I picked up this wire recorder at an estate sale for $25. Here’s one of the home recordings with it. It’s definitely inspired by Perry Como’s version, released in 1950. It sounds pretty good.

Sunday night record project. This is how many 78s fit on these shelves.

Sorting through a new batch of 78s on a Saturday afternoon with @davemoe.bsky.social

The top country hit this week in 1952 was a battle between Hank Thompson’s “Wild Side of Life” and Carl Smith’s version of “Don’t Just Stand There.” 1952 is also the year Carl married June Carter.

Merle Travis, by my favorite artist. If you enjoy random art in your feed, follow Dave!

On this day in 1957, Elvis inhales a porcelain tooth cap during a dance number on the set of Jailhouse Rock.

Recorded April 4, 1934. Milton Brown & His Musical Brownies. “Garbage Man Blues”

On this day in 1958. Tennessee Ernie Ford.

A repost for Jerry Byrd’s birthday. Born on this day in 1920.

More Buck Owens and Jimmy Dean.

On this day in 1957, Elvis Presley put $1000 down to buy Graceland.

On this day in 1961, Ray Price’s tour bus broke in two after the driver swerved off the road to avoid a pickup truck. Everyone was safe. Ray and his band charted a plane to make the show in Corpus Christi.

Jenny Lou Carson, 1945.

March, 1945. Bob Wills.

Happy birthday to Bob Wills, born 120 years ago today. One of my prized possessions is this autographed Bob Wills photo from the mid-1950s. My old Guitar buddy Gary Lambert got this from Bob in person at the Town Hall party show, and his wife Jean gave it to me. Go play some Bob Wills music today!

On this day in 1964, filming began for the first Beatles movie.

On this day in 1958, Marty Robbins was fired by the Grand Ole Opry for criticizing management at WSM.

Audrey Williams was born on this day in 1923. She shared a birthday with steel player Don Helms (1927) who is also on this recording.

Drifting Cowboy and steel guitar legend Don Helms was born on this day in 1927. But did you know his very first recording session was with Ernest Tubb?

Happy birthday, Johnny Cash. Johnny claimed this song was inspired by Ernest Tubb. When Tubb recorded his own version of it, Johnny said that he only believed he had truly “made it” as an artist after he heard Tubb singing one of his songs.

Still celebrating Faron Young’s birthday, here’s a February 1956 ad from Shreveport, Louisiana. Donut Party!

Celebrating Faron Young (February 25, 1932-December 10, 1996). Faron once named “Sweet Dreams” as his favorite song to sing. Written by Don Gibson in 1956, Faron’s version soon passed Don’s in the charts. Patsy Cline revived it a few years later.

February 1958. Buddy Holly.

On this day in 1964: Harold and Louise Harrison receiving the mail on son George’s 21st birthday.

MGM has England’s next number one hit!

Alis Lesley, 1957.

This week in 1959 country fans were listening to Johnny Cash “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town.”

On this day in 1957 Buck Owens signed with Capitol Records. He was in studio as a session player for The Farmer Boys, who had picked 4 of Buck’s songs to record. When producer Ken Nelson discovered this, and that Buck was in negotiations with Don Law at Columbia, he convinced him to sign that day.

Orville Couch was born on this day in 1935. (February 21, 1935-May 26, 2002)

Laurie Records celebrating their second anniversary February, 1960.

On this day in 1957, Webb Pierce left the Grand Ole Opry for the second time. He did not agree with the artists paying fees.

1935 Gibson Guitars Quarter Century Club. Seven men who had worked at Gibson for at least 25 years. (The Kalamazoo Gazette)

Born on this day in 1914, Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski. We know him as Pee Wee King.

“Aw, Billy Byrd now..." Remembering Billy Byrd (February 17, 1920-August 7, 2001). Known as lead guitarist for Ernest Tubb, and for the Gibson Byrdland guitar, Billy’s jazz background had a significant impact on Nashville guitarists. In 1959 he released this solo album: I Love a Guitar.

Like many others in the late 30s, Kentucky natives George and Leslie York moved to Detroit for the auto industry. In 1939 they recorded their first record as The York Brothers, “Hamtramck Mama.” By the spring of 1940 it was a huge hit in Detroit—and was banned by the Mayor of nearby Hamtramck.

On this day in 1955, Elvis Presley opened for Hank Snow at the high school field house in Odessa, Texas. Roy Orbison was in the audience.

Fotoprint Company ad with Faron Young.

On this day in 1958. Jerry Lee Lewis.

Capitol Records loves disc jockeys.

1966 NYE party at young adult club The Winchester Cathedral, serving only near beer, coke, coffee, and hot chocolate. Featuring the underground sounds of The Blue House Basement (pictured) and Sly and the Family Stone.

Tennessee Ernie Ford was born on this day in 1919.

Liberty Records, 1964.

More Gene Vincent on his birthday.

Gene Vincent was born on this day in 1935.

A pioneer of blues, Josh White was born on this day in 1914.

A February 1964 article on the ratings success of The Beatles Ed Sullivan performance. I like the bonus Libby’s Tomato Juice and Buck Owens ads. I’d definitely go to that Valentine’s Day show!

On this day in 1964, The Beatles made their legendary first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. There were mixed reviews.

This week in 1950, country music fans were listening to “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” by Red Foley.

In 1960 Elvis broke his little finger playing football. He stayed overnight in the hospital for this? Be careful out there today!

The Texas Troubadour, Ernest Tubb, was born on this day in 1914.