Full Transcript for Yodel Ay Hee Hoo

00:02:04.000 No. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:04.959 Oh yeah. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:11.599 So that was like this farmer dude, and he gets out of his truck and he's talking about the peppermint patty. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:12.240 You know what that is, right? 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:13.759 The course love him. 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:20.639 So he's like, when I take a bite out of the peppermint patty, it makes me feel like I'm at the top of the coldest mountain. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:30.639 And then he like yodel on his he gets onto his truck, yodels, and then all the dogs bark, or actually not bark, they're like howling around him. 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:31.439 It's so cute. 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:32.960 I need to watch this. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:34.800 Oh yeah, I'll put it in the show notes. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:37.599 That's just so sweet and funny. 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:45.360 It's like it's I understand that that's probably like the origin of yodeling, but it's not how I ever think of yodeling. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:45.599 Yeah. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:47.680 I think of like country music yodeling. 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:49.840 No, or like hillbilly stuff, you know? 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:50.800 That's so funny. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:54.080 And we'll get to that definitely, but I don't. 00:02:54.240 --> 00:02:57.360 I think of the like the Al Swiss. 00:02:57.520 --> 00:02:57.599 Yeah. 00:02:57.680 --> 00:02:57.840 Yeah. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:02:58.159 Wow. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:02:59.680 The goats over here. 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:00.800 Yeah, totally. 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:03.360 So, okay. 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:09.840 I really don't know much about Yodeling, at least I didn't until um I proposed this theme. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:16.879 But honestly, I think I just wanted to share a very specific song with you. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:17.599 Yeah. 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:20.319 And we'll get to that song in a bit in our songs. 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:25.280 But before we get into our picks, should we talk a little bit about Yodeling as an art form? 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:28.319 I was hoping you would enlighten me and our listeners. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:28.879 Okay. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:37.280 So first of all, did you know that in 2025 UNESCO inscribed Yodeling on its intangible cultural heritage of humanity list? 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:39.199 I didn't love that, but God bless them. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:41.120 Yeah, I just learned that. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:42.159 That's incredible. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:57.199 And then according to the Yodeling Wikipedia page, it's a form of singing that involves repeated and rapid changes in pitch between the low-pitched chest register or chest voice and the high-pitched head register or falsetto. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:59.199 Does that make sense to you? 00:03:59.439 --> 00:03:59.599 Yeah. 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:03.599 I'm like trying to picture it and like even feel it like yo. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:05.680 Right. 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:06.639 Yeah. 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:06.960 Yeah. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:09.039 I I guess I can I can totally see it. 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:09.599 Okay. 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:12.159 I think that is helpful, even you just doing that. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:12.800 Thank you. 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:26.240 Now, as as we kind of alluded to, it's generally believed to have originated in the Alpine regions of Switzerland, Austria, and southern Germany, where herders used it to communicate across valleys and to call livestock. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:36.079 And then the word itself Jodel comes from the German Jodelin, meaning to sing with syllables, and that's spelled J-O-D-E-L-N. 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:39.759 Of course, Jodeling isn't just a European tradition. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:48.879 Similar vocal techniques evolved around the world, including in Persian classical music, African pygmy music, and many other musical traditions. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:05:03.839 But the earliest known written reference to Yodeling dates to 1545, when a text described the singing or calling of a cowherd from Appensal, a region known for yodeling antshees in the Swiss Alps. 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:09.759 So then in the 19th century, Swiss Yodeling became a form of folk entertainment. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:18.720 And in the 20s and 30s, by way of European immigrants, it found a new home in American country music, which we will be getting to. 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:22.160 But I wasn't thinking about any of this when I proposed the theme. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:28.639 I just wanted to share Dolly Parton singing Mule Skinner Blues, Blue Yodel Number Eight. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:40.160 Welcome to the two. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.439 And it made me remember just how much joy she brought me as a kid. 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:26.639 And it's weird. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:32.319 I don't think we've ever talked about Dolly, like on the podcast or even as friends. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:39.199 So maybe before we get into the song's history, care to share any of your like personal Dolly experience? 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:42.560 Oh, I I mean personally, I just love her so much. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:45.920 Like we lost such a legend recently. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:48.480 And I it is funny that we've never talked. 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:50.319 Yeah, I don't, I guess we've never talked about her. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:07:01.839 I think not only for music, but like in the world, like everything she's done with her her books, like the free books for kids and whatnot. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:06.399 And a few years ago, I read a book about her that made me love her even more. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:08.720 It's called She Come By It Natural. 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:10.720 It's by Sarah Smarsh. 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:20.879 And it's a really great book if you want to learn about her life and just kind of some of her personal struggles. 00:07:20.959

