In this video we turn our spotlight onto the life and times of Hoyt Axton and ask the question Whatever Happened To Hoyt Axton #hoytaxton #rocklegends #countrymusiclegends
Thank you so much for shining a lil light on my pops, I try to keep his memory and music alive everyday, and finding these videos and comments always give me a push. He truly believed in spreading joy! He loved connecting with every person he could and having a bunch of adventures (legal and otherwise. wink) along the way. thanks again and JOY TO YOU!!
I am glad you enjoyed the video. Your "pops" brought a lot of joy and music to the lives of a lot of people. I see you are also a singer, song writer, and musician in your own right. I just got done watching a couple of your videos and enjoyed them very much. I love the "Humble slice of Americana" as you call it. I just call it great music. I encourage everyone to follow you on RUclips and Joy Back At You!!!
@Country Music Spotlight Well double extra thanks for supporting generations of Axton music. Staying humble is the key. That way I keep my head out of the clouds.ha. Im only making waves so far but Can't wait to flood the world with as much musical joy as possible! Just like Hoyt!
Hoyt was a client of mine for many years until his stroke took away that wonderful lilt in his voice. We recorded many voice overs for commercials and documentaries. His first stroke was just before we were to record "The Life and Times of Glen Campbell". He tried to record some further work, but the joy was gone. I miss him. RIP
@Yoda8945 that is awesome. He was one of the few entertainers that did a little bit of everything. I remember seeing boxes of busch beer and baby Ruth candy bars filling the the tour bus. I have tried to do a few voice-over but it's a tough business to break into now. Thanks for being his friend
I had the pleasure of meeting Hoyt. He and his band played a benefit concert. I was the sound engineer for the three bands that played. He was very nice, told great music industry stories, and had a lot of patience and time for this Montana kid who had grown up listening to his music and watching him on TV. I would have been starstruck and nervous if I hadn't been so busy getting everything set up for the show. Sadly a year later he was gone. I have this great memory, that I treasure. I agree with Rick, more people need to know who Hoyt was.
That is the purpose of this channel is to not only provide entertainment but to share the great history of country music and the many characters that have help to make it what it is. Hoyt was on of those characters that helped shape and form the genre. The help that he gave to other artist and the down to earth way in which he interacted with his fans makes him someone worth remembering. That was this southern country boys way of saying I agree with you and thank you for sharing your story.
I always thought Hoyt Axton was born April 25, 1938. He had that "Taurus" personality. Very hard working, yet easy going. I did not know he was a cocaine addict, but I believe he drank a lot of alcohol and smoked a lot of weed, but recovered from all addictions. Wikipedia makes errors sometimes, but I think they corrected it. I always loved Hoyt Axton's voice and his laid back personality. Seemed like such a nice man. "When The Morning Comes", "Boney Fingers", "Delta And The Dealer", and "Mountain Right" are my favorite songs from the legendary composer and singer. Yes, I remember Hoyt from "Gremlins", "Black Stallion", "Endangered Species", and "Buried Alive", where he played a Sheriff. R.I.P Hoyt. You will always be remembered for all your greatness.
@Mr.NoName1972 It's funny I never saw my dad drink. But i know he was a party animal in the 70s. but I came around when he was much mellower but he always had an old fashioned pipe with green material in his last few years.wink wink
Saw Hoyt several times at the Troubador in West Hollywood in the mid-60s. I still have 3 of those Horizon albums of his. I lost track of him for many years but caught up with him later in the 3 Dog Night cover days. He was a soulful singer who could belt it out.
During the 80's he played frequently at the Palomino Club in No. Hollywood CA. Just a large bar with a stage. I went several times. I loved him and the group playing and singing. What fun it was to be packed into a huge local bar, everyone seated as close as you could get, drinking beer and feeling a part of a huge family of fans.
First, thank you for watching the video. I hoped you enjoyed it. Second I have been to those type of bars and I have to agree with you, it is simply amazing. There is nothing like it.
