Throwback - Roger Miller

Thank you JNJ for another fantastic Throwback posts about one of my favorites.

Here's to one of the Good Guys. Born in Fort Worth, raised in Oklahoma, Roger Miller was just a good ole boy. Although he passed in 1992, he brought so much joy to so many people. A man of many talents, he wrote many songs for other people and also had his own TV show. He wrote a Broadway play called "Big River," which was his adaptation of Huckleberry Finn1 He was full of humor in his music, and his scat singing made everyone smile.

Read up on Roger and enjoy this music. Another Texas-born talent!

Throwback - Bob Wills

 Here's another throwback from JNJ!

Waylon sang, "Once you're down in Texas, Bob Wills is still the King." And no other words ring quite as true. Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys were the Kings of Swing music. I'm not going to go into the whole story, as it is an amazing story, but do yourself a favor and read up on this Texas original.

Women Week Throwback - Tammy Wynette

My friend, JNJ, is on board for Women Week with Throwback Thursday.

Today's throwback, staying with The Arrogant Texan's female theme this week, is The First Lady of Country Music... Tammy Wynette. Tammy had many hits, but when you hear "Stand By Your Man," there's no doubt who it is, and arguably one of the most famous songs ever. 

Tammy was born in Mississippi in 1942, and we lost her much too early in 1998, but she left us with so many great songs. But more importantly, she opened the door for so many of today's female performers. And maybe the most impressive thing she did was she accomplished so much and still had time to survive a six-year marraige to George Jones, which produced amazing duets! 

Enjoy the videos below, and always remember Tammy!

Stand By Your Man:

Good Girl is Gonna Go Bad:

We're Gonna Hold On, with George Jones:

Throwback Thursday - Delbert McClinton

Here's another Throwback from my good friend, JNJ!

Little background here. As I was watching Seth James singing "Cigarettes, Anger and Wine" at the Blue Light a couple of weeks ago, I remembered an interview I saw where he said, "That song was kinda like a Leon Russell/Delbert McClinton thing. If I sit down to write a song, I think, 'Are they gonna like it?'"

Delbert with Jana and Joe after one of his shows.

Another time I was in Ft. Worth at a Josh Weathers show, and between songs he was talking about his music direction and his personal direction, and he said he had the opportunity to visit with his hero, Delbert McClinton, the night before. He said after talking with Delbert, both his music and personal direction were now in focus.

These two great singer/songwriters know what should be evident to all. Delbert McClinton has influenced many people, but has never garnered the respect and admiration that he deserves. The cool thing is, he doesn't care... he just likes to write songs, sing and make people happy. I was fortunate the night after I saw Josh Weathers in Ft. Worth to go to Billy Bob's and see Delbert live. Amazing show! Now I have to give my sister Jana and her boyfriend Joe proper credit. I knew who Delbert was, and enjoyed his music, but Joe turned me on to all of Delbert. No telling how many times he has seen him live, and if he's close, they won't miss him.

The Grammy Award winning singer was born in Lubbock and then his family moved to Ft. Worth when he was 11. Starting in 1962 as a harmonica player, his music really hit the stage in the '70s, and he's been entertaining crowds ever since. A member of the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, a lot of his songs were covered by big artists, such as his song "Two More Bottles of Wine," sang by Emmylou Harris which reached #1 in 1978.

Do yourself a favor and read up on and listen to Delbert. A true Texas Treasure!

 Givin It Up For Your Love:

When Rita Leaves (JNJ's fave):

I'm With You (Jana's fav):

-JNJ

Throwback Thursday - Loretta Lynn

Here's another Throwback from my good friend, JNJ!

Known simply as the Queen of Country Music, Loretta Lynn has done a lot in her life. From humble beginnings to having four children before the age of 21 (which was the same age she started learning guitar and writing songs), she has changed the way women are represented in country music. And we are enriched because of that. The awards she has received are too numerous to count. She has written over 160 songs, had 10 #1 albums, 16 #1 hits, but more importantly gave women a voice in the '60s and '70s when they didn't have much of one. And she hasn't quit, as the video below with Jack White has brought her a whole new fan base. 

Here's to the Queen!

The classic, "Coal Miner's Daughter"


With the Legend, Conway Twitty.


Lastly, with the amazing Jack White (one of Hallie's favorite videos of all-time).

Throwback - Ray Charles

Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!

 There is not a week that goes by that I don't listen to Ray Charles. His 1959 album was called The Genius of Ray Charles, but every album he ever had could be called the same. Everyone knows who Ray Charles was and the amazing songs he sang, but his influence on country music is sometimes overlooked. In 1962, with control of his music direction and on top of the charts in both R&B and Pop, he went against the grain and recorded Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vol. 1 & 2. With these albums he moved country music to the forefront of the culture and crossed country music over to the masses.

