Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2014, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Tommy Allsup, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 17 April 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Tommy Allsup who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Tommy Allsup
This quote was submitted on Thursday 17 April 2014.
‘I was the session leader and arranger on Gene’s ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ session.
In Nashville, back in those days, it was easy to record four songs in a three hour session.
We had recorded the first three songs and only had about fifteen minutes left on the session.
We only made two takes on this song.
We made one take, heard a playback, and we changed the fiddle part, which was played by Buddy Spicher.
We put in a line for Hurshel Wayne Wiginton (Saturday 29 January 1938 – Monday 6 March 2017), the bass singer for Nashville Edition Singers.
So we made the take and the record was a hit.
On the second Gene Watson session for Capitol Records, we recorded ‘Paper Rosie‘, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019).
This too made it to No.1.
On Gene’s later sessions for Capitol Records, he had a new session leader, Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019), a dear friend of mine and a great guitar player.
Gene and I have been good friends for forty-plus years.
He was a guest vocalist on the last Texas Playboy LP honouring Bob Wills’ 100th birthday.
Gene is still in my top country favourites of all time, and I would know, I’ve worked with all the greats!’
Thank you, Tommy Allsup, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Tommy Allsup…
Tommy Allsup was born Tommy Douglas Allsup in Owasso, Oklahoma on Sunday 24 November 1931 and started his musical career in Claremore, Oklahoma in 1949 with The Oklahoma Swingbillies.
In 1950, Tommy Allsup went to work with fiddle player Art Davis in Miami, Oklahoma; from there he went to The Cowboy Inn in Wichita, Kansas with singer and fiddle player Jimmy Hall.
In 1952 and 1953, Tommy Allsup moved back to Tulsa, Oklahoma to join the band of Johnnie Lee Wills (Monday 2 September 1912 – Thursday 25 October 1984).
From 1953 until 1958, Tommy Allsup had his own band, ‘The Southernaires’, in Lawton, Oklahoma with home-base being The Southern Club.
(Monday 7 September 1936 – Tuesday 3 February 1959)
In 1958, Tommy Allsup’s career would take a different direction. On a trip to Clovis, New Mexico to record at Norman Petty’s famous studio, Tommy Allsup met Buddy Holly (Monday 7 September 1936 – Tuesday 3 February 1959).
In April 1958, Tommy Allsup started playing lead guitar with Buddy Holly & The Crickets. Tommy Allsup continued playing with Buddy Holly until Tuesday 3 February 1959, ‘The Day The Music Died’, when the fatal plane crash claimed Buddy Holly’s life, along with those of J.P. ‘The Big Bopper’ Richardson (Friday 24 October 1930 – Tuesday 3 February 1959) and Ritchie Valens (Tuesday 13 May 1941 – Tuesday 3 February 1959).
Following Buddy Holly’s death, Tommy Allsup moved to California and joined Liberty Records as A&R Director of all country music product, where he began producing Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) & The Texas Playboys.
Tommy Allsup’s association with Bob Wills lasted through until Wills’ ‘For The Last Time’ (United Artists Records, 1974), which was recorded on Sunday 2 December 1973 / Monday 3 December 1973 in Dallas, Texas a city in which Bob Wills recorded his first records in 1935.
Tommy Allsup used some of the original Texas Playboys on the last recording, including Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988), Eldon Shamblin, Smokey Dacus and Al Strickland. Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) directed the recording sessions from his wheel-chair.
While at Liberty Records, Tommy Allsup produced Tex Williams (Thursday 23 August 1917 – Friday 11 October 1985), Willie Nelson, Joe Carson, Warren Smith (Sunday 7 February 1932 – Wednesday 30 January 1980), William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) and Cliff Crofford (1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009).
Walter Andrew Brennan (25 July 1894 – Saturday 21 September 1974) recorded Tommy Allsup’s ‘Who Will Take Grandma’, which was co-written with Cliff Crofford (Thursday 12 December 1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009) and Alice Chase, and included the track on ‘Mama Sang A Song’ (Liberty Records, 1962).
