Lmao really? So-called Travis Picking wasn't even invented by him, not even close. Elizabeth Cotton was picking for something like 30 years before Travis was in diapers. Left-handed on a righty guitar no less! No hate on Merle, but I think Doc Watson made a much greater impact on the sound of country music (and he loved Merle!)
This vid has "Showmanship " just oozing out of it all over the place .. The tune , the presentation , Eddie Kirk and the boys backing Merle ( and his wife ? at the time ) . The coolest Bigsby guitar you can ever lay your eyes on .. The whole video drips with professionalism .... ....say Merle .. what a you know bout boats ??? he say ..... "They float !! " What a guy .. this is priceless .. thanks for posting .
Great old video. I did at least one show with Harold Hensley. His death was unusual. He pulled into his driveway at his new home in Paradise and died. He went to Paradise.
I was Merle Travis in a previous life. He died the day I was born and I've been playing guitar to his songs, Chet Atkins, up to Stones, Byrds, CCR, Petty, nearly my entire life
I just read in the book "Story of Paul Bigsby, father of the solid body', that this guitar on this song is the ONE AND ONLY hollowbody guitar Bigsby ever made. It was later owned by Jack Parsons. Bet it's worth a fortune. Buy the book!!!
@BillyGarland: Billy, your father was such a wonderful musician... I consider myself lucky to have gotten one of the very first sets of his CD boxed set, signed by him. I even spoke with him on the phone briefly. I cherish that memory. His loss to that car wreck was a giant one to not only country music, but jazz.
Merle and Speedy both had custom made Bigsbys. Speedy later worked with Fender to test and promote their guitars and ditched the Bigsby. He said he regretted it because it never had the same tone the bigsby did.
Amazing music but just look at Merle's boots! And those two ladies sat in the corner knitting .... ha ha! That sure is some mean country pickin' at 1:55 and Judy Hayden is ABSOLUTELY fascinated by it! Who wouldn't !!!
Eventually Merle was married to both those women. The black haired one was Dorothy Thompson (Hanks ex). He was married to her when he died in Oklahoma in 1983.
I hear that train whistle blowing. Its coming round the bend. Johnny Cash.....well its actually Jimmie Rodgers. You should listen to the great train riders. The masters.....Woody Guthrie, Jimmie Rogers, Box car Willie,
I don't believe this is that guitar. Bibsby also made some hollowed out, or semihollow body guitars, and I believe this is one. uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/2015/11/paul-bigsby-his-guitars-and-inventions.html
Anyone know what became of Judy? Mot Many videos of her and an internet search doesn't turn up any bio on her. All I found was that she was one of two wives to Merle. (The other was Mary E. Johnson Edwards) Merle ended up being divorced from both. Only kids I know of he had by Mary. Would love to find out more about Judy just out pf curiosity, like where she was born, how long she was married to Merle, when she died, where she was buried etc. Can't seem to find any info on her.
The words are funny, the playing is perfect, All those fancy jazz singers mentioned in this song, could not play the guitar and Mel could, I bet he got too much sugar for a dime.
Luckily since teens are usually rebellious, the new generation of SJW and feminine parents will be parenting some conservative children. So we have some hope. Some studies have even showed results that the Gen Z kids are already more conservative than the Millennial generation.
Merle Travis was probably the most influential guitarist of the twentieth century.
Lmao really? So-called Travis Picking wasn't even invented by him, not even close. Elizabeth Cotton was picking for something like 30 years before Travis was in diapers. Left-handed on a righty guitar no less! No hate on Merle, but I think Doc Watson made a much greater impact on the sound of country music (and he loved Merle!)
This vid has "Showmanship " just oozing out of it all over the place .. The tune , the presentation , Eddie Kirk and the boys backing Merle ( and his wife ? at the time ) . The coolest Bigsby guitar you can ever lay your eyes on .. The whole video drips with professionalism .... ....say Merle .. what a you know bout boats ??? he say ..... "They float !! " What a guy .. this is priceless .. thanks for posting .
Merle Travis. one of my guitar heros, and what a great bunch of musicians backing him up, especially the man on steel. Amazing!
THE MAN- Speedy West
yea, and the camera could 've zoomed on him while his doing his sweet little thing, but hey, I'm happy with this well-polished diamond of a song
Wow! Fab! So many styles jammed into 1 song! Love it....
I love this song. I love Merle and Judy is so sassy and great.
Great old video. I did at least one show with Harold Hensley. His death was unusual. He pulled into his driveway at his new home in Paradise and died. He went to Paradise.
I love this. My Mamaw said this phrase to me the other day. I am glad I found this. :)
South Carolina or Kentucky?
Love it and watched the whole thing and finally got to see Speedy's face at the last....you can tell it's him with just two chords.
‘Shut up and play guitar’
Brilliant! What an amazing era of talent
Superb guitarist
And a genius songwriter!
Very cool. Virtuosity and showman/womanship at its best.
I was Merle Travis in a previous life. He died the day I was born and I've been playing guitar to his songs, Chet Atkins, up to Stones, Byrds, CCR, Petty, nearly my entire life
I invented the internet
I just read in the book "Story of Paul Bigsby, father of the solid body', that this guitar on this song is the ONE AND ONLY hollowbody guitar Bigsby ever made. It was later owned by Jack Parsons. Bet it's worth a fortune. Buy the book!!!
