Posted by Pete Smith on July 17, 2009, 2:37 pm
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The Advertsier (UK)
3 July 2009
Over the years several rock artists have made the transition to country but none so successfully as the two I have for your consideration this week.
Jerry Lee Lewis was the consummate rocker of the 1950s. His recordings for Sam Phillips legendary Sun label were wild and uninhibited and he hit the world stage as his “Great Balls Of Fire” experienced “A Whole Lotta Shakin'”. In the world of rock 'n' roll he was the man until that fatal UK tour when the British press crucified him for marrying his thirteen year old cousin. The hypocritical American press, who knew such marriages were commonplace in the deep south, emulated their British press cousins. Lewis's nightly fees dropped from more than ten thousand dollars to less than three hundred. Jerry Lee Lewis's career was all but dead. But was it? It took more than ten years but Jerry Lee did manage to find a sympathetic label when Smash signed him as a country artist. Jerry Lee's gamble on country paid off as hit followed hit throughout the rest of the 1960s and into the following decade, hits like “What Made Milwaukee Famous”, “She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye”, “Echoes”, “She Still Comes Around To Love What's Left Of Me” and the definitive version of “Me And Bobby McGee”. In my humble opinion Jerry Lee Lewis established himself as one of country music's greatest honky tonk singers.
Like Jerry Lee, Conway Twitty recorded rock for Sam Phillips but not on the Sun main label, on Phillips International under his given name of Harold Jenkins. Adopting the new name of Conway Twitty he soon found success with MGM and hits like “It's Only Make Believe” and “Mona Lisa”. During the early 1960s as his fame was fading, Twitty began to introduce country material to his act and, inspired by Ray Price's success with the Twitty penned “Walk Me to The Door” Conway turned to country full-time in 1965. Signed to Decca he recorded several minor hits until 1968 when he enjoyed his first top ten hit with “The Image Of Me” and “Next In Line” the first of forty number one hits over the next twenty years. Twitty was a country pioneer. He brought to the music a maturity not known before by introducing adult themes to his songs, songs like “Linda On My Mind”, “Fifteen Years Ago”, “I See The Want To In Your Eyes” and “Hello Darlin'”. From the late 1970s Conway pursued a dual career, solo and as a duo with Loretta Lynn, with whom he scores hit after hit. He died in 1993 of an abdominal aneurysm still holding the record for the most country number ones.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
10 July 2009
The new Don Scribner album, “I Know The Devil”, is an excellent piece of work. The 12 original songs are the inspiration of a multi-faceted life. Don grew up in Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Superior, close to the Canadian border, an area that would leave a lasting impression on anyone – and it certainly did on Don. Scribner is one of the most fascinating characters in country music. He left college early yet later became a teacher and college principal and he has spent several years in the education business gaining an enviable reputation along the way. Don's interest art forms led him to California where he became involved in various aspects of performing arts including the movies where he has starred in four, co-starred in four more and played a supporting role in five others. Don is also a screenplay writer, a producer, songwriter, musician and singer. I suppose with such a strong curriculum vitae one would expect something special for that important début album and with “I Know The Devil” Scribner in no way disappoints. Though these performances are essentially of modern country there is a traditional morality throughout. Don is a fine vocalist who puts an authenticity into his delivery that leaves the listener truly believing in the songs and the backing musicians are in total empathy, particularly Ken Deifik who plays a mean harmonica and Joseph Arnold, a superb guitarist. Recommending tracks to sample is extremely difficult for all 12 are first rate, though I am particularly drawn to “Let's Make It Right”, “Talk To Me”, “Old Love” and “Press Your Lips To Mine”. www.donscribner.com
Sunday (12 July) marks the sixty-seventh birthday of singer/writer Steve Young. After working with Gram Parsons and Gene Clark (The Byrds) Steve recorded his acclaimed début album “Rock, Salt And Nails” then went on to write such mega hits as “Seven Bridges Road” (Eagles) and “Lonesome, On'ry And Mean” (Waylon Jennings).
Tuesday marks the one hundred and fourteenth anniversary of the death of Billy The Kid. Sheriff Pat Garrett caught up with Billy at Pete Maxwell's ranch where he shot him dead. Billy (William Bonney) was on the run after breaking out of jail where he was held after being convicted of the murder of Sheriff Brady.
Ninety-seven years ago on Tuesday Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. Woody, to millions the greatest American ever, wrote around a thousand songs, most of them about his native land including “This Land Is Your Land”, So Long It's Been Good To Know You”, “This Train Is Bound For Glory” and “Pastures Of Plenty”. Woody died of Huntingdon's Chorea in Queens, New York on 3 October 1967.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
17 July 2009
Joe Zacharias grew up in Cleardale on a small farm in Alberta, Canada. He is married with three children and before establishing himself as one of the very best country Gospel singer/writers was involved in the timber and road construction industries. His earliest musical influences, instilled by listening to his father's record collection, was Wilf Carter. Stompin Tom Connors, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Joe began playing guitar when he was fourteen years old and the very first song he learned to play and sing was "I Walk The Line". Joe has been involved with various bands for around nineteen years originally playing strict country but for the last twelve years country and Gospel. Joe's début album is “Live With The End In Mind” (Heartline Music) and what a superb début this is! The twelve songs, five penned by Joe, are inspirational covering many aspects of life including; optimism (“The Other Side Of Blue”), determination (“He's Gonna Run”), being born again (“Gospel Row”), the futility of amassing wealth (“Live with The End In Mind”), pre-judging (“The Pharisee In Me”), the sanctity of marriage (“With This Ring”) and pure love (“She Brings Down The House”). These wonderful lyrics are set to country styles that include country rock, tearjerkers, rockabilly and even a hint of Outlaw and rock 'n' roll (the marvellous “That Rock Did Roll”) and creating those sounds are a bunch of pickers who really know how to play guitars, fiddles, steels and pianos with Gord Maxwell adding great backup vocals. Definitely an “A” list album! www.joezacharias.com.
Ninety-one years ago today (17 July) Red Sovine was born in Charleston, West Virginia. His career began on local radio with Jim Pike and the Carolina Tar Heels before stepping up to the Wheeling Jamboree and then in 1949 he replaced Hank Williams on the Louisiana Hayride. As a recording artist Red hit the charts regularly with trucking songs and sentimental monologues such as “Phantom 309”, “Little Rosa”, “Giddy-Up-Go”, “Little Joe” and “Teddy Bear”. Red also cut duets with Webb Pierce, the duo reaching number one with “Why, Baby, Why”. Red suffered a fatal heart attack whilst driving his van in 1980.
On this day (17 July) in 1951 the legendary Cajun accordionist Harry Choates died. Harry, composer of the Cajun classic “Jole Blon” was something of a rebel and a noted drinker who died in a police cell whilst being held on a charge of contempt of court.
Tomorrow (18 July) is the fifty-fifth birthday of Ricky Skaggs. Ricky learned to play mandolin at age five, appeared on Flatt and Scruggs Nashville television show when he was seven and was one of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys from age fifteen. Skaggs next formed his own band, Boone Creek, joined Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, revolutionised country music in the 1980s before returning to his bluegrass roots.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
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