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Forgotten Artists: Cal Smith
I just came home to count the memories that I’ve been countin’ in my mind
I just come home to count the memories from a better day and time
“I Just Came Home To Count The Memories“ (written by Glen Ray, 1974)
When the Florida Sunshine Opry (Eustis, FL) booked its first “name” (non-local) act back in 1999, [...] -
Forgotten Artists - Jeannie C. Riley
I want to tell you all a story about a Harper Valley widowed wife
Who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High
Well, her daughter came home one afternoon and didn’t even stop to play
She said mom I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA
– Tom T. Hall - 1967
Starting out [...] -
Forgotten Artists: Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman and The Stoneman Family
Most people trace the dawn of recorded country music back to the famous Bristol sessions of 1927, from which Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family rose to prominence. While I am not sure that even Ernest Stoneman (May 25, 1893 - June 14, 1968) represents the dawn of recorded country music, he has a far [...]
Continue reading "Forgotten Artists: Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman and The Stoneman Family"
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Forgotten Artists: Tommy Collins (1930-2000)
In the Spring of 1966, the local country music stations in Tidewater, Virginia (WCMS & WTID) were playing the sounds of Tommy Collins’ new single “If You Can’t Bite, Don’t Growl.”
I whistled at pretty girl, on a corner downtown
She saw me when I winked my eye and then she turned around
She came and took me [...]Continue reading "Forgotten Artists: Tommy Collins (1930-2000)"
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Forgotten Artists: Webb Pierce (1921-1991)
Most of the artists I’ve written about in this series, with the obvious exception of Charley Pride, have been artists of merit who never became huge stars.
This is not the case with Webb Pierce. For a five year period (1952-1957), Webb Pierce was the dominant artist in the genre, charting 39 songs during [...]Continue reading "Forgotten Artists: Webb Pierce (1921-1991)"
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Forgotten Artists: Dick Feller
A few years ago I was attending a performance by Vermont singer/songwriter Bernie Whittle when he launched into “I Just Don’t Look Good Naked Anymore.” I wasn’t familiar with the song but it seemed to me that it could have come from the pen of only one writer–Dick Feller. A little research confirmed my [...]
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Forgotten Artists: Bradley Kincaid (1895-1989)
In a manner similar to Alan Lomax, William Bradley “The Kentucky Mountain Boy” Kincaid was one of the great American musicologists and collectors of American folk, country and parlor songs, and helped preserve a rich heritage through publication of his songbooks. Unlike Lomax, however, Kincaid was also a top-flight songwriter and performer. Unfortunately, if Kincaid [...]
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Forgotten Artists: Goldie Hill (1933- 2005)
Had Carl Smith and Goldie Hill been born 30 or 40 years later, they might have been like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw–the dominant married couple in country music. Carl Smith was one of the biggest stars of the 1950s; bigger perhaps than Tim McGraw is today. Goldie Hill was glamorous and talented, with a [...]
Continue reading "Forgotten Artists: Goldie Hill (1933- 2005)"
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Forgotten Artists: Wynn Stewart (1934-1985)
Mention Bakersfield to a country music fan and the names Buck Owens and Merle Haggard immediately come to mind. That’s to be expected considering Buck and the Hag were the two most successful practitioners of the “Bakersfield Sound,” but there are several other artists just as important to the evolution of the sound. Chief among [...]
Continue reading "Forgotten Artists: Wynn Stewart (1934-1985)"
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Forgotten Artists: David Rogers
David Rogers (1936-1993) is proof of the adage that it’s great to be on a major label, but only if the label is truly behind you.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, during the depths of the Great Depression, Rogers began playing guitar when he was eleven, and shortly thereafter began appearing in local bands. He [...]
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In this exclusive interview for The 9513, Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook talks about life with the band, as well as A Place to Land, the group’s current album, which has charted in the top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart on two separate occasions
Honeyhoney isn’t country. That’s what lead singer Suzanne Santo, one half of the Venice, California, duo will tell you. But the sultry-voiced Santo and her musical partner Ben Jaffe have together created a sound that if not technically country, nonetheless boasts considerably country undertones.
In an attempt to discover and highlight the best music every month, We'll be publishing a list of the best songs released throughout that period. Here's Brady Vercher's picks for September.
Toby Keith - “God Love Her” Solid, though neither life-changing nor earth-moving; “God Love Her” fits well beside Keith’s better material, an uptempo romp that, for better or worse, has no intention of even pretending to be your grandpa’s country music.
Hank Williams III - “Six Pack of Beer” It’s hard not to love “Six Pack of Beer” for its style—Williams remains one of the most unique artists of his generation, and the musicianship and arrangements utilized on his records can elicit truly euphoric reactions.
Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally - “Down The Road” There is a somberness in Chesney’s delivery that perfectly matches McAnally’s; this understated vocal performance is his best in years.
Jason Michael Carroll - “Where I’m From” In a format already oversaturated with songs about celebrating rural roots, “Where I’m From” begins a step behind and never catches up.
Emerson Drive - "Belongs To You" It's a song as well-constructed as could be expected (considering that it is made up almost entirely of clichés), but which nonetheless feels like an exercise in mediocrity.
Becky Schlegel - "Jenny" It's a study in interpretation and supportive arrangement that maximize the emotional significance of the lyric, reflecting artistry without becoming inaccessible.
For 23 year-old Jeannie C. Riley, the top of the mountain was reached in August 1968, when “Harper Valley PTA” jumped from No. 81 to No. 1 on the Billboard (all-genres) Singles Chart.Current Discussion
- Paula_W: Though she has a few songs I really like, I'm just not a huge Martina fan. This song gives ...
- Roger: Kelly you beat me to that post!!!!
- TAYERS: So...based on this and the quote on today's news round-up, how long have they been INTENTIONALLY marketing her music to ...
- diver: This is totally inappropriate as I am about to quote someone from USAToday online quoting someone else, but if someone ...
- Ruth: I think all of you have NO taste at all! Our local radio station had it on love it or ...
- TAYERS: There's a country station in our market that plays southern classic rock like CCR, the Eagles, and the J. Geils ...
- Rick: Although Bob Wills may still be the King in Texas (and it must be if Waylon said so), western swing ...
- Kelly: When is the Bob Wills set give-away gonna happen?
- gaby: Well I am happy that the UMG guy didn't try and say how taking Taylor international would be great exposure ...
- Rick: Mikey, the bizarre artist Unknown Hinson has already covered the realm of a love song to an inflatable doll with ...
