COUNTRY MUSIC CLASSICS
Doug Davis
Owner/Publisher/Manager/Editor/
Writer/Gopher/Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Wednesday February 20th , 2013
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Some recording artists say that hit songs are almost impossible to find - while others say all you have to do is ask!
According to record producer and music publisher Bob Montgomery - Janie Fricke's 1982 number one, "It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy" was one of the easiest hits to find!
As the story goes - Janie had switched record producers after a couple of albums with producer Jim Ed Norman. And when Bob Montgomery took over as her producer - he began searching for songs and just happened to meet former Exile member Mark Gray. When Montgomery asked if he had any hit songs - Gray sat down at the piano and sang " It's Ain't Easy Bein' Easy." As soon as he heard it - Montgomery knew he had found a hit!
Fricke says she fell in love with the song as soon as she heard it!
Her Columbia Records single " It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy" came on the country music charts September 18th, 1982 and was at the top of the charts on November 28th.
The song was written by Shawna Harrington, Mark Gray, and Les Taylor. The single was produced by Bob Montgomery.
Janie Fricke placed 38 songs on the country music charts between 1977 and 1989 - including nine number ones.
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P L E A S E H E L P:
My daughter - Debra Davis Gass wants to join the QXFM Radio (Weatherford, Texas)
morning team and make local radio more fun, positive, and uplifting! Please vote for DEBRA GASS at:
www.qxfm.com/nextbigthing
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: The radio guys mentioned that several old country albums were being re-released. Do you have any information?
A: Several classic country albums are being reissued on March 12th - including Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler," Glen Campbell's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," and Merle Haggard's "Swinging Doors." And the reissues will be on vinyl - not CD. The reissues will also include the original artwork.
Q: Heard that Willie Nelson is doing something with "global green." What is that?
A: Willie Nelson headlined the national environment group Global Green's USA's 10 Annual Pre-Oscar Party - February 20th at Avalon Hollywood in Los ANgeles.
Q: The TV news guy had something about an Eddy Arnold tribute album. Do you have any information?
A: "You Don't Know Me: Rediscovering Eddy Arnold" is set for May 14th release on Plowboy Records and will include tracks by Herman's Hermit's singer Peter Noone, BR5-49 frontman Chuck Mead and rockers Drivin' n' Cryin'.
Q: I have some cassette tapes that my mom recorded from the radio and one of the songs is the Johnny Rodriguez hit "Pass Me By" - but sung by Ronnie Milsap. I've tried to buy the recording at music stores and I've called radio stations about and they all say there is no such recording. Do you have any information?
A: The Milsap version of "Pass Me By" was a track in his 1973 "Where My Heart Is" album.
Q; One of my favorite records is Jerry Lee Lewis' "Who Will The Next Fool Be." My mom says that song was on the radio by someone else before his record. Is that true?
A: The song was recorded by several artists but the only other chart version was Charlie Rich's number 67 hit in 1970 - before Jerry Lee's recording peaked at number 20 in 1979.
Q: Have you heard of a song about " Where Have All The Average People Gone?" My dad says it was on the radio back in the 60's.
A: The song was a number 14 hit for Roger Miller in 1969.
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Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to: Classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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NUMBER ONE ON THIS DATE:
1947
So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed - Merle Travis
1955
Let Me Go, Lover! - Hank Snow
1963
The Ballad of Jed Clampett - Flatt & Scruggs
1971
Help Me Make It Through the Night - Sammi Smith
1979
Every Which Way But Loose - Eddie Rabbitt
1987
How Do I Turn You On - Ronnie Milsap
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A T T E N T I O N: R A D I O S T A T I O N S:
Our short form daily radio feature, "Story Behind The Song" is now available to radio stations. (NOT AVAILABLE TO INTERNET STATIONS)
The feature is available at no charge.
For information, email me at classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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ALFALFA. (A special edition)
By : Jack Blanchard
I started working for gangsters when I was about 18.
They liked me because I looked innocent,
and that makes for a good front man.
I was just reading about Carl Switzer, the actor who played Alfalfa
in The Our Gang Comedies of the 1930s.
I met him in Miami shortly before he was shot to death over money.
I was managing two clubs for The Mob,
both clubs in the same building.
The club owner was a notorious money lender and killer.
I got talking to a guy at the bar. He said, "I was the original Alfalfa."
He wore a suit, looked about 30, and seemed very edgy.
This was 1958, and I was surprised to read that he was killed
in January, 1959.
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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY
compiled by Bill Morrison
February 20th-
1947 - Merle Travis had the #1 song on the charts "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed."
1951 - Kathie Baillie, of "Baillie & the Boys," born in Morristown, New Jersey.
1953 - Marty Robbins released "ICouldn't Keep from Crying" b/w "After You Leave."
1954 - Claire Lynch, Rounder Records, born Albany, New York.
1954 - Webb Pierce's "Slowly," went to #1.
1960 - Tennessee Ernie Ford's Gospel album "Hymns," was certified gold by the RIAA.
1961 - Johnny Burnette's single "Little Boy Sad" charted.
1965 - Leon Ashley and Margie Singleton were married.
1965 - Buck Owens' "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail," topped the Charts 1965.
1979 - Eddie Rabbitt topped the charts with "Every Which Way But Loose."
1988 - The Grand Ole Opry celebrated Roy Acuff's 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Porter Wagoner hosted two segments that evening, and Dolly Parton was his guest on both shows. This was the first time they had performed together on stage since the 1974 breakup of their show.
1991 - Johnny Cash was honored at the Grammy Awards when he was presented with the "Living Legend" Award.
1996 - Razor & Tie released "Honky Tonk Amnesia: The Hard Country Sound of Moe Bandy."
1999 - Sara Evans #1 country hit "No Place That Far" crossed over on Billboard's Top 40. Vince Gill sang back up.
2004 - Jo Dee Messina entered a rehabilitation center in Sundance, Utah, to deal with an ongoing problem with alcohol.
2005 - Larry Kingston, age 63, songwriter, died at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.
Courtesy Bill Morrison: http://www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalMAR.html
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