Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Bill and Belle Reed - Columbia 15336-D


Bill and Bell Reed / Columbia 15336-D
You Shall Be Free / Old Lady And The Devil
recorded October 17, 1928 in Johnson City, Tennessee

Here is another "only disc recorded by an artist". Most people into old time music will have heard the Old Lady And The Devil side as it has been issued on a few cd`s and also was recorded by The New Lost City Ramblers. This tune is of course about a farmer that swapped his wife to the devil and she was so mean and hateful that the devil tried to return her, but the farmer wouldn`t have her back. I`ve wondered many times why the song on the other side of the disc had never been re-issued, as the title You Shall Be Free sounds like it might be a gospel tune. It turns out to be a version of the old Shout Mourner/Mona, You Shall Be Free song, but it`s a pretty derogatory "coon song" type tune. So, please be warned. If you are offended by this type of material, please don`t listen to it. I think it`s just another part of our music history to present here. Happy listening!

Click here to download Bill and Belle Reed - Columbia 15366-D

Eddie Albert - The Eddie Albert Album


Here is the most "un-country" disc I`ve posted I think, but a friend of mine and I were talking about it while back so I`m posting it for him. Eddie Albert is of course best known as Mr. Douglas from the old Green Acres television show. And devoted fan of the show will remember Mr. Douglas playing a guitar a couple times on the show. I never had thought he actually may have been a musician till I found this LP. I hate to call this disc country as he kind of defies any musical category. If you went shopping for this record when it came out I`m sure it would have been filed in the country section, or possibly folk. I hear a mix of country, folk and sort of a soft rock in amongst the tracks. There are a couple of singalong type songs with tenor banjo, a long version of the Green Acres theme song and even a Beatles tune. Give it a listen!


Click here to download Eddie Albert - The Eddie Albert Album

The Bill Ring Show - #51, 52, 53, 54, 55 & 56






Here is the next SIX Bill Ring Shows. Thought I`d post a few since it`s been a while since I`ve posted. Enjoy!

Track list for #51---
1. Can`t Win, Can`t Place, Can`t Show - Bill Ring
2. Columbus Stockade Blues - Doc Martin
3. I`m Gonna Have A Cowboy Wedding - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
4. I`m In A Crowd But So Alone - Bill Ring
5. Yodelin` Guitar - Speedy Haworth
6. Who At My Door Is Standing - Bill Ring

Track list for # 52---
1. Giles County, Pulaski Post Office, In The State Of Tennessee - Bill Ring
2. Liberty - Speedy Haworth
3. This Won`t Be The First Time - Sally Briggs
4. I`m Throwing Rice At The Girl I Love - Bill Ring
5. Twin Guitar Special - Doc Martin & Speedy Haworth
6. I Ain`t Gonna Do Tomorrow What I Can`t Get Done Today - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show #51/52

Track list for #53---
1. So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed - Bill Ring
2. guitar duet - Speedy Haworth & Doc Martin
3. Blues In My Heart - Bill Ring
4. Wyoming Cowboy`s Love Yodel - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
5. Country Way - Speedy Haworth
6. Old Shep - Bill Ring

Track list for #54---
1. John Henry - Bill Ring
2. That`s The Kind Of Love I`m Looking For - Speedy Haworth
3. I`d Rather Die Young Than Grow Old Without You - Sally Briggs
4. Dangerous Ground - Bill Ring
5. steel guitar solo - Doc Martin
6. Will The Circle Be Unbroken - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show #53/54

Track list for #55---
1. They All Go Native On A Saturday Night - Bill Ring
2. I Ain`t Got Nobody - Doc Martin
3. Sleepy Rio Grande - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
4. Say Your Mine Again - Bill Ring
5. Bryant`s Boogie - Speedy Haworth
6. Sweet Adeline - Bill Ring