--> 00:07:30.959 And especially, I mean, one of the things that I had originally thought about, like it was a struggle for me, was that I think she for a long time never like called herself a feminist. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:31.360 Yes. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:31.680 Yeah. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.360 And that frustrated me. 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:35.519 And I felt like, what the heck are you talking about? 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:41.519 You're like one of the most badass women in music, especially in country music, which is so male-dominated. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:58.399 And the book just kind of talks about her own brand of feminism and how she, you know, how she just like such a badass businesswoman, so smart, like so clever, doing it all while not being a piece of shit. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:05.839 Which, like, I mean, not only is she such a good singer, such a have you seen the videos of her picking, like yes. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:09.199 No, I you're gonna make me cry because I know, I know. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:22.160 There is something so special about her, and I'm so glad you're like mentioning all of this because we'll get to it a little bit more when I allude to when I talk about a podcast, um, a certain podcast about Dolly. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:25.839 But no, it's it's so true, and she really is. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:30.240 I I hate to say it, but like a saint in in many ways. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:30.959 Yeah. 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:36.480 I and I I say I hate to say it about being a saint because it feels so cliche to say. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:37.519 No, I hear you. 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:47.759 And I think, you know, I also I know she didn't choose to be childless, like that was something that was a struggle for her, but it did. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:55.919 I really admired her for being a childless woman and and somebody who used that opportunity to care for other children. 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:56.960 Yeah, for sure. 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:58.639 So yeah, just what a saint. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:00.480 What a and I love this song. 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:02.480 So yeah, good, good, good kudos. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:08.799 You know, it's funny because for me, like my first experience with Dolly was at a very young age. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:14.879 She would be on Johnny Carson a lot as a guest, and they had this very funny banter. 00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:20.320 But but truly, more than anything, it was a physical characteristic that stood out about her. 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:21.519 Her dimples. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:33.519 Her dimples, I think, endeared me to dimples at such an early age that I have always been attracted to that. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:35.360 And Thomas has dimple. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:36.639 Oh, cute. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:46.799 And little boyfriends I've had along the years have had dimples, and it's just there's something that is so warm about a face with dimple. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:48.639 It's like cherubic. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:50.799 Yeah, really, perfect for that. 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:53.759 And exactly for her, but that's what I always like. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:10:03.360 Even watching nine to five as a kid, hearing that song, it's her music, her way of being is just so warm and welcoming. 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:07.360 And it it's she's just a joy to watch. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:09.120 So yeah. 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:11.039 But I mentioned it. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:15.519 Did you know about the Dolly podcast, Dolly Partons America? 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:16.720 I have heard of it. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:18.960 Okay, and I have not listened to it. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:20.639 It came out a few years back, right? 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.320 Yes, in 2019. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:28.080 And did you know it's the same person who brought us Fela Kuti Fear No Man, Jad Abramad? 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:29.519 I did know that, yes. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:39.360 Okay, but I I only knew that probably because when I was listening to the Fear No Man podcast, they mentioned this podcast somehow. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:46.559 Well, it's a must-listen and um another limited series, and it's focusing on the life and music of Dolly Parton. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:50.720 But because Jad is also from Tennessee, there's an interesting connection there. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:53.039 Also, his dad was her doctor. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:53.919 Oh yeah. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:59.759 So because of that friendship, he well, the dad introduced him to Dolly, and then she really opened up to him. 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:07.039 And it's it's a very like she she gets real, and they have some you know great episodes, as as he's known for. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:11.919 I'll check it out, even though Jad is sounding like maybe he's a Nepo situation. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:15.039 Um, I mean Tennessee Doctor. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:17.679 There are worse cases. 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:19.200 Just kidding. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:20.080 I'm kidding. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.440 Such a hater. 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:33.360 Um, I truly hadn't realized how important mule skinner blues was in the history of country music and maybe more specifically bluegrass, and also for Dolly's career. 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:35.440 Did you know this? 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:38.000 You know, I don't think I did, actually. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:49.519 It was not one that I could put my finger on saying, like, oh yeah, mule skinner blues, you know, like, but when I listened to it, I was really like taken with it. 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:49.919 Yeah. 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:59.440 I'm pretty sure the first time I heard it was on NTS radio, just like randomly listening to like one of this whatever was playing. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:04.559 And I though I could have heard it maybe on Hee-Ha. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:07.919 I I used to watch dude, I used to watch Hee-Ha as a kid.

