Country Music Crosses Over

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:49 am

It is hard to listen to music on the 1960s charts without hearing the influence of country music on a number of groups, The Beatles being but one clear example. Harrison certainly borrowed heavily from picking of Chet Atkins for example. I'm A Loser and I'll Cry Instead, All My Loving all have arpeggios and picking styles borrowed from Atkins and others.

"Act Naturally", "What Goes On", and "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" seemed out of place in the beginning but soon were generally accepted by the fans.

What country songs were covered by or inspired 1960s Rock and Roll artists?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:02 am

Off topic a little maybe but there was not a great divide between rock n roll and country back in the 60's on the radio which I'm sure had a lot to do with it. My band played some country tunes along with the rock n roll of the day and it fit right in. Ex. Midnight Hour, Beatles followed By George Hamilton IV "Abilene" and "From a Jack to a King".

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:19 am

I think that is true, particularly of the late 1950s and early 1960s with musicians such as Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Jimmie Rodgers, and Johnny Cash doing well on the charts.

It seems to me that the divide between country and rock became even less pronounced in the later 1960s with groups such as Kenny Rogers and the First Edition with "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town" and Roger Miller with "England Swings" and "Little Green Apples."

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:28 am

Beau Brummels...'65...doing a cover of Don Gibson's, Oh, Lonesome Me...Neil Young covered it in '70. Might be a few more who covered this tune.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:39 am

Craig Douglas covered that here in UK . Orbison did a album of Don Gibson songs if I recall. Sea Of Heartbreak was covered by a few.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:46 am

The Searchers had a great version of Sea of Heartbreak. Roy this is an excellent example of a country song that easier crossed over.

Stan: The Beau Brummels had an interesting sound and were a great group. Too bad they were a flash in the pan. I thought they were British for a short time.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:09 am

As did I Peter...but alas just some California lads. 'Laugh, Laugh' was a great tune.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 8:41 am

Don't forget "Cry Just A Little" with its wonderful shimmering lead guitar. I still play "Abilene". A beautiful, simple, haunting song. Also "Detroit City" (Bobby Bare).

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:17 am

"Cry Just A Little" was unique Paul and the simple harmonica was just right.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:52 am

>>>there was not a great divide between rock n roll and country back in the 60's on the radio

good point, Bob, and (obviously) there was less and less divide the farther back you go into the 50's.

I've been looking for some country (slightly rockabilly?) type songs to play. In the last few months we've complimented our oldie/classic_rock/driving blues list with some old reggae (Roots Rock Reggae, Stir It Up, Johnny Too Bad) and this has been very successful. To broaden the list further, country is the way to go but I'm reluctant to get too twangy and "countryish" if you know what I mean. I just cant bring myself to sing a slow tearjerker about how my dog Billy got run over by a truck!

.... having said that, the line "I cant miss you if you wont go away" is one of the greatest song lyrics ever.

I'm all ears on this one to pick up some possibilities that might work for my little band. Any recommendations?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:38 pm

I have a Beau brummels compilation LP and it's great, they had other great songs just didn't have the hits, "Just a Little" was always my favorite with it's acoustic rif and tremelo guitar answer.
Peter you forgot: "Dang Me" and "King of the Road"
The latter was a great song, Dang Me was a joke I think.
Yup, Detrot City had that great guitar lick in the beginning. I like all that old country.

harley · Post by **harley** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:20 pm

"Move It On Over" by Hank Williams could easily have influenced 60s rock bands and would be just the kind of song that Kent could pull into his setlist. "If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time" by Lefty Frizell would work well, too.

The Beatles did "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" as part of their stage act and it was on Live At The BBC.

As long as we're trotting out Roger Miller songs, "You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd" was pretty cool, too.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:45 pm

I forgot about that one. I have a Lefty Frizzel compilation CD I just bought, I've only played it a few times but it's pretty good. I've always liked Elvis's version of "I'm left, you're right, she's Gone" Who did the original of that?
A 70's guy by the name of George did "Move it on Over" for his first hit.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:46 pm

Believe it or not but I heard "Dang Me" Roger Miller for the first time in about 40 years tonight, what a coincidence.

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:34 am

Bob: There is no such thing as a coincidence.