Download Instrumental   Don Gibson wrote “Sweet Dreams” for Patsy Cline, “I Can’t Stop Loving You” for Ray Charles, and this one for himself.  He recorded “Oh, Lonesome Me” in 1957 and since then every country artist on the planet has redone it in their own peculiar way.  Some of their renditions are good, but others just suck.  I’ve always really liked the tune, but never once performed it.  Must be a reason for that.  Yeah… it’s just a hair too country.

I heard a version of this by Ray Price the other day and liked it because he threw in some violins and brass.  But it was still definitely “country”.  I sat down to do his arrangement, but halfway through my work I realized the lead instrument didn’t have to be a steel guitar.  I kept hearing a clarinet playing around underneath the melody instead of the guitar.  So I thought, “Why not Dixieland?”  Yes, Dixieland.  I live a hop, skip, and a jump from New Orleans – so sue me.  Can’t help it – my keyboard has a great clarinet voice.

So if you want to perform this classic country tune like your audience has never heard it before, give these backups a shot on your next gig.  Pete Fountain, eat your heart out.  My apologies to Mr. Gibson.