WEBB PIERCE - KING OF THE HONKY-TONK

 Webb Pierce - King Of The Honky-Tonk - From The Original Decca Masters, 1952-1959

During the 1950s, an era blessed with many great country stars -- Eddy Arnold, Hank Williams, Carl Smith, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Snow, Red Foley, Ernest Tubb, and others -- Webb Pierce emerged with more #1 records than any of them.  No one from that memorable decade can match Webb's total of thirteen chart-topping singles. Eight of those thirteen #1 hits managed to top all three of Billboard's country charts (retail, jukebox, and radio) simultaneously, earning them the coveted "Triple Crown Award." Seven of those eight are included in this collection.  Showered with awards from the industry and from the fans in popularity polls, Webb was commanding the top stage fees ($1,250 per show) by the dawn of the rock & roll era, and his singles in some markets had advance orders from distribution for over 200,000 copies. -- Ronnie Pugh, Country Music Foundation (excerpt from liner notes)

Webb Pierce – King Of The Honky-Tonk: From The Original Decca Masters, 1952-1959
Label:  Country Music Foundation Records – CMF-019D/MSD-35500
Format:  CD, Compilation
Country:  US
Released:  1994
Genre:  Folk, World, & Country
Style:  Honky Tonk

Tracklist

1.  Wondering
2.  I Just Can't Be True
3.  Back Street Affair
4.  Broken Engagement
5.  It's Been So Long
6.  There Stands The Glass
7.  I'm Walking The Dog
8.  Slowly
9.  Even Tho'
10.  Sparkling Brown Eyes
11.  More And More
12.  In The Jailhouse Now
13.  I Don't Care
14.  Why Baby Why
15.  I'm Tired
16.  Honky Tonk Song
17.  Tupelo County Jail
18.  I Ain't Never

Credits

    Artwork By [Art Direction] – Lauren Finney
    Engineer [Audio Restoration] – Alan Stoker
    Other [Liner Notes], Compiled By [Programming] – Ronnie Pugh

Notes
All tracks recorded in Nashville
Track 1 recorded August 13, 1951
Track 2 recorded February 29, 1952
Track 3 recorded July 29, 1952
Track 4 recorded January 30, 1953
Tracks 5 & 6 recorded March 25, 1953
Track 7 recorded July 30, 1953
Tracks 8 & 9 recorded November 29, 1953
Track 10 recorded February 23, 1954
Track 11 recorded August 11, 1954
Track 12 recorded December 3, 1954
Track 13 recorded February 25, 1955
Track 14 recorded October 27, 1955
Track 15 recorded November 6, 1956
Track 16 recorded February 15, 1957
Track 17 recorded July 8, 1958
Track 18 recorded May 15, 1959

© 1994 by The Country Music Foundation, Inc.
℗ 1994 MCA Records Inc.
Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Barcode: 0 22111 0019 2 9

RICK NELSON SINGS "FOR YOU"

Rick Nelson - Rick Nelson Sings "For You" 

Following are the edited liner notes from the original album package.

The amazing versatility of Rick Nelson was never more evident than on this, his latest release for the Decca Label.  Any one of the twelve selections could be a smash hit single on its own.  This tremendously talented young artist handles all types of songs with equal ease and facility without at any time losing his own personalized style.  His distinctive and tasteful phrasing and vocal quality make it immediately evident that it is a Rick Nelson rendition.  
     The musical arrangements are in the capable hands of Jimmie Haskell, who does such an excellent job of combining his and Rick's interpretations of the selected material.  The refreshingly exciting backgrounds feature, as usual, James Burton on electric guitar, Ray Johnson on piano and organ, Joe Osborn on bass guitar and Richie Frost on drums.  The sessions were supervised by Bud Dant, Decca recording executive.
     Rick Nelson, as practically everyone knows, has been in show business since he was eight years old...when he first appeared with his brother, Dave on their parent's radio show.  In fact, the two Nelson boys have practically grown up in full view of millions of families from coast to coast.

Originally released as Decca Records album DL 74479 in 1964

Rick Nelson ‎– Rick Nelson Sings "For You"
Label:  MCA Records ‎– MCAD-31363
Format:  CD, Album
Country:  US
Released:  1990
Genre:  Pop
Style:  Vocal

Tracklist

1.  For You     2:15
2.  Fools Rush In     2:31
3.  Down Home     2:40
4.  That Same Old Feeling     2:05
5.  You're Free To Go     1:57
6.  I Rise, I Fall     2:14
7.  That's All She Wrote     2:09
8.  A Legend In My Time     2:32
9.  Just Take A Moment     2:07
10.  Hello Mister Happiness     2:07
11.  Hey There, Little Miss Tease     2:15
12.  The Nearness Of You     2:06

Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Barcode: 0 7674-31363-2 0

This clip from the The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet was my first introduction to Ricky Nelson's singing talent, the beginning of his rise to being my favorite musical artist obsession and what remains my favorite Rick Nelson track of all time.  This was the song that started it all for me!