Legends Q&A: June 2008

By Lew Jones

George Jones on The Grand Ole Opry
Photo courtesy of Bandit Records.

Check in with Lew Jones for the latest on your favorite country legends!

Q: Which artist has made the most albums/CDs/records of all time? I know Tammy Wynette made over 53 records, but did anyone make more than her? Thanks much.
(Amanda, Ashland, VA)

A: The question is a bit tricky, Amanda, since I don't have access to any of the record companies' financial records. I doubt if even the IRS could do that. But, judging from the number of charted units, here's what I came up with. Tammy indeed sold a lot, but the champion is her one-time husband, George Jones. According to Joel Whitburn's Hot Country Albums 1964-2007, The Possum has had 91 albums hit various Billboard charts over a 53 year career. (Johnny Cash is No. 2 with 89.) Of those 91, 80 hit the Top 40. Tammy comes in at No. 11.

George is also tops in singles, with 167 charting. Coming in No. 2 in that category is Eddy Arnold with 146. George Jones also has the most Top 40 singles at 143. The artist with the most albums achieving platinum status? That would be George Strait.

Q: In a recent column, Kevin asked about (the group) Alabama being from Canada. Your answer was right, but in the early 1970s, there was a group from Winnipeg, Manitoba called Alabama. They had a minor hit called "Highway Driving." That might be the group Kevin heard about.
(James, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

A: Thanks, James, for being my Canadian correspondent. I'll take your word for it.

Q: Who recorded "It'll Be Her" around 1973? I had recorded the song off the radio but everything burned in a house fire. The song had a beautiful piano beginning. I cannot remember who sang the song.
(Carole, Livingston, TX)

A: There were a number of versions, Carole, so I'll list them and you can sort them out. David Rogers was the one who had it out in 1973. It was then released by Tompall Glaser in 1977, followed by Johnny Cash (1978) and Debby Boone, who of course changed the pronoun, in 1981. Finally, Tompall put it out again in 1982 with the Glaser Brothers.

Q: Where is Narvel Felts now?
(M, Somerset, KY)

A: He's doing pretty well, M, for a man who's turning 70 in November. From his home in southeastern Missouri, he says he performs about twice a month at various venues around the country, and makes a foray into Europe occasionally. Narvel placed 11 songs in the Top 20, beginning in 1973. He achieved at least 42 charted songs throughout the 1970s and '80s. His biggest hit, "Reconsider Me" reached No. 2 in 1975. He says he is feeling better after gall bladder surgery last year, and has battled Type 1 diabetes for many years, but neither seems to have slowed him down much. His latest CDs are Drift Away?The Best of Narvel Felts, and Super Songs, Narvelized. He plans to bring out a CD of ballad material within the next year.

Q: I am looking for the artist that sings "Smooth Sailing." I thought it might be Don Williams, but I am not sure. I would like to get a copy of that song.
(Crystal, Palestine, TX)

A: It was T.G. Sheppard, Crystal. It was a Top 10 hit back in 1980. You can find it on his Super Hits CD, which has a number of other hits, including several of his No. 1 songs, such as "Party Time," "Slow Burn" and "Only One You." You should have no trouble finding it locally, or you can click the word "Shop" above to order it.

Q: Who recorded the popular crossover hit, "Wings Of A Dove," and who recorded the crossover hit, "Why Me Lord?"
(Martti, Selma, CA)

A: "Wings Of A Dove" is by Ferlin Husky, Martti, and "Why Me Lord" by Kris Kristofferson. Both songs have a strong inspirational theme, and both went No. 1. In Ferlin's case, he had to sneak it into a session against the record company's advice. When they reluctantly released it, it was on top of the charts for 10 weeks! As for Kris, it was the only No. 1 hit that had him as the main-listed vocal, although backing vocalists were Kris' wife at the time, Rita Coolidge, and also Larry Gatlin. Kris also acted in many movies, but his most creative efforts were in songwriting. "For the Good Times," "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Help me Make It Through The Night" come quickly to mind.