Thanks so much for reviewing the Texas Troubadour.....Mr. Ernest Tubb. My Mother, as a 14 year old girl, went to see Ernest Tubb, who was appearing at her high school back in 1941. That was the same year that he had out his very first hit record "Walking The Floor Over You". R. I. P. Ernest Tubb Billy Byrd🎸 Leon Rhodes 🎸
Bob Wills is my wife's great great uncle I believe! She took a picture with his little shrine at the country music hall of fame! Love Waylon Jennings song "Bob Wills is still the king" 👍
Fil!!!!.... I got to play the midnight jamboree in 2015 with Leon... He was like 83 years old It was Ernest Tubbs 101st birthday celebration... He still had it bless his heart he played like silk
Phil, Ernest had an oversized, upside down THANKS on the back of his guitars. When he finished any performance, he'd step back, flip his guitar and flash an even bigger smile. Yes, he made himself loveable
Oh gosh! I love Ernest Tubb. His music reminds me of my childhood. They dressed so cool. The songs were so real. Today would have been my mom’s 91st birthday so I needed this memory. Thanks so much Fil.
His "Walking the floor over you" is still one of the greatest Country songs ever written. The idea for it came to him, he was pressed, he needed another song to record for his record session so he was anxious "I gotta write me a song" and he was pacing the floor and the idea came to him ´walking the floor´ and he added ´over you´ that made it a love-affair gone wrong. He tells all about this in "The 50 year History of Country Music 1922-1972" narrated by Hugh Cherry.
P.S. *"Lonesome 7-7203"* is a 1963 single by Hawkshaw Hawkins, *written by Justin Tubb.* It was the final single release of his career, released in 1963 on the King label.
Hiya Fil - Strangely enough, I JUST NOW saw this video... Two years after you loaded it. I had to tell you that YES, all of E.T.'s band members were incredible! When I was living in Nashville in the 90s, I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Rhodes AND one of the Buddys simultaneously... It was Buddy Charleton. I used to do a damn good Ernest Tubb impression and had the pleasure of doing a few shows singing in front of Leon and Buddy... I cherish those memories. If you get the chance, look for the old Ernest Tubb television show here on the Toob... You'll be captivated by hearing Charlton and Rhodes playing together! Total sympatico. Also, even though I never was blessed to meet E.T., I think that he was so incredibly popular because he was supposed to be really approachable and genuine... And even though he didn't sing like a bird, I think a lot of his male fans thought "I can sing like that, too" making him really popular to a really wide audience. OH! You forgot to mention his son, Justin... He was a pretty well known performer in his own right, too... He did some pretty great stuff bordering on Rockabilly in the mid Fifties and continued performing well into the Eighties. Cheers!
They say that a person of high culture is someone who can hear Rossini's William Tell Overture and not think Hi-Yo Silver! I say a true country music fan is someone who when he hears "ET" thinks "Walkin' the Floor" and not a space alien trying to phone home.
You’re so right! That was basically the prerequisite among other things during the early years was to be a jazz musician in order to be a Troubadour. Musicians would come from all around during the shows to watch the Troubadours play their jazz sets before ET came on. Everyone loved Ernest of course but the Troubadours also had their fan base and followers. Were you ever able to go to any of their shows?
@@tammyslaughter9587 Sadly, no. I'm German and was only 16 years old when Mr. Tubb passed away. So it wasn't quite around the corner and at the time I was more into Punk Rock.
@UCdOEkTgtFufJjwbudVpDTiA Man, I wish I'd been there. But as it stands, I'll just keep plucking my bass, playing Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Outlaw Country and Bakersfield stuff. Like here: czcams.com/video/cDA1Bkjb2yA/video.html and here: czcams.com/video/I_Sd1CwnA1A/video.html
@@tammyslaughter9587hello Tammy, I was fortunate to get to a few of their shows back in the day! Been a fan since I was 14 yrs. old & adored B. Charlton's style of playing on his Sho-Bud steel, just loved he & Leon's style. I was pleasantly surprised seeing this British guy review E.T./Troubadours, very cool!! Btw, did you ever see them play?
Fil you’re playing just like a country boy. Only thing missing is “yeehaw!” My dad played guitar and this is the type of music he played. I. Miss him so much. Thanks for the great memories.
So true, C&W like the Blues, is all about the STORY that's being told. Worked with a girl, when the subject came to music, she said "I don't know anything except ET." We said "Who?" She said "Ernest Tubb". Went on to tell us her Dad only listened to ET, she said he had a life size photo on partical board of him at home. That he cried & went into mourning when ET died. (I've heard of fans, but nothing like that.) This music brings back my childhood as I've said. ET!!!!
Thanks for showing such respect to Ernest...he was one of the first to have an electric guitar used in county music. Even Elvis counts Tubb among his influences.
I opened for ET once and he with the entire band were so nice to work with. My string broke during the set and Pete changed it while I played his guitar. Class acts.
Growing up I never like this kind of music , I was into pop. ,rock music,but this reminds me of my dad ,he loved all those country singers . My daddy was 90 and he passed away 2 week ago today and I wish he was still here ,he would love to see this analysis of Ernest Tubb. This analysis was great !! Thank you Fil !! You are so Awesome as always !! 😊
Fil, I can't help chuckling. Watching you watch these classic artists, the musicians, and seeing you smile with such appreciation and happiness always makes the video for me. I appreciate you reviewing more than just rock. The fact that you cover and appreciate different genres is great! Keep up the good work!
