youtu.be/HXmekCAv1b4 For Beverly Gilbreath Phoenix and the Nashville Sound[edit] Due to his wife Maxine fathers illness, Jennings had to move between Arizona and Texas. While his family lived back in Littlefield, Jennings found a job briefly at KOYL in Odessa, Texas. He moved with his family to Coolidge, Arizona, where the sister of his wife lived. He found a job performing at the Galloping Goose bar, where he was heard by Earl Perrin, who offered him a spot on KCKY. Jennings also played during the intermission on drive-in theaters and on bars.After a successful a performance at the Cross Keys Club in Phoenix, Arizona, he was approached by contractors who were building a club for Jimmy D. Musiel, called JDs. Musiel employed Jennings as his main artist and designed the club around his act. He formed his backing band, The Waylors. The band was composed by bassist Paul Foster, guitarist Jerry Gropp, and drummer Richie Albright. Jennings and his band performed at the newly opened nightspot in Scottsdale, where they soon earned a strong local fanbase. At JDs, Jennings developed his rock tempered style of country music, that would define him on his later career. In 1961, Jennings signed a recording contract with Trend Records,and experienced moderate success with his single, “Another Blue Day.” His friend, Don Bowman took demos of Jennings to Jerry Moss, who at the time was starting A&M Records with associate Herb Alpert. On July 9, 1963, Jennings signed a contract with A&M that granted him five percent of record royalties. He recorded for the company Love Denied backed with Rave On, and Four Strong Winds backed with Just to Satisfy You. He followed recording demos of The Twelfth of Never, Kisses Sweeter than Wine and Dont Think Twice, Its All Right; while he produced the single Sing the Girls a Song, Bill, backed with The Race Is On. The singles were released between April and October 1964. His records had little success, because A&Ms main releases were folk music rather than country. He had a few hits on local radio in Phoenix, with “Four Strong Winds” and “Just To Satisfy You” (co-written with Bowman). Meanwhile, he recorded an album on BAT records, called JDs. After 500 copies were sold at the club, another 500 copies were pressed by the Sounds label. He also played lead guitar for Patsy Montana on a 1964 album. Singer Bobby Bare heard Jennings Just to Satisfy You on his car radio while passing through Phoenix, eventually recording it and Four Strong Winds After stopping in Phoenix to attend to a Jennings performance at JDs, while driving to Las Vegas, Bare stopped and called from a pay phone Chet Atkins, suggesting him to sign Jennings. Now aware of the new deal, Jennings was not certain to leave his current position at JDs. He seek the advice of RCA artist Willie Nelson, who went to see one of his shows. Upon meeting Jennings, and considering his profits at the club, Nelson suggested him to stay in Phoenix and not to move to Nashville. Nonetheless, Jennings decided to accept the offer. He requested Alpert to release him from his contract with A&M. In view of Jennings need, Alpert accepted. A&M would later compile all of Jennings singles and unreleased material of the label on the release Dont Think Twice. Chet Atkins formally signed Jennings to RCA Victor in 1965. On August 21, Jennings made his first appearance on the Billboards Hot Country Songs chart with “Thats the Chance Ill Have to Take.” n 1966, Jennings released his debut album for RCA Folk-Country, followed by Leavin Town, and Nashville Rebel. Leavin Town resulted in significant chart success as the first two singles Anita, Youre Dreaming and Time to Burn Again both peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The albums third single, a cover of Gordon Lightfoots (Thats What You Get) For Lovin Me, became Jennings first top 10 single, peaking at #9. Nashville Rebel was the soundtrack to an independent film of the same name, starring Jennings. The single Green River charted on Billboard country singles at #11. In 1967 Jennings released a hit single, “Just to Satisfy You.” During an interview, Jennings remarked that the song was a “pretty good example” of the influence of his work with Buddy Holly and rockabilly music. Jennings produced midchart albums that sold well, including Just to Satisfy You, that included the same-named hit single of 1967.Jennings singles enjoyed success. The Chokin Kind peaked at number eight on Billboards Hot Country Singles in 1967, while Only Daddy Thatll Walk the Line peaked at number two the following year. In 1969, his collaboration with The Kimberlys on the single MacArthur Park earned a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group. His single Brown Eyed Handsome Man reached number three at the Hot Country Singles chart by the end of the year. During this time, Jennings rented an apartment in Nashville with singer Johnny Cash. Jennings and Cash were both managed by Lucky Moellers booking agency Moeller Talent, Inc.The tours organized by the agency were unproductive, with the artists being booked to venues located far from each other in close dates. After paying for the accommodation and travel expenditures, Jennings profits were reduced, with him frequently requesting advances from the agency or RCA Records to play the next venue. While playing three-hundred days on the road, Jennings debt increased, while also his consumption of amphetamines, as he saw himself trapped on the circuit. In 1972 Jennings released Ladies Love Outlaws. The single that headlined the album became a hit for Jennings, and was his first approach to Outlaw Country. Jennings was accustomed to performing and recording with his own band, The Waylors, a practice that was not encouraged by powerful Nashville producers. Over time, however, Jennings felt limited by the Nashville sounds lack of artistic freedom. The music style publicized as “Countrypolitan” was characterized by orchestral arrangements, and the absence of traditional country music instruments. The producers did not let Jennings play his own guitar or select material to record.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:26:51 +0000
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