Country Legends Q&A: Week of January 6, 2005

Checkin' in With the Classics

Feature by Lew Jones

Lew Jones tracks down his many country music sources to satisfy your questions and curiosities about favorite classic artists.

Q: I have always been a fan of Buck Trent, who besides being on Hee Haw was the electric banjo player with Porter Wagoner. He put out several albums and I want to purchase a CD of the album that contains "Give Me Five" but have not been able to find it. Buck did a terrific job on such songs as "Carroll Country Accident." Where can I catch a Buck Trent show? Thanks for your help.
Donald, Douglasville, Ga.

A: I'm having the same luck as you on the album, Donald. It came out in 1966 and seems to be out of print. To see Buck in person, schedule a trip to Branson, Mo. He has the Buck Trent theater and performs regularly. This month he's doing a breakfast show, so you presumably get ham, eggs and banjo!

Q: Hi, Lew. I'm only 24 and I love classic country. I would like to know how William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys is doing. Dad e-mailed me at camp when he had heart problems.
Ryan, Fairfax, Va.

A: As I write this column during early December, William Lee is feeling better and back in action. Spokesman for the Oak Ridge Boys, Sanford Brokaw, says, "He was only out three or four weeks. He was lucky to have the heart attack in Wausau, Wis., which has excellent medical facilities. After an angioplasty, he's now into regular walks and is eating a lot of salmon!" Speaking as a long-time fan of the Oaks, Ryan, I'm glad to see him doing better.

Q: How many No. 1 hits has Willie Nelson had?
Farrah, Browder, Ky.

A: Up through 1993, Farrah, he had made that trip to the top of the charts 20 times (according to Billboard charts). Then his 2002 duet with Toby Keith, "Beer for My Horses" blasted to the top in 2003. If the information I've uncovered is correct, this made him the oldest performer to ever make number one in any field of music! So your answer is 21 No. 1 songs. And you never know, as hard as Willie works, he may do it again one of these days.

Q: My grandma has been searching for the original artist to the song "Keys in the Mailbox." Can you tell me who the original artist is of that song?
Amanda, Schuyler, Neb.

A: Maybe your grandmother is remembering Freddie Hart back in 1960, Amanda. Tony Booth also had a version in 1972.

Q: When did Webb Pierce pass away? How old was he? What did he die from?
Marjorie, South Rockwood, Mich.

A: The Webbfoot, as disc jockeys used to call him, died in 1991 of heart failure. He was 69.

Q: Who sang the song "Finally" in the '70s or '80s? I know it was a male singer and that is as far as I can go. My little sister asked!
Joyce, Cibolo, Texas

A: Tell sis it was T.G. Sheppard, Joyce. T.G. has been back in the studio lately and has released a CD on Destiny Row records, Timeless—Classic Love Songs. The first single from the new album is "Misty Blue."