Track list for #56---
1. Crawdad Hole - Bill Ring
2. guitar solo - Speedy Haworth
3. Wheel Of Fortune - Sally Briggs
4. I Know It, But Does She - Bill Ring
5. The Panhandle Two-Step - Doc Martin
6. God`s Little Candles - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show #55/56

Monday, March 14, 2016

Calhoun Sacred Quartet - Victor 20543


Calhoun Sacred Quartet - Victor 20543
Life`s Railway To Heaven / The Church In The Wildwood
recorded February 16, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia

Here`s yet one more "only disc issued" offering. What we have here is a group that`s sort of split off from the Georgia Yellow Hammers. The artists are Lawrence Neal, Philip Reeve, Ernest Moody, George Pickard with Jewell Reeve on piano. Both Philip Reeve and Ernest Moody were in the Georgia Yellow Hammers, as well as recording as a duet on their own and in another group called the Turkey Mountain Singers. I suppose they are called the Calhoun Sacred Quartet here due to the fact they were from the Calhoun, Georgia area.
Both of the tunes are very well known old country gospel standards.

Click here to download the Calhoun Sacred Quartet - Victor 20543

Country Music Jamboree - Mercury 20350


Here`s a fun various artists LP, sort of a sampler on the Mercury label. Happy downloading!


Click here to download Country Music Jamboree - Mercury 20350

The Bill Ring Show - #49 & 50


Here we are with the next Bill Ring Show. Enjoy!

Track list show #49---
1. Divorce Me C.O.D. - Bill Ring
2. Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider - Doc Martin
3. The Blue Tail Fly - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
4. Many Tears Ago - Bill Ring
5. The Finley Creek Blues - Speedy Haworth
6. Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere - Bill Ring

Track list for show #50---
1. Sleepin` At The Foot Of The Bed - Bill Ring
2. Echoes From The Hills - Speedy Haworth
3. That`s When I Love You Best - Sally Briggs
4. Why Should I Cry - Bill Ring
5. The Blues In A - Doc Martin
6. Down The Trail Of Aching Hearts - Bill Ring & Sally Briggs

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #49-50

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Tom And Chuck - Victor V-40305


Tom And Chuck - Victor V-40305
White River Road / At The End Of The Lane
recorded August 15, 1930 in Hollywood, California
Here`s another "only disc recorded by these artists" disc. The artists names were Tom Murray and Chuck Cook. The were members of Beverly Hill Billies and I assumed there was a connection between both out fits recording till I noticed the Beverly Hill Billies recorded for Brunswick. I had assumed also that Tom & Chuck were the same Tom that recorded in 1933 as Tom & Don and Tom & Roy, but they are not. That`s about the only information I know about these artists. There may be some information on the "interweb" if you are interested  in looking. The songs have kind of the pop-ish sound some country records had at the time, as in a pop type tune performed in a country fashion. My copy of this disc is nearly mint, so the sound quality is great. Enjoy!

Click here to download Tom And Chuck - Victor V-40305

Jimmie Skinner`s #1 Bluegrass


I`ll be the first person to admit that Jimmie Skinner had a "unique" voice, but I sure like him.  I`m thinking this is about the last record he made. He was kinda on both sides of the country/bluegrass fence. He wrote many songs recorded by both type of artists, and even on some of his own recordings where he recorded a song more than once he himself could sound like bluegrass or country. So if you are unfamiliar with him, I`d say give this a download!


Click here to download Jimmie Skinner`s #1 Bluegrass

The Bill Ring Show - #47-48


Here we are once again with the next Bill Ring Show. Happy listening!

