An Interview With Clelia Adams

These interviews are becoming very popular but we can only have one per week, this week is Clelia's turn. A very busy lady but she has taken time out to do this interview. Here is Clelia's story..

Q: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A:. I was born in a village called Bonito, in the mountains not far from Naples in Italy. My family migrated to Australia in l954 in the post war migration and I grew up in Orange in the central west of NSW.

Q: Was there anyone in particular who played an influential part in shaping your career?

A: Not one particular person, but many people over the years, through the many different stages of my career. Emmylou Harris continues to be an inspiration to me through the decades. Her music back in the 70’s moved me to want to sing in the first place.

Q: I know it’s a good while since you started in the industry, how long is it since you first got started?

A: I was always a serious music nut, (all kinds) in my teens. I started at Go-Set Magazine (Australia’s first pop magazine) in l967, then moved on to Product and marketing for WEA Records both in Australia and London in the early 70’s. I didn’t start singing until I arrived Tamworth in the mid 70s, although I’ve  always had a fascination with harmonies and how they work together.

Q: What year did you do your first recording?

A: My first recording was with Hadley Records in l976 singing a jingle for Radio 2MO in Gunnedah.
My trio Skarlett had formed around the same time, doing 3 part harmony shows around the area. We started doing back up vocal sessions with Hadley in l977, and have been on literally thousands of tracks recorded in Tamworth over 25 years.

Q: What was it that made you decide to go into the recording industry?

A: I loved to sing harmonies, & the opportunity was right there in Tamworth in the number of studios operating out of Tamworth at the time. I feel extremely privileged to have been part of Australia’s traditional country music history.

Q: In total, how many cds did you record?

A: Five so far, starting in1982, the gospel album, “Angel Band” with Garry Adams.
1996 “Fine Company” my first solo album.
2001 was “Bring it On”.
2004 was “Heartbeat Highway”, and now “Wildflowers” in 2008.

Q: Having been in the industry for so long, you have seen a lot of changes, some good, some bad, are there any that stand out to you?

A: Change is inevitable as each generation leaves their mark on the music of their time, as you say, some are good, and some not so good.  The current climate of “corporatizing” the Country Music industry leaves me a little cool, but I totally understand the need for sponsorship for CM festivals and events. I admit I enjoyed the grass roots atmosphere of the earlier Tamworth festivals much more. It has become very full-on these days.

Q: You’ve been doing really well in the ECMA charts, would you like to elaborate on that.

A: I had my first European hits in 2001 with songs from the “Bring It On” album, and that continued with “Heartbeat Highway” songs from 2004. Both albums yielded 6 Top 10 hits and another 3 Top 30’s on the European Charts since 2001. “Wildflowers” is on the ECMA charts, as we speak at #36, with a bullet (May 9, 2008).

Q: Wildflowers is doing really well for you, tell me the story behind “Wildflowers”

A: ‘Wildflowers” is truly a gift from above. Inspired by Mother Nature’s spectacular display of colours and blooms in my Mullumbimby garden last Spring. I was photographing wildflowers for the CD cover & not long after, the words & melody started tumbling out very quickly, so the song virtually wrote itself. I’m a bit of a “home-spun” philosopher, and it shows on this one.   

Q: You decided to go with Ross Allen at Hillcrest. Ross is a really nice man, and that association seems to have worked really well for you.

A: Ross Allen is the best country music promoter in the world, with his Hillcrest compilations and it has been amazing working with him. He took out the ECMA Country Music Promoter of the Year Award in 2007. He was the first to encourage me to think global, and that my music is perfectly suited to the European CM taste for roots traditional country music. 

Q: Your most memorable occasion?

A: I think recording “Wildflowers” with my amazing talented children Dan & Jess would have to be right up there! They were born and bred in Tamworth, and we’ve all come the full musical circle together. It is the most satisfying project I’ve done so far.

Q: Your most embarrassing moment

A: Too many to mention, usually involving my dreadful memory for names.

