In this week's episode we're featuring the one album release for dobro-maestro Randy Kohrs and his short-lived band The Reel Deal: Now It's Empty (2003). Produced by the Iowa native in his own Slack Key Studio, Now It's Empty was mostly recorded without overdubs using Royer, Vintage RCA and Fostex ribbon microphones to emulate a 1950s feel. With several originals fitting the mould beautifully, well-chosen covers from the George Jones catalogue, James O'Gwynn and a couple from Stonewall Jackson slide into that old school vibe nicely and Kohrs own bluegrass-suited tenor lead vocal gives a strong foundation on which to lean. Production remained understated yet twangy and with steel guitar from the sensational John Hughey (still sounding magnificent even in his late 60s), Now It's Empty is a solid album that went under the radar at the time and is worth a re-listen.
HOUR 1:
1. Randy Kohrs – Kiss You Hello (2003)
2. NEW MUSIC FEATURE: The Broken Spokes – Someday, Not Today (2022)
3. NEW MUSIC FEATURE: Brennen Leigh & Ray Benson – In Texas With A Band (2022)
4. Randy Kohrs – Just One More (2003)
5. Randy Kohrs – Preserving Your Wildlife (2003)
6. Randy Kohrs – Now It’s Empty (2003)
7. George Ducas – I’m Pretending (1997)
8. Jay Lee Webb – The Cutest Truck Driver (1969)
9. Johnnie & Jack – The Moon Is High And So Am I (1962)
BUMPER: Buck Owens – Orange Blossom Special
10. The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers – Eatin’ Out Of Your Hand (1961)
11. Loretta Lynn – Sweet Dreams (1977)
12. Loretta Lynn – This Haunted House (1964)
13. Loretta Lynn – They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy (1974)
14. Willie Nelson – Amazing Grace [Live] (1976)
HOUR 2:
1. Howard Crockett – I’ve Got You Worried Too (1960)
2. AUSSIE INJECTION: Stan Coster – The Wobbly Boot Hotel
3. AUSSIE INJECTION: Stan Coster – Your Country’s Been Sold
4. Patsy Cline – How Can I Face Tomorrow (1960)
5. Tex Williams – She’s Someone Else’s Heartache Now (1967)
6. Randy Kohrs – Blues Plus Booze Means I Lose (2003)
7. Randy Kohrs – I’m Still Awake (2003)
8. The Miller Brothers – Trailways Blues (1955)
9. Mel Street & Sandy Powell – Let’s Put Out The Fire (1970)
10. Kenny Price – Big Operator (1969)
BUMPER: Bob Wills – San Antonio Rose
11. Roy Hogsed – Stretchin’ A Point Or Two (1952)
12. COUNTRY COVERS: Benny Martin – You Are The One (1961)
13. COUNTRY COVERS: The Malpass Brothers – Give Me More, More More (2007)
14. COUNTRY COVERS: Reno & Smiley – Freight Train Boogie (1959)
15. SHOT OF STEEL: Freddie Hart – Blue (1956)
16. Charlie Walker – Gonna Drink Milwaukee Dry (1973)
17. Randy Kohrs – You Never Cared About Me (2003)
18. Loretta Lynn – Will The Circle Be Unbroken (1997)
HOUR 3: If That Ain’t Country’s Year In Country Music - 1952
1. Ray Price – Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
2. Jack Hart – Rabbits Don’t Ever Get Married
3. Webb Pierce – So Used To Loving You
4. Hank Thompson – The Wild Side Of Life
5. Kitty Wells – It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
6. Johnny Horton – The Child’s Side Of Life
7. Mervin Shiner – Landslide Of Love
8. Skeets McDonald – Be My Life’s Companion
9. Carl Smith – It’s A Lovely, Lovely World
10. The Maddox Brothers & Rose – I’ll Make Sweet Love To You
BUMPER: Buck Owens – Orange Blossom Special
11. Billy Strange – The Almanac Song
12. Eddy Arnold – A Full Time Job
13. Hank Williams – Take These Chains From My Heart
14. Hank Williams – Your Cheatin’ Heart
15. Ernest Tubb & Red Foley – Too Old To Cut The Mustard
16. Grandpa Jones – Stop That Tickelin’ Me
17. Martha Carson – Old Blind Barnabuss
18. Hank Snow – Music Makin’ Mama From Memphis