Hoyt came to my high school and talked with us on a personal level. I didn’t know him until then, and I became a follower of his music after that. Favorite song ‘Geronimos Cadillac’
@@andrewz4537 Hoyt was a prolific songwriter but didn’t hesitate to sing any song he liked. Some of his best songs are on the Columbia LP, “My Griffin is Gone” which also has great arrangements and instrumentation. Apparently it didn’t sell well enough to keep him on Columbia.
@@CMSProductions Got to see him at U of M in Missoula, MT in '69. I had my Pentax right next to one of the vocal speakers. Way too many decibles, but a great concert. I was always a fan. Evangelina was a favorite of mine.
I remember him appearing on Bonanza back in the day. I was impressed as a budding musician and folksinger. I became a fan right about then and up until his passing. Sang many of his songs during my musical career (?)
Marijuana Prohibition: what a joke. Dude wrote Joy to the World which brought joy into so many people’s lives (even the soldiers in Vietnam) and the Feds found it necessary to visit his home for a marijuana bust. Incredible.
I didn’t know of Hoyt Axton until I saw the movie Gremlin in 1984. Heard lion in winter on the radio and was wondering who the women’s voice was, surprised it was Linda. I had a crush on her in the 70’ and 80’s. Loved her voice. Ahh the 70’s not a better time to be alive.
One my favorite singer and song writers. Lions in the winter and when the the morning comes are some of my all time favorite. Snow blind friend covered by Steppen wolf are awesome. Very underrated.
Great concise profile of one of my favourite singers! He also appeared in an episode of Ken Burns tv series Civil War singing The Yellow Rose of Texas in a quartet. Beautiful and it's on RUclips. He was also the Sheriff in a low budget monster horror movie King Cobra - all good fun. Many thanks David.
i saw Hoyt dozens of times in the 60's and 70's at the Golden Bear, Prison of Socrates, Troub., Palamino, Crazy Horse and Cosmos Folk Club By The Sea in Seal Beach. 60 years later they remain the best shows of my life. Man I miss that dude. There will never be another like him.
My family took me to see The Black Stallion for my 12th Birthday. When I was young I was only aware of Mr. Axton via his acting roles but I learned as I went along about his amazing song-writing skills and his own music career. His 70's albums are mighty fine to my ears no matter what else I'm listening or into at the time. Snowblind Friend (1977) is as important to me as any other album I've come across. The 70's were a very good time for hearing music by folks like him.
I had a flooring business in Reno and he called us about doing hardwood in his house at Tahoe. He was just the nicest man, just a real person. When I got to his house he was at the kitchen table eating beans and corn bread. Before I left he gave me all his albums. I played them often. Loved his voice. His house was way above the parking area and there were a ton of stairs and those wood sample weighted a ton. Donna came down and carried some of the sample boards up the stairs with me. Our wood installer was a real lover of country music and he was in heaven working in that house.
Didn’t realize he died so young. A friend of mine sold Mae’s house in Hendersonville for him. I used to drive by her house all the time. Sonny Osborne of the bluegrass band the Osborne Brothers lived next door to her house - which was really more of a compound. Huge antebellum place.
DON'T FORGET TO MENTION *** RED WHITE AND BLUE WAS HER SHROUD *** THERE'S A LION IN THE WINTER *** HOYT AXTON WAS ABSOLUTE PROOF OF GOD SHOWING OFF !!! REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND !!!
I'm late to this video, but did I didn't hear mention of Hoyt in The Dukes of Hazzard tv show. He sang "I'm a cop in a little bitty town" AKA "speed Trap? I heard Boney Fingers as a pretty young kid. My Love of Hoyt came from An aunt I had. One regret I have is not taking all her Hoyt albums when she passed. I'm having a hard time finding replacement cds when I wear them out..lol. My favorite songs are Rusty Ol' Halo, Geronimo's Cadillac, and on and on..and on... What I didn't know was that he has a son Matt that also sings. I'll have to look him up.
