In this week's episode we're featuring the major label debut for Mark Chesnutt: Too Cold At Home (1990). Having dropped out of high school to pursue a career playing bars and honky tonks, Chesnutt garnered enough attention to record some independent material in San Antonio and Houston during that period (including at AV Mittelstedt's famous SoundMasters Studios). Some of that material got the attention of MCA/Decca and thus followed his signing and debut album. The title cut, written by 60s country star Bobby Harden and at one time turned down by George Jones, found a home with Mark Chesnutt and a further four big singles did well for the Beaumont native. In a cruel twist of fate, Chesnutt's father Bob, who had been a honky tonk singer himself and instrumental in helping foster his son's musical dreams, passed away the year Too Cold At Home was released. Solidly rooted in the sounds of the new traditional movement, Chesnutt's debut album contains some very strong material: the barroom classic Brother Jukebox always hits a chord; the swinging Blame It On Texas has you heading for the honky tonk and the title track is a masterclass in country music for those who may have forgotten what it sounds like. Barely a dud on there.
HOUR 1:
1. Mark Chesnutt – Lucky Man (1990)
2. Patty Loveless – The Lonely Side Of Love (1988)
3. YOUTUBE REFLECTIONS: Hank Snow – Hello Love (1974)
4. Mark Chesnutt – Broken Promise Land (1990)
5. Mark Chesnutt – Friends In Low Places (1990)
6. Red Simpson – Fur Coats And Fancy Clothes (1972)
7. Wayne Kemp – She Knows When You’re On My Mind Again (1973)
8. Kevin Moon – Hurt Like That (2014)
9. Mark Chesnutt – Blame It On Texas (1990)
10. Bob Chesnutt – I Can Tell You Don’t Want Me Around (early 60s?)
11. Tom T. Hall – Jesus On The Radio (Daddy On The Phone) (1979)
12. Rickey Wasson – Losin’ In Las Vegas (2008)
13. Don Gibson – Oh Lonesome Me (1958)
14. Mark Chesnutt – Too Cold At Home (1990)
HOUR 2:
1. Joe Stampley – The Night Time And My Baby (1976)
2. Mark Chesnutt – Brother Jukebox (1990)
3. Mark Chesnutt – Danger At My Door (1990)
4. Brad Paisley – Two Feet Of Topsoil (2001)
5. Freddy Weller – I Shook The Hand (1970)
6. Mark Chesnutt – Too Good A Memory (1990)
7. Mark Chesnutt – Hey You There In The Mirror (1990)
8. KD Lang – I’m Down To My Last Cigarette (1988)
BUMPER: Bob Wills – San Antonio Rose
9. Michelle Nixon & Drive – Joan Henry (2005)
10. COUNTRY COVERS: George Jones – Here In The Real World (2005)
11. COUNTRY COVERS: Mervin Shiner – I’m Gonna Tie A Little String Around Your Finger (1950)
12. COUNTRY COVERS: Del Reeves – My Window Faces The South (1970)
13. SHOT OF STEEL: Johnny Paycheck – It’s Only A Matter Of Wine (1972)
14. Mark Chesnutt – Your Love Is A Miracle (1990)
15. Blue Highway – Pikeville Flood (1998)
HOUR 3: If That Ain’t Country’s Year In Country Music - 1994
1. George Strait – The Big One
2. Marty Stuart – You Can Walk All Over Me
3. Amie Comeaux – Who’s She To You
4. Amie Comeaux – One Step Ahead Of You
5. Asleep At The Wheel – Problem Drinker
6. Asleep At The Wheel feat. Jason Roberts – End Of The Line (1998)
7. Lonesome River Band – Old Lonesome Welcome Back
8. Ronnie Bowman & Del McCoury – I’m Nowhere Bound
9. Dawn Sears – Uh Oh (Here Comes Love)
10. Tracy Byrd & Dawn Sears – Out Of Control Raging Fire (1993)
11. Rose Maddox – Falling For You
12. David Ball – Thinkin’ Problem
13. Dwight Yoakam – Try Not To Look So Pretty
14. Alan Jackson – Livin’ On Love