ROOTS of Country Music

57 Chevrolet

Artist: Billie Jo Spears

Album: Lonely Hearts Club

United Artists UALA-859G (1978)

Single: 57 Chevrolet, United Artists 1229

(No. 16, 1978)

Writer: Roger Bowling

Producer: Larry Butler

Recorded: Jack's Track Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee USA, Aug.  1977

Session Personnel: Billy Sanford, James Colvard, Jimmy Capps, Fred Carter, Pete Wade, Jerry Shook (guitar), Tommy Allsup (bass guitar), Pete Drake (steel), Bob Moore (bass), Buddy Harman (drums), Hargus Pig Robbins, Charles Cochran, Bobby Wood - (piano, keyboards), Sheldon Kurland, Steven Smith, Donald Teal, Carl Gorodetzky, Marvin Chantry,
Byron Bach, Gary Vanosdale, Wilfred Lehmann, Roy Christiansen, George Binkley (strings), Carol Montgomery, The Jordanaires (vocals).

57 Chevrolet hit the Billboard country chart on August 12, 1978 and stalled out at number 16.

With the sultry-voiced singer, Billie Jo Spears and the backing of the finest studio sidemen Nashville had to offer, this song had all of the right ingredients of a top-10 hit. Why then, did it stall out before even breaking into the top-10?

Spears herself was still very much in demand on the concert circuit and the car was by then a highly sought-after automobile.

Maybe country music wasn't ready for another novelty song. After all, the airwaves were just beginning to cool a little from C. W. McCall's gold single, Convoy and Red Sovine's gold single, Teddy Bear.

Listen to 57 Chevrolet

------------------------------------------------------------About the 57 Chevrolet 

The 1957 Chevrolet is an automobile which was introduced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in September, 1956. It was available in three series models: the upscale Bel Air, the mid-range "two-ten," and the "one-fifty."

A two-door station wagon, the Nomad was produced as a Bel Air model. An upscale trim option called the "Delray" was available for two-ten 2-door sedans. It is a popular and sought after classic car. These vehicles are often restored to their original condition and sometimes modified. The car's image has been frequently used in toys, graphics, music, movies and television.

The '57 Chevy, as it is often known, is an auto icon. Today, the 1957 Chevrolet is known as the ultimate "Classic Chevy." All one has to do is mention "57" around a bunch of old car buffs and everyone will immediately identify these two number with the 1957 Chevrolet.

A red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible was the dream car of every baby boomer in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Almost from the day production ceased, it's been in demand not only as the last of the "Classic Chevy's," but the best. In fact, except for the early Corvette's, the 1957 Chevrolet remains the most collectible car of the 1950s.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched and written by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music, Dec. 30, 2011.



57 Chevrolet