Track list for show #47---
1. Anytime - Bill Ring
2. Papa`s Jumpin` - Speedy Haworth & Doc Martin
3. Land Beyond The Sun - Slim Wilson And The Tall Timber Trio
4. The Little Girl In My Hometown - Bill Ring
5. Remington Ride - Speedy Haworth
6. Mon And Dad`s Waltz - Bill Ring

Track list for show #48---
1. Detour - Bill Ring
2. Midnight - Speedy Haworth
3. I Long To Tell You - Sally Briggs
4. Sunbonnet Sue - Bill Ring
5. Sugar Moon - Doc Martin
6. Nobody`s Business - Bill Ring & Sally Briggs

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #47&48

Monday, February 22, 2016

Burke Brothers / Victor V-40294


Burke Brothers - Victor V-40294
At Last My Dreams Have Come True / Lonesome And Lonely
recorded October 22, 1929 in Dallas, Texas

Here is another group that recorded only one disc. I really don`t know any information about them other than they had recorded with Jimmie Rodgers. Both songs are what, at the time, I`d call "pop-ish" country. They aren`t outstanding sides, but are quite nice in voice and I really like the lap style steel played in the early country-Hawaiian style. Happy listening!

Click here to download Burke Brothers - Victor V-40294

Elmer Bird - Home Sweet Home


How about some old-time banjo pickin`?! Mr. Bird certainly pounds out these tunes on the banjo in a very hard-driving style. Mighty fine music here!


Click here to download Elmer Bird - Home Sweet Home

The Bill Ring Show - #45-46






Here`s the next Bill Ring Show.

Track list for show #45---
1. Shame On You - Bill Ring
2. String Stealin` - Speedy Haworth
3. A Sinner`s Prayer - Bill Ring
4. Pretty Little Girl With The Pretty Little Curls - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
5. Get Up And Go - Doc Martin
6. Peace In The Valley - Bill Ring

Track list for show #46---
1. A Bundle Of Southern Sunshine - Bill Ring
2. Raining Teardrops From My Eyes - Speedy Haworth
3. Why Can`t You Be Mine - Sally Briggs
4. Make Room In Your Heart For A Friend - Bill Ring
5. Stay Away From My Heart - Doc Martin
6. I Believe - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #45-46

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Williams and Williams - Columbia 15172-D


Williams and Williams - Columbia 15172-D
In The Garden / Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet
Recorded March 29, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia

Here is another "only issued" disc in our series. I have NO information on these artists except what can be read on the label. It`s just a pleasant gospel performance. In The Garden has to be one of the best known gospel songs. Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet is an unfamiliar song to me. Enjoy!

Click here to download Williams and Williams - Columbia 15172-D

Country Express - 16 Rompin` Stompin` Country Instrumentals


Here`s a nice budget label LP. I think the Nashville label was mostly re-issued material from Starday and possibly King. I`m pretty sure I have about all of these cuts on other LP`s in my own collection. I know a few of the songs on this LP are even posted on this blog already on other LP`s. At any rate, we might as well enjoy this music again collected in this LP. After all, it says right on the cover it`s a "Special Collectors Edition"! Happy listening!


Click here to download Country Express - 16 Rompin` Stompin` Country Instrumentals

Ray Andrade And His Orchestra - South Sea Serenades


Well, we`ve had some ice here in the Ozarks today, and you know what that means in the Archive--- a Hawaiian post to keep us warm. Here`s a nice 78 album to keep us warm. I really like the art work on the cover.

Track list---
1. Song Of The Islands
2. Kuu Aloha E Maliu Mai
3. Wailana
4. Hapa Haole Hula Girl
5. Sweet Lei Lehua
6. Pua Kale Poni
7. Aloha Oe
8. Liliu E


Click here to download Ray Andrade And His Orchestra - South Sea Serenades

The Bill Ring Show - #43&44


Here is the next Bill Ring Show disc. Enjoy!