His son Matt is here on RUclips. The man has talent. Also when I first did that video he contacted me to thank me for the video of his father. He seemed to be a very nice young man
@winnerscreed6767 thank you for being a long time hoyt fan! I'm always on the look out for hoyt albums as well. I'm proud to keep his legacy alive and help the world remember His joy
@@CMSProductions Still enjoyed the video. Hoyt Axton is one of those Legends that often gets left out of discussions sort of like Benny Martin or David Bromberg.
Cheers for that man, a real shame he developed a taste for the columbian gold. I rember hearing somewhere that he had a friend die to drugs around the time he wrote the pusher, have always wondered if that was why he put off his own release and handed it over to Steppenwolf.
he did actually release his own version of the song prior to steppenwolf. it was a very stripped down bluesy version. John Kay was a bus boy at the Golden bear ( bar) in the early 60s where my dad was a mainstay .John promised my dad he would cover the song if they got a record deal. and the rest is history.
@@MattAxtonMusic oh cool, thanks for the info man, have to admit I did not know there was a a Axton Jr. I had a look through some of your youtube and can tell a good few of your songs are gonna make it onto my going to work playlist. made my day this cheers.
@Frank Galton well thank you for seeking out some more axton tunes. I hope they travel well with ya. And my dad did write the pusher after a friend died of an overdose. Good music comes from real life.
Thank you so much for shining a lil light on my pops, I try to keep his memory and music alive everyday, and finding these videos and comments always give me a push. He truly believed in spreading joy! He loved connecting with every person he could and having a bunch of adventures (legal and otherwise. wink) along the way. thanks again and JOY TO YOU!!
I am glad you enjoyed the video. Your "pops" brought a lot of joy and music to the lives of a lot of people. I see you are also a singer, song writer, and musician in your own right. I just got done watching a couple of your videos and enjoyed them very much. I love the "Humble slice of Americana" as you call it. I just call it great music. I encourage everyone to follow you on RUclips and Joy Back At You!!!
Great music and voice makes me happy when I'm sad and lonely
I agree with you. Especially Della and the Dealer or Joy To The World.
@Country Music Spotlight Well double extra thanks for supporting generations of Axton music. Staying humble is the key. That way I keep my head out of the clouds.ha. Im only making waves so far but Can't wait to flood the world with as much musical joy as possible! Just like Hoyt!
I love his music but I never realized what a wonderful song writer he was.
Hoyt was a client of mine for many years until his stroke took away that wonderful lilt in his voice. We recorded many voice overs for commercials and documentaries. His first stroke was just before we were to record "The Life and Times of Glen Campbell". He tried to record some further work, but the joy was gone. I miss him. RIP
Interesting.Thanks for sharing
@Yoda8945 that is awesome. He was one of the few entertainers that did a little bit of everything. I remember seeing boxes of busch beer and baby Ruth candy bars filling the the tour bus. I have tried to do a few voice-over but it's a tough business to break into now. Thanks for being his friend
If only more people knew Hoyt Axton. Thanks for your work.
Thanks Rick. Greatly appreciated
Saw him 6 times 74-81, always a GREAT show. Miss ya Hoyt.
His son puts on a pretty good show himself
I had the pleasure of meeting Hoyt. He and his band played a benefit concert. I was the sound engineer for the three bands that played. He was very nice, told great music industry stories, and had a lot of patience and time for this Montana kid who had grown up listening to his music and watching him on TV. I would have been starstruck and nervous if I hadn't been so busy getting everything set up for the show. Sadly a year later he was gone. I have this great memory, that I treasure. I agree with Rick, more people need to know who Hoyt was.
That is the purpose of this channel is to not only provide entertainment but to share the great history of country music and the many characters that have help to make it what it is. Hoyt was on of those characters that helped shape and form the genre. The help that he gave to other artist and the down to earth way in which he interacted with his fans makes him someone worth remembering. That was this southern country boys way of saying I agree with you and thank you for sharing your story.
@budmcnelson thank you for making him sound good!! And thanks for spreading the hoyt gospel
I had no idea he wrote so many huge hits. Wow so talented. What a great artist. Della is one of my all time favorite songs.
