Sammi Smith photo courtesy of myspace.com/iamsammismith.
Check in with Lew Jones for the latest on your favorite country legends!
Q: Which country singer is the original singer of "Help Me Make It Through The Night"?
(Vicki, Parma, OH)
A: Although covered by Willie Nelson in 1980, the song, written by Kris Kristofferson, originally was recorded by the late Sammi Smith. Although Sammi was on the country charts 37 times, it was her only No. 1 song, and one of only two that made the Top 10. However, it was one whale of a song, staying No. 1 for three weeks around New Year's of 1971. For Kris, it was a Grammy Song of The Year, and for Sammi, it was the CMA Single Of The Year. Sammi died at age 61 in 2005.
Q: Charley Pride is my favorite country legend. Haven't seen him on the Opry for a while. What's up with him these days?
(Sandy, Waldorf, MD)
A: He's been there, Sandy. Lately, Charley has been busy with touring overseas (Ireland and Northern Ireland), plus some tour dates in Canada. He did find time for a couple of Opry shows back in June, however. After his overseas tour, he's slowed down a bit for the summer months. Don't expect that for long, however. I'd bet you'll see him pick up the pace a bit come fall. And, you can keep checking his website, charleypride.com, or opry.com to see when he'll next connect with the Grand Ole Opry.
Q: I'm looking for a song, sung by a woman, 12 or 15 years ago. The father was gone, and the mother was helping the daughter to dress to go to the street and sell herself to men. What is the title and who is the singer?
(Miguel, Madrid, Espana)
A: Miguel, I think you are talking about "Fancy," and the version you remember, based upon the timeline, is by Reba McEntire from 1991. It got to No. 8. The song is much older, however. It was written and originally recorded by Bobbie Gentry back in 1969 and was a Top 30 hit for her. And I'm not sure I share your thought about the point of the song. The mother had used the last of her money to buy "Fancy" a dancing dress. Her advice of "Be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy, and they'll be nice to you" doesn't necessarily add up to "selling herself to men." It's a very tender and memorable song of a mother's sacrificial love for her daughter.
Q: I'm looking for information on a singer named Kevin. I don't know the last name. In 1997, he had a hit that was on the top for four weeks, then he was told he had cancer. After this, he got involved with the Make a Wish Foundation. I would like to get his last name and also more about him.
(Jack, Burbank, CA)
A: It was Kevin Sharp, Jack, and you have the facts but in the wrong order. Kevin's original involvement with Make-A-Wish was as a recipient! Kevin was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in the late 1980s when he was still in high school. He was warned that he might only have six months to live. The wish granted to him by the foundation involved meeting someone in the music business. Producer/performer David Foster befriended him and encouraged him during a long series of treatments. Ultimately, Kevin won a recording contract resulting in the song, "Nobody Knows", which reached No. 1 in early 1997. As I file this column, Kevin is in much demand as a motivational speaker when not performing music.
Q: Do you know if Reba McEntire will come do a concert in Hawaii? I've always wanted to go to her concert!
(Sienna, Kapolei, HI)
A: Well, Sienna, Reba's a very busy lady, as she has been throughout her career. She has two tours for 2008. Just winding up a solo outing, she next travels with Kelly Clarkson in a tour called "Two Worlds Two Voices" that is hitting spots in many mainland venues and several cities in Canada. Plus, she's spending time promoting her new single, "Every Other Weekend", which is a duet with Skip Ewing. But unfortunately, I don't see any indication that she'll be in Hawaii anytime soon.
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