Volume 207: Good Country Record 1
Liner Notes
Here’s a fun find from this collection. My father really loved his country music too besides all that jazz, pop and classical.
This is the kind of country and western music that was kind of between the fiddle-led twang of early country and the days of outlaw country, although you will hear one of those outlaws from his early days first.
This album is filled with memorable songs and some great memories that went beyond those songs. You know how music triggers those.
So, get ready to hear several great singers from what I think was a great era in Volume 207: Good Country Record 1.
Video Intro
Listen here or on my PodBean Podcast Episode page:
You can check out the video version here or on YouTube:
Credits and Copyrights:
Various – The Good Times In Country Music
Label: Columbia Special Products Tampa Records – C2-10419
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo, Terre Haute Pressing
Released: 1974
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country
We’ll hear 10 of the 17 songs on record 2 of this two-record set.
Johnny Cash & June Carter – Jackson
written by Jerry Leiber, Billy Edd Wheeler
Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two – Folsom Prison Blues
written by Johnny Cash, Gordon Jenkins
Jim Nabors – Wichita Lineman
written by Jimmy Webb
Dottie West – I Fall To Pieces
written by Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard
Hank Thompson– Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette
written by Merle Travis, Tex Williams
Roy Clark – Yesterday When I Was Young
written by Herbert Kretzmer, Charles Aznavour
Buck Owens – Sweet Hearts In Heaven
written by Buck Owens
Grandpa Jones and His Grandchildren – Mountain Dew
written by Scott Wiseman, Bascom Lamar Lunsford
Jimmy Dean – Big Bad John (September 22, 1961)
written by Jimmy Dean
Carl Storey – Daddy Sang Bass
written by Carl Perkins
I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.
Here is the Episode Script!
Thanks sweetie and thank YOU for tuning into episode 207 of Spinning My Dad’s Vinyl.
Here’s a fun find from this collection. My father really loved his country music too besides all that jazz, pop and classical.
This is the kind of country and western music that was kind of between the fiddle-led twang of early country and the days of outlaw country, although you will hear one of those outlaws from his early days first.
This album is filled with memorable songs and some great memories that went beyond those songs. You know how music triggers those.
So, get ready to hear several great singers from what I think was a great era in Volume 207: Good Country Record 1.
[Music: Jackson]
[Music: Folsom Prison Blues]
We started things off with a Johnny Cash Twofer.
First was Jackson from Johnny Cash and June Carter
written by Jerry Leiber, and Billy Edd Wheeler
It was released February 6, 1967
Then we heard the infamous Folsom Prison Blues
Performed by Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two
written by Johnny Cash, and Gordon Jenkins.
It was released December 15, 1955.
Johnny Cash was an iconic American singer-songwriter known for his deep voice, outlaw image, and timeless hits like “Ring of Fire” and “I Walk the Line,” blending country, rock, and gospel influences. Overcoming personal struggles with addiction, he became a legendary figure in American music, earning numerous awards and continuing to resonate with audiences until his passing in 2003 at age 71.
June Carter Cash was a talented singer, songwriter, and actress who played a vital role in country music, both as a solo artist and alongside her husband, Johnny Cash, with whom she co-wrote the classic “Ring of Fire.” A member of the legendary Carter Family, she was celebrated for her humor, charm, and contributions to country music until her death in 2003 at age 73.
They ended up marrying a year after Jackson was released in 1968. And yes…they died the same year.
Ok…Why this record for this episode?
It’s funny. I have been burned so often with some of these budget record labels that I was kind of disinterested in what was in there. As you’ll find out, there is NO information on either the back or front other than the title of the record. That’s usually a bad sign.
So when I slid that first record out…not record one by the way, but hey…when I slid that first record out I knew I had found something special. There are a ton of country music hall of famers on this one. Many of the songs are from very early in their careers.
I could hardly wait to get it on the turntable. What a great collection. Unfortunately I left some very good music on the shelf. But I could definitely see why this was in my dad’s collection.
OK…Next up is a voice I heard singing before the start of the Indy 500 for many many years, but he was also the star of a hit TV show from the 1960s. Golly.