In July 1963, Tex Williams (Thursday 23 August 1917 – Friday 11 October 1985) saw the release of ‘Tex Williams In Las Vegas: Recorded Live At The Mint Club’ (Liberty Records, 1963), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included the following tracks:
‘My Window Faces The South’ (written by Jerry Livingston, Mitchell Parish and Abner Silver)
‘Tomorrow’s Just Another Day To Cry’ (written by Red Hayes and Rosalie Allen)
‘Wild Card’ (written by Buddy Ebsen and Bonnie Lake)
‘Dusty Skies’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
‘Time Changes Everything’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967)
‘You Can’t Break My Heart’, which was written by Spade Cooley (Saturday 17 December 1910 – Sunday 23 November 1969) and Stan Rogers
‘Downtown Poker Club’ (written by Billy Williams and W.H. Vodery)
‘With Men Who Knows Tobacco Best’ (written by Red Hayes)
‘Ten Years’ (written by Johnny Bond)
‘Cowboy’s Prayer’ (written by Curley Fletcher and James Walker)
‘Nine Pound Hammer’, which was written by Merle Travis (Thursday 29 November 1917 – Thursday 20 October 1983)
‘I’d Trade All Of My Tomorrows’, which was written by Jenny Lou Carson (Wednesday 13 January 1915 – Saturday 16 December 1978)
‘Little Dollie’, which was written by Roger Murrah and Tex Williams (Thursday 23 August 1917 – Friday 11 October 1985)
In April 1966, Tex Williams (Thursday 23 August 1917 – Friday 11 October 1985) saw the release of ‘Voice of Authority’ (Imperial Records, 1966), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included the following tracks:
‘Five Feet Deep In Teardrops’ (written by Barry Mann and Larry Kolber)
‘Late Movie’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Empty Letter’, which was written by Cliff Crofford (1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009)
‘Pickin’ White Gold’, which was written by Fred Carter (Sunday 31 December 1933 – Saturday 17 July 2010)
‘Where The Sad People Are’, which was written by Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008)
‘Between Today & Tomorrow’ (written by Jeannie Seely)
‘Suspicion’ (written by Les Paul and Foster Carling)
‘Closer Closer Closer’ (written by Jerry Capehart)
‘Long John’, which was written by Edward Monroe ‘Eddie’ Miller (Wednesday 10 December 1919 – Monday 11 April 1977) and Skeets McDonald (Friday 1 October 1915 – Sunday 31 March 1968)
‘Smokey Hollow’, which was written by Fred Carter (Sunday 31 December 1933 – Saturday 17 July 2010)
‘Hammer & Nails’ (written by Aaron Schroeder and David Hill)
‘You’re Everywhere’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
While at Liberty Records, Tommy Allsup also worked with a number of acclaimed artists, including Walter Andrew Brennan (25 July 1894 – Saturday 21 September 1974), Bobby Vee, Johnny Burnette, Julie London and Vickie Carr, who sang harmony with Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) on ‘Bob Wills Sings & Plays’ (Liberty Records, 1963).
After leaving California, Tommy Allsup moved to Nashville and headed up Metromedia Records in 1968.
