Ten Hidden Gems: Country Song Hit No. 1

Borrowed Angel

Artist: Mel Street

This is a ten part series featuring songs that had the potential to be No. 1.

Backing Street on the session were musicians Buddy Harman (drums), Lloyd Green (steel guitar), Kelso Herston (guitar), Tommy Jackson (fiddle), Buddy Spicher (fiddle), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano), Billy Sanford (guitar) and Pete Wade (guitar).

Mel Street came into prominence in 1972 with several producers and songwriters, including Dick Heard, Joe Deaton and Nelson Larkin. Deaton produced "Borrowed Angel," which was his debut single. This song was a brilliant start to Mel's tragically short career. Street first recorded the song at Nashville's "RCA Studio A" in 1970.

Because Street's producer didn't give the song a huge promotional push, it took two years and three different distributions of the single before it became a hit. "Borrowed Angel" entered the Billboard charts in 1972, on the Tandem label (TR-005). By the time it had worked its way up to the No. 7 spot, its peak position; it had been transferred over to the small Nashville-based label, Royal American (issue, RA-64). 

With Jim Prater as his manager and Jean Prater as his publisher, Street soon moved into the spotlight. Mel performed on several TV programs, appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and was a frequent guest on Ralph Emery's late-night radio program, which aired on station WSM-AM (650)Nashville. Street's concert dates soared even as his fees for them escalated.

Some ofNashville's best songwriters were eager to provide material for the dazzling newcomer. When Dick Heard, who also headed Royal American, moved to Metromedia Country, Street followed him. Metromedia then sold out to GRT Records, with Street as part of the deal.

Street next switch was to Polydor and when that label closed its Nashville branch, Mel joined Mercury Records, his final recording home. Mercury could have been the break Mel needed to thrust his career. They had more resources for producing and promoting artists, but fate intervened. 

A devoted family man, Mel detested being on the road for the increasingly long stretches of time his popularity demanded. To cope with all the stress, he drank heavily, remaining on a downward spiral until the end.Mel Streetwas a great singer with a superb and unique voice. "Borrowed Angel" was an excellent song and very appropriate for its time. Mel had a wholesome distinct voice that ranked among the best of his era. BothMel Streetand "Borrowed Angel" were hidden gems with untapped potential.

Ten Hidden Gems: Country Song Hit No. 2

I've Found Someone of My Own

• Aartist: Cal Smith
•  Single (DL-32959)
• Album: DECCA DL 75369 (1972)
• Songwriter: Frank F. Robinson

 Cal Smith was born on April 7, 1932, in Gans,Oklahoma and raised in Oakland, California. Smith began his music career performing inSan Francisco at the age of fifteen, but was not able to sustain himself professionally as a singer. Accordingly, he continued working at various day jobs–which included stints driving trucks and bronco busting; all the while working on and off as a musician.

After his discharge from the military (mid 1950s), Smith played in a band in theSan Franciscoarea while trying to gain a footing into the country music arena.Cal’s break came in 1961, when the Ernest Tubb (ET) heard him perform and hiredCalto join his Texas Troubadours. The Troubadours cut three LPs of their own from 1964 to 1966, which exposed Smith to wider audiences, as he provided vocals on the albums. ET helped smith get his own record deal with Kapp Records in 1966.

While still a Troubadour, Smith starting recording for Kapp, having minor chart success immediately, although the big hits were slow arriving. The first single he released was "I'll Just Go Home" (K-748). Smith made his first chart entry with "The Only Thing I Want" (K-788), a moderate single that failed to break into the top-40.

However, when "Drinking Champagne" (K-938, 1968) cracked the top-40, Smith left the Troubadours to focus on his own career. During the four years thatCalrecorded for Kapp Records (1966 – 1970), he generated eight more moderate singles, including "Heaven Is Just a Touch Away" (K-2059, 1969).

Upon completion of his Kapp contract,Calsigned with Decca, and material fromNashville's top writers began to come his way. His singles sporadically appeared in the top-forty over the next couple of years.Calkicked off 1972 with one of the greatest songs of the year with the breakup song, "I've Found Someone of My Own" (No. 4, 1972).

Although it failed to claim the top chart spot, it was his first song to giveAmericaa taste of whatCalcould do as a solo artist. Most of the top-ten songs that year were charted by the genres congested field of big names. At that time,Calwasn’t one of them.

However, Sonny James was and he experienced the effect of the competitive field. For the first time since 1967, Sonny James failed to hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Singles Chart. Sonny’s single, "Only Love (Can Break a Heart)" stalled at No. 2.

I've Found Someone of My Own had chart topping potential, but it had problems with Freddy Hart’s “My hang Up Is You,” which was the biggest song that year, ruling the No. 1 spot for six weeks. Smith had to wait it out another year before claiming the top-spot. He did that with the Bill Anderson composition, “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking.”

However, the song that that propelled him into the national spotlight came in 1974 whenCalcharted “Country Bumpkin.” That year, the Country Music Association named “Country Bumpkin’” Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Finally, Cal Smith earned the right to be classified as one of the big names in the country music arena.

