Honky Tonk Heroes
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Over our years , Pam and I saw many honky tonk stars live,
We loved all of the live shows drinking beer as we did jive.
If they had a dance floor, we danced to the stars,
Getting lost in the music, moving around that floor so far.
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Pam always had to get a signed picture of the honky tonker,
Most of the stars signed “To Pam” which really zonked her.
I have selected a few real honky tonker photos to share,
With a verse about each one and our good times there.
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Honky Tonk Heroes
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We saw Moe Bandy live in Borger at the Red Barn there,
In 1971, when he was promoting his first album everywhere.
Moe was a rough looking singer back in those days,
But he could sing that raw honky tonk and was here to stay.
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Claude King sang at the Avalon Ballroom in Amarillo,
We put on our hats and boots and watched his show.
We listened to two step tonkers dancing the hardwood floor.
“Wolverton Mountain” was Claude’s big hit we did adore.
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Billy Parker was at the Caney, Kansas, car race track,
Opening for Red Stegall with his band at his back.
Billy Parker is a Tulsa tonker who played with Ernest Tubb,
With a Saturday radio show from the old timers club.
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We saw Leon Raush and The Texas Playboys at Cain’s Ballroom,
We had a great night dancing to their great music and tunes.
All the greats like Williams, Tubb, Cash, and Jones too,
Have honky tonked at that hall all the whole night through.
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Becky Hobbs is from Bartlesville so when she came home,
She did Denim and Diamonds here doing her song about Jones,
We got a table next to the dance floor for her great show,
As we danced to “Jones On The Jukebox” and more on the go.
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We went to an all day honky tonk show out in a big field,
It was a tribute to Lefty Frizzell by lots of stars of big appeal,
There was Hank Thompson, Wanda Jackson, and Ray Price,
Freddy Hart, David Frizzell, and Claude Gray, all so nice.
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We set up our lawn chairs and enjoyed an eight hour show,
Drinking beer listening to great music that we all did know.
It was kind of like being in Hawg heaven all the day long,
With music we recalled in those great honky tonk songs.
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Hank Thompson sang “Honky Tonk Gitl” with lots of soul,
As the Brazos Valley Boys played great music crisp and bold.
“The Wild Side Of Life” and “The Blackboard Of My Heart”,
Left us feeling his music like it was great honky tonk art.
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Wanda Jackson sang “Right Or Wrong” like a honky tonk queen.
Then “In The Middle Of A Heartache” that made my heart sing.
She was still as good as she was way back in her prime,
Ending with hit “Let’s Have A Party” from way back in time.
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David Frizzell was Lefty’s brother heading the tribute show,
He sang “I’m Gonna Hire A Wino” letting that music flow.
Then sang “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma” too,
As well as several Lefty Frizzell songs all the way through.
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Freddie Hart sang nis big hit “Easy Lovin'” sounding great,
He also sang the song “Bless Your Heart” on his singing date.
“My Hang Up Is You” gave us chills out there in that field,
As he touched our hearts with a nice peaceful easy feel.
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Claude Gray had his heyday way back in the 1960s,
Singing songs like “if I Ever Need A Lady, I’ll Call You” for me,
And “I Never Had The One I Wanted” with his rich voice,
He was so good at singing those old songs, we did rejoice.
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Billy Parker was MC there on that wonderful day,
Kristi and Carl spend the day there with us on our stay.
We all enjoyed that day honky tonking with the stars,
I wish they would have another show close, not too far.
Kristi and Carl
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By Bill
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Thanks for reading Honky Tonk Heroes,
Bill