charting. “What Am I Doin' Hangin' Round." "Sittin" By The Side Of The Road " Mike Leech produced LARRY BUTLER ( United Artists U A XW 809-Y) Theme From "Stay Hungry’(2:52) (Unart/United Artists - ASCAP) (Adaption by B and executive producers are Paul Tannen and Berline. B Langhorn) Don Shafer Larry Butler has produced the theme from "Stay Hungry" in true hand clappin'. buck dancin’ style An instrumental, we predict a lot of extra plays and hopefully charting FRUSHAY COUNTRY - Ray Frushay - Casino C201 RAY PENNINGTON (Zodiac ZS 1 003) Blending country sounds with today's pro- I Can t Get Up By f Myself 2 48) (Dunbar — BMI) (Ray Pennington) gressive beat. Ray Frushay has a sophisticated, Ray Pennington wrote, sang and co-produced this jazz-flavored pop/country style hand-clapping, foot stomping style. Wed bag it tune about that ole depressed feelin'. I nteresting! “country mood music." and well worth the listen. are "Lets All Help The Cowboys.” MIKE AND MICKEY (Starday SD 1 40) Selections We Don’t Want The World (2:35) (Power Play — "Black Cloud Over Austin." "Sounds Of Yester- BMI ) (James Coleman. Moe Lytle) "I For You Are." "Follow This one is pure country, and this duo sings about not needing much since they've day." Love You What I'll Fly Away." "I Want To got love However, they might get charting and box plays along with their love. Your Drum," "And Then Do It With You." "Amy (You're Livin' Way Too JJ BARRIE (Buddah BDA 525) Fast)” and "Fat Man Song.” No Charge '3:43, 'LondonTree Music) (Harland Howard) Melba Montgomery went #1 with this Harland Howard tune, and now JJ Barrie has come up with a male version that's not quite as country, produced by Bill Amesbury.

36 May 29 1976