I totally agree with you, I also watched his expression & was happy to see that smile of appreciation there! Thank you, Phil/Fil, not sure of your spelling, spotlighting E.T./Troubadours for us Country fans. Btw, I just joined your page because of this review! 👍🎶
Drummer Buddy Rich was pretty closed minded about country music. He appeared on the Mike Douglas show years ago and said that country music was a 'giant step backwards". He let his tunnel vision get in the way of seeing the talent that was being displayed in the genre. czcams.com/video/g67-LyG6JBY/video.html
Really appreciate and enjoyed the fact that you seemed to like and appreciate Ernest and the Troubadours here. I’d like to add that the drummer is also a very talented and tremendous musician. His name is Jan Kurtis Skugstad, originally from Stavanger, Norway but grew up in Seattle Washington. He went on to play with many other artists including Bobby Goldsboro. I was a kid but I knew Leon, Jan, and later Buddy Charleton who played after Buddy Emmons. It was pretty much a prerequisite to be a jazz musician to be able to be a Troubadour during the earlier times. The Troubadours were able to extend their chops and play jazz or whatever they wanted during a set before Ernest came on, and once he was introduced and on stage they would shift right into country. Ernest toured around three hundred days out of the year so these guys were a very tight band. My dad came on the band a few years after this and was a Texas Troubadour for years after. Thank you very much for doing this and thank you for the respect you showed even though it is a totally different era and genre from what you are used to. Music is a universal language for all to enjoy.
The pedal steel rules! ET had some great songs like "Walking The Floor Over You", "Waltz Across Texas", and "Thanks A Lot". One of the last songs he recorded was "Leave Them Boys Alone" with Hank, Jr. and Waylon Jennings. Great job as always.
This reminds me so much of my early childhood. My father played this style of music on guitar, mandolin and Hawaiian guitar. So talented. I still miss him every day.
Thanks for covering ET and the Troubadours! I had the pleasure of hearing them twice from front row seats in the early 1960s. A hot band for sure and Ernest's engaging personality. I also saw him again in 1982 in the last year he toured.
Thank you for doing this. I played in a band many years ago. I played lead, rhythm, and did harmony and some lead vocals for a group, and Ernest was who helped bring “County Music” from beating on rocks (with sticks and bones) to some pretty good and cool stuff from Buck Owens and the Buckaroos to other artists. Ernest was shunned by the “establishment” of country music for a while because he was the first to introduce drums (god forbid) and electrical leads in his music; thankfully the establishment found their way through their pocketbooks of money to forgive him. This is why I love British (I hope that you are British…no bad intentions are intended) because when it comes to music, you guys (and gals) are fearless when it comes to enjoying music of all genres. The Beatles loved Buck Owens, and he loved them. The love for music should not be all this or that: Music should always be an appreciation for really good sound from no matter what genre it comes. By the way: Your licks on Leon Rhodes’s, Driving Nails in My Coffin, we’re fantastic. Thank you for doing these videos. ❤️
Originally, Ernest Tubb had a Jimmie Rodgers-type voice but a botched operation, tonsils I think, gave him that signature sound. At that time, it was said that no one in Nashville could pick faster than Leon Rhodes.
If I'm not mistaken, Frank Sinatra lost his voice completely due to vocal chord hemorraging for about a few months during around 1950s. When he started singing again, some said that his voice had a richer tone to it.
Great choice covering Ernest Tubb, Fil. I think Ernest is my favorite all around C&W singer--a true legend. Those guys could really swing. Check out "Big City" for a quintessential Ernest Tubb groove.
Ernest Tubb! I have loved his voice and all of his songs since I was a teenager. He could do a sad song then an upbeat song and you you know he meant it. Thank you for featuring him, and actually knowing his music! And, of course your guitar picking is unparalled! Earnest Tubb. Just WOW!
FABULOUS....Good old swing music, nothing like it.....And this is incredible, such talent, he was really something....I met him, as a child I think I was 7 or 8, I think it was 1962, ,....( .back in the day , when parents could take the kids anywhere, lol.) Actually, had my photo taken with him, but I have no idea what happened to that photo. I have always been a fan.... And loved the analysis, you did a mighty fine job there !! ....Thank you, Fil!!
I had the honor of Mr. Tubb's band as a guest singer as a teenager in Belvedere IL near where I lived in Rockford IL USA. A small bar setting. Such a thrill for 14 year old playing the record I had recorded and Mr. Tubb sang with me. So fun to play twin lead with his guitarist as well. Love your analysis Fil. Enjoying my t-shirt that I got from you.
Listen to "Cocaine and Rhinestones" podcast by Tyler Mahen Coe for the full scoop on Tubb and 20th century country music. But great performance. Thanks for the time spent on a hero. Cheers.
As you mentioned, it was Jimmie's widow that helped Ernest break into the business. Also, Ernest had experienced tragedy early on in 1938 when his 7 week old son, Roger Dale was killed in a car wreck while his mother was driving. His song, "Our Baby's Book" is written about that son. Ernest's oldest son, Justin Tubb, went on to become a singer. Towards the end of his own life, he made some duets with recordings his father made before he died.
He was also responsible for getting Hank Williams Sr onto the Grand Ol Opry and they toured together for quite some time. Were really good friends. When they sang trio with Little Jimmy Dickens they would hold him up in the air between them so he was same height.
In Nashville on holiday we had a look around the tour bus he had during the late 50s, At the time it would have been a super bus. Buddy Emmons became a legendary steel player. Great footage. 🎸🎼🎤
Fil, I have a request to analyze the works of the legendary Country music artist, Hank Snow. I'd love to hear your take on him & also his famous Martin guitar pickin'! Would love it! 👍🎶
I just stumbled across this. Thanks so much, Fil! Ernest Tubb's music is Texas swing. You can hear the drummer laying down the 2 and the 4. The playing is relaxed, kinda behind the beat like swing/jazz. BTW, he had a drummer, which most Nashville bands didn't have at that time. Texas Swing was dance hall music, so it needed to be louder (drums and electric guitars) and it needed to swing. Nashville was by that time going with strings and lots of vocal harmonies and did not swing.
Fil I love how you light up and huge smile when you listen to good music ❤️ My dad was a country music singer this reminds me of him as he passed 2 years ago 😇😭
Wow! Thank you do much for doing this one Fil! There is so much going on in this. In addition to Leon's clean guitar picking and Buddys 'fire' on that steel solo and the tasty sounding fills in the background. There are subtle things to point out in this style of music, As you mentioned, the drummer playing the high hat in the verses then going to a full nice slapping snare hit on the up-beats in the chorus during the lyrical hook line. Also, 'listen' that that standup bass doing those walk downs on Leon's solo and especially in the second verse right afterwards! Nothing like the sound of great "bass fiddle" playing!! Awesome stuff! Simple but so effective which is what it's all about.
I truly appreciate the wide variety of music styles you cover! I'm a classic rock fan, but this old country was played constantly in my house growing up so I've really come to appreciate it now that I'm older. Thanks for this video! It was like a trip back in time to my childhood!
I love watching your smiles when these guys play. I watch your channel not because I can play a guitar (which I would love to learn how to play but have no clue) but because I can tell you flippin’ love what you do. You’re great.
Could you imagine what it was like to have Buddy and Leon in your country band? I’ve tried to cover Thanks A Lot and realized how special ETs vocal skill is on those recordings.
With the feet AND the knees. There's levers underneath the guitar that do the same thing as the pedals. Buddy was/is/will always be the best. When he played the back neck (C6th), no one could touch him. His understanding of playing Jazz was incredible.
You continue to surprize me Fil when I think of some old song and look for it and find that you have done a review of it. No mention of the power control on the snare drum on a few specific licks to sound like the typical cadence of a 16 ounce claw hammer driving 10 penny box nails into pine lumber during the line driving nails in my coffin. Such a simple song but there are layers and layers of sneaky details in the performance. Something to remind the younger among us about these old recordings is that the recording technology had nowhere near the dynamic range of modern recording and playback equipment and that limitation really influenced the sounds musicians would try to make, so it would come through. Everything had to be clearer and sharper. I think part of the attraction to E.T. was the fact that most anyone could actually sing along and do better than the record and that made his songs approachable, down to earth like listening to your next door neighbor play. Thanks, thanks a lot! ; )
Western Swing. Saw Ernest at the Corral Club in Seaside, CA in 1979. Got an autographed picture. Seaside is right next to the former Ft. Ord. He had a strong military following.
You finally did it! I've been waiting for you to do a video on Ernest, and you did a hell of a job analyzing both his and his band's playing! Ernest is my favourite country artist, so thank you for making this video!
Another wonderful analysis. When Leon and Buddy take off on solos, your smiling ear to ear. There's something "freeing" when listening to old traditional C&W and Blues that despite the dark lyrics, you can't help but to feel good. My father played guitar in this style and even appeared on the Wheeling Jamboree (West Virginia's version of the Grand Ole Opry) and probably where part of my musicality comes from. Thanks.
Oh, Fil, I had so much fun bouncing around in my chair to this music. This was a little before my time and I had never known his music, but I noticed that in Country Music you can have a good time even when sad things are happening to you, lyrically speaking. Thanks for the great history lesson. My Daddy was a guitarist and did play some old Country Songs to me, and that is how I learned one of my first songs "The Midnight Special". You are always so engaging when the "ever loving light" shines on you. :)
A wonderful video. It's nice to see younger musicians still studying these performances that, unfortunately, even in the U.S. are largely forgotten. Buddy Emmons is simply a magician on the steel guitar. He left Tubb about a year after this and went to work with Ray Price, doing some of the finest solo work you'll find on Price's recording of "Night Life", which has to be one of Price's greatest tunes. Thanks again.
I'm sure someone else has mentioned it, but there is a response to this song. Jerry Irby released "Answer To Drivin' Nails In My Coffin" in 1947. In that version, it's the man telling his girl to stop drinking as she is "driving nails in her coffin" as it were.
Phil I love your analysis’! I just linked this to my brother (been doing this ever since I discovered your channel!) and told him it’s like you take the whole song, put it through a screen and pick out the diamonds.
Dear Fil. I was wondering can you do a little documentary on the late Bob Moore. Well. Jack Drake was the original upright bass player with Ernest, and he taught a young shoeshine boy that would later complete more than 17,000 sessions. I think you know what I’m talking about. Love your videos, dude. Keep ‘em flowing 👍
That was a treat mainly because my dad who played guitar and sang so well from being a fan of Ernest Tubb for which he got into country and western music. Great to see and wonderful analyses as usual Fil !!!
Growing up, only heard C&W music. They were the heart of country. You knew who was singing as many singers voices were distinct. They weren't carbon copy singers, all soundings the same. Same with Tex Ritter or Web Pierce, not great voices but gave all to the audiences.
My parents married in the '40s. I remember my mother singing "I'm Walking The Floor Over You", "Hey Good Lookin", "Don't Fence Me in," "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", etc., around the house. We watched "The Grand Ol' Opry" and my folks bought me a guitar and some lessons. I preferred playing football to practicing, but years later I did get to perform on stage with a band in local honky tonks. As Waylon said, "It's a measure of people who don't understand". Thanks for the reminder.
