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The Father of Texas Honky-Tonk:Ernest Tubb

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The Father of Texas Honky-Tonk:Ernest Tubb DailySentinel.com Sunday, February 7, 2021 • The Daily Sentinel • 5B THINGS HISTORICAL Te father of Texas honky-tonk: Ernest Tubb Over the last weekend my wife soothed his soul more than Many people consider “Walking and I re-watched Ken Burn’s anything else, particularly the the Floor Over You” as the frst excellent documentary series soulful, bluesy-based stylings of major release of a “honky-tonk” “Country Music.” It the biggest country star of the era song, a style that would take over was a delight to learn Jimmie Rodgers. Ernest set his and dominate country music about the person- sights on becoming a musician, for more than the next decade, alities, foibles and and was helped by a family friend, a genre that Hank Williams and triumphs of so many Merwyn Buffngton, who taught Lefty Frizzell — among others of the icons of “Amer- him the guitar and also began to — would also use to meteoric ica’s music.” allow Ernest to play in his group success. So many of them Dr. Scott the Castleman Brothers on local Tubb’s career yielded felded Sosebee — particularly the radio, frst in Waco and then in a 15 year streak of at least one — early stars — were brought up in San Antonio, where the teenaged and usually multiple — Top Ten diffcult conditions, often poor and Tubb — who had left his relative’s country hits. One year — 1949 — with very few outlets of escaping farm — worked as a soda jerk in a he charted an amazing 13 songs. their circumstances. The very drugstore to make ends meet. He also became a regular on the fact that they did overcome their Tubb was strictly an instrumen- “Grand Ole Opry” radio show on environments and forge success- talist in those early years, playing WSM every Saturday night. ful careers was amazing, granted guitar in the traditional “string He also opened the enormously though many continued to strug- band” of the Castleman Broth- successful “Ernest Tubb Record gle with demons even after their ers, but he pestered the leaders Shop” in Nashville that he pro- success. to allow him to sing so he could moted with his “Midnight Jam- One man that came from such emulate his idol Rodgers. They boree” broadcast every Saturday a background, and also did seem had continually rebuffed him be- after the Opry show. Tubb would to at least subdue whatever of cause his voice was unimpressive usually convince Opry regulars those troubles that rose from such with little range or style, but his or guests to come across the street an upbringing was the man often persistence paid off and he began with him and do the show. He also known as the “Texas Trouba- to sing on some shows. had a relentless touring schedule, dour” — also the name of his The opportunity had an instant one that was designed to be back backing band — was Ernest Dale affect. The audience seemed to in Nashville every Saturday for Tubb, the frst nationally known enjoy Tubb’s attempts to yodel the Opry and Jamboree. It was not of the Texas “honky-tonk” band like Rodgers, and one day, while uncommon for he and the Trou- leaders and singers. in town, Carrie Rodgers, Jimmie badours to rack up 15,000 driving Born in the tiny Ellis County Rodgers’s widow, heard him sing miles in one week. town of Crisp on Feb. 9, 1914, Tubb and asked to meet the tall Texan. Tubb continued his hectic tour was the youngest of fve chil- She convinced him to tour as basi- Ernest Tubb circa 1964. schedule into the 1960s, even after dren in a share-cropping family cally a Rodgers imitator, and she his recording success lessened. that constantly struggled just also helped him get a recording and had to have them removed. Still, Tubb could not break When he was diagnosed with to survive. When he was six his contract with RCA. The operation rendered Tubb’s through to major triumph. The emphysema in 1966 he ignored his parents, who had a tumultuous He had only mediocre success voice even more “unspectacular,” U.S.’s entry into World War II had doctor’s advice to rest and set out marriage, followed the patterns in his early career. He recorded and also made it impossible for opened up a number of defense on the road, which took a toll on of many poor Texans on marginal obvious tributes to Rodgers and him to yodel. So, he changed his jobs around the country and Tubb his health. He was inducted into land in the years after World War his singles went nowhere. He style and began to develop the was prepared to end his music the Country Music Hall of Fame I and moved farther west to little toured constantly just to maintain