Backforty Bunkhouse Newsletter - Joe Baker Home Page

C O U N T R Y M U S I C C L A S S I C S
Doug Davis
Owner/Publisher/Manager/Editor/
Writer/Gopher/Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Friday September 17th, 2010
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STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Hit songs come from strange and unusual circumstances and according to Earl Montgomery, George Jones and Tammy Wynette‘s
1973 number one, ―We‘re Gonna Hold On‖ was one of those tunes!
Earl commented, ―George & Tammy were always fussing at each other on the bus. At the time I was playing rhythm guitar in the
Jones Boys Band. And we were on our way to Jamestown, Pa. And one of them...I don't remember if it was George or Tammy-- but
one of them said, "well I don't think we're gonna make it. We're having too much trouble. They'd get into arguments about little things
that didn't amount to a hill of beans...like who made the most money or who had the biggest hit record or the highest song on the
charts or something like that ...just little old nit pickin' things that didn't amount to squat but they'd still argue about it. So during this
argument one of them --I think it was George who said, "we're gonna have to hold on." And as soon as he said that-- I thought that
might be a good idea for a song. So that night after we got to the motel, I began to write it ---at The Holiday Inn in Jamestown, Pa. So
the next morning I went down to George and Tammy's room and Tammy was fixin' George's hair. And I went in and Tammy was
unhappy with me over something--I don't remember just what. And I told George that I had a song started but I was kind of hung up
on it and needed some help and would he help me with it? So he said he wanted to hear it so I sat down on the bed and sang what I
had written. And he started singing and threw in a few lines and Tammy joined in and she put in a line or two. So the next thing we
knew---we had the song finished. Then they got back to Nashville, they went in and recorded it and it was their first number one together
as a duet.
―We‘re Gonna Hold On‖ entered the country music charts October 1st, 1973 and was at the top of the charts the week of October 19th
and stuck there for two weeks.
It was on the charts for 17 weeks.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
QUESTION: I heard that Hank Williams Jr. was not going to sing the intro to Monday Night Football anymore and then I heard that
he was. Is he or is he not?
ANSWER: Hank Williams Jr. has once again launched "Monday Night Football." This will be Hank Jr.s‘ 22nd season to provide
the opening for the "Monday Night Football" theme.
QUESTION: Do you have any details on Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard doing something with Neil Young?
ANSWER: Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, and Ralph Stanley are on board for Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit Concerts.
The shows are fundraisers for The Bridge School, which helps students with severe physical and speech impairments. The concerts
will take place in Mountain View, California on October 23rd and 24th.
QUESTION: There seems to be a lot of talk about The Judds getting back together for one last tour. Is that really going to happen?
ANSWER: The Judds will begin their ―Last Encore Tour‖ in Green Bay, Wisconsin on November 26th.
―Country Music Classics‖ is made possible only by donations from subscribers like you. If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please
support us by sending a check payable to ―Country Music Classics‖ for any amount to:
Doug Davis—Country Music Classics—3702 Pleasant Grove Road-Texarkana, Texas 75503. Or use PAYPAL ( http://
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QUESTION: I heard on the radio that Merle Haggard was sick again. How is he doing?
ANSWER: According to Merle, he had a bout with ―walking pneumonia‖ and thought he was over it, but it seems to keep hanging
on-- so he has canceled all concerts for the rest of the month.
QUESTION: I thought that Ray Stevens had sold out and left Branson, Missouri for good, but my mom says the radio guys said he
was back there. Is that true?
ANSWER: Ray Stevens has just launched a six week stand at The Welk Resort in Branson, Missouri.
QUESTION: Do you know anything about a Ray Charles and Johnny Cash record? The radio dudes mentioned it.
ANSWER: A 1981 recording of Kris Kristofferson's "Why Me, Lord" featuring Johnny Cash and Ray Charles will be available October
26th on the new Ray Charles CD "Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters.‖
Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to:Classics@countrymusicclassics.com
A T T E N T I O N: R A D I O S T A T I O N S:
Our short form daily radio features, ―Classic Country First‖ and ―Story Behind The Song‖ are now available to radio stations.
Both features are available at no charge thru barter.
For information, email me at classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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