Q: Are there any special awards & special recognitions, you’d like to tell me about?

A:.
1985:  Best Female Vocal, Australasian Country Gospel Awards, “Jesus is at the Wheel”
1985:  Best Group or Duo, Australasian Country Gospel Awards, “Angel Band”
2006:  Finalist, Female Vocalist of the Year, 2006 NSW Golden Medallion Awards
2006:  TIARA winner for “Heartbeat Highway”
2008:  Inductee to LBS Wall of Honour, for services to the professional CM recording industry
2008:  “Wildflowers” wins Song of the Year at the Northern Territory Country songwriting Awards.

Q: You were involved in the early days of the Tamworth Festival, or the Awards Ceremony, tell me about your efforts in that regard?

A: My trio Skarlett, (with Lynette Guest and Kate McCarthy), were part of the Awards Band every year. We worked together on live radio shows, The Country Muster and live television shows, Must Be Country, both out of Tamworth in the 70’s and 80’s. The Awards ceremonies went through many changes in the early 80’s, bringing on the larger productions of the event that we see today.

Q: From observation you seem to be ever willing to lend a helping hand to others in the industry. So any success you get I’m sure you are well entitled to

A: Thanks for the lovely compliment. As “Wildflowers” says, “we reap what we sew” and we all know what goes around comes around. It is important for us to empower and encourage each other.

Q: I have placed the titles of the tracks below, and you may add a comment to any or all of them if you wish.

Wildflowers
 

O1 Wildflowers (this song makes me smile & my heart happy)
02 I Love You A Thousand Ways (my favourite by far of all Lefty songs)
03 When You Fall In Love (totally gorgeous melody & a classic gem from the 80’s)
04 If I Could Only Win Your Love (first proper duet I learned to sing in the 70’s. Thank you Bill Chambers)
05 My Mother's Wedding Band (my darling mum’s migration story from Italy to Australia in l954)
06 Do You Know (cheeky & fun, a country two step)
07 Our Little Song (my salvation song, so simple, so honest. Love it!)
08 We Gotta Live With Stuff (don’t we what!)
09 Honly Tonk Stardust Cowboy (what a song, couldn’t resist recording this one)
10 Love & Happiness (Thank you Kevin Bennett)
11 Somewhere In The Middle (groovy retro 60’s arrangement, & Dan Adams rocks!)
12 Uncle Tony's Ute (Another Holden epic, this time from Orange NSW, where I grew up)
13 Honky Tonk Blues (Thanks to Bill Chambers lap steel, it don’t get much honkier than this)
14 Wayfaring Stranger (The most constant backdrop in my life since the 60’s, when I first heard it)

Available from:
http://www.cleliaadams.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/clelia3
http://www.joysmusicworld.com/Artists/CleliaAdams.html

Four days and counting …
the countdown to Cessnock

After 11 months of planning PFI Net Cessnock City Country Music Festival organiser Rhonda Astill is counting down the hours to high noon this Friday with great excitement.

That’s when Cessnock mayor Councillor John Clarence declares the second annual festival officially open in Sternbeck Park, after which Golden Guitar winner Kirsty Lee Akers will perform.

Accompanying the Hunter Valley sweetheart is Central Coast multi-instrumentalist Brad Bergen on guitar. Together they will give listeners a taste of what’s to come over the next two days.

“I’m really thrilled with the lineup we’re presenting this year,” Rhonda said. “We have a number of Golden Guitar winners and crowd favourites

Kirsty-Lee Akers

Amos Morris

on the bill, with 36 artists in total. You can see a range of country from traditional to contemporary all at the one convenient location – East Cessnock Bowling Club.”

Kirsty Lee Akers and Donna Boyd open the show at 8pm Friday for multiple Golden Guitar winners Carter and Carter, then on Saturday there’s non-stop free entertainment from 10.30am until 8pm.

The free entertainment on Saturday features Amber Lawrence, Nicki Gillis, Lisa White, Makaylie Foodey, Rob Wilson and Bob Pigott. A new inclusion to Saturday’s lineup is John Wilson performing in the bar from 5pm to 8pm.

Golden Guitar winners The Feral Swing Katz will present one of their first gigs back at 8pm with the “man of steel” Michel Rose after his prolonged recuperation from wrist and arm surgery following a fall in January. The Katz will be ably supported by Grant Richardson and Tamara Stewart.

Sunday’s free entertainment will be provided by Felicity Urquhart, Alby Pool, Bruce McCumstie, Melody Pool, Kellie Cain, Victoria McGee and Sharnee Fenwick.

A new component in the 2008 Cessnock festival is the inclusion of the bush balladeers – 2008 Golden Guitar winner Amos Morris, along with Laura Downing, Charley Boyter and his band, Greg Bain, Melissa Bajric, Bob Easter and Rick Hopkins.

The last notes will be played at 5pm Sunday, when planning will no doubt begin for the next year’s festival. To purchase your tickets for either main event, phone the club on (02) 4990 1444.

Amos Morris photo: John Elliott

For further details contact Rhonda Astill on (02) 4990 6861 or email astill@coscom.net

Release created 19.5.08 in Tamworth by Anna Rose Media Solutions
for and on behalf of Rhonda Astill

12th Directory of Australian Country Music
presented by Rural Press Events and Toyota

The 2008 12th edition of the Directory of Australian Country Music, the industry's definitive professional reference, will be published in July.

The Directory is the "Little Black Book" for the entire Australian country music industry and those who work in, around and with it, with more than 50 categories including a comprehensive coverage of country music artists and industry people, artist management, booking agents, clubs and associations, consultants and specialist services, festivals, fan clubs, line dancing clubs, country music media, musicians, promoters, publicists, record and publishing companies, retailers, studios, trade and industry organisations, writers and broadcasters and more.

The publishers, Rural Press Events, has launched an invitation for individuals, companies and organisations to get their free listing details in as soon as possible.

One free listing per artist, company or entity applies.

The deadline date for submission of free listings is Friday, May 30.

Update forms are available from Rural Press Events by calling 02 6762 2399, by emailing countrymusicdirectory@ruralpress.com or by downloading the form on the Directory page at www.capitalnews.com.au.

Advertising opportunities are also available. Cheryl Byrnes can supply more information (phone 02 6762 2399 for booking information).

The Directory continues to grow with the Australian country music industry and is committed to staying at the forefront with up-to-date listings and information, the publishers say.

The next edition will include a range of new categories including Airlines, Car Hire, Insurance, Tourism and Travel Services.

Australian Of The Year Lee Kernaghan Headlines Star Studded Tribute To Aussie Music Legend!

Lee Kernaghan and a host of high profile Country and Pop entertainers
will perform at a special charity tribute dinner to honour the 81st

anniversary of Slim Dusty's birth on Friday 13th June 2008, from 6.30pm at the Westin, Sydney,

‘Many Happy Campfires’ will be a tribute to Slim Dusty AO MBE in aid of the Slim Dusty Centre.

Ray Hadley OAM will be the Master of Ceremonies with entertainment including Lee Kernaghan, Graeme Connors, Gina Jeffreys, Barry Crocker, Peter Denahy, Melinda Schneider, Tania Kernaghan, Jimmy Little, Anne Kirkpatrick, Dr. David Kirkpatrick and Amos Morris all performing with Slim’s original band.

All proceeds from the evening will go to the Slim Dusty Foundation Ltd and Slim’s dream of building a Centre in his home town, where the memorabilia collected all over Australia during his long and illustrious career could be preserved and shown, and where visitors would be involved in an interactive journey through the heart and soul of Australia.

The Centre will also develop Scholarships to assist young talented musical artists to obtain the best possible start to their Country Music careers. The Museum will be an iconic Australian experience built around Slim Dusty, his links with the Nation’s Indigenous people, and his vision of Australian culture, as depicted through his eyes and the lyrics of his timeless songs.