00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:12.559 Although I can't confirm that she played it on Hee-Ha. 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:13.919 I tried, but I didn't see that. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:21.759 However, Dolly got her first big break on the Porter Wagoner show, which was a popular variety TV series filmed in Tennessee. 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:23.679 You know this from like 61 to 80? 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:24.159 Wow. 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:29.279 I know that mostly because of the book, but also I love a lot of the Dolly Porter duets. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:29.759 Yeah. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:32.159 Well, Dolly started in 1967. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:37.360 That was her big break and left in 1974, which she ended up writing a song about. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:45.200 And as Dolly tells it, it was Buck Trent, another famous country musician who worked on the show who suggested she do it. 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:49.600 And it truly ended up, at the time at least, being one of her biggest hits. 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:50.559 Yeah. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:56.559 And then the original version was released actually in 1930 by Jimmy Rogers. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.039 Wow. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:59.519 I feel like you know who Jimmy Rogers is. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:05.120 I bet I do, but right off the bat, I'm not like astronomy about okay, good. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:08.159 I mean, I like truly off the bat, I didn't know either. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:13.840 But then as I started researching and seeing all the connections and then listening to his music, I'm like, oh my god, yeah. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:16.399 And and I'm sure you'll have the same reaction. 00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:27.440 So he's often known as the father of country music, but Rogers was actually reusing an opening exchange from another song by Delta Blue singer Tom Dixon. 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:32.159 And that song, Labor Blues, starts with a call and response between a worker and his boss. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:35.519 And it's good morning, Captain, good morning, shine. 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:41.440 And it's all about a man letting the boss know he's fed up with working without being paid. 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:46.080 Dixon, of course, was black, in case that wasn't obvious, Delta Blue singer. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:51.360 I should also clarify that the word shine in this context was a racist term for a black man. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:58.320 And both Rogers' original and Bill Munro's 1940 version kept the word shine. 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:04.000 However, when Woody Guthrie covered it in 1944, he changed shine to sun. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:06.879 And most covers have since. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:12.399 But Dolly's version takes it a step further, saying, Good morning to you, sir, as we just heard. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.039 Oh yeah. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.519 Yeah. 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:18.159 Now in in mule skinner, blues instead of a worker, quitting over unpaid wages. 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:21.120 The narrator is a mule skinner looking for a job. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:25.759 And to be clear, a mule skinner is not someone who skins mules but hurts them. 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:26.799 Did you know that? 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:27.200 No. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:28.879 I was a little worried, honestly. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:31.039 You thought I was like, duh. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.799 No, no, no, not that. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:38.000 But like you thought the skinning was like when I first What would one use a mule skin for? 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.559 I don't know. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:41.440 For like for like a rug. 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.840 That is the next thing. 00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:52.879 So Rogers added his trademark Yodeling style, known as the Blue Yodel, which differentiated it from the Swiss Yodeling. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:57.840 And Mule Skin or Blues was originally known simply as Blue Yodel number eight. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:05.919 Rogers actually had recorded a total of 13 Blue Yodels between 1927 and 1933. 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:15.279 And in addition to the Yodeling, the songs were based on the 12-bar blues format Rogers learned from working on the railroad with black musicians, of course. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:22.879 I say of course because we we know that most music was uh stolen or inspired by black musicians. 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:23.519 Yes. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:26.879 Just want to give credit where credit credit is due. 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:33.279 Now, his first blue yodel, uh number one, T for Texas, which great song. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:35.600 You you will like like it's a good song. 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:42.720 Became a huge hit in 1928 and helped establish Yodeling as a signature sound in American country music. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:54.879 And then the 13th was recorded shortly before his death in May of 1933 and was released posthumously as Jimmy Rogers' last blue Yodel. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:57.200 He's also got a Yodel for California. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.399 I think that's number four. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.799 And another one, number nine. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.840 Number nine, actually. 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.799 Yeah, that's really good. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:05.759 I think that's that's about Mississippi, maybe. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.960 Anyway, all of them. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:09.679 Just like check them out and I'll link a few. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:14.240 It was Bill Monroe who helped make the song a bluegrass staple. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:18.399 And even Dolly Parton performed it with him in 1978. 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:23.039 But when Dolly took it into the country charts in 1970, she really made it her own. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:06.640 Merrill Haggard, The Cramps, Odette, and Hank Williams Jr. 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:08.000 all have versions. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:11.680 And they're all in our show notes for further deep diving.