iconic Tubb nasally-tinged twang. dream and go to work in a factory. in 1965 as the sixth member. He Benjamin just below the Caprock an income, which barely paid his It was a style that Tubb had often But again, fate had a different did slow down some in the 1970s Escarpment in Knox County. expenses. heard in Texas “beer joints,” a plan. and recorded no solo singles after The relocation could not save RCA dropped him from the label sub-genre that would become One of the songs that Tubb had 1975. He died in September 1984 at the elder Tubbs’ marriage and in 1938 after just two years, which known as “honky-tonk.” recorded in late 1941 was a song he 70 years old and was later hailed they divorced when Ernest was meant Tubb had to go back to Tubb’s change in direction had written after one of his club as one of the 40 “Greatest Men of nine. The separation devastated working small clubs, still singing caused his career to take off, but it concerts when he heard a man Country Music” in 2003. the family and caused young Er- and “imitating” the “Blue Yodel- still took some time and luck. He telling a story about his girlfriend nest to be raised by his mother’s er,” Jimmie Rodgers. Fate then signed with Decca Records in 1940 leaving him. He titled it “Walking East Texas Historical Assn. relatives back in Ellis County. dealt Tubb a step-up from a seem- and had a string of minor hits, the Floor Over You” and when provides this column. Scott Sosebee Lonely and feeling abandoned, ingly unlikely source. The young just enough for Decca to give him Decca released it in the spring of is executive director,sosebeem@ young Tubb found that music singer developed tonsilitis in 1939 an extension through 1942. 1942 it made Ernest Tubb a star. sfasu.edu. SERVING OUR SAVIOR Love INC hosting You are LOVED fundraiser for Valentine’s Day The 2021 Board of Directors had to be accountable and obedient any details about In Honor or In REQUESTS their frst meeting of the year last to you in all that we do and say. Memory and we will respond. You Contact Love INC Minor home repair is becoming week. They are a dynamic group Thank you today for the people can also leave any details on the Love INC a common request and mostly of folks representing who have committed to serve on memo line of your check. Thank P.O. Box 630423 from the elderly. Sofas, crock pots, a dozen different our Board of Directors. I know you for your continued support of Nacogdoches, TX 75963 new linens, new pillows, gently churches. these folks are chosen especially our ministries. 569-8555 used blankets and bedspreads are Our new presi- for this season in the growth and Media: To receive the weekly [email protected] always in great demand. We have dent of the board is development of this organization online newsletter, or our hard Physical address: 917 Ruby St. received several new pillows and Linda Green, First in your Name. We have done noth- copy newsletter, please email Nacogdoches, TX 75961 linen. Thank you so very much. Christian Church; ing to deserve your love and pro- [email protected]. We have vice president George Patti tection. Oh Father, we are grateful an exciting event in February. Goodrum MISSION Barham IV, Grace for this life you have provided and We have our You are LOVED! The sermon series in progress is To mobilize local churches to Bible Church; secretary Cindy we live for you. Fundraiser up and running. Look “Disciple Making.” Another high- transform lives and communities Hancock, First United Methodist for links on our website, loveinc- light is the pre-school sign up for In the Name of Christ. Sharing Church; treasurer Brigid Pitts, UPDATES nacorg, on our Facebook page the fall semester beginning Feb. the Gospel is our ultimate mis- Oak Grove Baptist Church; others Case management: We want to facebook.com/Love-INC-of-Na- 22-25. If you need further informa- sion. Therefore go and make disci- are; Rev. John Davis, Nacogdoches thank the community for your cogdoches, and in our online tion call First United Methodist ples of all nations, baptizing them Bible Fellowship; David Fears, response to our request last week newsletter which is sent out every Church at 564-8308. Love INC is in the name of the Father and of North Street Church of Christ; about an extra large wheelchair. Wednesday via email. thankful for the partnership we the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Scott Hoey, Sacred Heart Catholic We received two different gently Executive Director: We are have with First United Methodist Matthew 28:19 NIV Church; Terry Kline, Westminster used wheelchairs, and we received usually fnalizing our Chairished Church.
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