Tickets for ‘Many Happy Camp Fires’ are available for $250 per person.
Corporate and VIP packages are also available;
please contact Kelly Wong on (02) 8306 9555

For Further Information Or To Interview Slim's Family Please Contact Kelly Wong At International Events On (02) 8306 9555 OR 0411 119 833 OR kelly@internationalevents.com.au

Ladies And Gentleman – Take A Seat………………

Combine everybody’s favourite band, with 8 days on idyllic Norfolk Island +Add Bill Chambers, into the mix and a very special “Last Minute” airfare and you will enjoy one of the best Country Music Festivals Norfolk Island has to offer.
Flavoured with a bit of American Country with artist Charley Groth, NZ’s Darlings and more!

Special Airfare; $349.00 Inclusive Of Taxes … Brisbane/to Norfolk Island return 21-29 May 2008
Conditions apply:
*Valid Dates shown only / non refundable / no reservations changes
Visit Norfolk Air Website on www.norfolkair.com for airfare and accommodation/car hire packages.
Show tickets available by emailing Jackie at nicma@norfolk.net.nf or visit our website for program www.nicma.nf

The Flood

Bill Chambers

Spotlight on Connie Smith

Connie Smith (born Constance June Meador August 14, 1941, in Elkhart, Indiana) is an American country music singer. She is best known for her 1964 hit song "Once a Day", which spent 8 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Country music charts, the longest of any female country music artist in history. This was Smith's only single to reach the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts.

In less than a year, Connie Smith moved from being a small-town Ohio housewife to country stardom with a number one single to her credit.

Perhaps overly compared to and identified with Patsy Cline, Smith is still considered by many to be one of the best and most underrated vocalists in country history. Her lonely desperation came straight from the heart, also: Her father was abusive when she was a child, causing Smith to suffer a mental breakdown while she was in her teens.

"Once a Day" launched Connie Smith straight to the top of the country music industry and, for a brief period, she was one of the top female stars of the genre during the mid 1960s. Although she never achieved the level of commercial success as some of her contemporaries, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Lynn Anderson and Dolly Parton, she is often hailed by music critics as one of the finest voices in country music, voted in 2001 by fellow artists and members of the Country Music industry as #9 of the 40 Greatest Women of Country Music of all time (CMT).

Smith was born Constance June Meador in 1941 in Elkhart, Indiana. Although she was born in Indiana, she spent much of her early years in West Virginia and later in Ohio. Both of Smith's parents were from West Virginia. Her father was abusive when she was a child, causing Smith to suffer a mental breakdown while she was in her teens. [2] In West Virginia, she began to start singing locally. She was soon married and became a housewife and had children. By the early 1960s, Smith had already become a married woman with a four-month old son, living in Marietta, Ohio. During this time, Smith started singing locally again and appeared on local TV shows around her hometown area. While singing near Columbus, Ohio in August 1963, she was discovered by country singer Bill Anderson after winning a talent show contest. He recognized Smith's talents and offered his help into getting Smith a recording contract, Smith accepted his offer. A few months later, she was signed onto RCA Records, where she worked with legendary RCA producer Chet Atkins.

The success of "Once a Day" & the peak of her career in the 60s
At RCA, Smith recorded her signature song, "Once a Day" during one of her first sessions at the studio. The song, written by Bill Anderson took him over two years to write. He finally finished the song after hearing Smith needed songs for her recording sessions. "Once a Day", was released as a single in September and hit the top of the country charts, reigning as number one for eight weeks. [3] To date, "Once a Day" is still the longest song in Country music history to stay at the No. 1 spot on the Country charts. The only other female singer who has recently came close to Smith's long-standing record was Carrie Underwood, who's 2006's "Jesus Take the Wheel" spent six weeks at the No. 1 spot. "Once a Day" is Smith's only Billboard No. 1 Country hit to date, although "Just One Time", a remake of a Don Gibson classic, reached No.1 on the Cashbox Country Charts.