In 1972, Tommy Allsup met Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel, and produced their first album for United Artist Records, ‘Comin’ Right At Ya’ (United Artists Records, 1973), which was recorded, in January 1973, at Woodland Sound Studio in Nashville, and included the following tracks:
‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967)
‘Daddy’s Advice’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Before You Stopped Loving Me’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Drivin’ Nails In My Coffin’ (written by Jerry Irby)
‘I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) and Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Space Buggy’ (written by Leroy Preston, James Haber and Reuben Gosfield)
‘Cherokee Boogie’, which was written by Moon Mullican (Monday 29 March 1909 – Sunday 1 January 1967) and William Redbird
‘Hillbilly Nut’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Your Downhome Is Uptown’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Kevin Farrell)
‘I’m The Fool (Who Told You To Go)’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘I’ve Been Everywhere’, which was written by Geoff Mack (Wednesday 20 December 1922 – Friday 21 July 2017)
‘Sun Shines Down On Me’, which was written by Larry Lee Favorite (1939 – Saturday 26 May 2001)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Comin’ Right At Ya’ (United Artists Records, 1973) included the following:
Ray Benson (vocal, guitar)
Leroy Preston (vocal, guitar, drums)
Chris O’Connell (vocals, guitar, banjo)
Lucky Oceans (steel guitar)
Gene Dobkin and Tony Garnier (bass)
Scott Hennige (drums)
Floyd Domino (piano)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle, mandolin)
Buddy Spicher, Daniel Levin and Andy Stein (fiddle)
Ed Vizard (saxophone)
In November 1973, Stan Hitchcock (Saturday 21 March 1936 – Wednesday 4 January 2023) saw the release of ‘Stan Hitchcock Country’ (Cinnamon Records, 1973), which was produced by Tommy Allsup; some of the tracks included the following:
‘For The Good Times’ (written by Kris Kristofferson)
‘Dixie Bell’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023)
‘Half-Empty Bed’ (written by Allen Reynolds and Bob McDill)
In July 1975, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Texas Gold’ (Capitol Records, 1975), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Letter That Johnny Walker Read’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Chris Frayne) (No.10, 1975)
‘Nothing Takes The Place of You’ (written by Toussaint McCall and Patrick Robinson) (No.35, 1975)
‘Bump Bounce Boogie’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and James Haber) (No.31, 1975)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Texas Gold’ (Capitol Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:
‘Fat Boy Rag’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and L.R. Bernard
‘Runnin’ After Fools’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Let Me Go Home Whiskey’ (written by Shifty Henry)
‘Roll ‘Em Floyd’ (written by Johnson Turner)
‘Tonight The Bartender Is On The Wrong Side of The Bar’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Where No One Stands Alone’, which was written by Thomas Mosie Lister (Thursday 8 September 1921 – Thursday 12 February 2015)
‘Trouble In Mind’ (written by Richard M. Jones)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Texas Gold’ (Capitol Records, 1975) reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1975.
In August 1975, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975), which was produced by Russ Reeder and Bob Ferguson (Friday 30 December 1927 – Sunday 22 July 2001), and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Bad Water’ (written by Jackie DeShannon and Holiday and Myers) (No.87, 1975)
‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003) (No.3, 1975)
‘Where Love Begins’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) (No.5, 1975)
‘You Could Know As Much About A Stranger’ (written by Nadine Bryant) (No.10, 1975)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:
‘Through The Eyes of Love’, which was written by ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013)
‘Long Enough To Care’ (written by Bobby Sykes)
‘Harvest Time’ (written by Bill Emerson, Lewis Moore and Carrol Dunham)
‘This Just Ain’t No Good Day For Leaving’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘For The First Time’ (written by Jessi Colter)
‘This Is My Year For Mexico’, which was written by Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003)
Personnel involved in the recording of Gene Watson‘s ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975) included the following:
Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) and Charlie McCoy (rhythm guitar)
Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977), Pete Wade and Dale Sellers (lead guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar, Dobro)
Charlie McCoy (harmonica)
Charlie McCoy and Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (marimba)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Joe Allen, Henry Strzelecki (Tuesday 8 August 1939 – Monday 29 December 2014) and Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) (bass)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021), Jimmy Isabel and Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums)
Jerry Tuttle (horn)
The Nashville Edition (voices)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1975.
On Tuesday 3 December 2002, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson‘s ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975), along with Gene Watson‘s ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1978), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.
