Tanya Tucker's 1978 album, T.N.T..
Check in with Lew Jones for the latest on your favorite country legends!
Q: Did Tanya Tucker have an album in the late '70s or early '80s called TNT? Do you know the titles of the songs on it or where I can find it?
(Beth, Orlando, FL)
A: You can find it by clicking "Shop" above. Songs on the album include "Texas When I Die" and "I'm The Singer, You're The Song", both of which were single hits for Tanya. Other songs include "Heartbreak Hotel", made famous by Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away".
Q: What's the singer/storyteller Tom T. Hall into these days? I always enjoyed his songs like "Faster Horses, Younger Women."
(Dan, Gray, TN)
A: A lot, Dan. Supposedly officially retired, he probably works some pretty long days, anyway. His passion these days is bluegrass music, and he is heavily involved in both recording it (Blue Circle Records) and publishing music for it (Good Home Grown Music.) His latest CD is Tom T. Hall Sings Miss Dixie & Tom T. — Miss Dixie, of course, being Tom's talented wife. Tom turned in an amazing 7 No.1 hits in a span of time from the late 1960s into the '80s. A former radio personality, Tom added the "T" when he began his singing career. It worked. I recall getting a request for a song of his for my radio show from someone who asked for "Tom Hall". I didn't make the connection till the listener said, "You know, Tom T. Hall."
Q: How can I get copies of George Morgan's albums?
(Sandy, Frederick, MD)
A: George is enough of a historic figure in the history of country music that they are readily available. If your local CD seller doesn't have any, you can click on "Shop" above, and find several compilations of his work. The father of Lorrie Morgan, (who says she was an "Opry Brat", hanging around backstage while dad performed) George Morgan joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1948, and first hit the big time on the charts with "Candy Kisses", which was No. 1 for three weeks in 1949. He continued to make hit records until his death at age 51 in 1975.
Q: I have this song in my head and don't know who sings it. It's called "No Charge." I know it's a woman, but not sure who.
(Cora, Perth, Australia)
A: It's by Melba Montgomery, Cora. It rose to No. 1 for her in March of 1974. Melba came by her country music honestly, having toured with Roy Acuff from 1958 until 1962. She got Roy's and the Opry's attention by winning the Pet Milk Amateur Contest. She actively made hit recordings through the mid-1980s, and released the albums Do You Know Where Your Man Is in 1992, This Time Around in 2000, and Golden Moments in 2001.
Q: Whatever has happened to the great Earl Thomas Conley? I miss him on radio.
(Larissa, Lucama, NC)
A: He stays active, Larissa, though I suspect not on pace with his earlier years. He is currently touring, partly in support of his latest album release, Should've Been Over By Now, which reprises several of his past hits. His website, if you want to get back up to date with him, is earlthomasconley.com.
Q: A friend asked me a trivia question this past weekend. It was who sang "L.A. International Airport." I told him it was Susan Raye. Whatever happened to her?
(Thomas, Cypress, TX)
A: Your memory is good, Thomas! It was a Top 10 hit for Susan in 1971. An early protégé of Buck Owens and a regular on Hee Haw, Susan was on the country charts with 29 songs in the 1970s and well into the '80s. She is married to long-time Buckaroos drummer Jerry Wiggins. She stays busy in the Bakersfield area as a marriage, family and child counselor. I'd be willing to bet she can still carry a tune, if you can convince her to make a public appearance.
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