GEORGE JONES - Now Released: The Complete UA Recordings

GEORGE JONES

Now Released: The Complete UA Recordings

George Jones is the genuine article ... a stone, hardcore country singer through and through. Admired by his peers, country fans and rock stars alike for his distinctive voice and unique phrasing, this Texas born entertainer has set the standards that others followed. He’s enjoyed a six decade recording career that established him as the second most charted country artist of all time, the first being Eddy Arnold who had begun making records some ten years earlier.

In 1962 he signed a deal with United Artists Records, commencing a 30 month recording career that created 16 chart singles and consolidated his status as one of country music’s top attractions. Now Bear Family has collected all Jones’ UA recordings – 150 in total – and released them in a 5 cd box set.


George Jjones She Thinks I Still Care

(Bear Family BCD 16818 EK)

Born in Saratoga, Texas, George Jones began his phenomenal career by singing for tips in the streets of nearby Beaumont and, by the late 1940s, was performing on local radio stations. In 1954, fresh out of his two year service with the U.S. Marines, he cut his first record – No Money In This Deal, for Starday Records – and, the following year, scored his first hit, Why Baby Why, which rose to number 4 in the Billboard charts. The association with Starday brought the singer in contact with Houston area juke-box and slot machine operator Harold ‘Pappy’ Daily (one of the label’s co-owners, the other being Lefty Frizzell’s ex-manager, Jack Starnes) and the relationship continued through the short-lived Starday-Mercury alliance. It was Daily who had advised that Jones “sing like George Jones” rather than emulate the music’s foremost stars like Roy Acuff, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams.

It was during the Starday-Mercury, and later Mercury, period that his distinctive vocal styling began evolving. As acclaimed author Rich Kienzle comments in this box set’s accompanying book, “his keening, edgy nasality morphed into a more distinctive type of phrasing. Overtones of Hank and Acuff remained, but Jones’ voice moved into a lower register. He could wrench emotion out of a phrase or lyric by bearing down on it as he sang.” Such vocal maturity can be heard in the Mercury hits as The Window Up Above and The Tender Years and, by that time, he began influencing others then developing their own careers, among them Buck Owens who felt that Jones was “the greatest thing since sliced bread”.

When Mercury executive Art Talmadge left the label and moved to United Artists, ‘Pappy’ Daily and George Jones quickly followed. Only four years old, UA Records was originally created to distribute United Artists’ movie soundtracks, but branched out to become a hip jazz label with other genres soon being taken onboard. Daily became the label’s country music producer and Jones immediately established himself as the label’s biggest country artist, kicking off with his first single She Thinks I Still Care, a seven week chart-topper penned by Dickie Lee.

The other chart records for the label were Sometimes You Just Can’t Win, Open Pit Mine, A Girl I Used To Know, Big Fool Of The Year, Not What I Had In Mind, I Saw Me, You Comb Her Hair, My Tears Are Overdue, Something I Dream, Where Does A Little Tear Come From, The Race Is On, Least Of All, Wrong Number, What’s Money and World’s Worst Loser, the last three titles being released after Jones had left the label. He also scored a handful of hits with Melba Montgomery, arguably the best of his duet partners over the years, with We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds being the first of their successes together.

Supporting the singles were a succession of fine albums – with the period at the start of his UA association (late March 1962) resulting in a number of Nashville produced sessions that resulted in several different concepts ...... the gospel Homecoming In Heaven and the tribute collections, George Jones Sings Bob Wills, My Favorites Of Hank Williams and The Hits Of His Country Cousins. All rate among the singer's best work although ‘Pappy’ Daily might not have been pleased as there was virtually none of his published songs (the Daily owned Glad Music) among them! Instead Jones, sticking with obvious favourites, gave inspired treatments to a succession of country gold standards ... Bubbles In My Beer, Take Me Back To Tulsa, Time Changes Everything, San Antonio Rose and more from the Wills catalogue; Mansion On The Hill, Wedding Bells, You Win Again, Your Cheatin’ Heart from Williams; and It’s A Sin, Give My Love To Rose, Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes, Wings Of A Dove and A Little Bitty Tears among the titles selected from the repertoires of his contemporaries. The gospel selection probably mollified Daily as this included several of his published songs, among them Family Bible which had been written by Willie Nelson but then sold on down the line as its’ author had desperately needed cash back in his early struggling days.

