88.1 KDHX Saint Louis

Back Country as usual today. Hard to believe it's already August.

From the Lenox label in 1962. A set of music in memory of John McHenry, longtime co-host here on KDHX, who passed away last week. John and co-host Denny Clancy, both members of the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame, turned Thursdays into Blursdays with blues, r and b, soul, gospel and occasionally country music. In addition, John's day job was a teacher of children and adolescents with significant behavioral concerns. His heart was true and we'll send this set of artists you could hear on any Blursday show out to John's family and Denny Clancy and his family.

Another 1962 release, this track was written by steel guitarist and band leader Ted Daffan. Brother Ray created a whole new audience of country music fans with this and subsequent releases.

Joe Tex was born August 8, 1935 and here he covers a Roger Miller song. This is from 1968 on Dial Records, which was operated by Buddy Killen.

A set of music for my dog, Molly, who turns three years old on Thursday. We got her when she was eight weeks old from a fine rescue organization, Partners for Pets in Troy, IL.

Edwardsville musician Don Starwalt shares a birthday with Molly, and this is an original tune of his. The album consists mostly of songs inspired from his days living in the Arrowhead in Minnesota on the Superior shore..

One of my favorite dog songs, performed as only Bryan Bowers can. Molly did help us get rid of a lot of stuff in the early days of her puppyhood.

From the Decca label in 1958.

Charlie's professional start in music was with his family band performing country music on an Iowa radio station. Dan Tyminski on the vocal here on one Jimmy Martin made famous, with Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Ricky Skaggs, Bryan Sutton and two of the Haden triplets, Rachel and Petra on background vocals.

One of Dan Fogelberg's finest songwriting efforts, here as part of a tribute album that includes folks like Vince Gill, Boz Skaggs, Richie Furay and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

A set of requests in this set, this 1954 recording for Capitol Records made by Bill and Annabelle in Farmington.

Matt requested Don Gibson and I chose this Louisiana Hayride performance of his most well-known composition. From a July 15, 1961 appearance.

From Marty's 1959 Grammy-winning album, a listener requested this classic tune,

A Willie-themed set here, as birthday boy, Raul Malo covers one Willie wrote for his film, "Honeysuckle Rose" in 1980. Sending this one out to Jim Merello.

From Willie's latest release and his 72nd studio album, one that Willie co-wrote with Buddy Cannon. Willie will be 90 miles from St. Louis at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, August 16th, 8PM.

Paul Jarvis does All-Willie performances among his musical talents, and he may just slip in a Willie song or two when he and the Old Barnboys play their Stovall's Grove debut next Friday, August 12th, 7:30PM.

From Linda's 1974 album, "Heart Like a Wheel" on Capitol Records, one written by the late Paul Craft. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, the same year he died at the age of 76.

Marcia Ball fronted The Firedogs in Austin, TX for this 1972 recording, which Jerry Wexler produced. However, he was unsuccessful in getting the band to sign with Atlantic. Marcia has gone on to become the Queen of New Orleans Piano and she's in town on August 14th for a 6:45 set as part of the Blues at the Arch series.

Brand new music from Kelsey Waldon, released on John Prine's label. I suppose I could have played this one in my dog set too.

Four County Music Hall of Famers with birthdays this week are featured in this set. This is from the Decca label in 1957, one co-written by Buck Peddy and the man singing the next song, Mel Tillis. Mel wrote and co-wrote a number of songs which Webb recorded.

A double album of songs all written by Shel Silverstein. Another dog reference, but these dogs include, Mel Tillis, Jerry Reed, Waylon Jennings and Bobby Bare.

A classic country shuffle from the Thin Man from West Plains, recorded in 1965 for the RCA label.

Buck was originally reluctant to book this date, but it turned into a hugely positive event for he and the Buckaroos, recorded March 25, 1966.

Regular listener James requested this composition of Rodney's, as James shares a birthday with him on August 7th.

Steve St. Cyr's Songbird Cafe series at The Focal Point usually involves four singer/songwriters in the round, but on September 28th, Rodney Crowell is the exclusive artist. Rodney name checks lots of people he first met when he moved to Nashville.

Darrell Scott is 59 years old today and in 2015 he recorded an album of songs written by the late Ben Bullington, a physician who was dying at a young age. A songwriter session in the round with Darrell and Ben, Rodney Crowell and Will Kimbrough to benefit Ben was followed by Darrell's release of this album. A pointed indictment of Nashville and some of its mainstream acts.

An album of traditional country songs includes this Felice and Boudleaux Bryant lament. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1991.

A set of music closing out today's show with a salute to Mr. Fender's Telecaster. He was born August 10, 1909 in Fullerton, CA and an early model he gave to Jimmy Bryant was called The Broadcaster. This is from a 1965 Capitol recording.

The Titan of the Telecaster wrote this paean to Leo Fender and made it the title track of this 2006 release.

Albert Lee has played with these guys for 25 years and they prove the title with a version of the Johnny Burnette song that indeed tears it up.

Telecaster veterans on this cut include James Burton, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, John Jorgenson, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner