Post by TomLine on Nov 23, 2016 10:11:58 GMT -5
WERE ELVIS AND ROY COUNTRY
by Tom Lineaweaver
by Tom Lineaweaver
Believe it or not, Country radio stations once had some scrupples. They stayed tried and true to Country Music. If it wasn't Country, it wasn't played. That included Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison. No matter the song, neither Elvis or Roy seemed to get any notariety as Country artists. Even though Elvis's first ever recording was a Country song. It was called, “It Wouldn’t Be the Same Without You.” It was recorded months prior to his first official sessions at Sun Studios when Presley dropped by to make a custom recorded disc." www.axs.com/news/the-top-8-elvis-presley-country-songs-of-all-time-65508
The first song to reach onto the Country charts was Heartbreak Hotel...
Side two of that smash hit was "I Was The One"...
In the early 70s, Elvis released and album called, "Elvis Country." The big hit off that albumr was, "Funny How Time Slips Away."
"The first Elvis song to make it to a number one spot on the chart was a country song, 'I Forgot to Remember to Forget.'"
The first song I remember as considered Country was "Kentucky Rain"...
I don't know if Elvis is responsible, but a schism between rural Country stations and city Country station occurred. Eventually Country musicians started using electronic instruments, that along with the already different Country sound in the city a brand of Country was developed called, Metro Country. In the 70s, Metro Country swept the nation, and Country music made a change. But still, Country music remained true to it's roots. The only thing electric instruments did was improve the sound. What most of us now call Traditional or Classic Country is actually Metro Country. Unfortunately, the same thing that developed Metro Country is responsibile for the mess we have today. The constant need for Country music to reach the city folks.
For the longest time rural Country stations stayed true to Original and Traditional Country Music. That began to change in the late 70s. I know, I worked at one. We played Elvis songs that, forgive me, wasn't close to Country. Well, one was close, and it was called, "Moody Blue"...
But the next two weren't close. You decide. "Burning Love" and "Way Down," were those two...
"Way Down" was not only played on Country stations, it was his last ever release when he was still alive....
After Elvis died, the station I worked for did a tribute show and proclaimed "Elvis Was Country." Country Music magazine published an article that proclaimed Elvis as the king of Country Music. www.elvis-history-blog.com/elvis-country-music.html
It's true Elvis surely had songs that sounded Country, certainly far more Country than what Country radio stations are playing today.
These two are my personal favorites...
Now what about Roy Orbison. In my opinion, Roy had a more Country sound than did Elvis, but unfortunately didn't achieve the same level of success as a Country artist as did Elvis. Go figure. Today though Classic Country stations do include Roy.
Beyond the obvious, this was as Country as Country gets.
Roy did this Classic Jim Reeves song...
He also did this Classic Hank Williams song...
And this...
Roy did quite a few Hank Williams songs. And this one is excellent...
Now to the obvious. "Crying" sounds Country to me, and I'm picky...
Being lonely and heartbroken is what the best Country songs are made of...
"I Can't Stop Loving You," is a Classic Country song....
This song became his biggest song after he died...
So, what do you think? Were Elvis and Roy Country? Certainly they were far more Country than what Country stations are playing. So, when you're in a Country Frame of Mind, it's quite alright to listen to Elvis and Roy.
A PRESENTATION OF COUNTRY FRAME OF MIND PROMOTIONS