Jimmie Davis was a down-home musician known for writing or co-writing songs like “You Are My Sunshine,” Honky Tonk Blues,” and “It Makes No Difference Now” (plus a few double entendre numbers along the lines of “Red Nightgown Blues”). He was also a non-consecutive two-time governor of his home state of Louisiana.
Ted Daffan was a Texas-based artist and bandleader who wrote one of the first-ever truck-drivin’ songs, 1939’s “Truck Drivers’ Blues,” as well as such hillbilly hits as “Born to Lose” and “I’m A Fool to Care.”
Together, Davis and Daffan penned the number that kicks off this weekend’s edition of SWING ON THIS. First recorded in 1940 by Ted Daffan’s Texans, it was picked up the next year by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, with “New” added to the original title of “Worried Mind.” Bob’s 1941 version of the Playboys was a bona fide big-band outfit, and I think you’ll like what they did with the tune. It’s an alternate take, not released until the year 2000, that finds their leader in exceptionally high spirits.
More intriguing covers this time around, too, including Red Steagall’s take on an Asleep at the Wheel hit and Leon Russell taking on a Hank Snow classic. Plus, a swingin’ slice of 1940s misogyny by Leodie Jackson, and more heavenly steel playing from Rose Sinclair.
I invite you to check out SWING ON THIS Saturday at 7 p.m. Tulsa time over KWGS, 89.5 FM, and live-streaming everywhere at publicradiotulsa.org
1. “New Worried Mind,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
(for CHUCK BRUMLEY)
2. “Along the Navajo Trail,” Hot Club of Cowtown
3, “Put Me to Bed,” Johnny Bond
(for BRAD and ANNE JAMES and the GLASS LIFTERS)
4. “San Antonio Rose,” Cowboy Joe Babcock
(for AP MCQUIDDY)
5. “Messin’ Around,” Roy Newman and His Boys
(for CAROLE & JACK BENDER)
6. “Something Old, Something New,” Billy Parker w/Jack Greene
7. “Miles and Miles of Texas,” Red Steagall
(for RAY BINGHAM)
8. “She’s Stopped Giving Everything Away,” Bob Skyles and the Skyrockets
9. “Born Free,” Slewfoot Five
(for ELMER DALE PANTHER)
10. “End of the Line,” Asleep at the Wheel
(for BRETT BINGHAM)
11. “The Three Bears,” Leon McAuliffe
(for CAT & CHRIS BURTON)
12. “A Nickle in the Jukebox,” Luke Wills’ Rhythm Busters
13. “I Hear You Knockin’,” Jimmie Widener
(for MOREY SULLIVAN)
14. “Tenderly,” Rose Sinclair
(for JAMIE WOOLEY)
15. “That Naggin’ Wife of Mine,” Leodie Jackson and His Swingsters
16. “I’m Movin’ On,” Leon Russell
(for the LEON LIFERS)