Ten Hidden Gems: Country Song Hit #3

It's a Cheatin' Situation

• Album: Columbia KC-35779
• Single: Columbia 10889 (No. 2, 1979)
• Recorded: Columbia Recording Studio. Nashville, Tennessee USA (1978)  
• Produced by: Ray Barker 
• Janie Fricke, Harmony Vocals
• Written by: Curly Putnam & Sonny Throckmorton

 Moe Bandy was one of the most popular country singers of the 1970s, turning out a series of hits in the latter half of the decade that led many fans and critics to classify him as one of the greatest contemporary honky-tonk singers. Bandy's initial songs rarely strayed far from the traditional barroom fare; delivered with a knowing sense of humor, loving, cheating, drinking, and patriotic songs. Throughout the late '70s and early '80s, the singer racked up thirteen top-ten hits.

Moe Bandy was born on February 12, 1944 in Meridian, Mississippi, birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers.  At the age of six, Bandy and his family moved from Meridianto San Antonio, Texas, where Bandy was raised through his teenage years. During high school, he was a rodeo rider, but his career came ended when he sustained too many injuries.

After high school, Bandy was a sheet metal worker, singing in country nightclubs at night. He landed a one-record deal with Satin Records in 1964. The label released Bandy's original song "Lonely Lady," but the record made no impact. Nevertheless, he continued to perform at night in various Texashonky-tonks.

In 1972, Moe met record producer Ray Baker and convinced him to listen to some demo tapes he had made. Baker agreed to produce the singer, provided that Moe would pay for the recording sessions. Excited by his new prospect, Bandy financed a recording session. However, the records failed to generate attention.

The following year, the singer took out a loan to pay for another recording date. "I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today" (No. 17, 1974) resulted from the session and Baker released the single on Footprint Records, pressing only 500 copies. The single generated moderate sales and GRC acquired the rights to the record and released it nationally and it became Moe’s debut chart single.

In 1979, Moe scored his first Billboard solo No. 1, "I Cheated Me Right Out of You." Bandy's career reached a peak in 1979, but during that year, he teamed up with Janie Fricke on the hit single, "It's a Cheatin' Situation," which stalled at No. 2. It was named Song of the Year by theAcademy ofCountry Music and had all of the ingredients to be a No. 1 song. Eddy Rabbitt had the biggest song that year with “Every Which Way But Loose.”

About Ray Barker: Ray is a Nashville country music producer. His first hit record produced was “I Just Started Hatin' Cheating Songs Today,” Moe Bandy's debut chart song (1974). He also produced “It Was Always so Easy to Find an Unhappy Woman,” Bandy’s first top-ten. Ray produced all of Connie Smith's albums under Columbia and Monument Records. Barker also he produced “Right or Wrong^,” George Strait's first gold album.

About Janie Fricke: In 1975, Fricke moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she became highly sought-after background vocalist. Fricke sang background for several country music singers, including Moe Bandy, Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Eddie Rabbitt and Johnny Duncan.

It was likely her contribution to Duncan's No. 1 hit "Stranger" (1977) that generated the most interest. In that song, Fricke sang the line, "Shut out the light and lead me....” People soon began to inquire who was singing those words inDuncan's song. Because of this, Fricke was able to gain a recording contract of her own from Columbia Records, where she remained for over ten years (1977 – 1989).

Ten Hidden Gem: Country Song Hit #4

Pop a Top

• Recorded: 11/1966
• RCA Victor Studio. Nashville, Tennessee USA
• Produced by: Felton Jarvis
• Album: Just Jim LSP-3744 (1967)
• Single: RCA 9192, No. 3, 1967
• Written by: Nat Stuckey 

Jim Ed Brown came to fame as a member of the 1950s vocal group the Browns, where he was the band's lead vocalist. In 1965, when the group was still together, he embarked on a solo career that didn't parallel the chart success of the Browns. Surprisingly, Jim Ed never achieved a solo No. 1 single.

Brown and his older sister, Maxine, began performing while he was still in high school. In 1954, the duo signed a contract with Fabor, releasing five singles on the label. Later that year, their sister Bonnie joined the duo and they became the Browns. From 1956 until 1967, the Browns were signed to RCA Records, where they had a number of moderately successful hit singles, highlighted by the 1959 number one "The Three Bells."

The Browns disbanded two years after Jim Ed began his solo career. Initially, Jim Ed didn't have much chart success and just scraped the bottom of the top 40. After the Browns disbanded, Jim Ed began to have more substantial hits, beginning with "You Can Have Her" (No. 18, 1967). At that time, he was recoerding under the name of Jim Edward Brown.

He changed to Jim Ed Brown and followed up with the beer-drinking anthem "Pop a Top" (No. 3, 1967). This song had the makings of a number one hit and it was very suitable for its time. Country music artist Alan Jackson revived the song in 1999. It was the lead-off single from his album, "Under the Influence" and peaked at number six. Alan's rendition sparked a flurry of interest in Jim Ed's version. Critics regardless of their age say they prefer Jim Ed's original recording over Jackson's contemporary rendition.

