Tag Archives: Leon Payne

Merle Haggard And The Strangers: Mama Tried

On October 3, 1968, “Capitol” label released “Mama Tried”, the seventh Merle Haggard and the Strangers studio album. It was recorded February – March, 1968, ay “Capitol Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Ken Nelson. In 1999, the album title song won the “Grammy Hall of Fame Award”.

Personnel:

  • Merle Haggard – vocals, guitar

The Strangers:

  • Roy Nichols – guitar
  • Norman Hamlet – steel guitar
  • George French – piano
  • Jerry Ward – bass
  • Eddie Burris – drums
  • Lewis Talley – guitar
  • Tommy Collins – guitar
  • Billy Mize – guitar
  • Glen Campbell – guitar
  • James Burton – guitar
  • Bonnie Owens – harmony vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Merle Haggard, except where noted.

  1. Mama Tried
  2. Green, Green Grass of Home – Curly Putman
  3. Little Ole Wine Drinker Me – Dick Jennings, Hank Mills
  4. In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) – Dolly Parton
  5. I Could Have Gone Right – Mel Tillis
  6. I’ll Always Know
  7. The Sunny Side of Me
  8. Teach Me to Forget – Leon Payne
  9. Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
  10. Run ‘Em Off – Troy Martin, Onie Wheeler
  11. You’ll Never Love Me Now
  12. Too Many Bridges to Cross Over – Dallas Frazier

Johnny Cash: Ride This Train

On August 1, 1960. “Columbia’ label released “Ride This Train”, the sixth Johnny Cash album. It was recorded December – February 1960, and was produced by Don Law.

Personnel:

  • Johnny Cash – vocals, rhythm guitar, arrangements

The Tennessee Two

  • Luther Perkins – lead guitar
  • Marshall Grant – bass
  • Johnny Western – guitar
  • Floyd Cramer – piano
  • Buddy Harman – drums
  • Shot Jackson – dobro, steel guitar
  • Gordon Terry – fiddle
  • Alan Lomax – adaptation, arrangements
  • Mark Wilder – mixing, mastering
  • Seth Foster – mastering
  • Stacey Boyle – tape research
  • Matt Kelly – tape research
  • Kay Smith – tape research
  • Arthur Levy – liner notes
  • Howard Fritzson – art direction
  • Randall Martin – design
  • Don Hunstein – photography
  • Darren Salmieri – A&R
  • Steven Berkowitz – A&R
  • Patti Matheny – A&R

Track listing:

  1. Loading Coal – Merle Travis
  2. Slow Rider – Johnny Cash
  3. Lumberjack – Leon Payne
  4. Dorraine of Ponchrtrain – Johnny Cash
  5. Going to Memphis – Hollie Dew, Alan Lomax, (new words and music) by Johnny Cash
  6. When Papa Played the Dobro – Johnny Cash
  7. Boss Jack – Tex Ritter
  8. Old Doc Brown – Red Foley
  9. Second Honeymoon – Autry Inman
  10. Ballad of the Harp Weaver – Thelma Moore, Edna Millay
  11. Smiling Bill McCall – Johnny Cash

Buddy and Julie Miller: Written In Chalk

On March 3, 2009, “New West” label released “Written in Chalk”, album by Buddy and Julie Miller. It was recorded in 2008, and was produced by Buddy and Julie Miller.

Personnel:

  • Julie Miller – lead and backing vocals, guitar
  • Buddy Miller – lead and backing vocals, guitar
  • Emmylou Harris – vocals
  • Patty Griffin – vocals
  • Robert Plant – vocals
  • Gurf Morlix – lap steel guitar
  • Russ Pahl – pedal steel guitar
  • Matt Rollings – piano
  • Larry Campbell – fiddle, mandolin
  • John Deaderick – piano, keyboards
  • Chris Donohue – bass
  • Dennis Crouch – bass
  • Byron House – bass
  • Brady Blade, Jr. – drums
  • Jay Bellerose – drums
  • Byran Owings – drums
  • Stuart Duncan – fiddle
  • Kami Lyle – trumpet
  • Ann McCrary – backing vocals
  • Regina McCrary – backing vocals
  • Brian Kershisnik – album art (cover painting)

Track listing:

All tracks by Julie Miller, except where noted.

  1. Ellis County
  2. Gasoline and Matches – Julie Miller, Buddy Miller
  3. Don’t Say Goodbye
  4. What You Gonna Do Leroy – Mel Tillis
  5. Long Time
  6. One Part, Two Part – Dee Ervin
  7. Chalk
  8. Everytime We Say Goodbye
  9. Hush, Sorrow
  10. Memphis Jane
  11. June
  12. The Selfishness in Man – Leon Payne

Hank Williams: Hank Williams Sings

On November 9, 1951, “MGM” label released “Hank Williams Sings”, the debut Hank Williams album. It was recorded in December 1946, April – November 1947, March – August 1949, and was produced by Fred Rose.

Personnel:

  • Hank Williams -vocals, guitar
  • Zeb Turner – lead guitar
  • Zeke Turner – lead guitar
  • Jerry Byrd – steel guitar
  • Don Davis – steel guitar
  • Dale “Smokey” Lohman – steel guitar
  • Louis Innis – bass, rhythm guitar
  • Jack Shook – rhythm guitar
  • James “Guy” Willis – guitar
  • Tommy Jackson – fiddle
  • Dale Potter – fiddle
  • Charles “Skeeter” Willis – fiddle
  • Chubby Wise – fiddle
  • Ernie Newton – bass
  • Bronson “Brownie” Reynolds – bass
  • Velma Williams Smith – bass
  • Charles “Indian” Wright – bass

Track listing:

  1. Lost Highway – Leon Payne
  2. I’ve Just Told Mama Goodbye – Slim Sweet, Curley Kinsey
  3. I Saw the Light – Hank Willians
  4. Six Miles (To the Graveyard) – Hank Williams
  5. A Mansion on the Hill – Hank Williams
  6. Wealth Won’t Save Your Soul – Hank Williams
  7. Wedding Bells – Claude Boone
  8. A House Without Love – Hank Williams

Ray Charles: Love Country Style

In June 1970, “Tangerine” label released “Love Country Style”, the 31st Ray Charles album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Joe Adams.

Personnel:

  • Ray Charles – vocals, keyboards
  • David T. Walker – guitar
  • Steve Guillory – guitar
  • Carol Kaye – electric bass
  • Sid Feller – arrangements, conductor
  • David Braithwaite, Ray Charles Robinson – engineer

Track listing:

  1. If You Were Mine – Jimmy Lewis
  2. Ring of Fire – June Carter Cash, Merle Kilgore
  3. Your Love is So Doggone Good – Big Dee Irwin, Rudy Love
  4. Don’t Change On Me – Eddie Reeves, Jimmy Holiday
  5. Till I Can’t Take It Anymore – Clyde Otis, Dorian Burton
  6. You’ve Still Got a Place in My Heart – Leon Payne
  7. I Keep It Hid – Jimmy Webb
  8. Sweet Memories – Mickey Newbury
  9. Good Morning Dear – Mickey Newbury
  10. Show Me the Sunshine – Buddy Scott, Jimmy Radcliffe

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Will the Circle be Unbroken

In November 1972, “United Artists” label released “Will the Circle be Unbroken”, the seventh Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (The) album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by William McEuen.

Pertsonnel:

  • Jimmy Martin – lead vocal, guitar 
  • John McEuen – banjo, mandolin
  • Randy Scruggs – autoharp, guitar, background vocals
  • Jim Ibbotson – guitar, drums, snare, background vocals
  • Roy Acuff – lead vocal
  • Merle Travis – lead and background vocals
  • Vassar Clements – fiddle
  • Les Thompson – mandolin, background vocals
  • Jimmie Fadden – harmonica
  • Roy “Junior” Huskey – bass 
  • Elis Padget – bass
  • Jeff Hanna – washboard, background vocals
  • Gary Scruggs, Ray Martin, Timmy Martin, Betty Travis, Fred Cross, Gloria Belle, Louise Scruggs, Steve Scruggs, Chet Flippo, Martha Flippo, Larry Murray, Mike Carr, Alice McEuen – background vocals
  • Mother Maybelle Carter – lead vocal, guitar 
  • Doc Watson – guitar, background vocals 
  • Pete “Oswald” Kirby – dobro
  • Norman Blake – dobro
  • Earl Scruggs – banjo 
  • Rex Collier, Rick Horton – recording
  • Dino Lappas – engineer
  • Garry Mullen – mixing
  • Arnie Acosta, Douglas Sax – mastering
  • William E. McEuen – art direction, design, photography
  • Kittyhawk Graphics – graphics
  • Dean O. Torrence – graphics, design
  • Jack Hurst liner notes
  • Chet Flippo – liner notes
  • Alice McEuen – producer assistant

Track listing:

  1. Grand Ole Opry Song – Hylo Brown
  2. Keep on the Sunny Side – A.P. Carter, Gary Garett
  3. Nashville Blues – Earl Scruggs
  4. You Are My Flower – A.P. Carter
  5. The Precious Jewel – Roy Acuff
  6. Dark as a Dungeon – Merle Travis
  7. Tennessee Stud – Jimmie Driftwood
  8. Black Mountain Rag – traditional
  9. Wreck on the Highway – Dorsey Dixon
  10. The End of the World – Fred Rose
  11. I Saw the Light – Hank Williams
  12. Sunny Side of the Mountain – Byron Gregory, Harry McAuliffe
  13. Nine-Pound Hammer – Merle Travis
  14. Losin’ You (Might Be the Best Thing Yet) – Edria A. Humphrey, Jimmy Martin
  15. Honky Tonkin’ – Hank Williams
  16. You Don’t Know My Mind – Jimmie Skinner
  17. My Walkin’ Shoes – Jimmy Martin, Paul Williams
  18. Lonesome Fiddle Blues – Vassar Clements
  19. Cannonball Rag – Merle Travis
  20. Avalanche – Millie Clements
  21. Flint Hill Special – Earl Scruggs
  22. Togary Mountain – Walter McEuen
  23. Earl’s Breakdown – Earl Scruggs
  24. Orange Blossom Special – Ervin T. Rouse
  25. Wabash Cannonball – A.P. Carter
  26. Lost Highway – Leon Payne
  27. Doc Watson & Merle Travis First Meeting (Dialogue)
  28. Way Downtown – traditional, Doc Watson
  29. Down Yonder – arr. Doc Watson
  30. Pins and Needles (In My Heart) – Floyd Jenkins
  31. Honky Tonk Blues – Hank Williams
  32. Sailin’ on to Hawaii – Beecher Kirby
  33. I’m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes – A.P. Carter
  34. I am a Pilgrim – traditional
  35. Wildwood Flower – A.P. Carter
  36. Soldier’s Joy – John McEuen, Earl Scruggs
  37. Will the Circle Be Unbroken – A.P. Carter
  38. Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell

Elvis Presley: Same

On March 23, 1956, “RCA Victor” label released the self-titled, debut Elvis Presley album. It was recorded July 1954 – January 1956, at “”RCA Victor Studios” in Nashville, Tennessee, “RCA Victor Studios” in New York City, “Sun Studio” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Sam Phillips (Sun recordings) and Steve Sholes (RCA recordings). “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album cover at number 40, on its list of the “100 Greatest Album Covers”. The album was certified Platinum in US by the “RIAA”.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Presley– vocals, acoustic guitar, piano
  • Scotty Moore– electric guitar
  • Chet Atkins– acoustic guitar
  • Floyd Cramer– piano
  • Shorty Long– piano
  • Bill Black– bass
  • J. Fontana– drums
  • Doug Poindexter– percussion, guitar
  • Johnny Bernero – drums
  • Gordon Stoker– backing vocals
  • Ben Speer– backing vocals
  • Brock Speer– backing vocals

 Track listing:

  1. Blue Suede Shoes – Carl Perkins
  2. I’m Counting On You – Don Robertson
  3. I Got a Woman – Ray Charles, Renald Richard
  4. One Sided Love Affair – Bill Campbell
  5. I Love You Because – Leon Payne
  6. Just Because – Bob Shelton, Joe Shelton, Sydney Robin
  7. Tutti Frutti – Dorothy LaBostrie, Richard Wayne Penniman
  8. Tryin’ to Get You – Rose Marie McCoy, Charles Singleton
  9. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) – Howard Biggs, Joe Thomas
  10. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) – Jimmy Wakely
  11. Blue Moon – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
  12. Money Honey – Jesse Stone

 

Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing

On September 26, 2006, “Artists First“label released “Last Man Standing”, the 39th studio Jerry Lee Lewis album. It was recorded in “Phillips Studio” and “Sun Studio” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Jimmy Ripp and Steve Bing. The album consists of duets between Jerry Lee Lewis and some of the biggest names in rock and country music.

Personnel:

  • Jerry Lee Lewis – lead vocals, piano, organ
  • Little Richard – vocal
  • Buddy Guy – vocal
  • Bruce Springsteen – vocal
  • Neil Young – vocal
  • Mick Jagger – vocal
  • Ringo Starr – vocal
  • Rod Stewart – vocal
  • John Fogerty – vocal
  • Keith Richards – vocal, lead guitar
  • Willie Nelson – vocal
  • Kriss Kristofferson – vocal
  • Merle Haggard – vocal
  • Don Henley – vocal
  • Kid Rock – vocal
  • George Jones – vocal, bass
  • B. King – lead guitar
  • Jimmy Page – lead guitar
  • Eric Clapton – lead guitar
  • Robbie Robertson – lead guitar
  • Ronnie Wood – pedal steel guitar
  • Nils Lofgrin – pedal steel guitar
  • Greg Lieze – pedal steel guitar
  • Jimmy Rip – guitar, percussion, finger snaps, handclaps, editing, mixing
  • Ken Lovelace – guitar, fiddle
  • Keith Allison – guitar
  • Ivan Neville – Hammond organ
  • Bill Strom – organ
  • B. Cunningham – bass
  • Hutch Hutchinson – bass
  • Jim Keltner – drums, percussion
  • Robert Hall – drums
  • James Stroud – drums
  • Mickey Raphael – harmonica
  • Dave Woodruff – saxophone
  • Paddy Maloney – pipe, whistle
  • Brandy Jones, Bernard Fowler, Phyllis Duncan, Bambi Jones, Jewel Jones, Stacy Michelle – backing vocals
  • David Campbell – string arrangements
  • James Saez – engineer, mixing
  • Roland Janes – engineer
  • Steve Gamberoni – engineer, mixing
  • June Murakawa – engineer assistant
  • Steve Marcussen – mastering
  • Gary Burden – art direction, design concept
  • Janice Heo – art direction, image editor
  • Jesse Burden – design
  • Tom Nikosey – typography
  • Michael Muller – photography
  • Peter Guralnick – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Rock and Roll – John Paul Jones, John Bonham, James Patrick Page, Robert Plant / duet with Jimmy Page
  2. Before the Night Is Over – Benjamin Peters / duet with B.B. King
  3. Pink Cadillac – Bruce Springsteen / duet with Bruce Springsteen
  4. Evening Gown – Mick Jagger / duet with Mick Jagger and Ron Wood
  5. You Don’t Have to Go – James Matcher Reed / duet with Neil Young
  6. Twilight – Robbie Robertson, David Campbell / duet with Robbie Robertson
  7. Travelin’ Band – John Fogerty / duet with John Fogerty
  8. That Kind of Fool – Mack Vickery / duet with Keith Richards
  9. Sweet Little 16 – Chuck Berry / duet with Ringo Starr
  10. Just a Bummin’ Around – Pete Graves / duet with Merle Haggard
  11. Honky Tonk Woman – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards / duet with Kid Rock
  12. What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me) – Glenn Sutton – duet with Rod Stewart
  13. Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Age – Cindy Walker, Bob Wills / duet with George Jones
  14. Couple More Years – Dennis Locorriere, Shel Silverstein / duet with Willie Nelson
  15. Old Glory – Paul Roberts, Shelby Darnell, Jerry Lee Lewis / duet with Toby Keith
  16. Trouble in Mind – Richard M. Jones / duel with Eric Clapton
  17. I Saw Her Standing There – John Lennon, Paul McCartney / duet with Little Richard
  18. Lost Highway – Leon Payne / duet with Delaney Bramlett
  19. Hadacohl Boogie – Bill Nettles / duet with Buddy Guy
  20. What Makes the Irish Heart Beat – Van Morrison / duet with Don Henley
  21. The Pilgrim Ch. 33 – Kris Kristofferson / duet with Kris Kristofferson

Van Morrison: Pay The Devil

Pay the Devil

On March 6, 2006, “Lost Highway” label released “Pay the Devil”, the thirty-second Van Morrison studio album. It was recorded in 2005, and was produced by Van Morrison. The album features twelve cover versions of American country and western songs and three original compositions.

Personnel:

  • Van Morrison – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Crawford Bell – vocals
  • Trionagh Moore- vocals
  • Olwin Bell – vocals
  • Karen Hamill – vocals
  • Aine Whelan – vocals
  • Leon McCrum – vocals
  • Paul Godden – guitar, steel guitar
  • Mick Green- guitar
  • Johnny Scott – vocals, guitar
  • Geraint Watkins- piano
  • Paul Riley- acoustic bass
  • Ian Jennings – double bass
  • Nicky Scott – electric bass
  • Bobby Irwin – drums
  • Bob Loveday – violin
  • Fiachra Trench- vocals, string arrangements
  • Gavyn Wright- string section leader

Track listing:

  1. There Stands the Glass – Alize Gresham, Russ Hull, Mary Jane , Shurtz
  2. Half as Much – Curly Williams
  3. Things Have Gone to Pieces – Leon Payne
  4. Big Blue Diamonds – Earl J. Carson
  5. Playhouse – Van Morrison
  6. Your Cheatin’ Heart – Hank Williams
  7. Don’t You Make Me High – Daniel Barker, Ken Harris
  8. My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It – Clarence Williams
  9. Back Street Affair – Billy Wallace
  10. Pay the Devil – Van Morrison
  11. What Am I Living For? – Art Harris, Fred Jay
  12. This Has Got to Stop – Van Morrison
  13. Once a Day – Bill Anderson
  14. More and More – Merle Kilgore, Webb Pierce
  15. Til I Gain Control Again – Rodney Crowell