We agree with you on Della and the dealer
I always thought Hoyt Axton was born April 25, 1938. He had that "Taurus" personality. Very hard working, yet easy going. I did not know he was a cocaine addict, but I believe he drank a lot of alcohol and smoked a lot of weed, but recovered from all addictions. Wikipedia makes errors sometimes, but I think they corrected it. I always loved Hoyt Axton's voice and his laid back personality. Seemed like such a nice man. "When The Morning Comes", "Boney Fingers", "Delta And The Dealer", and "Mountain Right" are my favorite songs from the legendary composer and singer. Yes, I remember Hoyt from "Gremlins", "Black Stallion", "Endangered Species", and "Buried Alive", where he played a Sheriff. R.I.P Hoyt. You will always be remembered for all your greatness.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching.
@Mr.NoName1972 It's funny I never saw my dad drink. But i know he was a party animal in the 70s. but I came around when he was much mellower but he always had an old fashioned pipe with green material in his last few years.wink wink
Saw Hoyt several times at the Troubador in West Hollywood in the mid-60s. I still have 3 of those Horizon albums of his. I lost track of him for many years but caught up with him later in the 3 Dog Night cover days. He was a soulful singer who could belt it out.
my favorite song of his is Della and The Dealer. I bet it was cool to see him in person.
During the 80's he played frequently at the Palomino Club in No. Hollywood CA. Just a large bar with a stage. I went several times. I loved him and the group playing and singing. What fun it was to be packed into a huge local bar, everyone seated as
close as you could get, drinking beer and feeling a part of a huge family of fans.
First, thank you for watching the video. I hoped you enjoyed it. Second I have been to those type of bars and I have to agree with you, it is simply amazing. There is nothing like it.
Hoyt came to my high school and talked with us on a personal level. I didn’t know him until then, and I became a follower of his music after that. Favorite song ‘Geronimos Cadillac’
That is a cool song but I have to say "Della and the Dealer is mine I would have loved to have met him He always seemed down to earth to me.
I always thought that song was written by Michael Martin Murphy. I looked it up online and didn't see anything to contradict that notion.
@Andrew Z it was written by Michael Martin murphy. A good friend of my dads. Hoyt had the most well know version of it.
@@andrewz4537 Hoyt was a prolific songwriter but didn’t hesitate to sing any song he liked. Some of his best songs are on the Columbia LP, “My Griffin is Gone” which also has great arrangements and instrumentation. Apparently it didn’t sell well enough to keep him on Columbia.
@@CMSProductions Got to see him at U of M in Missoula, MT in '69. I had my Pentax right next to one of the vocal speakers. Way too many decibles, but a great concert. I was always a fan. Evangelina was a favorite of mine.
I wish he'd gotten more fame for singing his own songs, but he still carved out a good career for himself.
That he did and his son Matt is pretty good too. You can find Matt here on RUclips
One of my old favorite singer-songwriters. I especially liked his song, “ Lion in the Winter.” Thanks!
I am glad you enjoyed it He performed Lion in the Winter with Linda Ronstadt. I believe it is here on RUclips
I remember him appearing on Bonanza back in the day. I was impressed as a budding musician and folksinger. I became a fan right about then and up until his passing. Sang many of his songs during my musical career (?)
Sweet. Thanks for sharing
@@robertshorthill6836 thank you for keeping his tunes alive.!!
I remember hoyt really well, I liked him, he got a spot on wkrp in Cincinnati and the gremlins movie, I met him around that time , good guy
I am jealous. I would have loved to have met him
Marijuana Prohibition: what a joke. Dude wrote Joy to the World which brought joy into so many people’s lives (even the soldiers in Vietnam) and the Feds found it necessary to visit his home for a marijuana bust. Incredible.
Yep
Crazy family history... Elvis covered "Never been to Spain". And Elvis also recorded a hit Hoyt's mother wrote "Heartbreak hotel"
That is true 🤠
I didn’t know of Hoyt Axton until I saw the movie Gremlin in 1984. Heard lion in winter on the radio and was wondering who the women’s voice was, surprised it was Linda. I had a crush on her in the 70’ and 80’s. Loved her voice. Ahh the 70’s not a better time to be alive.