00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:14.160 It's like you can go on and on forever. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:16.559 Yodel forever. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:20.720 And once again, we barely scratched the surface here. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:33.279 Um, in addition to a bunch of videos of the different covers, I've got a few great articles about Yodeling and the song, including one called No Mules Were Skinned: The History of Mule Skinner Blues. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:33.759 Nice. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:37.200 So happy research to everyone else. 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:44.880 Like I've had a lot of fun doing this one, but now I want to hear all about your pick because I know very little about this person. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.240 Okay, nice. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:51.759 And I was over here thinking how funny it was that the Californian picked the Yodeling episode. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:57.839 But now that we know about the the roots in the Alps, like the possibilities are endless. 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:58.559 Truly. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:10.640 And this was a fun one because you know, one of my favorite Yodelers is Hank Williams, and Hank really nails it with Love Sick Blues, which was released in 1949 by MGM Records. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.559 So let's hear him take a go at it. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:37.759 And as excellent as this version is, it's actually not a Hank Williams original. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:49.759 This song was written in 1922 by Cliff Friend and Irving Mills and was featured in the musical O Ernest, which is apparently based on Oscar Wilde's The Important of Being Earnest. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.599 Wow, not what I imagined at all. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.960 Right, me neither. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:56.480 It's like, is this where they got the idea for O'Mary from? 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.519 Maybe not. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:06.160 But um, there was not a lot of information on the web about O Ernest, so I don't think we're gonna be seeing it at the Pantages anytime soon. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:13.279 And I do not want to fall down a rabbit hole, but I this song is a Tin Pan Alley song. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.319 Do you know what that is? 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.480 Or are you familiar with Tin Pan Alley? 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:18.880 I want to say I am. 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:21.039 I am definitely familiar with the term. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:28.559 I only vaguely know, so please tell me about it because I don't even want to like guess. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:32.319 No, I had heard the term too, but it it meant nothing to me. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:36.240 It was just like it's in my brain, and yeah, it's in my brain. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:38.720 And did Hosono mention it at the concert? 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:44.000 I feel like he at one point was talking about something and mentioned mentioned Tin Pan Alley. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.279 Oh, that's super interesting. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:51.920 Yeah, but I couldn't

remember exactly, and maybe he said something else, but well, that's I I'd be the I'll go look into that. 00:19:52.079 --> 00:20:08.240 But to give you a quick sense of what Tin Pan Alley is or was, it was this collection of music publishers in New York City that started in the late 1800s, and maybe there's some differences of opinion from what I read online, but maybe ended around the time of the Great Depression. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:20.400 And it was sheet music that these composers and different music publishers would put out and pedal them around, uh, because that was like what was available back then. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:25.119 And Tin Pan Alley songs dominated popular music at that time. 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:30.640 And I'm sure you will recognize some of their big hits, including Take Me Out to the Ball Game. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:35.279 Okay, Yes, We Have No Bananas, and Over There, just to name a few. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:47.200 Yes, there's quite a few Tin Pan Alley songs out there, but this was Love Sick Blues originated as a Tin Pan Alley song, which I'm kind of curious to understand what that would have sounded like. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:21:02.480 Because the the one version that I was familiar with was Hank Williams, but so so back to our Yodeler, the person who actually first made this a country hit was Rex Griffin, who recorded a yodeling version of the song in 1939. 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:13.039 And Rex was actually a big influence on Hank Williams, who later went on to cover Love Sick Blues on one of his earlier performances on Louisiana Hair, which I'll talk about a little bit later. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:22.480 So when Hank's version of Love Sick Blues was released in 1949, which I did not realize it was that old, like that to me is crazy. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:34.000 Yeah, it it became an instant success and it quickly reached number one on Billboard's top country and western singles chart and number 24 on the most played in jukeboxes list. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.720 Really? 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:41.519 Yes, and I don't know about you, but I'm a jukebox lover, and well, I was not anymore. 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:43.839 I mean, you don't I don't see them anymore. 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:46.319 I just played songs in a jukebox last weekend. 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:46.799 Really? 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.519 Oh, yeah. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.240 It was a black. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.200 You're in Texas. 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:49.920 I know. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.640 Good point. 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:55.680 They had a little jukebox at every booth in this like restaurant that I went to. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.160 Okay. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.599 It was a very old restaurant. 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.519 Okay, I need to know the logistics of that. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:02.799 Um, they didn't work, so I had to get up and go. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.559 Anywho. 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.400 Okay, so