Cool shit
Real musicianship.
@BillyGarland:
Billy, your father was such a wonderful musician... I consider myself lucky to have gotten one of the very first sets of his CD boxed set, signed by him. I even spoke with him on the phone briefly. I cherish that memory. His loss to that car wreck was a giant one to not only country music, but jazz.
Cool ty for sharing !
what a fantastic song !!!
This is wonderful.
This is when country and western music was really music
Just GREAT!
Merle and Speedy both had custom made Bigsbys. Speedy later worked with Fender to test and promote their guitars and ditched the Bigsby. He said he regretted it because it never had the same tone the bigsby did.
made me smile they were great
Me too funny
They all look like they're having a wonderful time
Yup
Man. They could really get down in the early 50's.
Just great!!Thanks.
Amazing music but just look at Merle's boots! And those two ladies sat in the corner knitting .... ha ha! That sure is some mean country pickin' at 1:55 and Judy Hayden is ABSOLUTELY fascinated by it! Who wouldn't !!!
I been listening to the guy for a little better the 50 years.im trying to find an album .we had .i dont see it.the one with the water wheel an mill
Eddie Kirk was a Django fan. Mark it down.
Great video! It used to be on here but they took it off before I could grab it. I won't make that mistake THIS time! Thanks a million!
Travis pickin, best in town!
All I can find about Judy Haven is Judy Farell, actress, who appeared in MASH, gee that sucks, I love her as a singer , any info'?
@bigtoozly - I hear ya. After watching this thing dozens of times, now I can only fixate on Eddie's crack rhythm work.
Eventually Merle was married to both those women. The black haired one was Dorothy Thompson (Hanks ex). He was married to her when he died in Oklahoma in 1983.
Sooo love Judy Haden...
brilliant showman
Actually a Sander Telescription rather than a Soundie. Big difference being is that Sanders were live rather than lip synched!
That Bigsby guitar later went to Jack Parsons, who had a Bigsby Vibrato put onto it.
Incredible
Look at that Bigsby Standard guitar Merle is playing, a rare bird.
That was handmade and great music !
Cool
Raw to the bone pure marrow
Perfection
VERY GOOD MERLE TRAVIS
See where chat Atkins got his style
eddie kirk is sick in this
Merle Was a Great Guitarist! WooF!
Remember this guy
Румянцева американского кино,только Румянцева у нас не пела,а жаль.....!!!
Bought the DVD, best 19 dolar deal one can find.
Any one know the history on the guitar he is playing ? I know its a bigsby and i have seen his solid body bigsby this one is much thicker .
I'm a Tex Ritter man myself...
I didn't know that guitar was so thick, it must way a ton!
Bigby guitar and great boots
Who is playing steel guitar in this. Can't see his face.
Top Notch!
I hear that train whistle blowing. Its coming round the bend. Johnny Cash.....well its actually Jimmie Rodgers. You should listen to the great train riders. The masters.....Woody Guthrie, Jimmie Rogers, Box car Willie,
This is the first solid body guitar made by P.Bigsby
I don't believe this is that guitar. Bibsby also made some hollowed out, or semihollow body guitars, and I believe this is one.
uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/2015/11/paul-bigsby-his-guitars-and-inventions.html
If that's solid, it's probably heavy as hell. Chambered, maybe?
Judy Hayden was Merles wife then.
Anyone know what became of Judy? Mot Many videos of her and an internet search doesn't turn up any bio on her. All I found was that she was one of two wives to Merle. (The other was Mary E. Johnson Edwards) Merle ended up being divorced from both. Only kids I know of he had by Mary. Would love to find out more about Judy just out pf curiosity, like where she was born, how long she was married to Merle, when she died, where she was buried etc. Can't seem to find any info on her.
Who’s here from the Ranger Doug’s classic cowboy corral?
That certainly isn't Alex Brashear on trumpet.
The words are funny, the playing is perfect, All those fancy jazz singers mentioned in this song, could not play the guitar and Mel could,
I bet he got too much sugar for a dime.
An early country music video.
I bet you ain't know nothing about boats. THEY FLOAT :v
that’s too many buttons on a sleeveeeee
the bigsby w/o the bigsby
Roy Rodgers on rhythm guitar.
Eddie Kirk, actually.
Chris Berry The huge "Eddie Kirk" inscription on the scratchplate kind of gives it away, doesn't it?
jic1 Tell that to T Bone.
I was born too late.
Speedy got cheated of his cameo here due to an inept cameraman
when men were men and women were women. america today is as messed up as ever.
+Jeff Porcaro Groove Get off my lawn.....
Now most people seem to want to look and act like teenage lesbians, especially the guys.
Luckily since teens are usually rebellious, the new generation of SJW and feminine parents will be parenting some conservative children. So we have some hope. Some studies have even showed results that the Gen Z kids are already more conservative than the Millennial generation.
super fucking corny... but nice :)
.. lol ... they are so deplorable ... funny !
that's no trumpet it's a cornet