Spoken as someone who remembers. Count me in on that train. Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment.
Matt, your Dad's beautiful Soul shines through in his gorgeous, sometimes heartbreakingly poignant tunes. Plus he was fun.
True
One my favorite singer and song writers. Lions in the winter and when the the morning comes are some of my all time favorite. Snow blind friend covered by Steppen wolf are awesome. Very underrated.
The pusher was great too
Great concise profile of one of my favourite singers! He also appeared in an episode of Ken Burns tv series Civil War singing The Yellow Rose of Texas in a quartet. Beautiful and it's on RUclips. He was also the Sheriff in a low budget monster horror movie King Cobra - all good fun. Many thanks David.
Thank you and thanks for watching
May he rest in peace.
Amen and Amen
Very Cool, I'll be sharing this.. learned a lot.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching
The only man that could sing and record the songs of Bessie Smith in the same spirit that she did.
Sweet
i saw Hoyt dozens of times in the 60's and 70's at the Golden Bear, Prison of Socrates, Troub., Palamino, Crazy Horse and Cosmos Folk Club By The Sea in Seal Beach. 60 years later they remain the best shows of my life. Man I miss that dude. There will never be another like him.
Take a look at his son Matt Axton you can find him here on RUclips
Thanks you so much for being a hoyt fan. There will never be another hoyt but i can do pretty decent impressions. Ha
Interesting, I had not heard of Hoyt Axton but, I do remember his songs made popular by other performers. Thanks for sharing.
I am glad you enjoyed it As always there are more to come. I think Vern Gosdin is next on the list.
Don't forget, he also played a part in the Made For TV movie "Christmas comes to Willow Creek
I was going to say the same thing but decided to check the comments first.
@@dougrowe1583 🙂
Another great video my friend. I had no idea he wrote all of those hit songs that others made famous. A very talented man. Thanks Dave !
I am glad you enjoyed it.
Hoyt was like the Dos Equis Man in real life. Too cool to live.
True 🤠
Thank you for this I love his songs too bad he died so young.
Alan I am glad you enjoyed it. There are more videos coming. Thank you for watching
I just came across this man's music and I love all of his folk albums. What a talent.
We agree. Listen to the song he wrote called The Pusher by Steppenwolf
My family took me to see The Black Stallion for my 12th Birthday. When I was young I was only aware of Mr. Axton via his acting roles but I learned as I went along about his amazing song-writing skills and his own music career.
His 70's albums are mighty fine to my ears no matter what else I'm listening or into at the time. Snowblind Friend (1977) is as important to me as any other album I've come across. The 70's were a very good time for hearing music by folks like him.
We agree
I had a flooring business in Reno and he called us about doing hardwood in his house at Tahoe. He was just the nicest man, just a real person. When I got to his house he was at the kitchen table eating beans and corn bread. Before I left he gave me all his albums. I played them often. Loved his voice.
His house was way above the parking area and there were a ton of stairs and those wood sample weighted a ton. Donna came down and carried some of the sample boards up the stairs with me. Our wood installer was a real lover of country music and he was in heaven working in that house.
Sweet thanks for sharing
Friends of mine and I used to attend a lot of shows at the Troubadore, especially when Hoyt was performing.
Sweet
Didn’t realize he died so young.
A friend of mine sold Mae’s house in Hendersonville for him. I used to drive by her house all the time. Sonny Osborne of the bluegrass band the Osborne Brothers lived next door to her house - which was really more of a compound. Huge antebellum place.
Nice 👍
He is greatly missed
That he is. His son Matt Axton is out making music and you can find him on RUclips
I've always loved Hoyt. Sorry to see him go so young.
I agree I love Della and the Dealer
What a career. He definitely did a lot.
I agree. What is one of your favorite songs by him?
@@CMSProductions Della & the Dealer.
@johnrosier1686 we are in agreement there.
Dude was a unit when he was in the Navy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
The song he played on his appearance on WKRP was Jealous Man, and itself is a great tune.
