Country Legends Q&A: Week of September 28, 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: Collin Raye is a dynamite performer in concert and has a great voice as well as seeming to be the type of person you'd be proud to call your friend. We haven't heard from him in a long while. Does he plan to jump back into the music scene?
Wilma, Pinetops, N.C.

A: Collin's publicist Kirt Webster says he definitely is back, and adds, "Time has only strengthened Collin's voice and reinforced his ability to translate emotions into words." Raye has been back in the studio recording a new album for Aspirion Records, which will be released on October 25, 2005. Title of the CD will be Twenty Years and Change and it'll include a new single, "I Know That's Right." Collin is certainly no stranger to the hit lists. His first No. 1 song was "Love, Me" in late 1991. So, Wilma, you and the remainder of his legion of fans now have something to look forward to.

Q: I remember hearing a song years ago—I think the title was "Cotton Jenny." I think Anne Murray sang it but I cannot find a CD with this song on it. Could you please help me?
Jamie, Rupert, Idaho

A: Sure, Jamie. You're right about Anne Murray. She brought it out on her 1974 LP, Country. It was released as a single and rose to No. 11 on the charts. Her recording was preceded by Lynn Anderson, who recorded the song in 1972 on her album Cry, but Lynn's record company never brought it out as a single. If you're into Anne Murray's music in a big way, her box set, Now and Forever, contains it. You can also find it on a couple of less expensive CD sets from Anne.

Q: Lew, I do research for our local AM Classic Country Music station. I have a show on Wednesdays and the following has come up and I can't find the answer. Hopefully, you can help. Who was the first to record "Games People Play" and "Honeyeyed Girl."
Liz, Amarillo, Texas

A: Glad to help a fellow radio person, Liz. I'm batting 50 percent on this one. "Games People Play" was out by Freddy Weller in early 1969. Pop fans will remember the Joe South version, which came out around Christmastime later the same year. Unfortunately, I can find nothing on the other song. Perhaps some readers will know. Also, let me give away a trade secret. I program my own Classic Country show and get a lot of information for this column from a book called Top Country Singles 1944-2001 by Joel Whitburn, published by Record Research, Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wis. A new edition is due out in October, which will include songs in the first half of 2005. Joel's website is recordresearch.com. The book is not cheap, but as a research tool for your show, it's well worth it.

Q: I know that John Conlee is supposed to have had a new album out late last year, called Classics. This is something I'd really love to have, however I can't find it anywhere. Where might I buy it? Thank you and keep up the good work.
Brandon, Chapel Hill, Tenn.

A: He did indeed bring it out, Brandon. The quickest way to get it is to access his website, johnconlee.com, and order it direct from John. It's a great CD, and John told me in a Classic Hit Country interview backstage at the Ryman Auditorium that it took him several years to acquire the rights to his masters so that he could release the album. And even though the CD does not say so, these are the originals and not re-recordings. I highly recommend it.

Q: Who sings the country song " Colorado"? Someone said Merle Haggard, but I can't find it. Can you help?
Nicole, Montreal, Mo.

A: In this case, Nicole, your "someone" was correct. Merle has it on his album The Roots of My Raisin', which he brought out in 1976. Linda Ronstadt had recorded a version of it in 1973. The only place I could immediately find Merle's version is on an import album which has two of his original Capitol albums, the other one being My Love Affair With Trains.

Q: Who sings "Cowboy Logic"?
Kelly, Mansfield, Ohio

A: Michael Martin Murphey.