In May 1976, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Because You Believed In Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976), which was produced by Russ Reeder and Bob Ferguson (Friday 30 December 1927 – Sunday 22 July 2001), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Because You Believed In Me’, which was written by Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), Shorty Hall (Walter Harrison Hall) (Tuesday 5 April 1927 – Thursday 21 March 2002) and Gene Vowell (No.20, 1976)
‘Her Body Couldn’t Keep You Off My Mind’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) (No.52, 1976)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Because You Believed In Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘If I’m A Fool For Leaving’, which was written by Skip Graves and Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015)
‘Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall’ (written by Larry Gatlin)
‘When My World Left Town’ (written by Tom Ghent and R. Paul)
‘Sorry Willie’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘How Good A Bad Woman Feels’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
‘I Fell Apart’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Hey Louella’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
‘And Then You Came Along’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
Personnel involved in the recording of Gene Watson‘s ‘Because You Believed In Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976) included the following:
Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017) (rhythm guitar, bass guitar)
Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) (rhythm guitar, lead guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar)
Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Joe Allen (bass)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977) and Pete Wade (lead guitar)
Jimmy Isbell, Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) and Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Because You Believed In Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976) reached No.24 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.
On Monday 26 September 2005, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson‘s ‘Because You Believed In Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976), along with Gene Watson‘s ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.
In July 1976, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Route 66’ (written by Bobby Troup) (No.48, 1976)
‘Miles & Miles of Texas’ (written by Diane Johnson and Tommy Campfield) (No.38, 1976)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Trouble With Loving Today’ (written by Kevin Farrell)
‘Shout Wa Hey’ (written by Leroy Preston and James Haber)
‘Blues For Dixie’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and O.W. Mayo
‘Cajun Stripper’ (written by Doug Kershaw and Rusty Kershaw)
‘If I Can’t Love You’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Lost Mind’ (written by Percy Mayfield)
‘They Raided The Joint’ (written by David Eldridge and Oran Page)
‘We’ve Gone As Far As We Can Do’, which was written by Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976) included the following:
Ray Benson, Leroy Preston and Chris O’Connell (vocal, guitar)
Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998), Bucky Meadows and Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010) (guitar)
Lucky Oceans (steel guitar)
Tony Garnier (bass)
Scott Hennige (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Bill Mabry (fiddle)
Tiny Moore (mandolin)
Floyd Domino (piano)
Jo-el Sonnier (Wednesday 2 October 1946 – Saturday 13 January 2024) (accordion)
Danny Levin (flute, mandolin)
Link David (flute, saxophone)
Arnett Cobb and Dennis Solee (saxophone)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Capitol Records, 1976) reached No.19 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.
In September 1976, Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) saw the release of ‘Back In The Swing of Things’ (Dot Records, 1976), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Honky Tonk Girl’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Chuck Hardin (No.91, 1976)
Hank Thompson‘s ‘Back In The Swing of Things’ (Dot Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Big Band Days’ (written by Joe Allen)
‘Forgive Me’ (written by Jack Yellen and Milton Ager)
‘Annie Over’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007), Billy Gray and Don Clay
‘I’ll Sign My Heart Away’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007)
‘Three Little Swigs’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Ann Tygart
‘Hangover Tavern’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007), Johnny Lowe and Mary Lowe
‘Yesterday’s Girl’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Billy Gray
‘Another Shot Of Toddy’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Bill Penix
‘Bring Back The Waltzes’ (written by Red Steagall)
‘Play For Me One Polka’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007)
Hank Thompson‘s ‘Back In The Swing of Things’ (Dot Records, 1976) reached No.48 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.
