Johnny Cash
Check in with Lew Jones for the latest on your favorite country legends!
Q: Did Johnny Cash ever spend any time in a prison for any wrongdoings?
(Tammy, Crockett, TX)
A: Johnny Cash spent one night in jail, Tammy, on a drug offense that would be considered quite minor today. Whether it was that experience that did it or not, Johnny had a special affinity for convicts. He was in prison several times — San Quentin and Folsom, for instance. But he had a two-way ticket! He was there to perform for the prisoners.
Q: Merle Haggard had a song where he sang "Grandma's maiden name was Zone Villines". I am a Villines and my dad was born in Arkansas. I just want to know about Merles' Villines relations, if the song is realistic.
(Jo, Dallas TX)
A: I've interviewed Merle on several occasions, but never thought to ask if his 1972 song, "Grandma Harp," is "realistic," as you put it. However, there's pretty strong evidence that it probably is. He wrote the song himself and, though he was born in Bakersfield, California, the Haggard family is known to have roots in the Arkansas and Oklahoma areas, having joined the great 1930s westward migration of "Okies" that settled in and near Bakersfield. Merle's song specifically mentions that Grandma Harp-Zone Villines, was from Newton County, Arkansas. Since I grew up in the next county over, Boone County, I remember from personal experience that there were certainly Villines' in the area. I'd say it's a good bet that you are distantly related to the Hag!
Q: I think Mac Davis did this song. It goes "Lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're as perfect as me." Can I still find this record somewhere?
(Wanda, Danbury, CT)
A: Yes, Wanda, it's still available. "It's Hard To Be Humble", Mac's spoof on male egos, may be most easily found on The Best of Mac Davis--20th Century Masters on Universal. Mac was added to the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2000 and had 30 charted country hits. The biggest hit was his "Hooked On Music," which went to No. 2 in 1981. And, Mac, if you're reading this, I can't find your website!
Q: Didn't Johnny Horton come out with "One Woman Man" first in the 50's?
(Mary, Lufkin, TX)
A: Yes Mary, and I'm sure you are comparing it to the George Jones hit of 1989, which got to No. 5 on the country charts. The late Johnny Horton debuted "I'm A One Woman Man" in 1956, which also was a Top 10 hit, coming in at No. 7. Great songs can live again, as you no doubt know, and both artists did the Tillman Franks/Johnny Horton song justice.
Q: I'm looking for the song that includes the words, "Somebody's knockin', should I let him in, Lord it's the devil, would you look at him."
(Yvonne, Bossier City, LA)
A: The song is "Somebody's Knockin'" by Terri Gibbs, Yvonne. It was her first and biggest hit, which she brought out in 1980, reaching a peak of No. 8 in early 1981. She was able to get on the charts 13 times throughout most of the 1980s.
Q: There are two songs I remember from years ago: "Ghost Riders In The Sky" and "Cool Water." Who were the artists who sang them, and can they be found today?
(Larry, Kendalia, TX)
A: Larry, both these songs have been around a very long time, and the answer is yes, you can get them. The version of "Ghost" that I play on the radio is by Johnny Cash, and may be the one you remember. Earlier versions, with slight variations on the name, included Vaughn Monroe and Bing Crosby from 1949. "Cool Water" in its most famous form, was from the Sons Of The Pioneers, from even earlier, in 1941.
You can find the Johnny Cash version of "Ghost Riders" on many of his compilations, wherever you buy music, (or click above to order online.) For the Sons of The Pioneers, I have two compilations, both good. Sons Of The Pioneers from 1989, on RCA, and Sons Of The Pioneers, Ultimate Collection, from Hip-O Records, which is a later collection. The original masters were 78 rpm discs from the '30s and '40s, but both companies do a good job of restoration.