Jimmie Rodgers was arguably the most popular singer of his era. At the time of his death in 1933, he reportedly accounted for 10% of all records sold by RCA Victor, then the world’s largest record company. His contract had, in fact, been a key asset in RCA’s acquisition of the Victor Talking Machine Company … Continue reading Broke, Hungry, Wet and Far from Home: Things Are Looking Up
Classic Country
Not Quite Hank Williams, But Close
For a man who left behind him less than 10 minutes of video footage, Hank Williams has a remarkably long filmography. Inspired by the recent release of I Saw the Light, I’ve been delving into it and checking out some titles new to me and others which I hadn’t seen in years. There are at … Continue reading Not Quite Hank Williams, But Close
Merle Haggard, 1937-2016
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
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
Tennessee Walt 