Excellent analysis! I discovered this song from listening to Willie Nelson's Roadhouse on Sirius XM last summer. You summed it up - the song and their playing is SOOO relaxed, yet as tight and technical as anything I have ever heard. It really kicks and takes on a very cool rockabilly vibe. The beat is kept so perfect, it's sounds like it is synched to the Bureau of Standards Atomic Clock. And may I say - you are quite a guitar player yourself to play this like you did.
As you pointed out, ET always downplayed his own singing ability, but I think he was brilliant. To me, he had the ability to sing on the "razor edge of flat". It produced a unique sound that is very hard to duplicate. You impressed the hell out of me here with your musical ability. You decipher EXACTLY what is going on here and reproduced it flawlessly. You are clearly an excellent musician with a penetrating and precise musical mind and a born teacher. You helped me duplicate the guitar line on my Korg arranger. To me, this song could easily slide right into some rockabilly as played by the Stray Cats! And the way they completely avoid the looming pregnant F chord here - delicious torture. I love your channel. Keep up the great work.
This is a very cool performance by all the players. to bad the camera did not zoom out more when Ernest was singing we miss his fingers picking. great rundown Fil.
Wow, was that performance ever a pleasant surprise! Most country music hits my ears like a banshee's nails 'cross a blackboard, the same way that hymns do. Ernest however, has here a fine contrast between his down and dirty lyrics and an energetic, upbeat, melody well played. No nasal whining about a life in the gutter but, instead, a brave front 'gainst life's vicissitudes. And kudos to his nice and tight band. Thanks again for introducing me to an artist who I doubt that I would otherwise have heard! 😎🎸🎤☀️
Nice to see my dad's favorite country singer getting a little love on the channel. Thanks. Btw, you missed mentioning ET's "signature lick" which tags most every solo every played for him, no matter who the guitarist was - 2-b3-3 (played as a triplet usually) and then the 1 an octave higher aa quarter or half note.
I enjoy most of your selections and what your site is all about. You have a great attitude towards the stuff you feel is important to convey. You have a great way of talking to these video's and showing us some key licks at the same time. Hats off to you.
Thanks for this one, FIL. This is GOOOOOD Country Music! Back then, the singers may not be so great, but when he started, you knew who he was. Many great popular singers owe their careers to Ernest Tubb. (Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Jack Greene, and on....)
Great video as usual. Fil, I truly appreciate the respectful attitude you have toward the artists you review. So many often degrade country artists. Rarely do you see Roy Clark or Jerry Reed on lists of " the greatest guitarists of all tine" lists. You are a class act and a true music lover without the arrogance. Love your channel.
TIME STAMPS -
0:36 PERFORMANCE
3:39 Analysis Start
4:50 Ernest's Vocal
6:29 Guitar Rhythm
8:49 Leon's Lead
12:30 Inserting the Hop!
13:44 Dynamics
15:19 Brief History/Career
~5:00... LOVE the way you say "honky Tonk"!!!
Thanks so much for reviewing the Texas Troubadour.....Mr. Ernest Tubb.
My Mother, as a 14 year old girl, went to see Ernest Tubb, who was appearing at her high school back in 1941. That was the same year that he had out his very first hit record "Walking The Floor Over You".
R. I. P.
Ernest Tubb
Billy Byrd🎸
Leon Rhodes 🎸
Just like Bob Wills’ band, those boys could play.
Bob Wills is my wife's great great uncle I believe! She took a picture with his little shrine at the country music hall of fame! Love Waylon Jennings song "Bob Wills is still the king" 👍
Take it away, Leon....
Fil!!!!.... I got to play the midnight jamboree in 2015 with Leon... He was like 83 years old It was Ernest Tubbs 101st birthday celebration... He still had it bless his heart he played like silk
Thank you for posting this
Phil, Ernest had an oversized, upside down THANKS on the back of his guitars. When he finished any performance, he'd step back, flip his guitar and flash an even bigger smile. Yes, he made himself loveable
Yup. He took that from Jimmie Rodgers, in fact he played Jimmie’s guitar for many years that was on loan to him.
Aside from his performances, the amount of incredible songs that Tubb wrote is truly impressive. Even Hank Williams was amazed at his writing skill.
Oh gosh! I love Ernest Tubb. His music reminds me of my childhood. They dressed so cool. The songs were so real. Today would have been my mom’s 91st birthday so I needed this memory. Thanks so much Fil.
Sweet! Rest in peace Laura's mom.
Hi Laura! Fil happened to have the perfect video for you tonight. ❤️
Hank Wangford described ET as a man who "sang delightfully flat his entire life."
His "Walking the floor over you" is still one of the greatest
Country songs ever written.
The idea for it came to him, he was pressed, he needed
another song to record for his record session so he was
anxious "I gotta write me a song" and he was pacing the
floor and the idea came to him ´walking the floor´ and he
added ´over you´ that made it a love-affair gone wrong.
He tells all about this in "The 50 year History of Country
Music 1922-1972" narrated by Hugh Cherry.
P.S.
*"Lonesome 7-7203"* is a 1963 single by Hawkshaw Hawkins,
*written by Justin Tubb.* It was the final single release of his
career, released in 1963 on the King label.
Hiya Fil -
Strangely enough, I JUST NOW saw this video... Two years after you loaded it.
I had to tell you that YES, all of E.T.'s band members were incredible!
When I was living in Nashville in the 90s, I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Rhodes AND one of the Buddys simultaneously... It was Buddy Charleton.