In February 1977, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘The Wheel’ (Capitol Records, 1977), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included the following tracks:
‘Wheel’ (written by Leroy Preston) (instrumental)
‘I Wonder’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Am I High’ (written by Ray Benson, Chris O’Connell and Peter Sherridan)
‘Dollar Short & A Day Late’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Kevin Farrell)
‘My Baby Thinks She’s A Train’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Ragtime Annie’ (traditional) (instrumental)
‘When Love Goes Wrong’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Somebody Stole His Body’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Let’s Face Up’ (written by Leroy Preston and Kevin Farrell)
‘I Can’t Handle It Now’ (written by Leroy Preston)
‘Red Stick’ (written by Link Davis)
In April 1977, Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) saw the release of ‘The Thompson Touch’ (Dot Records, 1977), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Just An Old Flame’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Bob Robinson (No.92, 1977)
Hank Thompson‘s ‘The Thompson Touch’ (Dot Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’, which was written by Sidney Russell and Duke Ellington (29 April 1899 – Friday 24 May 1974)
‘She’s Just A Whole Lot Like You’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007)
‘Simple Simon Simple Heart’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007), Billy Gray and Bud Auge
‘It Gets More Like Monday Everyday’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Don McMillan
‘Bummin’ Around’ (written by Pete Graves)
‘Just One Step Away’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Billy Gray
‘When You’ve Seen One Broken Heart’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and Hal Bynum (Saturday 29 September 1934 – Thursday 2 June 2022)
‘Absent Minded Me’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007), Wes Stuart and Clifton Massey
‘Comin’ In For Rye’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) and E.C. Wood
In October 1977, Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) saw the release of ‘Doin’ My Things’ (Dot Records, 1977), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included the following tracks:
‘Cheaters Never Win’
‘Window In My Heart’
‘If I Had One Ounce of Sense’
‘Time Wounds All Heels’
‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere’
‘We Don’t Love There Anymore’
‘If Worst Comes To Worst’
‘She Loves The One She’s With’
‘Ages & Ages Ago’
‘Johnny On The Spot’
In July 1978, Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Collision Course’ (Capitol Records, 1978), which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Texas, Me & You’ (written by Leroy Preston, Ray Benson and Chris Frayne) (No.75, 1978)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Collision Course’ (Capitol Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Pipe Dreams’ (written by J.R. Chatwell)
‘Song of The Wanderer’ (written by Neil Moret)
‘Pine Grove Blues’ (written by Nathan Abshire)
‘One O’Clock Jump’, which was written by William James ‘Count’ Basie (21 August 1904 – Thursday 26 April 1984)
‘Louisiana 1927’ (written by Randy Newman)
‘Ruler of My Heart’ (written by Naomi Neville)
‘Don’t Forget The Trains’ (written by Kevin Farrell)
‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens’ (written by Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer)
‘Ghost Dancer’ (written by Leroy Preston)
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s ‘Collision Course’ (Capitol Records, 1978) reached No.47 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
Tommy Allsup also produced albums with The Original Texas Playboys, the great Western Swing vocalist, Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019), Jody Nix, Curley Chalker, Mack Sanders and Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020).
On Thursday 15 March 2001, Tommy Allsup saw the release of ‘True Love Ways’ (Southland Records, 2001), which was dedicated to Maria Elena Holly, and included the following tracks:
‘True Love Ways’
‘Sweet Dreams’
‘I Love You Because’
‘Am I Losing You’
‘Four Walls’
‘Hello Walls’
‘Rose Coloured Glasses’
‘It Don’t Hurt Anymore’
‘Four In The Morning’
‘Detroit City’
On Tuesday 27 October 2005, Tommy Allsup was inducted into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
On Tuesday 8 November 2005, Tommy Allsup saw the release of ‘Bob Wills’ A Tribute To Bob’s 100th Birthday’ (Common Ground Records, 2005), a various artists compilation, which was produced by Tommy Allsup, and included the following tracks:
‘Big Beaver’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills in Saginaw, Texas on Tuesday 16 April 1940 / this track was performed by Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019), Tommy Allsup & The Texas Playboys
‘New Worried Mind’ (written by Davis-Daffin) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Dallas, Texas on Monday 24 February 1941 / this track was performed by Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Heart To Heart Talk’ (written by Lee Ross) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Hollywood, California on Thursday 21 April 1960 / this track was performed by Tanya Tucker
