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Related: About this forumOn this day, November 29, 1917, Merle Travis was born.
Last edited Tue Nov 28, 2023, 09:00 AM - Edit history (5)
Hat tip, This Day in Country Music
November 29th: On this day
1917
Born on this day in Rosewood, Kentucky was Merle Travis. The American country and Western singer, songwriter known for his hit "Sixteen Tons". Travis' guitar style became known as "Travis picking", and his songs often discussed the life and exploitation of coal miners in the lyrics. Travis who was was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977 died on October 20, 1983.
1917
Born on this day in Rosewood, Kentucky was Merle Travis. The American country and Western singer, songwriter known for his hit "Sixteen Tons". Travis' guitar style became known as "Travis picking", and his songs often discussed the life and exploitation of coal miners in the lyrics. Travis who was was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977 died on October 20, 1983.
I knew this would come in handy:
Mon Nov 15, 2021: On this day, November 15, 2003, Speedy West died.
{snip}
Merle Travis /Speedy West/ Judy Hayden 3 songs 1951
113,361 views Aug 23, 2016
Chris Clem
1.43K subscribers
Merle Travis - Guitar/Vocals
Judy Hayden - Vocals
Speedy West - Steel Guitar
Eddie Kirk - Guitar
Harold Hensley - Fiddle
Danny Alguire - Trumpet
Red Wooten ? - Bass
113,361 views Aug 23, 2016
Chris Clem
1.43K subscribers
Merle Travis - Guitar/Vocals
Judy Hayden - Vocals
Speedy West - Steel Guitar
Eddie Kirk - Guitar
Harold Hensley - Fiddle
Danny Alguire - Trumpet
Red Wooten ? - Bass
Previously at DU:
Fri Nov 29, 2019: Merle Travis was born on this date-
Fri Nov 29, 2019: Set the WABAC Machine to October 20, 2017.
{snip}
October 20, 2017: October 20: This Day in Music
{snip}
http://www.thisdayinmusic.com/
1983, American country and western singer, songwriter, Merle Travis died of a heart attack aged 65. Acknowledged as one of the most influential American guitarist's of the twentieth century. Wrote 'Sixteen Tons' 1955 US No.1 for Ernie Ford. He appeared in the 1953 movie From Here to Eternity singing Reenlistment Blues.
Here's a pretty tune, I'll See You in My Dreams, written in 1924:
For those of you with color monitors:
"I'll See You in My Dreams" is a popular song. It was written by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn, and was published in 1924. Originally recorded by Isham Jones and the Ray Miller Orchestra, it charted for 16 weeks during 1925, spending seven weeks at number 1. Other popular versions in 1925 were by Marion Harris; Paul Whiteman; Ford & Glenn; and Lewis James.
The song was chosen as the title song of the 1951 film I'll See You in My Dreams, a musical biography of Kahn.
Popular recordings of it were made by many leading artists including Cliff Edwards (1), Louis Armstrong, Pat Boone, Bing Crosby (recorded November 27, 1947), Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Mario Lanza, Tony Martin, Anita O'Day, The Platters, Ezio Pinza, Sue Raney, Jerry Lee Lewis (1958, instrumental), Andy Williams, and Linda Scott. A "Texas Swing" version of the song was recorded by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.
The song was also recorded by Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, and inspired Merle Travis to record it as a guitar instrumental. Many other guitarists including Chet Atkins and Thom Bresh followed in Merle's footsteps. Michel Lelong, a French guitarist, published the first tab of this Travis' arrangement for the American publisher/guitarist Stefan Grossman's Guitare Workshop during the 1980s, following by Thom Bresh (Merle Travis 's son) for Homespun Tapes, and Marcel Dadi for Stefan Grossman 's Guitar Worshop.
It was recorded by Mario Lanza on his Coca-Cola Show of 1951-2 and is available on a compilation album mastered from those same shows, and featuring the same title, I'll See You in My Dreams, released by BMG in 1998.
An early version was recorded by Hawaiian steel guitar originator Joseph Kekuku in 1925.
The song was chosen as the title song of the 1951 film I'll See You in My Dreams, a musical biography of Kahn.
Popular recordings of it were made by many leading artists including Cliff Edwards (1), Louis Armstrong, Pat Boone, Bing Crosby (recorded November 27, 1947), Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Mario Lanza, Tony Martin, Anita O'Day, The Platters, Ezio Pinza, Sue Raney, Jerry Lee Lewis (1958, instrumental), Andy Williams, and Linda Scott. A "Texas Swing" version of the song was recorded by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.
The song was also recorded by Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, and inspired Merle Travis to record it as a guitar instrumental. Many other guitarists including Chet Atkins and Thom Bresh followed in Merle's footsteps. Michel Lelong, a French guitarist, published the first tab of this Travis' arrangement for the American publisher/guitarist Stefan Grossman's Guitare Workshop during the 1980s, following by Thom Bresh (Merle Travis 's son) for Homespun Tapes, and Marcel Dadi for Stefan Grossman 's Guitar Worshop.
It was recorded by Mario Lanza on his Coca-Cola Show of 1951-2 and is available on a compilation album mastered from those same shows, and featuring the same title, I'll See You in My Dreams, released by BMG in 1998.
An early version was recorded by Hawaiian steel guitar originator Joseph Kekuku in 1925.
(1) mentioned in the DU Lounge just a few days ago: {who can point me to that thread?}
Merle Travis
Merle Robert Travis (November 29, 1917 October 20, 1983) was an American country and western singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Rosewood, Kentucky, United States. His songs' lyrics often discussed both the lives and the economic exploitation of American coal miners. Among his many well-known songs are "Sixteen Tons," "Re-Enlistment Blues," "I am a Pilgrim," and "Dark as a Dungeon." However, it is his unique guitar style, still called Travis Picking by guitarists, as well as his interpretations of the rich musical traditions of his native Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, for which he is best known today. "Travis Picking" is a syncopated style of guitar fingerpicking rooted in ragtime music in which alternating chords and bass notes are plucked by the thumb while melodies are simultaneously plucked by the index finger. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977.
Merle Robert Travis (November 29, 1917 October 20, 1983) was an American country and western singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Rosewood, Kentucky, United States. His songs' lyrics often discussed both the lives and the economic exploitation of American coal miners. Among his many well-known songs are "Sixteen Tons," "Re-Enlistment Blues," "I am a Pilgrim," and "Dark as a Dungeon." However, it is his unique guitar style, still called Travis Picking by guitarists, as well as his interpretations of the rich musical traditions of his native Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, for which he is best known today. "Travis Picking" is a syncopated style of guitar fingerpicking rooted in ragtime music in which alternating chords and bass notes are plucked by the thumb while melodies are simultaneously plucked by the index finger. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977.
1955, Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and his Comets both appeared at Brooklyn High School auditorium, Cleveland.
Oooof! I wish I had a video of that.
Wed Nov 15, 2023: On this day, November 15, 2003, Speedy West died.
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