I used to do a damn good Ernest Tubb impression and had the pleasure of doing a few shows singing in front of Leon and Buddy... I cherish those memories.
If you get the chance, look for the old Ernest Tubb television show here on the Toob... You'll be captivated by hearing Charlton and Rhodes playing together! Total sympatico.
Also, even though I never was blessed to meet E.T., I think that he was so incredibly popular because he was supposed to be really approachable and genuine... And even though he didn't sing like a bird, I think a lot of his male fans thought "I can sing like that, too" making him really popular to a really wide audience.
OH! You forgot to mention his son, Justin... He was a pretty well known performer in his own right, too... He did some pretty great stuff bordering on Rockabilly in the mid Fifties and continued performing well into the Eighties.
Cheers!
They say that a person of high culture is someone who can hear Rossini's William Tell Overture and not think Hi-Yo Silver!
I say a true country music fan is someone who when he hears "ET" thinks "Walkin' the Floor" and not a space alien trying to phone home.
"You can pick E T´s voice out of a million
voices & you can still tell who it is"
-Hank Snow
All his musicians where really Jazz cats. Especially with Leon Rhodes and Buddy Emmons it always shines through.
You’re so right! That was basically the prerequisite among other things during the early years was to be a jazz musician in order to be a Troubadour. Musicians would come from all around during the shows to watch the Troubadours play their jazz sets before ET came on. Everyone loved Ernest of course but the Troubadours also had their fan base and followers. Were you ever able to go to any of their shows?
@@tammyslaughter9587 Sadly, no. I'm German and was only 16 years old when Mr. Tubb passed away. So it wasn't quite around the corner and at the time I was more into Punk Rock.
@UCdOEkTgtFufJjwbudVpDTiA Man, I wish I'd been there. But as it stands, I'll just keep plucking my bass, playing Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Outlaw Country and Bakersfield stuff. Like here:
czcams.com/video/cDA1Bkjb2yA/video.html
and here:
czcams.com/video/I_Sd1CwnA1A/video.html
@@tammyslaughter9587hello Tammy, I was fortunate to get to a few of their shows back in the day! Been a fan since I was 14 yrs. old & adored B. Charlton's style of playing on his Sho-Bud steel, just loved he & Leon's style. I was pleasantly surprised seeing this British guy review E.T./Troubadours, very cool!! Btw, did you ever see them play?
Fil you’re playing just like a country boy. Only thing missing is “yeehaw!” My dad played guitar and this is the type of music he played. I. Miss him so much. Thanks for the great memories.
Going WAY BACK!! I LOVE IT. 👍❤ GREAT to go back to the masters, regardless of the genre. Talent is talent.
I wish I could like this video ten times.
Leon Rhodes and Buddy Emmons, two of the all-time greats. ET could pick a band!
WOW. Ernest Tubb. I never would have imagined he would be a subject for one of these!
Goog Fil.. ET one of the giants in country. Great groove in a swing mode
So true, C&W like the Blues, is all about the STORY that's being told. Worked with a girl, when the subject came to music, she said "I don't know anything except ET." We said "Who?" She said "Ernest Tubb". Went on to tell us her Dad only listened to ET, she said he had a life size photo on partical board of him at home. That he cried & went into mourning when ET died. (I've heard of fans, but nothing like that.) This music brings back my childhood as I've said. ET!!!!
"You can pick Ernest Tubb´s voice out of a
million voices & you can still tell who it is"
-Hank Snow
Thanks for showing such respect to Ernest...he was one of the first to have an electric guitar used in county music. Even Elvis counts Tubb among his influences.
Saw Ernest and The Troubadours a few times in South Texas many years ago. Yep, I'm old .
He was a nice guy and never met a stranger.
That's awesome!
I opened for ET once and he with the entire band were so nice to work with. My string broke during the set and Pete changed it while I played his guitar. Class acts.
Growing up I never like this kind of music , I was into pop. ,rock music,but this reminds me of my dad ,he loved all those country singers . My daddy was 90 and he passed away 2 week ago today and I wish he was still here ,he would love to see this analysis of Ernest Tubb. This analysis was great !! Thank you Fil !! You are so Awesome as always !! 😊
Fil, I can't help chuckling. Watching you watch these classic artists, the musicians, and seeing you smile with such appreciation and happiness always makes the video for me. I appreciate you reviewing more than just rock. The fact that you cover and appreciate different genres is great! Keep up the good work!
Exactly!
I very much admire the incredible respect that Phil gives to the legendary predecessors in all styles of music .. !
I totally agree with you, I also watched his expression & was happy to see that smile of appreciation there! Thank you, Phil/Fil, not sure of your spelling, spotlighting E.T./Troubadours for us Country fans. Btw, I just joined your page because of this review! 👍🎶
I saw him and Justin amongst others at our local fair in the 70s. He shook my hand. I was around 12 or 13 I believe
Country music is always wellcome. It is excellent for your health.
Country ain’t backward and this proves it.
Drummer Buddy Rich was pretty closed minded about country music. He appeared on the Mike Douglas show years ago and said that country music was a 'giant step backwards". He let his tunnel vision get in the way of seeing the talent that was being displayed in the genre.
czcams.com/video/g67-LyG6JBY/video.html
@@Brian-db7ej I didn’t think a whole lot of Buddy either, so I guess we’re even.
Of course country ain’t backward, someone from across the water wants to talk about it! And I’m all ears, best site for me in a while.