[Music: Wichita Lineman]
[Music: I Fall To Pieces]
There’s a twofer from the same writing duo.
Dottie West with I Fall To Pieces
written by Hank Cochran, and Harlan Howard.
It was released in 1964.
Dottie West was a pioneering country music singer-songwriter known for her heartfelt storytelling and hits like “Country Sunshine,” which helped her become one of the first female country artists to achieve mainstream success. A trailblazer for women in country music, she enjoyed a career spanning decades, collaborating with stars like Kenny Rogers, before her untimely death in 1991 at the age of 58.
Before that we heard
Wichita Lineman from Jim Nabors
written by Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard and released in May of 1969.
Jim Nabors was an American actor and singer best known for his role as the lovable Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and its spinoff, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., where his comedic charm made him a household name.
Renowned for his rich baritone singing voice, he recorded numerous albums and performed regularly, including his iconic rendition of “Back Home Again in Indiana” at the Indianapolis 500 for over three decades. He died in 2017 at 87.
Now let me tell you about my dad’s vinyl I am spinning for this episode.
Various artists – The Good Times In Country Music
Label: Columbia Special Products Tampa Records – C2-10419
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo, Terre Haute Pressing
Released: 1974
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country
We’ll hear 10 of the 17 songs on record 2 of this two-record set. Yes, the title of this episode is Record one, but that’s because I pulled this one out first and really liked the lineup better.
There are absolutely no liner notes. One side of the cover has the title of the album in big bold white western style font over a blue background. It has a few red decorations along the top and bottom. The flip side has exactly the same words except the background is red and the decorations are blue.
So, let’s see what prices this record is being sold at on discogs dot com.
$8.15 High
$0.21 Low
$1.95 Average
$1.12 Median
Last sold on Sep 23, 2024 for 4.20.
eBay had them from two to ten bucks.
Amazon had several from 3 to 105 dollars. I don’t get it.
My dad’s record is in fair condition.
Almost no hissing between tracks. There are a couple of loud pops here and there, but nothing severe. The surface of the disk is pretty clean, not many war marks.
Both records are still in their thin internal paper sleeves.
The cover is in fair condition. Some wear along the edges, but only one spot that I can call a tear. Not enough to get the record to poke through.
There are no markings on this record. No posted stamp, green magic marker or address label. Interesting.
So I’ll value my dad’s vinyl at 2 bucks.
Next up…were you born with that thing in your hand, son?
[Music: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette]
Hank Thompson with Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette
written by Merle Travis, and Tex Williams. It was released in 1967.
From 1967, two years after the warning was put on cigarette packs…
there’s Hank Thompson with Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette
written by Merle Travis, and Tex Williams
Hank Thompson was a country music singer and songwriter whose blend of honky-tonk and Western swing, showcased in hits like “The Wild Side of Life,” made him a standout artist from the 1940s through the 1970s. Known for his polished sound and innovative live performances, he remained a key figure in country music for over five decades until his death in 2007 at the age of 82
Since this is a various artist album, I won’t have a full bio here.
But I do have something special. I’m calling it my Hee Haw Three Pack.
[Music: Yesterday When I Was Young]
[Music: Sweethearts In Heaven]
[Music: Mountain Dew]
Hey Grandpa! What’s for supper
Yes…Grandpa Jones and His Grandchildren with Mountain Dew from 1947.
That was written by Scott Wiseman, and Bascom Lamar Lunsford
Grandpa Jones was a beloved country music singer, banjo player, and comedian known for his old-time style and humorous performances on Hee Haw. With a career spanning decades, he blended traditional Appalachian music with comedy, leaving a lasting legacy in country and folk music until his passing in 1998 at the age of 84.
By the way, he was given the nickname “Grandpa Jones” when he was just 22 years old, because of his off-stage grumpiness at early-morning radio shows in Akron. Jones liked the name and decided to create a stage persona based around it.
Before that we heard
Buck Owens with Sweethearts In Heaven
written by Buck Owens and released in December 1956.