Smith's follow-up, "Then and Only Then," hit number four (even the flip side reached the Top 25), and her Top Ten streak continued until late 1968, including the big hits "If I Talk to Him," "Ain't Had No Lovin'," and "The Hurtin's All Over." [4] Between 1965 and 1966 Smith had three No. 1 Billboard Country albums, Connie Smith, Cute 'n' Country, and Born to Sing. At this time, Smith was one of the most successful female vocalists of the genre, having the similar success Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette would later have. During this time, Smith had been twice nominated for Grammy Awards, one for "Once a Day" in 1965 and another for "Ain't Had No Lovin'" in 1967.

Meanwhile, her success began to take a toll; constant appearances on the road, in films, and on The Lawrence Welk Show pushed Smith to the brink of suicide in 1968. She credits her Christian faith with saving her from killing herself. [5] In 1969, Smith did a cover version of Marty Robbins' 1965 No. 1 hit "Ribbon Of Darkness," that made it to No. 13 on the Country singles chart. That same year, she recorded a duet album with Nat Stuckey entitled Young Love. A single also called "Young Love", which was originally a hit for Sonny James in 1956, only made it to No. 20 for Smith. Connie and Nat also did a gospel album in 1970 called Sunday Morning With Connie and Nat -- later re-released in 2001 under the title God Will.

She was a top draw in country music concert venues and even branched into minor movie stardom, appearing in such films as Las Vegas Hillbillys (1966) with Ferlin Husky and Jayne Mansfield, and "Hell's Angels on Wheels" (1967) with Marty Robbins. Nevertheless, Smith did not give her career 100 percent like many of her contemporaries, touring considerably less, stating her main priority was being a wife and mother. Connie has been married for a number of years to fellow Country Music star Marty Stuart and occasionally performs with him.

Career slows down in the 1970s
After Smith recovered from the pressure of being a female country star, she began to balance chart success with a lighter schedule. Though her country hits were rarer than in her mid-'60s heyday, she was a better performer — and person — for it. Smith still managed the Top Tens "You and Your Sweet Love" in 1969, "I Never Once Stopped Loving You" the following year, and "Just One Time" in 1971. Her most successful year during the '70s was 1972. She recorded three big hits: the number five "Just What I Am," the number seven "If It Ain't Love (Let's Leave It Alone)," and the number eight "Love Is the Look You're Looking For." [6] Smith continued to cut a lot of hits by Bill Anderson, but also cut a lot by Dallas Frazier, including, "If It Ain't Love (Let's Leave It Alone)".

By 1972, Smith began to incorporate more Gospel into her act. With the help of her third husband, Evangelist Marshall Haynes, she turned her live show into a traveling gospel road show and signed with Columbia, which permitted her to record more straight gospel songs. Though the material didn't score as well on the charts as her secular singles had, she managed to stay in the Top 20 during much of the '70s. [7] Smith recorded more Gospel albums under Columbia, including 1974's God Is Abundant, and was nominated for Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for her song, "All the Praises". Smith's Country career, didn't remain as successful, her hits rarely hit the Top 10. Her last Top 10 came in 1976 with "('Til) I Kissed You", which peaked at No. 10, the very bottom of the top 10.

When Smith was signed to Monument, she broke away from recording too much Gospel. Instead, Smith's Country music got more Pop-sounding, as Smith was keeping up with the times, during a the time when Country music was becoming more Pop-sounding. This type of sound was evident in some of her biggest hits from the late 70s, including the Top 10, "(Till) I Kissed You" and "I Don't Want to Talk It Over Anymore".

