Download Instrumental    Country music was never my style, but I do enjoy throwing one in the mix now and then. This is one of my favorites just because it’s fun… and I love fun!

Waylon Jennings began writing “Good-Hearted Woman” while staying at a Ft. Worth, Texas motel in 1969.  He had read an article in a magazine about Tina Turner -“a good-hearted woman loving two-timing men” – a reference to Ike Turner.  Just so happened, Willie Nelson was at the same motel (what are the odds?) and Jennings sought him out to tell him about this song he wanted to write.  He found Nelson in a poker game, joined the table, and the two men took turns throwing out a line at each deal of the cards while Willie’s wife furiously wrote down the lyrics.  When Jennings drew to an improbable inside straight, he got his inspiration for the hook of the song.  “Say, Willie,” (he called him Willie), “what say we change it from two-timin’ to good-timin’ man – sounds friendlier somehow”.

Now you know the rest of the story…

See Waylon and Willie and Chet do the song below:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=waylon+and+willie+good+hearted+woman&view=detail&mid=01A304D82121CE20CBED01A304D82121CE20CBED&FORM=VIRE

  Download    Since the Andy Griffith Show theme song is the second most recognized tune in the country (just behind “Happy Birthday”),  I thought why not make up an arrangement and use it as a fun thing on a gig.  And, in case you didn’t know, it has lyrics!  This song just makes me happy when I hear it.

It’s actually called “The Fishin’ Hole”.  Here are the words – sing along:

“Well now, take down your fishing pole – and meet me at the fishing hole

We may not get a bite all day – but don’t you rush away

What a great place to rest your bones – and mighty fine for skipping stones

You’ll feel fresh as a lemonade – a-setting in the shade

Whether it’s hot – whether it’s cool

Oh, what a spot – for whistlin’ like a fool

What a fine day to take a stroll – and wind up at the fishing hole

I can’t think of a better way – to pass the time of day

(Guitar solo)

Hangin’ around – taking our ease

Watching that hound – a-scratching at his fleas

I’m gonna take down my fishing pole – and meet you at the fishing hole

I can’t think of a better way – to pass the time of day”

[End]

Who knew there were actual words?  In my opinion, if all’s well with Andy, all should be well with the world.  Or maybe we all just need to get back to Mayberry.

[Country List]

  Download    Leave it to me to take a decidedly sad song and make it into a happy tune that you’d whistle strolling down a country lane.  I know it’s supposed to be sorrowful, but the chord progression and tempo both scream happy and carefree.  Anyway, this is the way we do it… so there.

“Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue” was originally intended to be recorded by Shirley Bassey (of “Goldfinger” fame – her only hit), but it ultimately went to Brenda Gail Webb… aka Crystal Gayle… who just happened to be the younger sister of Loretta Lynn.  When Brenda (Crystal) graduated from high school, she signed with Decca Records,  her sister’s label.  The producers wanted Brenda to change her first name since there was already a female star out there named Brenda Lee (give me a break – a pox on producers).  Loretta Lynn suggested the name “Crystal” after seeing a sign for the Krystal hamburger chain.  Brenda thus became “Crystal Gayle”.  Fascinating stuff, I know.

Her debut single in 1970 was “I Cried the Blue Right Out of My Eyes” – are we seeing a pattern here?  That song peaked at a disappointing #23 on the charts.  She eventually had a #2 hit with “You Never Miss a Real Good Thing til’ He Says Goodbye”.  Apparently, the girl had a real penchant for looooong titles.  Finally, she scored big time with “Brown Eyes Blue” – the most successful song of her career.  By the way, her eyes are blue… not brown.

Our arrangement is just a hair jazzier than the original but, trust me, your audience won’t mind.  Sing it happy or sad… just sing it.

(Country List)

  Download MP3    I had never heard of this song until I saw The Beatles do it on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1965.  I, of course, thought they wrote the song.  If I’d have been a fan of country music I would have known Buck Owens recorded it first in ’63.  Hey, I was just a kid (still am, unfortunately).

“Act Naturally” was written by a songwriter named Johnny Russell in the early 60’s.  He had been invited to a recording session in Los Angeles and had to break a date with his girlfriend to do so.  She wanted to know why he was going to L.A. and he said, “They’re gonna put me in the movies and make a big star outta me”.  They had a good laugh at that, but what he had said stuck in his mind and he wrote this song that very afternoon.  Russell wanted to record it himself, but his producer turned it down because songs about movies were not hit material.  Fat lot he knew!

It was a full two years before Buck Owens took the song and made it his first number one hit.  The Beatles only covered the song two years later, mostly because Ringo was due to sing a tune and this one was easy.  I’ve always loved this piece – the clever lyrics did it for me, and it really is no problem to sing – which is a prerequisite for all of my vocal adventures.  Singers, country or not…. you’ll want this one in your set list.

Buck Owens and Ringo got together and did a video of “Act Naturally” in 1989… click the link below.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=act+naturally+buck+owens+and+ringo&view=detail&mid=37673C142564FBA202D237673C142564FBA202D2&FORM=VIRE

  Download    I’m probably one of the few lamebrains on the planet who didn’t know this Floyd Cramer classic had words – actual lyrics that are really quite beautiful and poignant.  “It’s over – our love affair – too late now – I find I care”.   See?  Makes ya want to find out what happened, doesn’t it?  It’s a sad story, for sure.

Mr. Cramer wrote and recorded this as an instrumental in 1960 and it immediately soared to the top of the country charts.  Last Date exemplifies the “slip note” style of piano playing that became his trademark.  Conway Twitty wrote lyrics for the tune in 1972 and recorded it as only Conway could do it – syrupy sweet with a crack in his voice and a tear in his eye.

So you, as a professional singer, can take this old, wonderful instrumental and make it your own.  I tried to emulate Cramer’s piano style on track one but it’s a woefully inept attempt.  You’ll mute that track anyway, so no problem.  Have fun with this one.  Your audience will certainly recognize the melody but the lyrics will put a fresh face on an old favorite.  Tell ’em you wrote the words – they’ll never know!  You’ll be a genius!

Click the link below to see Conway performing it – hope you like steel guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70KJU1_hG-0

  Download Here    Definition of “jambalaya”: a spicy dish of rice usually cooked with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters.  Yum!  That makes me want to put some together this weekend with sausage and chicken.  Good eatin’, folks.

But jambalaya isn’t just great food…. it’s also great music…. and fun.  That’s why almost every singer on the planet has recorded the song.  Hank Williams did it first (since he wrote most of it), then Jo Stafford (just silly), then Brenda Lee (her first single), and a slew of other artists from Fats Domino to The Carpenters.  Even Elvis thought it was worth a track on one of his live albums.

I’ve done this song for years – since it was written, I think… but I’m not tellin’ when that was.  Always the same way… that ol’ Cajun two-step that really requires an accordion and a washboard, but we heard a rockier (is that a word?) version a few years ago and have been doing it that way ever since.  Try our version the next time you perform the song.  If you’re not having fun with it, you’re not doing it right.

(Country List)

  Download    Okay.. I’ll admit to never being a fan of Merle Haggard.  Oh, I knew of Mr. Haggard, but the only song I attributed to him was “Okie From Muskogee” – a song I neither liked or ever performed.  So I didn’t pay much attention to him.  Man… did I ever miss out.

It took his death last week to make me take a second look at a man I’d always heard was a legend but never took the time to find out why.  This guy had 38 number one country hits  – 38!  That’s amazing!  And I only heard of one.  I did hear a reference to “the fightin’ side of me” one time,  but I didn’t know it was a song.  His life was rough after his father passed in 1945 – living in a boxcar, in and out of juvenile detention centers, and finally a stint in San Quentin.  It was there he saw Johnny Cash perform in 1958, which more or less turned him around enough to decide that country music was where he wanted to be.  He was paroled in 1960 and set about making himself a country music star by writing songs about the working man, and gambling, drinking, carousing, fighting, and crying a lot – typical country music stuff.  In 1972, after Haggard had become an established country star, then- California governor Ronald Reagan granted Merle an unconditional pardon for his past crimes.  Of course, all you “Hag” fans already know all this, but I remain fascinated.

This particular song is called “Swingin’ Doors” and I love it – we’re gonna start doing it.  It wasn’t one of his biggest – only reaching #5 on the charts – but the lyrics are clever,  self deprecating and sarcastic all at the same time.  The wife (or girlfriend, it’s not clear) has kicked him out of his house and he’s taken up residence in a honky-tonk bar (better than a boxcar).  The chorus:  “And I’ve got swingin’ doors, a jukebox, and a bar stool/ and my new home has a flashing neon sign/ stop by and see me anytime you want to/ ’cause I’m always here at home till closing time”.  Here’s a song that plays to the country side of everybody.

These backup tracks are on the country list, along with “Okie” (had to be done).  And this one goes out to my dear Aunt Marilyn (not that she lives in a saloon).  Who knew she was a big fan (according to my Dad)?  Now, at long last, so am I.