back to Hank. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:20.160 If you're not familiar with him as a listener, it's probably because he died too soon because he passed away at just 29 years old at the peak of his successful musical career. 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:25.200 Hank was born Hiram Williams in 1923 in Mount Olive, Alabama. 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:30.319 He was born into very humble conditions and had an often absent father. 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:42.160 He had chronic back pain due to a spinal condition he was born with, but he found a lot of joy and success in singing and was influenced by singing in the church and hillbilly music. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:50.799 And speaking of California as my resident Californian, he was enamored with cowboy movie stars like Gene Autry, the singing cowboy. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:23:00.799 And unfortunately for Hank Williams, he also discovered alcohol at a very young age, which did eventually lead to his untimely death. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.640 It is rumored out there. 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:10.559 I mean, it's very hard to corroborate some of these things because there's a lot of different ideas about who he was and where he came from online. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:22.160 But supposedly he got his first guitar at age eight and started following around Rufus Tot Payne, who was a black blues singer and street performer in Georgiana, Alabama. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:29.119 And then just to fast forward a bit, Hank eventually gained enough notoriety performing with his band and solo. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:33.119 But his band, which I love, they're called The Drifting Cowboys. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.359 So obviously he had a little bit of a theme. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:35.759 Yeah. 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:44.400 But he was able to uh get signed by MGM in 1947, and that's when he released his first big hit, Move It On Over. 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.359 Do you know that one? 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.480 I don't think I do. 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:51.279 I'm I'm not like trying to get you to sing, but would you mind singing bar? 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:54.319 You have to reciprocate one day. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:54.720 One day. 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:58.559 But it it goes, move it on over, slide on over. 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:04.960 And I think he's like, move over, little dog, because the big dogs come in through, or something like that. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.559 There's a lot of singing about doggies. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:06.799 Okay. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.559 Yeah, of course. 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.079 It's a good song. 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:10.960 I'll listen to it. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.839 I've not heard it. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.279 Okay. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.960 I feel like it's one of those ones. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:17.039 I don't even, I could go down a rabbit hole. 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:24.319 Anyway, in 1948, Hank moved to Louisiana because he was offered a spot on Louisiana Hayride. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:45.680 And if you or our listeners are unfamiliar, Louisiana Hayride was a first a radio show and later a television show of musical performances that ended up launching the career of many country musicians we know and love, including Johnny Cash, Faran Young, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, and even Alvis Presley. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:49.359 So it was here he first performed Love Sick Blues. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:59.599 And while I couldn't find any videos of Hank performing on the Louisiana Hayride, I was able to find some recordings, which I'll share in the show notes, like just the radio recordings. 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:02.079 Because do you know his song, John Balaya? 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:04.319 Of course I do because you shared it with me. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:04.720 Okay. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.599 Do you remember? 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.279 Was that for a theme? 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:11.359 Yes, we haven't done it yet, but it's for a specific theme. 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.799 Okay, I remember now. 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.359 Yes. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.759 Yeah. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.240 Okay. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.440 And that's so funny too. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:22.559 Because like I do think Hank Williams had a big impact on like my musical experience, like from childhood. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:28.640 But John Balaya is such a beloved song in Louisiana. 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:33.200 And I didn't even know it was written by somebody who was not from Louisiana. 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:33.759 Yeah. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.119 So very cool. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:38.559 And like I would I will share that recording in the show notes. 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:44.079 It sounds very old-timey, but it's fun because like people have covered so many versions of it. 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:57.839 But so in 1949, Williams actually made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, where he received six encores, and his success and fame just kept going up and up and up from that moment. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:09.839 Sadly, Hank's alcoholism and back pain were a really tough combination, and he ended up dying in the backseat of a Cadillac on his way to a show on New Year's Eve in 1952. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:12.240 And as I mentioned, he was 29 years old. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:38.160 So even though his career and life were short, he's made a huge impact on country music. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:48.160 And to speak to his Yodeling, it was an understated way of practicing the art form that really added to his music without dominating or potentially turning off skeptical listeners. 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:59.119 Don't you think it's kind of like when I this is obviously not like a true Yodeling song, but it incorporates Yodeling elements into it in a very what feels to me like authentic way. 00:26:59.440 --> 00:26:59.839 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:11.839 So in 2023, the Country Music Hall of

Fame stressed that Williams set the agenda for contemporary country song craft and the standard by which success is measured in country music, which is a huge honor. 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:17.039 And he truly has so many hits, it's incredible to think that he died before he even turned 30. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:19.440 And it's interesting. 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:21.119 I I'm not going to talk about his sons. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.000 He has two sons. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:25.279 Well, a son and a grandson, Hank Williams Jr. 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:32.240 and Hank III, who are both country music singers, but they're kind of like outlaw country, which is not my jam. 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:49.440 I will end in saying that, you know, while countless country singers have been influenced by his music, there's a new wave of fans who might have been inspired to investigate Hank when they heard or saw a young cowboy yodeling in a Walmart in 2018. 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:51.519 Christine, I think you're familiar with this guy. 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:55.119 It's funny in just my yodeling research, he came up. 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.799 You are or not? 00:27:59.200 --> 00:27:59.680 Unimpressed. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.319 Unimpressed. 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:06.960 These kids, these cute kid videos, I'm never impressed. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:12.079 And the he that we're talking about is Mason Ramsey, who no, it's all good. 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:18.880 He he shot to internet fame when he was singing and yodeling Love Sick Blues in an Illinois Walmart. 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:23.519 The thing about him that weirded me out was how much he looked like a cartoon character. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:29.119 Like the bow tie, the the big belt buckle, the it's obnoxious. 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.680 Yeah. 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:36.000 And and I know that there's country people everywhere, but for it to be in Illinois felt like what's going on? 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.440 It was planned. 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.640 Uh I hope so. 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.119 I don't know. 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:42.160 I feel like these people are trying to do viral stuff all the time. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.880 They're just like going out there hoping that something sticks. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:53.519 It freaks me out that he was um just a little slip of a boy yodeling there in Walmart and people were recording him. 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:58.000 But he did he did really get some some fame from that. 00:28:58.079 --> 00:29:01.039 And I think he can uh his his 15 minutes or whatever. 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:04.720 It's probably more like 15 seconds these days, but he can thank Hank. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:10.240 And if that isn't a random enough way to end my segment, I don't know what is. 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:16.240 So thank you, Christine, for giving us this opportunity to practice our vocal range. 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.279 Yeah, no, thank you. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:25.200 And and it's funny, I think this initially started out as me pandering to you, sort of, like choosing that theme. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:28.799 I guess I could have done a lot of different themes for this particular song. 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:32.000 But I don't know, I'm kind of turning into a country girl. 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.480 I think thanks to some of your influence, maybe. 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.960 This is my work, my work never ends. 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:43.119 Okay, but um I'm wondering, do you mind if I give you a little unsolicited advice? 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.559 I'm dying for it. 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:47.200 I I think it should be very predictable. 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.960 Um, no surprise. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:54.559 Everyone just listen to Dolly Parton's America podcast. 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:58.720 You think you know her, you think you love her, you might even think you don't care. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.880 All legitimate feelings. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:05.119 But I guarantee you will learn something fascinating about this legend. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:10.160 What's the inspiration for Jolene or who she wrote I Will Always Love You For? 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:13.839 And the story behind how it was used in the bodyguard. 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:16.000 And that's just the surface stuff. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:16.960 Truly. 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:20.000 And you'll probably learn more about yourself in the process. 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:24.559 You'll laugh, you'll cry, you might even be annoyed from time to time, like I was. 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:26.799 And maybe you'll become a better person. 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.240 Only time will tell. 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:31.039 And I'm not just saying this because I'm a woman. 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.240 Advice over. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:35.920 Christina, what are you conjuring for next week? 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:39.279 I think it's time to get spooky. 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:42.720 I'm sort of looking forward to that. 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:45.680 Thanks for listening to Stereothematica. 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:50.559 If you like what you're hearing, please consider a review, a rating, or sharing with a friend. 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:56.240 And follow us on Instagram at Stereothematica, where you can share your favorite Yodeling song. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:31:00.799 We've also got our Infinite Spotify playlist linked in our show notes. 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:05.119 And visit stereothematica.com for more fun.