As Frank Sinatra said, "Ray Charles is the only true genius in show business."

Enjoy these songs from these albums. They are amazing!

"You Don't Know Me"



"I Can't Stop Loving You"



"Your Cheating Heart"

Throwback Thursday - Tom T. Hall

Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!

They call him "The Storyteller." And that he is. Tom T. Hall has been writing and singing songs since the early '60s. Not only did he have a slew of top 10 and #1 hits, he had so many songs thathe wrote made famous by other artists, such as "Harper Velley PTA" by Jeannie C. Riley, "Little Bitty" by Alan Jackson, and many others. Born in Kentucky in 1936, he is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a noted author.

It was hard to pick just one or two videos, so I had to choose four. And all of them will give you a picture into what is truly important in life, or a least what makes it a lot more fun! And if you want to know what happened at Stubbs in Lubbock one night when Tom T. and Joe Ely got to playing pool, listen to a song called "The Great East Broadway Onion Championship of 1978." Click here to read the story about this song.

Listen, Love, Enjoy!
-JNJ

"Faster Horses (The Cowboy and the Poet)"

"I Like Beer"



"I Love"


"Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine"

 

Throwback Thursday - Ray Price

I haven't done a throwback in a few weeks, but in light of the Blake Shelton/Ray Price social media war (never thought that could be a "thing") I had to. Nothing reminds me of my Nana and Grandad's house more than Ray Price. Even though she's still mad at him for stealing (ok borrowing to go hunting and never returning) the whistle she used to call her kids home for supper, she's still the biggest Ray Price fan I know.

To catch you up, here's what Blake said (from Saving Country Music):

And Mr. Price's rebuttal:

Maybe I'm a freak, but I definitely still listen to my Grandad's music. Just a few weekends ago I cleaned house to the soundtrack of my childhood in Nana's kitchen. The very vinyl record Ray Price signed himself for my Nana years ago. 

As much as I want to like Blake Shelton, jackass comments like this make it really hard. All I can do is thank The Lord for the good music we still have here in Texas and have an appreciation for the stuff that made country music what it is. 

There's not a prettier voice to be heard.

Christmas Music That Doesn't Suck, Part 5

This one doubles as Throwback Thursday!

Throwback Thursday - George Jones

Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!


Some people call him The Possum, others called him No Show Jones.  But everyone called him the best in the business.  George Jones is a legend, but all he ever wanted to be was a singer.  Raised in Vidor, Texas, his career has span 50 years, boasting a remarkable 143 top 40 hits.  One of those hits, "He Stopped Loving her Today" is considered by most to be the greatest country song to date.  What made George the best was how he would take a song and gave it everything he had inside him.  A line from one of his songs, "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes", says, "who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you?" That's what George did. Gave his heart and soul in every song. And that voice……the one Waylon sang about in his song "It's Alright."  He sang, "If we all sang like we wanted to we'd all sound like George Jones".

Here are a couple of videos of George spanning the years.  Watch, enjoy, and ask yourself, who really is gonna fill their shoes.  Brantley Gilbert?


Watch the music video for this one here. I didn't post it because it is kinda hokey and takes a long time to get to the song, but it's still worth watching.



He had numerous hits with his then wife, Tammy Wynette, so I have to include this as a tribute to Tammy:






And finally, the best ever...

Charlie Louvin - "See the Big Man Cry"

Throwback Thursday - Conway Twitty

Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!

It is very rare when two words are spoken and everyone know immediately who it is.  In this case, the two words are "Hello, Darling".  Everyone knows it's Conway, and this was his signature song.  But what most people do not know is that up until George Strait came along, Conway had the most #1 hits of all time with 55.  

Conway started out rock and roll, but moved to country in the '60s as a solo artist. He also achieved great success with Loretta Lynn in the '70s.  With one of the greatest voices in country music, he is well worth listening to and learning more about.  Enjoy!

Throwback Thursday - Glen Campbell

Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!

Today Throwback is Glen Campbell.  Most everyone know his great hits of the 60's and 70's. but his career has span 50 years, 70 albums, grammys, a tv show, and one of the most sought-after session guitar players of his time.  He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, and today is still one of the greatest entertainers in country music.  With classics like "Rhinestone Cowboy", "Wichita Lineman," and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix,"  he paved the way for many with his style and talent.

Read all about him and enjoy the video of "Gentle on my Mind."  This video incorporated another of my legends, Leon Russell, and along with a great song, it shows Glen's talents as a guitar genius.

Here is another video where he sings "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Galveston."