‘Stay All Night’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills in Hollywood, California on Friday 26 January 1945 / this track was performed by Charlie Daniels (Wednesday 28 October 1936 – Monday 6 July 2020)
‘Misery’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Moore / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday 15 October 1947 / this track was performed by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘New San Antonio Rose’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills in Saginaw, Texas on Tuesday 16 April 1940 / this track was performed by Robin English and Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020)
‘Turkey Texas Blues’ (written by Billy Grammer) / this track was recorded by Billy Grammer in Azle, Texas on Saturday 1 May 2004 / this track was performed by Billy Grammer
‘Milk Cow Blues’ (written by Kokomo Arnold) / the original version of this track was recorded by Johnnie Lee Wills (Monday 2 September 1912 – Thursday 25 October 1984) in Dallas, Texas on Monday 28 April 1941 / this track was performed by Cody Canada
‘Ten Years’, which was written by Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Hollywood, California on Thursday 16 July 1942 / this track was performed by Dierks Bentley
‘Lilly Dale’ (written by Billy Jack Wills and Tiny Moore) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Nashville on Tuesday 13 November 1956 / this track was performed by Gene Watson
‘Warm Red Wine’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Hollywood, California on Thursday 5 May 1949 / this track was performed by Archie Bell
‘I Want To Be Wanted’ (written by Atcher) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday 26 March 1952 / this track was performed by Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017)
‘Snap Your Fingers’ (written by Martin and Zanetis) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Hollywood, California on Wednesday 8 May 1963 / this track was performed by Terry Bradshaw and Rachel Bradshaw
‘Keeper of My Heart’, which was written by Jerry Irby and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills in Hollywood, California on Wednesday 12 November 1947 / this track was performed by BJ Thomas (Friday 7 August 1942 – Saturday 29 May 2021)
‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and James Robert Wills / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Dallas, Texas on Tuesday 25 February 1941 / this track was performed by Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007), Tanya Tucker and Terry Bradshaw
‘Across The Alley From The Alamo’ (written by Joe Greene) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Nashville on Tuesday 16 April 1968 / this track was performed by Wilford Brimley
‘Faded Love’, which was written by John L. Wills and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills in Hollywood, California on Thursday 27 April 1950 / this track was performed by Johnny Rodriquez and Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015)
‘Right Or Wrong’ (written by Arthur Sizemore and Paul Biese) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) in Chicago, IL on Wednesday 30 September 1936 / this track was performed by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
‘Sugar Moon’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills in Hollywood, California on Thursday 5 September 1946 / this track was performed by Larry Gatlin
‘That’s What I Like About The South’ (written by Andy Razal) / the original version of this track was recorded by Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988) in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday 30 November 1938 / this track was performed by Chance of Muzik Mafia
‘Bob’s Got A Swing Band In Heaven’ (written by Red Steagall) / this track was performed by Red Steagall
Tommy Allsup got away from the hectic Nashville music scene and moved back to Texas, where he married in 2002 and opened up his own recording studio, ‘Common Ground Studios’, in Azle, Texas.
According to Paul McCartney, Tommy Allsup was one of the finest guitar players in the world.
In December 2013, Tommy Allsup saw the release of ‘Raining In My Heart’, which included the following tracks:
‘Raining In My Heart’
‘You Belong To Me’
‘Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain’
‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’
‘Mansion On The Hill’
‘Swinging To The Beat’
‘Ten Years’
‘Right Or Wrong’
‘A Party For The Old Folks’
‘Tater Pie’
‘A Big Rock In The Road’
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in April 2014, Tommy Allsup had played guitar or bass on over six thousand-five hundred recording sessions.
The last surviving member of Buddy Holly’s ‘touring’ Crickets for the 1959 Winter Dance Party, Tommy Allsup passed away on Wednesday 11 January 2017, at 85 years old in a hospital in Springfield, Missouri following complications from hernia surgery.
• Visit Tommy Allsup’s Merchandise Site at tommyallsupmerchandise.com