Monday, October 26, 2015
John Prine Covering Blaze Foley
Good ol' John Prine is a formidable songwriter, but he is also an accomplished interpreter of the songs of others. In this clip of John Prine playing Blaze Foley's "Clay Pigeons" on Austin City Limits, he also tells the story of his connection with the Armadillo World Headquarters and ol' Blaze himself.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Burrus Mill Recording Studio: Saginaw, Texas
As unlikely as it may now seem, Burrus Mill in Saginaw, Texas once was home to an important recording studio. Bob Wills recorded "New San Antonio Rose," which went on to sell more than a million records, in that studio. "Pappy" O' Daniel, a musician in his own right, hosted a radio show that broadcast statewide from that location, and the fame he achieved on the show helped him become the governor of Texas. Not long ago my grandfather told me about Pappy's gubernatorial campaign. A wagon traveled through the North Side of town giving away biscuits. "Pass me a biscuit, Pappy" was O' Daniel's slogan. In the 1930s, a free biscuit was always welcome, and I imagine that "Pappy" garnered at least one vote per cat-head.
When the major labels were in town to record regional acts, they would sometimes use Burrus Mill Recording Studio. Ted Daffan's Texans first recorded at the mill in 1940. Daffan, incidentally, was an early pioneer of country steel guitar. Okeh, a major label for "hillbilly" and "race" recordings at the time, produced sides by Ted Daffan's Texans in 1942. Here is a link to two of the act's California recordings.
When the major labels were in town to record regional acts, they would sometimes use Burrus Mill Recording Studio. Ted Daffan's Texans first recorded at the mill in 1940. Daffan, incidentally, was an early pioneer of country steel guitar. Okeh, a major label for "hillbilly" and "race" recordings at the time, produced sides by Ted Daffan's Texans in 1942. Here is a link to two of the act's California recordings.
Milton Brown: Father of Western Swing
Although Bob Wills is indisputably "the King of Western Swing," Milton Brown is the genre's father. Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies played a style of music that was sometimes called hillbilly string or cowboy jazz. The group played at the Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion in Fort Worth, the venue that some have credited to be the birthplace of Western Swing.
Milton Brown would probably be better known today had he not died soon after a car accident on Jacksboro Highway in April 1936. That same year both a Bob Wills and a Milton Brown version of "Right or Wrong" was released. Younger generations are more likely to associate the song with George Strait, who recorded it in 1984. Here is Milton Brown's version of "Right or Wrong."
Milton Brown would probably be better known today had he not died soon after a car accident on Jacksboro Highway in April 1936. That same year both a Bob Wills and a Milton Brown version of "Right or Wrong" was released. Younger generations are more likely to associate the song with George Strait, who recorded it in 1984. Here is Milton Brown's version of "Right or Wrong."
Friday, October 23, 2015
Townes: A Cameo Role
Listening to Willie and Merle's new album this week, I got to thinking about buying their "Pancho and Lefty" album on cassette for my dad back in the 80s. I believe that I bought an Iron Maiden album in the same transaction. Oh, the wild testosterone of youth... Anyway, after watching the video of "Pancho and Lefty" recently, I realized that Townes Van Zandt is one of the Federales. Watch for the tall man with the writing utensil.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Junior Brown on a Rainy Day
This afternoon was gray and rainy, and the meteorological soothsayers have called for a 100% chance of cats and dogs for the weekend. Such a forecast could have given this ol' boy the blues were it not for the intervention of Junior Brown and his guit-steel. Driving home from work I plugged in this groovy troubadour, and the heavens suddenly turned cerulean blue, the sun smiled in golden glory, and a chorus of honkytonk angels fluttered around and sang "I Saw the Light." Well, maybe I exaggerate... Anyway, a little Junior Brown can lift the spirits and lighten the mood on a rainy day. Here is the video for what is perhaps his best known song.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
El Paso: Inextricable Ties
I recently visited the West Texas town of EL Paso for the first time. In the past I had passed through on I-10, but I had never stopped. What I came to understand about El Paso is that although it has been a US city for more than a century and a half, its history is inextricably intertwined with that of Mexico. In fact, it is the place where the Mexican Revolution was largely planned.
During the Mexican Revolution, people used to watch battles from the roof of the El Paso Laundry, and some El Paso businesses sold arms and munitions to all sides. The exiled Mexican president, Victoriano Huerta, known as "the usurper," died at Fort Bliss and was buried in Concordia Cemetery. The city on the north side of the Rio Grande has indeed played an important role in the history of the nation to the south.
The Camino Real El Paso is one of the city's more well-known landmarks. Both Pancho Villa and General Pershing stayed at this hotel. This is a picture taken from the hotel lobby. The dome is made of Tiffany glass.
To learn more about El Paso's historical sites and their ties with the Mexican Revolution, please follow the link below:
During the Mexican Revolution, people used to watch battles from the roof of the El Paso Laundry, and some El Paso businesses sold arms and munitions to all sides. The exiled Mexican president, Victoriano Huerta, known as "the usurper," died at Fort Bliss and was buried in Concordia Cemetery. The city on the north side of the Rio Grande has indeed played an important role in the history of the nation to the south.
The Camino Real El Paso is one of the city's more well-known landmarks. Both Pancho Villa and General Pershing stayed at this hotel. This is a picture taken from the hotel lobby. The dome is made of Tiffany glass.
To learn more about El Paso's historical sites and their ties with the Mexican Revolution, please follow the link below:
Saturday, October 17, 2015
The Fields of the New Fatherland
One of my stories received an Honorable Mention in the Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post's 2015 short story contest. There was a 1,200 word maximum, and my story weighed in at 1,999 if I recall correctly. It was published online in the October 14 edition, which is special to me because that was my stepdad's birthday. Without him, I doubt I would know much about German Texas, much less write a story set there. Here is the link to the story:
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