Buck Owens was a legendary country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist who pioneered the “Bakersfield Sound,” characterized by its twangy guitars and upbeat style, with hits like “Act Naturally” and “Together Again.” A major influence on country music, he enjoyed decades of success as a performer, recording artist, and co-host of Hee Haw, leaving an indelible mark on the genre before his death in 2006 at the age of 76.
And we started off our Hee Haw Three Pack with one of the best guitar players you will ever see play and one of the gentlest voices you will ever hear.
Roy Clark with Yesterday When I Was Young
written by Herbert Kretzmer, Charles Aznavour and released in May 1969.
Roy Clark was a virtuoso guitarist, banjo player, and singer who became a beloved figure in country music and television as a longtime host of Hee Haw. Known for his musical versatility and humor, he enjoyed a career spanning decades, influencing generations of musicians and earning numerous awards before his passing in 2018 at the age of 85.
Time now for this episode’s interesting side note and it has to do with the connection you heard in each of those three quick bios. The hit TV show Hee Haw. I told you this music brings back memories.
Created by Frank Peppiatt and John Ayleswoth, the first HEE HAW show aired on the CBS Television Network on June 15, 1969, as a summer replacement series for the SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR. HEE HAW was such a resounding success CBS slated the series for mid-season debut and as they say, the rest is history. From December 17, 1969 through December 27, 1997, HEE HAW shows were a weekly event in American households. A total of 585 one-hour shows were taped in Nashville, Tennessee, initially in 1969 at the CBS affiliate WLAC-TV (now WTVF-TV) and then moving to the Opryland Complex -Studio A in 1980.
The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, but centered on country music, rural rather than pop culture-inspired humor, and with far less topical material. Hosted by country music artists Buck Owens and Roy Clark for most of its run, the show was equally well known for its cornbread humor as for its voluptuous, scantily clad women (the “Hee Haw Honeys”) in stereotypical farmer’s daughter outfits.
It also had its family moments.
(Hey Grandpa what’s for supper)
I always looked forward to that skit each week.
HEE HAW is only one of a handful of television programs that have had a profound and lasting influence on American culture. Skits such as “The Cornfield,” and “Gloom, Despair and Agony On Me” have become known universally and are woven into the American comedic fabric. Among my other favorites was “Pickin’ and Grinnin’.” Owens and Clark truly showed off their musical ability.
HEE HAW has been recognized by the Country Music Hall of Fame – Nashville, The Museum of Broadcast Communications – Chicago and The Museum of Television and Radio – Los Angeles and New York.
But my favorite was when they would bring in big stars for what was probably the most popular skit, “Pfft You Was Gone,”
(“Pfft You Was Gone,”)
If you want to see some great musical performances from this show, search for some of them on YouTube. They are abundant and entertaining.
I fondly remember watching this show each week with the family all spread around the living room until the family room got built. Then we had more room to spread out.
Just remember when you’re looking for a used car, call BR-549. Thank you Junior.
So many great memories centered around that show.
Let’s move on.
Next up…I think I smell…sausage?
[Music: Big Bad John]
Jimmy Dean with Big Bad John, which was released September 22, 1961.
written by Jimmy Dean,
who was a country singer, television host, and entrepreneur best known for his hit, the song you just heard, which earned him a Grammy in 1962. Beyond his music career, he became a household name as the host of The Jimmy Dean Show and as the founder of the Jimmy Dean Sausage Company, leaving a multifaceted legacy before his passing in 2010 at the age of 81.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you.
I told you this music would bring back some memories. Well. It did for me anyway. I hope it did for you.
Once again I left some good music unplayed from this collection. I think the album title is an understatement. There isn’t just good country music on these two disks but classic performances by classic performers.
I hope to never underestimate an album again judging it by its cover.
Because behind what has to be the most unartistic album covers in my dad’s collection is some powerhouse music along with the musicians who played it.
And finally. The composer of this song played a huge part in rock and roll history.
