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:

See information from the Discogs.com page here

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.