Track list show #43---
1. There`s Been A Change In Me - Bill Ring
2. Ragtime Melody - Speedy Haworth
3. Just An Evening At Home - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
4. Jealous Heart - Bill Ring
5. guitar instrumental duet - Doc Martin & Speedy Haworth
6. Jesus Savior Pilot Me - Bill Ring

Track list show #44---
1. Tennessee Border - Bill Ring
2. The Blue Guitar Stomp - Doc Martin
3. Someone To Care - Sally Briggs
4. Dime A Dozen - Bill Ring
5. guitar solo - Speedy Haworth
6. A Part Time Job Will Do - Bill Ring & Sally Briggs

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #43-44



Sunday, February 7, 2016

Jasper Bisbee - complete issued Edison recordings


This post is by an artist often overlooked in the "old-time" music category as a pioneer. Jasper Bisbee is definatly an old-time fiddler, but not in the southern style. He is what I`d consider mostly a New England style fiddler. He has, to my ear, more of a jig fiddling style that I kind of associate with Scotch-Irish styles of fiddling. It`s a more precise style than most southern styles.
He was born in New York state in 1843, making him one of the oldest people to ever record, regardless of music style. He would have been 80 when he cut these sides! He also would have been one of the earliest country artists to record, as these sides were recorded November 24, 1923. Half of these tunes (Money Musk, Girl I Left Behind Me, The Devil`s Dream) are fairly common fiddle tunes, the other half (College Hornpipe, McDonald`s Reel, Opera Reel) are pretty much unknown to me. For further information on him, just do a google search as there are a couple of articles out there about him.
My discs are in pretty good condition except for just a few spots here and there, so sound quality is pretty good. Edisons recording style (sound recorded vertically in the grooves) was really superior to most all other companies at the time, so if you find a pretty nice condition disc, they usually sound good if you have the right equipment to play them on.


Jasper Bisbee - Edison 51278
Opera Reel / McDonald`s Reel


Jasper Bisbee - Edison 51381
Money Musk / The Girl I Left Behind Me - Medley


Jasper Bisbee - Edison 51382
College Hornpipe / The Devil`s Dream

Click here to download Jasper Bisbee - complete Edison recordings

John Lair`s Renfo Valley Barn Dance


Here`s a pretty rare LP. I`d say these were only sold at Renfro Valley as a souvenir. I`m sure since the catalog number for this ist 112 that this is at least the second LP issued, or possibly the twelfth, assuming they may have started the numbers at 100 or 101. I`ve never found another LP from there. What we have here is some good, real, country music from artists that were on the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. Most of the artists will be unknown to most blog followers I`d say unless you were familiar with the barn dance at the time these artists performed. Probably the best known artist on here is Old Joe Clark, who was a long time performer on the show with comedy and several banjo picking styles. Happy downloading!



Click here to download John Lair`s Renfro Valley Barn Dance

The Bill Ring Show - #41-42


Here`s the next Bill Ring Show---enjoy!

Track list for show #41---
1. Bringin` Home The Bacon - Bill Ring
2. Wedding Ring - Speedy Haworth
3. It`s A Cowboy Life For Me - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
4. A Prison Without Any Walls - Bill Ring
5. Sittin` On Top Of The World - Doc Martin
6. When Jesus Beckoned Me Home - Bill Ring

Track list for #42---
1. You Can`t Break My Heart - Bill Ring
2. Three Miles South Of Cash In Arkansas - Doc Martin
3. I`ll Go On Alone - Sally Briggs
4. If Teardrops Were Pennies - Bill Ring
5. Blacksmith Blues - Speedy Haworth
6. That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #41-42

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Jack Reedy and His Walker Mountain String Band - Brunswick 221


Jack Reedy and His Walker Mountain String Band - Brunswick 221
Chinese Breakdown / Ground Hog
recorded mid-February, 1928 in Ashland, Kentucky

Here is another "only disc issued" by an artist. Jack Reedy recorded with The Hill Billies and The Smyth County Ramblers also, but this is the only disc issued as by him with his own group. Both tunes are common string band tunes, but done quite well here. Happy listening!

Click here to download Jack Reedy and His Walker Mountain String Band - Brunswick 221

Historical Ballads Of The Tennessee Valley



Here`s a neat LP, and I think quite rare. What we have here is an LP of songs of things Tennessee. Topical type songs. Some of these songs can be heard elsewhere, but I think some of the songs on this may be unique to this LP.  The back of the cover mentions a booklet that would come with the LP, but unfortunatley, as usual with LP`s, it is missing. Happy downloading!


Click here to download Historical Ballads Of The Tennessee Valley

The Bill Ring Show - #39-40






Here`s the Next Bill Ring Show----enjoy!

Track list for show #39---
1.  Get Your Kicks On Route 66 - Bill Ring
2. I Wonder Where You Are Tonight - Doc Martin
3. Three Ways Of Knowin` - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
4. Eat It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do - Bill Ring
5. Grapevine Swing - Speedy Haworth
6. The Cry Of The Lamb - Bill Ring

Track list for show #40---
1. Won`t You Ride In My Little Red Wagon - Bill Ring
2. Jealous Lies - Doc Martin
3. If You Don`t Believe I`m Leavin`, Just Count The Days I`m Gone - Sally Briggs
4. Crazy Heart - Bill Ring
5. Busy Body - Speedy Haworth
6. The Old Rugged Cross - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #39-40

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Weaver Brothers - Columbia 15487-D


Weaver Brothers - Columbia 45487-D
You Came Back To Me / Prison Sorrows
recorded October 22, 1929 in Johnson City, Tennessee

Here is another group that only had one disc issued. I don`t have any information about them other than their names were Vance & Wiley Weaver and that Lonnie Austin and Roy Harvey are on the sides with them. They have sort of a Charlie Poole band sound. Neither of the songs are unique or rare as they had both been recorded elsewhere on other labels.

Click here to download Weaver Brothers - Columbia 15487-D

"Missing" Roy Acuff LP`s


Here is three Roy Acuff LP`s that a blog fan had mentioned I hadn`t posted. It`s probably been two years or more since the blog fan had contacted me and asked why I didn`t post them My reply was that all the songs on them were already on the blog on other LP1s or 45`s. He brought it to my attention that there were a few songs that are unique to these LP`s, or that they are different takes than issued elsewhere etc. Sure enough he was right. So I had put these three discs in the pile to transfer and promptly forgot about them. Ha ha! So I was digging through a pile of records a couple of weeks ago and "re"-found these discs. I think with these three discs posted all of his Hickory material is either downloadable here or can be bought on cd. So here we go---







Click here to download Roy Acuff - Treasury Of Country Hits


This Back In The Country LP is the biggest question mark in the lot. There is TWO Hickory LP`s with this title. The two LP`s have mostly different songs on them. I had assumed that both had the same material on them, just having different covers. I believe this one may have been released overseas.


Click here to download Roy Acuff - Back In The Country (Hickory 4507)


The Time LP was a British release. It seems the London and Hickory labels was connected in some way.


Click here to download Roy Acuff - Time


The Bill Ring Show - #37-38






Here`s the next Bill Ring Show. Enjoy!

Track list show #37---
1. The Tennessee Central #9
2. guitar solo - Speedy Haworth
3. Sparkling Blue Eyes - Slim Wilson & The Tall Timber Trio
4. A Shanty In Old Shanty Town - Bill Ring
5. Butterfingers - Doc Martin
6. Where He Leads Me I Will Follow - Bill Ring

Track list Show #38---
1. The Love Bug Itch - Bill Ring
2. Bootheel Drag - Doc Martin
3. I`m Gonna Walk And Talk With My Lord - Sally Briggs
4. P.S. I Love You - Bill Ring
5. guitar solo - Speedy Haworth
6. My Melancholy Baby - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #37-38

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Pickard Family in the 1950`s - 78 on Coast 253, 45 on Coral 61602


Here`s a post of a group that was pretty popular on WSM`s Grand Ole Opry and WLS`s Barn Dance in the 1920`s. They also recorded many records in the 1920`s. Sometime in the late 1930`s of in the 1940`s they went west to California and I think they had a radio show. Then they did have a very early TV show, likely about the first country music show on any TV station. They were active up into the late 1950`s at least. They recorded an LP which I posted here a few years back. Apparantly they made a few other sporadic recordings in the early to mid 1950`s , as evidenced by my post here today.


I have no information about the session for this 78, I`d just guess very early 1950`s. It`s in fine condition and sounds great! Songs are Cindy and How Many Biscuits Can You Eat. This is about my favorite version of How Many Biscuits Can You Eat as Obed "Dad" Pickard gets pretty spirited with his singing when its his turn to sing.

Click here to download The Pickard Family - Coast 253


I don`t know anything about this session either, I`d just guess mid 1950`s. I`d say this is the only 45 issued by The Pickard Family. Tunes are Keep On The Sunny Side and Tell Me Who. Tell Me Who turns out to be a pretty interesting version of the song Who`s Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot, sometimes called Green Valley Waltz.

Click here to download The Pickard Family - Coral 61602

Ray Kinney and his Hawaiians - Sweet Hawaiian Moonlight - 78 album



We are having some nasty weather, so here`s some fine Hawaiian music to help keep us warm. My set is in almost mint condition, so sound quality is pretty great on these 78`s.

Song list---
1. Ka-Lu-A
2. Hawaiian Love
3. Drowsy Waters (Wailana Waltz)
4. Aloma
5. Pagan Love Song
6. Sweet Hawaiian Moonlight (Tell Her Of My Love)
7. One-Two-Three-Four
8. Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula
9. Blue Pacific Moonlight
10. Honolulu


Click here to download Ray Kinney and his Hawaiians - Sweet Hawaiian Moonlight

Jodie and Odie - reo 1006



Here is an odd one, total slap-stick comic song on one side and a song with a moral on the other side. This was also issued on a 78 on a few different labels, also as a 45 on some other labels. Jodie is Cousin Jody, the old country comic that plays crazy lap steel. Odie (I can`t think of his last name right now) was a comic/bass player that sometimes played with Roy Acuff.


Click here to download Jodie and Odie - reo 1006

Lulu-Belle & Scotty - KaHill 1013



Here`s a fun side to hear. Lulu Belle and Scotty were quite popular artists associated with the WLS Barn Dance out of Chicago and started recording in the 1930`s. Im guessing this 45 is from the early 1960`s. The tune on the other side is Now We`ll Waltz.

Click here to download Lulu-Belle & Scotty - KaHill 1013

The Bill Ring Show #35-36



Here`s the next installment of The Bill Rig Show---

Track list for #35---
1. M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I - Bill Ring
2. Crying In The Deep Blue Sea - Speedy Haworth
3. E String Rag - Slim Wilson And The Tall Timber Trio
4. Chained To A Memory Of You - Bill Ring
5. Beaver Fever - Doc Martin
6. Cool Water - Bill Ring

Track list for #36---
1. Blacksmith Blues - Bill Ring
2. Here Today And Gone Tomorrow - Speedy Haworth
3. Ask My Heart - Sally Briggs
4. Searching For My Ideal - Bill Ring
5. Stompin` At The Riverside - Dock Martin
6. Viya Con Dios - Bill Ring

Click here to download The Bill Ring Show - #35-36

Billy Bishop - Challenge 308, Gennett 6203



Billy Bishop - Challenge 308
Medley Of Old Time Favorites - Part 1 / Medley Of Old Time Favorites - Part 2
recorded June 27, 1927 in St. Paul, Minnesota

Here`s the next installment of the "only disc recorded" series. I have no information on Billy Bishop. I assumed back when I first got this disc that Billy Bishop was likely a pseudonym for Walter Peterson, which was a man that also recorded many solo harmonica/guitar sides for the old Gennett label and was issued on many different labels and sold mostly through mail order catalogs like Sears.etc, but apparantly not. The material of the artists is quite similar, mostly old pop type tunes and old traditional songs. Song titles for Part 1 is Cricket On The Hearth, Shade Of The Pines and White Wings, Part 2 is Listen To The Mocking  Bird and Annie Laurie. Happy downloading!

Click here to download Billy Bishop - Challenge 308