Throwback Thursday - Jerry Lee Lewis

For Throwback Thursday today, I have one word for you…….Outlaw.  And not in the traditional sense of the word.  Jerry Lee Lewis, "The Killer",  has put forth a career that has span 60 years.  This singer/songwriter/piano extraordinaire did it his way, and really didn't care what people thought of him.  From his rockabilly roots to his country years, he has placed his name beside the great ones in history.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and Rolling Stone put his box set All Killer, No Filler in their top 500 albums of all time.  He was one of the original four of the Memphis sound, with Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Roy Orbison.  You can read up on him, from his rock and roll success in the late 50's, to his marriage to his 13 year old cousin which lead to his controversial downfall, then his resurrection into country music in the late 60's and 70's.  He has, and still is, doing things his way.

Here is a video of Jerry Lee in the early days, doing "Great Balls of Fire."




1st cousins to the great Mickey Gilley, here is a great example of how two boys from poor upbringing in Louisiana made it big.  If you love piano, you'll love this!





Lastly, put Jerry Lee with Willie, Merle, and Keith Richards on a bluesy "Trouble in Mind"……Amazing!



PS - Thanks to my old friend who was born in the '60s for helping me with this one.

Throwback Thursday - Freddy Fender

This is just good stuff.

Throwback Thursday - Michael Martin Murphey

This week's throwback is about a guy who you cannot put in any category.  He has span the genres: folk, rock, pop, outlaw country, & bluegrass!  Born in Dallas, he grew up on Cowboy songs, and that has been his staple throughout his 40+ year career.  An inspirational songwriter, he has written hit songs for Johnny Lee, The Monkees, Cher, Roger Miller, and many more.  He is also the author of the New Mexico state ballad, "The Land of Enchantment".   From his outlaw country days through his very popular pop country times to his most recent tributes to bluegrass, Michael has always done things his way.

The first video is Michael singing "Cosmic Cowboy," which was written and recorded in the early '70s when he was a large part of the Outlaw Country scene in Austin with Willie, Waylon, Jerry Jeff, and Gary P. Nunn.




The next song is from 1982, where he achieved mainstream success with #1 hits like "Still Taking Chances."

Throwback Thursday - King George

It feels so cliche for me to be posting a George Strait song. But I am still in mourning that the King announced his final tour yesterday. His first stop is in Lubbock in January so I'm praying my parents are quick enough to snatch up some tickets for my sister and I for Christmas. Lord knows I won't be able to afford them myself. I've seen him twice and while it's not my preferred concert environment (beer-soaked bar, front row, rowdy crowd), there's nothing like seeing a man that has been an icon for many generations singing hit songs from before I was born that are still played on the radio every day.

Nothing will take me back to my childhood faster than "I'm Carrying Your Love with Me" or "Check Yes or No." I can't pick a favorite. I have tried and I think it changes every time but is usually somewhere around "Blue Clear Sky" or "Run." It's impossible to pick just one, but I love this list Galleywinter put together last year. It's pretty cool to see what an impact one singer has had on so many.



ps - Sorry. This is probably the sappiest song I've ever posted but it just fits the bill too well. :)

Jerry Jeff Walker - "Pissin' In the Wind"

I love this time of year. Everyone is back in town and there's tailgates, awesome concerts every weekend and a million opportunities to party every day. Whenever I'm feeling hungover on a weekday at work regretting having so much fun the night before, I just think about the good stories I'll have to tell. I feel sorry for the people who don't have that frame of mind!

I heard this song yesterday and realized it's pretty much the way I feel lately! But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Mickey Newbury - Throwback Thursday

Have you ever wondered who Waylon was singing about in his song "Luckenbach Texas", when he sings the line, "Hank Williams' pain songs and Newbury's train songs"?  He was giving a nod to one of the great singer/songwriters, Mickey Newbury.  Although he was the youngest person ever inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame, he is not as well known as many of the artists who sang his songs.  Labeled as one of the first outlaws to buck the Nashville system, and a person who Ralph Emery once called a "hippy cowboy," he did things his way.  Do yourself a favor and read all about Mickey, enjoy his music, and see how so many were influenced by it.

This trilogy of songs, which he did not write but arranged, went on to become the centerpiece for every Elvis Presley show.  

This song was made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis, but on this video you can enjoy the haunting voice of a legend.  



Thanks to my good friend - who happens to be from Waylon's hometown - for introducing me to Mickey and so much other music!

Steve Earle - "Fearless Heart"

It's Throwback Thursday!

I don't care what day of the week it is, you can never go wrong with Steve Earle. I Ain't Ever Satisfied: The Steve Earle Collection is easily one of my most listened to albums, thanks to my sister who turned me on to it years ago. If we are ever in the car together for more than 30 minutes, you can bet big money these songs will be played. He's one of our heros.