Really appreciate and enjoyed the fact that you seemed to like and appreciate Ernest and the Troubadours here. I’d like to add that the drummer is also a very talented and tremendous musician. His name is Jan Kurtis Skugstad, originally from Stavanger, Norway but grew up in Seattle Washington. He went on to play with many other artists including Bobby Goldsboro. I was a kid but I knew Leon, Jan, and later Buddy Charleton who played after Buddy Emmons. It was pretty much a prerequisite to be a jazz musician to be able to be a Troubadour during the earlier times. The Troubadours were able to extend their chops and play jazz or whatever they wanted during a set before Ernest came on, and once he was introduced and on stage they would shift right into country. Ernest toured around three hundred days out of the year so these guys were a very tight band. My dad came on the band a few years after this and was a Texas Troubadour for years after. Thank you very much for doing this and thank you for the respect you showed even though it is a totally different era and genre from what you are used to. Music is a universal language for all to enjoy.
Fascinating comment! You 'll probably know that Bobby Goldsboro was in the great Roy Orbison's band before he went solo.
The pedal steel rules!
ET had some great songs like "Walking The Floor Over You", "Waltz Across Texas", and "Thanks A Lot". One of the last songs he recorded was "Leave Them Boys Alone" with Hank, Jr. and Waylon Jennings.
Great job as always.
This reminds me so much of my early childhood. My father played this style of music on guitar, mandolin and Hawaiian guitar. So talented. I still miss him every day.
Thanks for covering ET and the Troubadours! I had the pleasure of hearing them twice from front row seats in the early 1960s. A hot band for sure and Ernest's engaging personality. I also saw him again in 1982 in the last year he toured.
Thank you for doing this. I played in a band many years ago. I played lead, rhythm, and did harmony and some lead vocals for a group, and Ernest was who helped bring “County Music” from beating on rocks (with sticks and bones) to some pretty good and cool stuff from Buck Owens and the Buckaroos to other artists. Ernest was shunned by the “establishment” of country music for a while because he was the first to introduce drums (god forbid) and electrical leads in his music; thankfully the establishment found their way through their pocketbooks of money to forgive him. This is why I love British (I hope that you are British…no bad intentions are intended) because when it comes to music, you guys (and gals) are fearless when it comes to enjoying music of all genres. The Beatles loved Buck Owens, and he loved them. The love for music should not be all this or that: Music should always be an appreciation for really good sound from no matter what genre it comes. By the way: Your licks on Leon Rhodes’s, Driving Nails in My Coffin, we’re fantastic. Thank you for doing these videos. ❤️
Originally, Ernest Tubb had a Jimmie Rodgers-type voice but a botched operation, tonsils I think, gave him that signature sound. At that time, it was said that no one in Nashville could pick faster than Leon Rhodes.
If I'm not mistaken, Frank Sinatra lost his voice completely due to vocal chord hemorraging for about a few months during around 1950s. When he started singing again, some said that his voice had a richer tone to it.
GlamGal: Yes. That is a little known fact about Sinatra.
Great choice covering Ernest Tubb, Fil. I think Ernest is my favorite all around C&W singer--a true legend. Those guys could really swing. Check out "Big City" for a quintessential Ernest Tubb groove.
Phenomenal musicians and Ernest's voice so strong
I got to see Ernest when I was 12 years old, What a show, this show will be in my Mind Forever, R.I.P. Ernest, Cousin Figel
Old school, nice!!👍
One of the stars of Country Music I listened to growing up in the 50's and 60's. You really need to do Towns Van Zandt
Ernest Tubb! I have loved his voice and all of his songs since I was a teenager. He could do a sad song then an upbeat song and you you know he meant it. Thank you for featuring him, and actually knowing his music! And, of course your guitar picking is unparalled! Earnest Tubb. Just WOW!
FABULOUS....Good old swing music, nothing like it.....And this is incredible, such talent, he was really something....I met him, as a child
I think I was 7 or 8, I think it was 1962, ,....( .back in the day , when parents could take the kids anywhere, lol.) Actually, had my photo taken with him, but I have no idea what happened to that photo. I have always been a fan.... And loved the analysis, you did a mighty fine job there !! ....Thank you, Fil!!
Saw him in concert in 1978 and met him afterwards for an autograph. Very nice man.
I had the honor of Mr. Tubb's band as a guest singer as a teenager in Belvedere IL near where I lived in Rockford IL USA. A small bar setting. Such a thrill for 14 year old playing the record I had recorded and Mr. Tubb sang with me. So fun to play twin lead with his guitarist as well. Love your analysis Fil. Enjoying my t-shirt that I got from you.
Such a wonderful experience!
Listen to "Cocaine and Rhinestones" podcast by Tyler Mahen Coe for the full scoop on Tubb and 20th century country music. But great performance. Thanks for the time spent on a hero. Cheers.
Thanks Fil, awesome as always... who is going to be next, Hank Snow?
Me and mom saw him at the Mudd Club, maybe 1980?
She introduced me and he said "Hi, honey".
Thanks for the nice tribute to a sentimental fave.
I saw Ernest in Dallas in 1974. Great show, from a true Legend.
All right!! Some good western swing honky tonk music. Now your cookin Phil.
Need to review the recent Quebe Sisters
I second the Quebe Sisters Band request.
As you mentioned, it was Jimmie's widow that helped Ernest break into the business. Also, Ernest had experienced tragedy early on in 1938 when his 7 week old son, Roger Dale was killed in a car wreck while his mother was driving. His song, "Our Baby's Book" is written about that son. Ernest's oldest son, Justin Tubb, went on to become a singer. Towards the end of his own life, he made some duets with recordings his father made before he died.
He was also responsible for getting Hank Williams Sr onto the Grand Ol Opry and they toured together for quite some time. Were really good friends. When they sang trio with Little Jimmy Dickens they would hold him up in the air between them so he was same height.
