On November 4, 2013, my wife and I got into our car in the early morning hours. From our home in Queens, N.Y., we were bound for Kingston, N.Y., a drive of some two-and-a-half hours, allowing for traffic. It was quite a drive, but it was worth it, because we were on our way to … Continue reading Merle Haggard, 1937-2016
Author: Tennessee Walt
Your Cheatin’ Heart: A Hank Williams We Never Knew
Having seen the new Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light recently and written a blog post about it, I thought that this would be a good occasion to revisit the most prominent of the previous tellings of Williams’ story, Gene Nelson’s Your Cheatin’ Heart (1964). That’s the one which features George Hamilton as Williams, … Continue reading Your Cheatin’ Heart: A Hank Williams We Never Knew
I Saw the Light: Hank Williams on His Way Downhill
If your interests are anything like mine—and if they aren’t, you’re reading the wrong blog—you wouldn’t dream of missing the new film I Saw the Light. It’s a feature film about Hank Williams, with a big budget and some big-name actors. Where do I get tickets? As to the movie itself, you’ve probably got … Continue reading I Saw the Light: Hank Williams on His Way Downhill
Hank Williams’ Apostrophe: A Quest for Authenticity
The title of the song is “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” That much is clear. It’s right there on the cover of the sheet music, as published by Williams’ own publisher, Acuff-Rose, in 1952. Of that there is no possible doubt whatever. Thereafter, though, things get murky. It seems obvious that, if you’re singing the song, the … Continue reading Hank Williams’ Apostrophe: A Quest for Authenticity
Herman Hupfeld’s Magic Moment
This post isn’t about country music. Or maybe it is. Maybe it’s about the only thing that really matters about country music. You figure it out. A few weeks ago I was in Austin, Texas, to do a show. The show was on Sunday, and I got into town late on Friday, so on Saturday … Continue reading Herman Hupfeld’s Magic Moment
Squaring the `Circle’
If you visit the Grand Ole Opry in Music Valley, which I highly recommend, and if you get there early, you’ll have the chance to see a promotional video of past Opry highlights. Prominently featured is a clip from Sept. 28, 2010, the night the Opry reopened after being seriously damaged by the Nashville flood … Continue reading Squaring the `Circle’
An Overlooked Country Gem
Aficionados of classic country acknowledge the original Carter Family as among the wellsprings of country music. The hundreds of songs recorded by A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter in the 1920s and 1930s are considered foundational works. Most discussion of the Carters, however, then slides effortlessly along to June Carter and her work with Johnny Cash … Continue reading An Overlooked Country Gem
Walt Across Texas
Texas got its first Tennessee Walt sighting this past Sunday, Feb. 21, when Walt was a featured guest artist in Gilbert & Sullivan and Me, a lecture/concert presented by noted Gilbert & Sullivan expert Gayden Wren under the auspices of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin. An appreciative audience of Savoyards found a bit … Continue reading Walt Across Texas
Is It Country? Is It Hip Hop? 20 Ways to Tell
As any year’s Grammy awards can demonstrate, Americans love to slice and dice their music. Is a given song country, folk or Americana? Is it folk-rock, alt country or roots music? Is it neo-folk, country-punk or folkabilly? This might not seem important, but it matters in the business end of “show business.” How music is … Continue reading Is It Country? Is It Hip Hop? 20 Ways to Tell
What Is Country Music?
Let’s begin by acknowledging that it’s a profoundly unnecessary question. A good song is a good song, whether you call it country, barbershop or Gregorian chant, and it won’t get any better—or any worse—by any other name. If you like a song, it doesn’t matter what genre it is. Nonetheless, there’s few things Americans like … Continue reading What Is Country Music?
Tennessee Walt 