The Professional Work of Arlie Duff
(Mar. 28, 1924 ~ Jul. 4, 1996)
English teacher-turned-songwriter, Arlie Duff created one of country music's classic tunes when he penned You All Come, in 1953. The song went to the upper eschelon on the country music charts for Arlie and spawned countless renditions by other artists. However, Arlie's recording was the only version that charted.
Arlie was born in Jack's Branch, Texas and graduated from Nederland High School. Duff began singing with his father Adolphus and sister Lois at a very early age. The Duff Trio, as the group was called, were known for the gospel tunes they performed and were quite popular at singing conventions and school shows such as the Stamps,Hartford and Vaughn Music Company conventions inTexas.
Mr. Duff served in the US Navy for three years during World War II. After his discharge, Duff continued his education and earned a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a Master of Arts in Education from Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Arlie Duff did some singing with Blackie Crawford and his Western Cherokees, ( Lefty Frizzell) and soon became a regular member. Also, he was teaching school and coaching until he wrote the country classic, You All Come. Released as his fourth single for theBeaumont,Texasbased Starday label, the song went to the seventh slot on the country music charts.
Mr. Duff was unable to follow up this hit. Most Shakers will be forever in love with Decca for cutting his stab at rockabilly, Alligator Come Across. It sounds a lot like the early rocking catalogue of George Jones. It's a bibs and overalls stomper with heaps of steel and rocking country guitar. The parody of Elvis halfway through is a classic, but all too brief moment of madness. The fiddle solo adds another loveable layer.
In the mid-1950s, Arlie was making a name for himself as he played music joints inTexas,LouisianaandMississippi. Duff was a featured singer on the Hometown Jamboree (KNUZ Houston) in 1954, where Y'all Come was the theme song of the popular program.
In addition to recordings by country artists including Moe Bandy, Bobby Bare, Glen Campbell, Porter Wagoner, Jim & Jesse, George Jones, and Loretta Lynn, the tune was covered by pop vocalists, Bing Crosby, Gene Pitney and Bobby Vinton. Porter Wagoner often opened or closed his show with the classic song. Bill Monroe used the song to close his performances. Porter Wagoner recorded an album in 1963 titled Y'all Come. It was during this time that the song title became hyphenated.
Arlie Duff continued to write hits throughout the fifties including Ernest Tubb's last solo hit, Another Story (No. 16, 1966), It's the Little Things (No. 1, 1967) for Sonny James and Alligator Came Across," a minor hit recorded under his own name. Duff spent most of his later career as a DJ, initially taking to the airwaves inColoradofrom 1957 to 1958, before moving on toTexasradio.
Arlie Duff married the former Nancy White after an 18 day courtship on October 10, 1954. The wedding took place during a Louisiana Hayride program. Red Foley was best man and sang I love You Truly and Every Step of the Way.
Arlie Duff had just joined the cast of Red Foley's show, Ozark Jubilee a few weeks before that. It was there he first metNancy. The ushers for the bridegroom included other notable members of the Ozark Jubilee radio cast: Hawkshaw Hawkins, Porter Wagoner and Billy Walker. They were married for 42 years and they had nine children. Arlie died on July 4, 1996.
Arlie Duff Awards:
- BMI Music Award for Y'all Come 1953
- BMI Music Award for It's the Little Things (Sonny James, 1968)
Arlie Duff Song Catalog:
- Alligator Come Across (Arlie Duff)
- Another Story (Ernest Tubb)
- Building Memories (Sonny James)
- It's The Little Things (Sonny James, No. 1, 1967)
- Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow (Sonny James)
- Til I Hear It From You (George Jones)
- You All Come (Arlie Duff, No.7, 1953)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched, compiled and written by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music, Apr. 2010.