Among his other albums, a further tribute album came with George Jones Sings Like The Dickens, this one dedicated to ‘Little’ Jimmy Dickens, which concentrated upon ballads that Jones admired like A Rose From A Bride’s Bouquet, We Could and Take Me As I Am (Or Let Me Go), and The Best Of George Jones, which wasn’t a hits package but, rather, mainly a collection of songs that the singer wrote or had an involvement with, like remakes of Ragged But Right and Color Of The Blues, the Cajun flavoured You Done Me Wrong and a couiple of instrumentals that showcased the talents of his band, The Jones Boys - Jonesy and Cuttin’ A Rug.

Providing a whole new dimension to the Jones career were the highly acclaimed duets with Melba Montgomery, the Tennessee born singer who had already earned the title of “the female George Jones” and the possessor of a voice that couldn’t be anything but country. “Singing together”, writes book author Kienzle, “they created eerie, almost other-worldly harmonies”. The duo broke into the charts with We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds in May 1963, a song that Montgomery wrote and is generally regarded as their definitive duet, and their first album What’s In Our Hearts earned a Top 3 placing in early 1964. More hits followed - What’s In Our Heart, Let’s Invite Them Over, Please Be My Love and Multiply The Heartaches – as well as a second album, Bluegrass Hootenanny, which tied the album’s bluegrass flavour to the overused folk revival term. Among the songs recorded for this collection were Blue Moon Of Kentucky. Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms, House Of Gold and Wait A Little Longer, Please Jesus.

Reflecting on the duet recordings, Jones commented in his 1996 autobiography, “I’m not saying Melba and I were the first to sing male-female duets in country music because we weren’t. And I’m not saying we were the best. But Melba said recently that she thinks we popularized the male-female format and I agree.” The two were to record together again when ‘Pappy’ Daily moved them both to Musicor Records in 1964, a new label headed up former executive Art Talmadge. (While at Musicor, Jones scored further duet success with Gene Pitney: these recordings have been released by Bear Family as a single cd – BCD15790 AH)

This five cd collection brings together all George Jones’ recordings for United Artists – 150 titles including six hitherto unreleased items, I Saw Me, Alabama, Wouldn’t It Be Something, Let’s Go Home, Is This How A Broken Heart Dies and a duet with Melba Montgomery, Will There Ever Be Another.

The accompanying LP size book provides a good overview of this period of George Jones’ career, spotlighting the various recording sessions and songs; insights into his rowdy lifestyle and hardly cordial relationship with Daily; and comments from such as Melba Montgomery, Buck Owens and Jones himself. The book also contains a wealth of photographs and full discography.
 
McCready released from jail

Associated Press

FRANKLIN -- Mindy McCready, who was sentenced in September for violating probation from a 2004 drug arrest, has been released from jail.

The 32-year-old country singer was released Sunday morning, said a clerk at the Williamson County jail.

The violation occurred in July when McCready was accused of scuffling with her mother and resisting arrest at her mother's home in Fort Myers, Fla.

She still must serve two years' probation.

Her attorney, Lee Ofman, said McCready has learned her lesson and will stay out of trouble.

She had a No. 1 single in 1996 with "Guys Do It All the Time."



Ray Price’s 82nd Birthday Concert

7pm Sat. January 12, 2008

Caldwell Auditorium - 300 S. College Street - Tyler, TX

Seating is General Admission

Ticket locations: Baskin’s Dept. Stores in Tyler, Longview & Marshall

Tickets w/credit cards and info toll-free 877-560-0098

Country Music Hall of Fame Member Ray Price will perform in concert on his 82nd birthday at 7pm, Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Caldwell Auditorium, 300 S. College Street in Tyler, Texas.

Born Noble Ray Price in Perryville, Texas, on January 12, 1926, he worked on his family farm in East Texas during his early years. The family later moved to Dallas when Ray was a teenager. He attended North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington, Texas, where he studied veterinary medicine, but left college to join the Marines in World War II.

In 1946, Ray resumed his college studies, but his love of music could not keep him away from playing as much as he could. He left his veterinary studies to pursue his dream of music. After leaving college, Ray landed a spot on the prestigious "Big D Jamboree", where he gained national exposure when parts of the show were broadcast over the CBS Radio Network. Ray’s continued success on the program gave him his first major break and he was signed by Columbia Records in 1951.

He then moved to Nashville and became close friends with Hank Williams. Together they co-wrote the hit song "Weary Blues from Waitin’". Ray performed on many shows with Williams and filled in for him many times when he was unable to perform. At one time Ray and Hank shared a house in Nashville. Hank Williams is credited for helping Price to gain a spot on the Grand Ole Opry and paving the way for him to become one of the most-significant artists in the history of Country Music.