Although his next single, "Bottle, Bottle" (1967) reached number 13, Brown didn't have any major hits for the rest of the 1960s. As his chart performance stagnated in 1968, he formed a backing group called the Gems and began a residency at the Sahara Tahoe's Juniper Lounge. In 1969, he hosted the syndicated television show The Country Place, which ran until 1970. During the early 1970s, Jim Ed charted four addditional top-ten hits.

In 1976, Jim Ed teamed up with Helen Cornelius to form one of the most successful recording duos of all time. Jim Ed's solo career didn't parallel the chart success he achieved with Helen. Their collaboration resulted in 7 top-ten hits, including, "I Don't Want to Have to Mary You" (No. 1, 1976).

After the breakup of his duo with Helen in 1981, Jim Ed Brown never appeared again on the Billboard chart and virtually retired from recording. Over the past four decades, Jim Ed Brown has firmly established himself as a masterful entertainer in every aspect of the country music arena.

Ten Hidden Gems: Country Song Hit #5

Mon and Dad Waltz 

• Album: Listen to Lefty (ColumbiaHL-9021)
• Single: Columbia20837
• Written by: Lefty Frizzell
• Recorded: 5//1951, Jim Beck Studio (Dallas)
• Produced by Don Law
• Charted 8/18/1851
• Peak Chart Position No. 2 

Session Personnel: Lefty Frizzell (lead vocal/guitar), (Norman Stevens (lead guitar), Buddy Griffin (rhythm guitar), Jimmy Rillins (steel), Pee Wee Reid (bass), Jerry Rowley (fiddle), Evelyn Rowley (piano), Chubby Crank (drums)

About Don Law: As the head of Columbia Records' country music division through most of the 1950s and 1960s, Don was one of the most successful producers, not only in the annals of country music, but also in the pop arena. Among the top- selling artists he worked with atColumbiawere Lefty Frizzell, Ray Price, Marty Robbins, Johnny Horton and Johnny Cash. He also produced sessions for The Collins Kids, Ronnie Self, Billy Brown, Billy "Crash" Craddock and Carl Perkins during his Columbia tenure.

Lefty Frizzell (born 3/31/1928) was a honky-tonk singer, who set the style for generations of vocalists that followed him. Frizzell smoothed out the rough edges of honky-tonk, giving it a contemporary. Lefty began singing professionally as a teenager, landing a spot on KELD in El Dorado,Arkansas. He spent his teenage years singing on radio programs, in nightclubs, for dances, and in talent contests.

By 1950, he had landed a gig at theTexasclub Ace of Clubs. Lefty came to the attention of Jim Beck (who was somewhat of a con artist), the owner of a recording studio, making landmark recordings inDallas. Beck had many connections within the publishing industry. Jim built all of his equipment from scratch and was leading the way for the recording industry at the time. Impressed with Frizzell's performance, he arranged a demo session for Lefty (4/1950).

Frizzell cut several original songs, including, "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time,” which Beck took toNashvilleand tried to pitch the song to Little Jimmy Dickens, but Dickens declined it.

Columbiarecord producer Don Law heard Lefty perform on stage and signed him to aColumbiacontract (1950). Lefty’s debut single, "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time" (No. 1, 1950) shot to the top of the chart and Lefty followed-up with "I Love You a Thousand Ways” (No. 1, 1950).

Frizzell was working with a core group of Dallas-based studio musicians. In early-1951, he formed the Western Cherokees, led by Blackie Crawford, which was his primary band for both live and recording sessions. 1951 was a banner year for Frizzell, who placed seven singles into the top-ten, a milestone that has not been repeated.

His third single, "I Want to Be With You Always" was No. 1 for 11 weeks and its follow-up, "Always Late (With Your Kisses)," spent 12 weeks at No. 1. By then Frizzell had gained widespread popularity, appearing on the Louisiana Hayride and the Grand Ole Opry.

Lefty had one more massive hit that year, "Mom and Dad's Waltz (No. 2, 1951), which locked in at No. 2 for eight weeks. Under different circumstances, this song would have topped out at No. 1. Locking in at No. 2 for 8 weeks speaks volumes for the song, but it was simply impeded by his two aforementioned singles.

Country music was a rough endeavor during the 1950s. Sales were dismally low and about to be further eroded by the onslaught of rock ‘n’ roll. The country music singer’s life was an endless grind of beer halls, long stretches across country roads between shows and occasionally an Opry appearance. That was certainly the case with Lefty. Even though he was at the peak of his popularity, things began to unravel behind the scenes.

Lefty fired both his manager and his band. He joined the Opry, but became disgruntled and left almost immediately. In early 1953, he moved toLos Angeles, where he landed a job on the Town Hall Party. In 1953 and 1954, he had only two top-ten hits, his last for five years. By the 1960s his career had stalled and he was slipping into depression, booze, and drugs.

Lefty continued to record, with little chart success until "SaginawMichigan" (No. 1. 1964) came along. The song locked into the top chart spot and earned him a Grammy award nomination. In 1972, Frizzell was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. Lefty died on July 19, 1975, after a massive stroke. After his death, a new generation of artists hailed him as an influence and an idol.