The songs that make you grin the most are always the best Fil!
In Nashville on holiday we had a look around the tour bus he had during the late 50s,
At the time it would have been a super bus.
Buddy Emmons became a legendary steel player.
Great footage. 🎸🎼🎤
Your understanding of every genre is superlative.
Thanks!
Fil, I have a request to analyze the works of the legendary Country music artist, Hank Snow. I'd love to hear your take on him & also his famous Martin guitar pickin'! Would love it! 👍🎶
One of your best discussions Fil. The technical analysis was awesome.
I just stumbled across this. Thanks so much, Fil! Ernest Tubb's music is Texas swing. You can hear the drummer laying down the 2 and the 4. The playing is relaxed, kinda behind the beat like swing/jazz. BTW, he had a drummer, which most Nashville bands didn't have at that time. Texas Swing was dance hall music, so it needed to be louder (drums and electric guitars) and it needed to swing. Nashville was by that time going with strings and lots of vocal harmonies and did not swing.
And yet again, I’m entertained as much from your reaction Fil, and learn to watch for,,as i am entertained by the celebrity. Thank you 🎼👍
Fil I love how you light up and huge smile when you listen to good music ❤️
My dad was a country music singer this reminds me of him as he passed 2 years ago 😇😭
Wow! Thank you do much for doing this one Fil! There is so much going on in this. In addition to Leon's clean guitar picking and Buddys 'fire' on that steel solo and the tasty sounding fills in the background. There are subtle things to point out in this style of music, As you mentioned, the drummer playing the high hat in the verses then going to a full nice slapping snare hit on the up-beats in the chorus during the lyrical hook line. Also, 'listen' that that standup bass doing those walk downs on Leon's solo and especially in the second verse right afterwards! Nothing like the sound of great "bass fiddle" playing!! Awesome stuff! Simple but so effective which is what it's all about.
I'm a fan of Ernest Tubb. Thanks for sharing this analysis video. Cheers, Fil!
*"You can pick Ernest Tubb´s voice out of a*
*million voices & you can still tell who it is"*
-Hank Snow
I truly appreciate the wide variety of music styles you cover! I'm a classic rock fan, but this old country was played constantly in my house growing up so I've really come to appreciate it now that I'm older. Thanks for this video! It was like a trip back in time to my childhood!
I love watching your smiles when these guys play. I watch your channel not because I can play a guitar (which I would love to learn how to play but have no clue) but because I can tell you flippin’ love what you do. You’re great.
Thanks!
Giddy up! 🎶🤠🐎
Fantastic indeed.
Thanks, Fil 🖤🤘🏽
Greathon Fil... it's amazing, I know it's not your wheelhouse but you nailed it! Leon Rhodes was a treasure
Could you imagine what it was like to have Buddy and Leon in your country band? I’ve tried to cover Thanks A Lot and realized how special ETs vocal skill is on those recordings.
With the feet AND the knees. There's levers underneath the guitar that do the same thing as the pedals. Buddy was/is/will always be the best. When he played the back neck (C6th), no one could touch him. His understanding of playing Jazz was incredible.
You continue to surprize me Fil when I think of some old song and look for it and find that you have done a review of it. No mention of the power control on the snare drum on a few specific licks to sound like the typical cadence of a 16 ounce claw hammer driving 10 penny box nails into pine lumber during the line driving nails in my coffin. Such a simple song but there are layers and layers of sneaky details in the performance. Something to remind the younger among us about these old recordings is that the recording technology had nowhere near the dynamic range of modern recording and playback equipment and that limitation really influenced the sounds musicians would try to make, so it would come through. Everything had to be clearer and sharper.
I think part of the attraction to E.T. was the fact that most anyone could actually sing along and do better than the record and that made his songs approachable, down to earth like listening to your next door neighbor play. Thanks, thanks a lot! ; )
Western Swing. Saw Ernest at the Corral Club in Seaside, CA in 1979. Got an autographed picture. Seaside is right next to the former Ft. Ord. He had a strong military following.
Half the fun is watching your reaction, Fil. Great channel, one of the best.
Thanks!
@@wingsofpegasus I find myself smiling at the same time as you!
Ack! Am I first?!! Cool. They are like ducks, all calm on the surface but paddling like crazy underneath! Great analysis!
First for what?
@@ivannovotny4552 First thumbs up! (But I might be wrong...I have been wrong before!)
@@lynndow3185
Love it! Congratulations for your awesome achievement. Cheers.
@@ivannovotny4552 Haha! Yes... my clicking was lightening fast!
I never pictured ducks this way! Yikes. Hi Lynn!
You finally did it! I've been waiting for you to do a video on Ernest, and you did a hell of a job analyzing both his and his band's playing! Ernest is my favourite country artist, so thank you for making this video!
Another wonderful analysis. When Leon and Buddy take off on solos, your smiling ear to ear. There's something "freeing" when listening to old traditional C&W and Blues that despite the dark lyrics, you can't help but to feel good. My father played guitar in this style and even appeared on the Wheeling Jamboree (West Virginia's version of the Grand Ole Opry) and probably where part of my musicality comes from. Thanks.
Great analysis. Really enjoyed it. I wanted to sing like him when I was about 6 years old. Still use some of those signature guitar licks.
Oh, Fil, I had so much fun bouncing around in my chair to this music. This was a little before my time and I had never known his music, but I noticed that in Country Music you can have a good time even when sad things are happening to you, lyrically speaking. Thanks for the great history lesson. My Daddy was a guitarist and did play some old Country Songs to me, and that is how I learned one of my first songs "The Midnight Special". You are always so engaging when the "ever loving light" shines on you. :)
Legend.