Ray’s band, "The Cherokee Cowboys" has been a training ground for legendary artists and musicians. Some of the artists who have worked in Price’s band include; Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Johnny Paycheck, Darrel McCall, Johnny Bush, Frenchie Burke, Buddy Emmons and Jimmy Day.

From 1952 to the present, Ray has compiled one of the most distinguished lists of hit records in Country Music. He is credited with producing the most emotional "honky tonk" music ever recorded. His lushly-arranged Country-Pop ballads have now become standards in Country Music. His hits include; "For The Good Times", "Release Me", "Night Life", "Crazy Arms", "Heartaches By The Numbers", "City Lights", "Danny Boy", and hundreds more.

He continues to play to sold-out audiences throughout the world, performing more than 100 concerts each year. He is still one of the most-active touring artists in all of Country Music, taking his music to The White House, Symphonys, Performing Arts Centers, Fairs, Casinos, Nightclubs and Arenas.

in 1996, Ray Price received the highest honor in Country Music, when he was inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame. He was presented the award by his long-time friend, Kris Kristofferson, whe termed Ray "A living link between Hank Williams and the country singers of today". He was placed in The Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2000, and was honored with the 2004
"Pioneer Award" from the Academy of Country Music.

Ray continues to record, and with the release of his newest solo album , "Time", he continues to receive critical acclaim by the major music trade papers, live audiences, and his peers. His new album is pure, traditional country. "You don’t hear a lot of that on the radio these days", he says.

He recently recorded an album with his friends Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. Titled "Last of The Breed", the CD has received critical acclaim and the trio completed a 40 -city sold-out tour in September of 2007

To say that Ray Price helped make revolutionary changes, sometimes controversial changes, in Country Music would be an understatement.

Ray Price still has the velvety voice and it has remained remarkably unchanged. He has stayed with his sound throughout the years and commands the respect of the young artists of today’s Country Music.

Seating is General Admisson. Advance tickets are priced at $35 and will be $40 at the door. For information and credit card orders, please phone toll-free 877-560-0098. The event is presented by Texas National Bank, Marshall Manor, Landmark Productions and KKUS Radio, "The Ranch", of Tyler, TX.

**** Amy's Kitchen ****  
Frozen Chocolate Pistachio Pudding

2 cups crushed graham crackers
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1/4 cup toasted finely chopped nuts
2 packages pistachio instant pudding mix
2 cups milk
1/2 gallon chocolate ice cream
1 carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
Combine crackers & melted margarine. Press 1 & 1/2 cup of mixture into
bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Set aside. Stir nuts, if desired,
into remaining crumbs; set aside. Beat together pudding mix & milk in a
medium bowl for about 2 minutes or until thickened & smooth. Set aside.
Quickly soften ice cream in a large chilled bowl. Stir in pudding
mixture. Spread over crumbs in pan. Freeze for 30 minutes. Spread
whipped topping over frozen mixture; sprinkle with remaining crumb
mixture. Cover & freeze until firm. Let stand at room temperature for
10-15 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings.


Fudgy Brownie Trifle

Easy to assemble, this layered indulgence will wow chocolate lovers of
all ages!
Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:5 hr 45 min
Makes:20 servings

1 package (1 lb 2.3 oz) Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules or crystals
2 eggs
1 box (4-serving size) chocolate fudge instant pudding and pie filling
mix
2 cups cold milk
1 bag (8 oz) toffee bits
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1.Heat oven to 350?F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. In medium
bowl, stir brownie mix, oil, water, coffee granules and eggs until well
blended. Spread in pan.2.Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick
inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool
completely, about 1 hour.3.Cut brownies into 1-inch squares. Place half
of the squares in bottom of 3-quart glass bowl. Make pudding mix as
directed on box for pudding, using milk. Pour half of the pudding over
brownies in bowl. Top with half each of the toffee bits and whipped
topping. Repeat with remaining brownies, pudding, toffee bits and
whipped topping.4.Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
Store covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
1 Serving: Calories 300 (Calories from Fat 140); Total Fat 15g
(Saturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 30mg; Sodium 230mg; Total
Carbohydrate 38g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 28g); Protein 3g Percent
Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 4%; Iron
4% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 3
Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Do-Ahead Tip This chocolate pleaser can be made up to 24 hours ahead of
time. You also can bake the brownies and freeze them tightly covered up
to 2 months.Special Touch This fabulous crowd-pleasing dessert is
extra-special when garnished with chocolate curls or chocolate leaves.
© 2007 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved

**** TODAY'S USELESS FACT ****