[Music: Daddy Sang Bass]
Carl Storey with Daddy Sang Bass
written by Mr. Blue Suede Shoes, Carl Perkins
Carl Story, often called the “Father of Bluegrass Gospel,” was a pioneering musician who blended bluegrass and gospel music, leading his band, the Rambling Mountaineers, to widespread acclaim. Known for hits like “Family Reunion” and his heartfelt vocal style, he helped shape the bluegrass gospel genre until his death in 1995 at the age of 78
And there you have selections from the first record I pulled out of this two record collection of some really great music.
So thanks for tuning into Volume 207: Good Country Record 1
however you did. If you want more information about this SHOW, head over to spinning my dad’s vinyl dot com.
I’ll be back next week with all my skips, scratches, and pops
FOR Volume 208: A 78RPM Christmas
Until then,
Go with the flow my friends.
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Beethoven, René Leibowitz, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Beecham Choral Society – The Nine Symphonies Of Beethoven
The origin of the title Eroica, the Heroic Symphony, constitutes one of the best known of musical anecdotes. The tale happens to be true, to boot. At the beginning of Napoleon Bonapart’s career, when he was still first consul, Beethoven conceived an inordinate admiration for the Corsican. He likened him to the consuls of ancient Rome. He envisaged Napoleon as a benefactor of mankind, courageous enough to strike a blow full in the face of tyranny. But when, in 1804, Bonaparte accepted the title of Emperor and had himself crowned, Beethoven was outraged to the very core of his Democratic heart by what he considered a betrayal of the rights of man. He had just completed the manuscript of a symphony. Now he tore the title page bearing the dedication to Bonaparte. When the work was published the title had been changed to read: quote heroic symphony, for the celebration of the memory of a great man. Unquote. 
In music, opus (which means “work” in Latin) is a way to organize and label a composer’s musical pieces. It started in the 17th century as a system to help keep track of all the works a composer created. Back then, composers were writing so much music that it could be hard to keep things in order, so they would number their pieces with “Op.” followed by a number, like “Op. 1” for their first published work. This helped musicians and publishers know which pieces came first and made it easier to organize their music.
Ray Noble’s song Cherokee will always be associated with Charlie Barnet. The saxophonist and maestro made his first big hit when he recorded the tune in 1939. At its best, the Barnet band had tremendous driving power and reflected the influence of Ellington. The selection here is from Barnet’s album in the RCA Victor series Great Dance Bands of the 30s and 40s. That’s from the liner notes and I’ll use those to introduce songs from here on out.
Larry Clinton – My Reverie
Various – Golden Anniversary Album (A Collector’s Item Specially Produced For Chevrolet)
This collection of vintage recordings, drawn from the RCA Victor archives, contains much from the last three decades that is Meaningful in the history of American dance, Jazz and popular music. This is a large statement, particularly so when it has reference to the contents of one long play record. Yet, the material has been so carefully chosen and the artists represent such a glittering array that there is no danger of overstatement.
Duke Ellington was an iconic jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader whose innovative music and sophisticated style elevated jazz to an art form, creating classics like “Mood Indigo” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Leading his orchestra for over 50 years, Ellington’s influence shaped jazz and American music, earning him widespread acclaim as one of the 20th century’s greatest composers.
Bunny Berigan was a gifted jazz trumpeter and bandleader celebrated for his virtuosic playing and expressive solos, especially in songs like “I Can’t Get Started.” Despite his remarkable talent and contributions to jazz during the swing era, his career was cut short by struggles with alcoholism, leading to his early death in 1942 at age 33.
Initially, however, car radios were met with mixed reactions. Early models were bulky, costly, and sometimes unreliable, requiring heavy batteries and large antenna systems. Safety concerns also emerged, as people worried that the radio might distract drivers. Despite these hurdles, the allure of in-car entertainment and information proved irresistible. As radio technology improved and costs dropped, the car radio became a highly desirable feature, cementing its place in the car’s dashboard. By the end of the 1920s, the idea of listening to music or catching the latest news on the road had gained popularity, reshaping what it meant to travel by car and setting the stage for the car to become not just a mode of transit but a personal, multi-functional space.