After she signed with Monument in 1977, most of her singles dropped out of the Top 40. [8] Her 1978 single "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" was Smith's last significant hit on the country music charts, making it to No. 14. The single was originally a hit for Andy Gibb, whose brothers formed the The Bee Gees. Smith's version has been said to be the only notable cover version because it sounds like the original. As for her other singles released between 1978 and 1979 (most notably, "Smooth Sailin'" and "Ten Thousand and One"), they failed to become hits, and peaked outside the Country Top 40. Although these songs were updated to fit the time period, Smith was not one hundred percent focused on touring, performing and promotiing, focusing more of her time on family and later raising her children, which is one of the reasons for why she later temporarily left the business.

Smith was nominated three times for the Country Music Association "Female Vocalist of the Year" award and earned 10 various Grammy nominations but has won neither. Smith has also occasionally dabbled in songwriting, penning over 30 songs and earning a Broadcast Music Incorporated award for her 1967 hit "I'll Come Running." Another Smith-penned hit "You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me" was later recorded by Reba McEntire.

Later career & life today
Smith left Monument records in 1979, and officially left recording and touring for awhile for Smith to raise her children. However, in 1985, Smith returned on the Epic Records label to record two singles titled, "A Far Cry From You" and "Hold Me Back", the first being the only one which charted, peaking at only at No. 71. No album was ever released from the label. Smith did not release any studio albums in the 1980s.

In 1992, she released her first album in many years called The Wayward Wind. The following year, Smith did a live album entitled Live In Branson, Missouri, USA. Since 1997, she has been married to 90s Neo-Traditionalist Country star Marty Stuart, 17 years her junior. Connie and Marty actually met back in the 60's when as a kid he went to see her in concert. On the way home he reportedly told his mother "One day I'll marry her!" The two met again while Stuart was producing Smith's 1998 comeback album, Connie Smith. Although the album didn't gain any attention, Smith co-wrote nine of the ten tracks on the album. The album was released on Stuart's label, Warner Brothers. In 2003, Connie Smith released a Christian album with Barbara Fairchild and Sharon White (from the country group The Whites) entitled Love Never Fails.

In 2002, Smith was voted at No. 9 on CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music, one of the highest honors of her career. George Jones also credits Smith as his favorite female country music singer in his book I Lived To Tell It All.

Dolly Parton has also credited Smith by once saying, "There’s only three real female singers: Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, and Connie Smith. The rest of us are only pretending." The quote was put on Smith's 1995 comnpilation album by RCA, The Essential Connie Smith.

Most recently country singer Martina McBride recorded a cover version of Smith's signature tune "Once a Day" and was put in McBride's 2005 album, Timeless. Smith continues to be a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry, and when not on the Opry, she does occasional dates with her husband. As a solo artist, Smith continues to tour on her own. In May 2007, she sang "A World of Our Own", a hit for Sonny James, at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Medallion Ceremony honoring James' induction into the Hall of Fame. In 2007, Smith joined her husband on his album, Compadres for a duet.

Personal life
Smith has been through many marriages. Now Smith is married to Stuart. Smith has five children and six grandchildren. One of her children lives overseas in Norway. Smith is a devout Christian, and has made pilgrimages to Israel in the past, including one with the late Waylon Jennings and his wife, country singer Jessi Colter.

http://www.myspace.com/conniesmith1

Lonnie Ratliff

Claude King – The Cajun Cowboy Rides Again

Can you believe than a 85 years old Country singer could be back on studio and will ride again for a new CD? That’s exactly what Claude King has done, with the support of guitar wizard James Burton, for Sonny records. Claude even plans to take a trip to Nashville, in the early spring of this year, to appear on the Bill Anderson Show on XM Radio Channel2. Claude who brought Wolverton Mountain to the top of the charts in 1962 is also a giant part of the Louisiana Hayride history. Here he composed a song for the Louisiana Hayride’s 60th Birthday who will

catch up with all the 50’s country music nostalgics. Come on along, everybody, come along … We’re gonna have a wonderful time at the Louisiana Hayride. I sure did with that recitation about Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Buddy Attaway, Felton Pruett, Sonny Trammell, Norman Bailes, Kitty Wells, Tillman Franks … Even Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” finds his way here with the superb picking of James Burton and nice chorus. “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Wolverton Mountain” complete that nostalgic trip in the early day of Country music when KWKH “Louisiana Hayride” was challenging with Nashville’s WSM “Grand Ole Opry” and Dallas’ KRLD “Big D Jamboree”.

