In this week's episode we're featuring an excellent introduction to the music of Gary Stewart: Greatest Hits (1981). Born the son of a mining man in Kentucky but calling Fort Pierce, Florida home from the age of 12, Gary Stewart was playing music around the area as a teenager. After catching part of his performance locally, Mel Tillis (also from the area) suggested Stewart go to Nashville to work on his songwriting craft and work his way up from there. And he did. Starting in the mid 60s several back and forth trips to Music City, many with buddy and songwriting partner Bill Eldridge, resulted in some attention and gradually their songs started finding the right ears. Hit cuts were recorded by Nat Stuckey and Billy Walker (amongst others) and after brief recording stints themselves and plenty of discouragement, Gary Stewart eventually got signed to RCA. A re-release of Drinkin' Thing scored his first Top 10 and the ball was rolling. Somewhat pigeonholed during his time at RCA, it was songs of drinking, divorce and cheating which made up the majority of Gary Stewart's hit list. Chart success notwithstanding however, it was his emotive vibrato and unique mix of country and southern rock which remains a favourite with fans of country music delivered with feeling.
HOUR 1:
1. Gary Stewart – Out Of Hand (1974)
2. Highway 101 – If Love Had A Heart (1989)
3. Hank Williams, Jr. & Lois Johnson – Party People (1970)
4. LISTENER REFLECTIONS: Faron Young – Wine Me Up (1969)
5. Gary Stewart – Drinkin’ Thing (1974)
6. Gary Stewart – Whiskey Trip (1978)
7. Erick Backlund – She’s Number One (1990)
BUMPER: Buck Owens – Orange Blossom Special
8. Lisa Layne – Smokin’ Cigarettes & Drinkin’ Coffee Blues (2019)
9. Gary Stewart – Single Again (1978)
10. Nat Stuckey – Sweet Thang & Cisco (1969)
11. Nothin’ Fancy – Bluebirds Are Singing For Me (2015)
12. Charlie Harris – Sing A Sad Song (1964)
13. Gary Stewart – Let’s Forget That We’re Married (1981)
14. Gary Stewart – Your Place Or Mine (1976)
HOUR 2:
1. Cody Jinks – Dirt (2015)
2. AUSSIE INJECTION: Slim Dusty – Where Country Is (1981)
3. AUSSIE INJECTION: Tony Smith – The Ghost Of His Guitar (2020)
4. Dawnett Faucett – Don’t Stop To Count The Memories (1990)
5. Gary Stewart – Quits (1977)
6. Gary Stewart – She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles) (1975)
7. James King – Lovesick & Sorrow (1995)
BUMPER: Bob Wills – San Antonio Rose
8. Lobo Loggins – A Do No Good Man (Can’t Do No Right) (1990?)
9. COUNTRY COVERS: Kenny Price – Sea Of Heartbreak (1973)
10. COUNTRY COVERS: Kenny Price – (I’d Be) A Legend In My Time (1973)
11. COUNTRY COVERS: Kenny Price – Blue, Blue Day (1973)
12. SHOT OF STEEL: Bobby Flores – I Wonder Who’ll Turn Out The Lights (In Your World..) (2004)
13. Gary Stewart – Ten Years Of This (1977)
14. Johnny Paycheck – Livin’ The Life Of A Dog (1970)
HOUR 3: If That Ain’t Country’s Year In Country Music - 1950
1. Hank Williams – I Just Don’t Like This Kind Of Livin’
2. Lefty Frizzell – If You’ve Got The Money (I’ve Got The Time)
3. Hank Penny – ‘Tater Pie
4. Moon Mullican – Mona Lisa
5. Red Foley – Sunday Down In Tennessee
6. Carl Smith – I Won’t Be At Home
7. Ray Price – Jealous Lies
8. Ernest Tubb – Give Me A Little Old Fashioned Love
BUMPER: Buck Owens – Orange Blossom Special
9. Hank Thompson – A Broken Heart And A Glass Of Beer
10. Dub Dickerson – Ain’t Got No Doggone Gal
11. Pee Wee King & The Golden West Cowboys – Bonaparte’s Retreat
12. Johnnie & Jack – Take My Ring From Your Finger
13. Anita Carter – Johnnie’s Got A Sweetheart
14. The York Brothers – Gravy Train
15. Little Jimmy Dickens – Hillbilly Fever