True
Awesome video still waiting on that Vern video I would be so honored
Edd Vern is the one I am working on now. Should be up Friday or Saturday.
He got BONY FINGERS
Nice play on one of his songs
DON'T FORGET TO MENTION ***
RED WHITE AND BLUE WAS HER SHROUD ***
THERE'S A LION IN THE WINTER *** HOYT AXTON WAS ABSOLUTE PROOF OF GOD SHOWING OFF !!!
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND !!!
Sheila, What a wonderful way to phrase that. I agree with you 100%
My dad really like his music
Your dad had great taste in music and I thank you for watching one of my videos.
I have watched some of his videos and he has a great sense of humor
Thank your family for being a hoyt fan!!
Another Amazing video!
Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Cool . Thank you .
Glad you enjoyed it
I'm late to this video, but did I didn't hear mention of Hoyt in The Dukes of Hazzard tv show. He sang "I'm a cop in a little bitty town" AKA "speed Trap?
I heard Boney Fingers as a pretty young kid. My Love of Hoyt came from An aunt I had. One regret I have is not taking all her Hoyt albums when she passed. I'm having a hard time finding replacement cds when I wear them out..lol.
My favorite songs are Rusty Ol' Halo, Geronimo's Cadillac, and on and on..and on...
What I didn't know was that he has a son Matt that also sings. I'll have to look him up.
His son Matt is here on RUclips. The man has talent. Also when I first did that video he contacted me to thank me for the video of his father. He seemed to be a very nice young man
@@CMSProductions ,thank you for the reply
@@CMSProductions it's all an act
@winnerscreed6767 thank you for being a long time hoyt fan! I'm always on the look out for hoyt albums as well. I'm proud to keep his legacy alive and help the world remember His joy
@@MattAxtonMusic Some how I doubt that. lol
He was epic !!
We agree
my griffins gone one of his best albums GOD BLESS HOYT AXTON!
Amen
I love Mountain Right and nobody has a voice like your dad?
Sweet
Saw Hoyt at Armadillo.
Sweet. I wish I could have seen him live
I bet it was. Ablast
He also played a sheriff in the movie buried alive with Tim mattehson
Hmm I missed that in my research.
True. It was a straight to video movie I believe. But was still a good one
Did I miss the mention of his greatest TV achievement "The Rousters"? Wish that TV series would have lasted longer. The pilot is great.
No you didn't miss it. I missed putting that little tidbit in the video.
@@CMSProductions Still enjoyed the video. Hoyt Axton is one of those Legends that often gets left out of discussions sort of like Benny Martin or David Bromberg.
Thank you.
Thank you and thank you for watching sir
My favorite from him is the Buster and Billie theme song I love the movie also
I have to say that Della and the Dealer and Bony fingers
Are mine
I like them a lot too
Cheers for that man, a real shame he developed a taste for the columbian gold. I rember hearing somewhere that he had a friend die to drugs around the time he wrote the pusher, have always wondered if that was why he put off his own release and handed it over to Steppenwolf.
I think it had something to do with the money.
@@CMSProductions good to know, thanks for the content bud
he did actually release his own version of the song prior to steppenwolf. it was a very stripped down bluesy version. John Kay was a bus boy at the Golden bear ( bar) in the early 60s where my dad was a mainstay .John promised my dad he would cover the song if they got a record deal. and the rest is history.
@@MattAxtonMusic oh cool, thanks for the info man, have to admit I did not know there was a a Axton Jr. I had a look through some of your youtube and can tell a good few of your songs are gonna make it onto my going to work playlist. made my day this cheers.
@Frank Galton well thank you for seeking out some more axton tunes. I hope they travel well with ya. And my dad did write the pusher after a friend died of an overdose. Good music comes from real life.
Have you done one on Billy Monroe?
I haven't yet but I can add him to my production list if you like?
This has to be Sam Elliot narrating this
Cakes. Don't I wish LOL
Boney fingers
Have you done jim reeves?
Not yet but he is on my production list.