Guy Lombardo was a Canadian-American bandleader known for his smooth, festive dance music style with his band, the Royal Canadians, popularizing songs like “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s Eve broadcasts. Leading one of the most commercially successful dance bands from the 1920s through the 1970s, Lombardo earned the title “The King of Corn” for his crowd-pleasing approach to big band music.
Rosemary Clooney was a celebrated American singer and actress known for her warm, rich voice and hits like “Come On-a My House” in the 1950s, establishing her as a pop and jazz icon. Though her career faced challenges, she made a remarkable comeback in the 1970s, performing and recording until her passing in 2002, leaving a lasting legacy in American music.
Pérez Prado was a Cuban bandleader, pianist, and composer known as the “King of Mambo,” who popularized the genre internationally in the 1950s with hits like “Mambo No. 5.” His vibrant, rhythmic music helped bring Latin sounds to mainstream audiences, making him a pioneering figure in Latin American and dance music until his death in 1989.
D’Artega And His Orchestra – Riviera Holiday (Mediterranean Moods)
Here, in its Discovery series, design is proud to present the delightfully romantic music of Camillo Rispoli, Prince di Candriano. A man of fire, romance and melody. a man who saw beauty in the rising and setting of the sun over his villa, excitement in a dew drop, piquance in the bull’s lunge at the toreador, magic in the sandpipers song. Close your eyes and join us on our luxurious Pan American stratocruiser as we fly to the romantic Riviera. Sip your champagne and tingle with anticipation. Here is your Riviera holiday in high fi.
He became a well-known conductor on stage and on air, and in 1946 initiated the Carnegie Hall “Pops” concerts with members of the New York Philharmonic. In 1947 he played the role of Tchaikovsky in the film Carnegie Hall, conducting the film score as well. He was guest conductor with, among others, the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the NBC Symphony of the Air.
Camilo Ruspoli, an Italian prince who was indeed arrested in Cuba on April 23, 1942, due to suspicions of fascist affiliations, had a relatively brief period of detention. He remained in custody for around three months before being released. His release likely came about because of a lack of substantive evidence linking him to fascist activities, despite initial accusations. Following his release, Ruspoli continued to live in Cuba for some time, albeit under more scrutiny and with greater limitations on his activities.
Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, RIAS Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Karl Rucht – Hungarian Rhapsodies No. 2 And No. 14 / Hungarian Dances No. 1 Through No. 6
The orchestra
Franz Liszt (1811 to 1886), himself Hungarian by birth and temperament, became the most illustrious concert pianist of all time. although he did not first gain fame as a child prodigy, he did make a concert tour as early as age 11, and in his youth studied with Czerny, author of the famous keyboard exercises, and Salieri, an old rival of Mozart. in Paris, Liszt met the violinist Paganini, whose magical skill led many to believe him in league with Satan. Liszt resolved to become the Paganini of the piano, and retired for several years of fearfully hard practice and self-discipline. when he emerged, his dexterity and power knew no limits, and he displayed them with a glamorous stage personality which hypnotized audiences. Liszt created the idea of the star virtuoso pianist, as opposed to that of an ensemble musician whose personality is secondary to the music. Although he was interested in everything, and helped young composers, Liszt showed a great deal more enthusiasm than taste, often humoring his admirers with empty, trashy trick pieces which made the most of his technique at the keyboard.
Johann Brahms (1833 to 1897), though also a fine pianist, was little interested in the kind of technical exhibitionism on which list built his career. Whereas Liszt was the first individual musician to make a fortune on the concert stage, Brahms was the first to make one through the sale of published music. his four volumes of Hungarian dances started him along the road to a great reputation. He took care to put his name down as only the arranger of these pieces, since most of the melodies were Hungarian folk tunes, even so, certain critics accused him of capitalizing on borrowed material, and something of a commotion followed.
The earliest known recording of any movement of Hungarian Dances was a condensed piano-based rendition of Hungarian Dance No. 1, from 1889, played by Brahms himself, and was known to have been recorded by Theo Wangemann, an assistant to Thomas Edison. The following dialogue can be heard in the recording itself, before the music starts: