I got to know the late Gary Stewart a little bit when I was working the country-music beat at the TULSA WORLD; at one point, he was interested in having me collaborate on some sort of Civil War project he had in his head. He came to town regularly in those days, invariably performing at the top country bar in town, Tulsa City Limits.
I mention Stewart because, with the exception of Hank Thompson, I don’t know of anyone who could write and perform a glass-lifting song like he could. I was reminded of this recently when John Hamill, following one of his vinyl archeology expeditions, presented me with the 1975 Stewart LP OUT OF HAND; it’s full of great and often agonizing drinking songs, and I’m playing the one that was his only No. 1 country hit this Saturday on SWING ON THIS.
Plus, I’ve got a nice flip side from a Billy Parker 45, a bilingual swinger from the Jewel Cowboys, a nod to Leon Russell, and tunes from three of the four musical Wills brothers.
All that and plenty more Saturday at 7 p.m. Tulsa time, airing on radio station KWGS, 89.5 FM, and streaming live at publicradiotulsa.org. C’m’on along!
1. “Moonlight and Roses,” Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
(for JEFFREY MORGAN)
2. “San Antonio Rose,” Larry Odham
(for AP MCQUIDDY)
3. “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles),” Gary Stewart
(for JOHN HAMILL and the GLASS LIFTERS)
4. “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal You,” Hank Thompson and
the Brazos Valley Boys
5. “Kissin’ Bug Boogie,” Billy Jack Wills and His Western Swing Band
(for PETER & LAURA SOLZYN)
6. “Sweet Moments,” Johnnie Lee Wills
7, “That’s My Home,” Jason Roberts
8. “Lose Your Blues and Laugh At Life,” Jimmie Revard and His Oklahoma Playboys
(for CAT MORGAN BURTON and CHRIS BURTON)
9. “Oklahoma Blues,” Patti Page
10. “You Don’t Care What Happens to Me,” Playboys II
11. “Whatcha Gonna Do,” Hi-Flyers
12, “Let A Fool Take A Bow,” Billy Parker
13. “Strike up the Band,” Tom Morrell and the Time-Warp Tophands
(for CAROLE & JACK BENDER)
14. “My Untrue Cowgirl,” Jewel Cowboys
15. “Home Sweet Oklahoma,” Leon Russell and the Shelter People
(for TERESA KNOX and the LEON LIFERS)