But that new record not only deals with nostalgic recitation as prove “The Cajun Cowboy”, a two-step twist with nice fiddle part, who will bring you to the “Slap Your Mama” state. Spicy and happy music for Honky-Tonk night birds. Next is a new version of his all-time hit “Wolverton Mountain” with a bit of Bluegrass style and less chorus.
The third song is probably the most surprising cut ‘cause here Claude gets back with his 1957 only Rockabilly waxing “Run Baby Run” issued on “Dee-Jay” records (1248). On the original version, Claude was backed by Tillman Franks, Tommy Tomlinson and Johnny Horton. That original single is now impossible to find and tryin’ to get back to that style at 84 years old seems to be impossible. Here the gang won the challenge and that 1.33 minute cut with heavy slap bass and incisive guitar licks is a winner. That version with James on guitar is even powerful that the original cut. I still could not believe it was cut last year at Red River Studios in Bossier City (LA) by that Louisiana cat. Hat off, Claude, here you beat flat many current Rockabilly bands who don’t reach 84 years packing band member years all together.

Next two tracks deal with Texas, a very important state in the raise of country music and Rockabilly. “The Texas Blue Bonnet Waltz” and “West Texas Memories” offer a nice travel in the Lone Star State. Follow “Don’t That Moon Look Lonesome”, a pop cross-over already cut for “Columbia”, and “Twenty-One”, a great story song about how foolish we can be in our young days. You will find pure 50’s expressions like “I got Judy in trouble in the early days of summer”. A nice story song in the grooves of Johnny Cash’s “Ballad of Teenage Queen” or “Give My Love To Rose”.
On track n°11, Claude is back in 1952 with a new version of “Got The World By The Tail” first issued on Specialty 711. Then that R’n’B label was setting a short living Hillbilly series and Claude got four 78 rpm’s on the eighteen issued. Claude made another cut of that song for “Columbia” in the 60’s and, in 2004, the song was revived by Charlie Thompson for “Trial” records in Sweden. Charlie Thompson, a young country cat, is the true musical son of Webb Pierce, George Jones, Faron Young, Dave Rich or Jimmy and Johnny. His recording of “Got The Words by The Tail” is even more Hillbilly than Claude’s new one. Don’t miss him if he ever plays a gig in your area. His last performance with Miss Mary Ann at “Viva Las Vegas” Rockabilly festival was a highlight of the week-end.
Claude chose to close the CD borrowing Elvis’s “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”. He was not the first ‘cause Slim Whitman or Eddy Arnold had already done that. That’s song is a classic one and a nice tribute to Elvis who staged the Louisiana Hayride as soon as October 1954. Then he was just a young lad tryin’ to make it after his first record on “Sun” was issued three months earlier. Tillman Franks was the first to bring him in Shreveport and the rest is history … Elvis loved dearly his Mama Gladys and, maybe that’s why, Claude’s last song on that CD is “Happy Birthday Mama”.
That CD showcases more than 73 years of musical work and passion for music and Louisiana. That’s a nice tribute to all his long gone friends like Johnny Horton, Merle Kilgore, Tommy Tomlinson or Tillman Franks. That’s also a testimony of love for those still around … James Burton, Sonny Trammell, Sonny Harville or Virginia Franks.

That record can be ordered by email to claudekingpress@yahoo.com or by snail mail at:
Sonny Records/CK Productions – P.O Box 1081 – Manvel, Tx 77578 – USA.

Dominique “Imperial” Anglares
www.bartemon.net
www.rockabillyhall.com

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