Pure country👌👌👌
A wonderful video. It's nice to see younger musicians still studying these performances that, unfortunately, even in the U.S. are largely forgotten. Buddy Emmons is simply a magician on the steel guitar. He left Tubb about a year after this and went to work with Ray Price, doing some of the finest solo work you'll find on Price's recording of "Night Life", which has to be one of Price's greatest tunes. Thanks again.
Learning so much about playing and about musicians I never knew from your excellent analyses.
You're always brilliant! Thanks Fil
Perhaps one day You'll be sporting a "Wings of Pegasus" Cowboy Hat on your channel? 🤠
I'd love to see that!🤠
Ditto
I'm sure someone else has mentioned it, but there is a response to this song.
Jerry Irby released "Answer To Drivin' Nails In My Coffin" in 1947. In that version, it's the man telling his girl to stop drinking as she is "driving nails in her coffin" as it were.
Awesome analysis of Ernest and Leon Rhodes. Leon was one of the greatest pickers of all time.
Fascinating background! The song kind of rocks, at least compared with country of the day
Phil I love your analysis’! I just linked this to my brother (been doing this ever since I discovered your channel!) and told him it’s like you take the whole song, put it through a screen and pick out the diamonds.
Dear Fil.
I was wondering can you do a little documentary on the late Bob Moore. Well. Jack Drake was the original upright bass player with Ernest, and he taught a young shoeshine boy that would later complete more than 17,000 sessions. I think you know what I’m talking about. Love your videos, dude. Keep ‘em flowing 👍
I am so grateful for this video. Thanks a Lot!
Thank you Phil, your tributes are great! I love the respect you give to other musicians and their music.
That was a treat mainly because my dad who played guitar and sang so well from being a fan of Ernest Tubb for which he got into country and western music. Great to see and wonderful analyses as usual Fil !!!
Ernest Tubb had some songs with great storytelling lyrics.
Awesome teaching session on guitar - 🤙🏽🙋🏽
Great video. Thanks for pointing out how the soloists in classic country swing so amazingly.
I never thought he had a good singing voice but, man, he could sing.
Growing up, only heard C&W music. They were the heart of country. You knew who was singing as many singers voices were distinct. They weren't carbon copy singers, all soundings the same. Same with Tex Ritter or Web Pierce, not great voices but gave all to the audiences.
My parents married in the '40s. I remember my mother singing "I'm Walking The Floor Over You", "Hey Good Lookin", "Don't Fence Me in," "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", etc., around the house. We watched "The Grand Ol' Opry" and my folks bought me a guitar and some lessons. I preferred playing football to practicing, but years later I did get to perform on stage with a band in local honky tonks. As Waylon said, "It's a measure of people who don't understand". Thanks for the reminder.
Excellent analysis! I discovered this song from listening to Willie Nelson's Roadhouse on Sirius XM last summer. You summed it up - the song and their playing is SOOO relaxed, yet as tight and technical as anything I have ever heard. It really kicks and takes on a very cool rockabilly vibe. The beat is kept so perfect, it's sounds like it is synched to the Bureau of Standards Atomic Clock. And may I say - you are quite a guitar player yourself to play this like you did.
As you pointed out, ET always downplayed his own singing ability, but I think he was brilliant. To me, he had the ability to sing on the "razor edge of flat". It produced a unique sound that is very hard to duplicate. You impressed the hell out of me here with your musical ability. You decipher EXACTLY what is going on here and reproduced it flawlessly. You are clearly an excellent musician with a penetrating and precise musical mind and a born teacher. You helped me duplicate the guitar line on my Korg arranger. To me, this song could easily slide right into some rockabilly as played by the Stray Cats! And the way they completely avoid the looming pregnant F chord here - delicious torture. I love your channel. Keep up the great work.
Great tune and players , wow
This is a very cool performance by all the players. to bad the camera did not zoom out more when Ernest was singing we miss his fingers picking. great rundown Fil.
Fantastic. Thanks a Lot
Thanks for this detailed musical analysis.
No problem!
Wow, was that performance ever a pleasant surprise! Most country music hits my ears like a banshee's nails 'cross a blackboard, the same way that hymns do. Ernest however, has here a fine contrast between his down and dirty lyrics and an energetic, upbeat, melody well played. No nasal whining about a life in the gutter but, instead, a brave front 'gainst life's vicissitudes. And kudos to his nice and tight band. Thanks again for introducing me to an artist who I doubt that I would otherwise have heard! 😎🎸🎤☀️
Nice to see my dad's favorite country singer getting a little love on the channel. Thanks. Btw, you missed mentioning ET's "signature lick" which tags most every solo every played for him, no matter who the guitarist was - 2-b3-3 (played as a triplet usually) and then the 1 an octave higher aa quarter or half note.
I enjoy most of your selections and what your site is all about. You have a great attitude towards the stuff you feel is important to convey. You have a great way of talking to these video's and showing us some key licks at the same time. Hats off to you.
Thanks for this one, FIL. This is GOOOOOD Country Music! Back then, the singers may not be so great, but when he started, you knew who he was. Many great popular singers owe their careers to Ernest Tubb. (Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Jack Greene, and on....)
Great video as usual. Fil, I truly appreciate the respectful attitude you have toward the artists you review. So many often degrade country artists. Rarely do you see Roy Clark or Jerry Reed on lists of " the greatest guitarists of all tine" lists. You are a class act and a true music lover without the arrogance. Love your channel.