Old/Classic Country Standards - Need Advice

jazztwang · November 25th, 2005, 10:44 AM

I'm thinking of putting together a country band and need song recommendations (some sure fired crowd pleasers). Artists I like are: Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Jimmy Bryant, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakum, and of course Redd Volkaert! You can tell the kind of country I like so please make sure any song suggestions would fit this mold. I also plan on putting some rockabilly and 50's rock n roll in the mix (stuff like Elvis, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry).

I've got some songs in mind but I'm still new to the country genre and looking to gain much more knowledge of it.

Thanks.

TeleJeff · November 25th, 2005, 03:01 PM

Jimmy Bryant "The Night Rider"

I love that song!!! :D

As for songs that non guitar players will know...

Merle-
Mama Tried
Workin Man Blues
Swinging Doors
Big City

Waylon-
Only Daddy Thatll Walk the Line
Rainy Day Woman
Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way?
Bob Wills is Still the King

Cash-
Folsom Prison Blues
Walk the Line
One Piece at a Time
Big River

That should get you started and hopefully give you some ideas about other songs too. When you play in Texas be sure and play "London Homesick Blues" by Gary P. Nun, that always goes over big.

J. Hayes · November 27th, 2005, 10:45 PM

She Never Even Called Me by my Name.....David Allan Coe....
Family Tradition, If You Don't Like Hank Williams You Can Kiss My Ass.......Hank Jr.
Hag's stuff like: Okie From Muskogee, Workin' Man Blues, Mama Tried, I Had a Beautiful Time, Sing Me Back Home, Always Wanting You, Ramblin' Fever.
Willie's stuff like: Angel Flyin' too Close to the Ground, On The Road Again, Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain.........JH in Va.

guit145 · November 27th, 2005, 10:55 PM

These are some that I've done over the years.

Dwight:

Guitars, Cadilliacs
Honky Tonk Man
Long White Cadilliac
I Sang Dixie
The Heart That You Own
Streets of Bakersfield

Marty Stewart:

Hillbilly Rock
This One's Gonna Hurt You

Also, try Radny Foster's "Just Call Me Lonesome," a great shuffle with a cool tele intro on the record.

Cheese · November 28th, 2005, 09:54 AM

the tune to rawhide

well, thats what the blues brothers movie says

TG · November 28th, 2005, 10:00 AM

You should have a few Hank Williams tunes in your set.

Hey Good Lookin'.
Oh Lonesome Me.
Move It On Over.
Lost Highway.
Etc.....

pohorsky · November 28th, 2005, 10:21 AM

Tiger By the Tail
Memphis
Johnny B. Goode
Big in Vegas
Made in Japan
Love's Gonna Live Here Again
Above And Beyond
Crying Time

Darrell · November 28th, 2005, 11:52 AM

if you have an audience that appreciates this as much as I do, you can rest assured that they are going to ask from George Strait, Alan Jackson and many others.

I heard some little Jimmy Dickens stuff this weekend that made Chuck Berry sound like an amateur.

I will second the Radney Foster stuff. There is more than 1 cut on 1859 that you audience would probably appreciate adding to your set list.

Geo · November 28th, 2005, 01:25 PM

Marty Stewart's "Tempted" is a good one.
"Prop Me Up next To The Jukebox" is funnin'
"Take This Job and Shove It" - this is classic but might
not hit with every audience.

For slow tunes "Crazy" and "Sweet Dreams" are classic
ones.

One to be careful or maybe avoid until you know your
audience is "The Girls All Look Prettier At Closin' Time".

guit145 · November 28th, 2005, 03:21 PM

"Tempted" Damn! I love that one, can't believe I forgot it.

Brad Miller · November 29th, 2005, 01:43 PM

"MATILDA", it is a rare occasion when that doesn't get requested.

jdfoosh357 · November 29th, 2005, 02:23 PM

a good boogie.....

vince gill--one more last chance

crowd pleaser....

brooks and dunn--boot scootin boogie

Mark N · November 29th, 2005, 03:50 PM

here's a few that we play in our country/rock band

guitars and cadillacs
little sister
hillbilly rock
mercury blues
johnny b good
fast as you
margaritaville
honky tonk blues
one more last chance
liza jane
wave on wave
just a swingin
folsom prison
your cheatin heart (kicked up version)
bad moon rising
boot scootin boogie
cadillac ranch (chris ledoux's and springsteen's)
bubba can dance
i left something turned on at home
proud mary
be my baby tonite

plus we have a whole set of some pretty good rockin dance tunes

holndav · November 29th, 2005, 03:58 PM

- "Almost Persuaded"

- "Always Late"

- "If you've Got the Money, I've got the Time"

and of course

- "Long Black Veil"

David

Brad Miller · November 29th, 2005, 08:19 PM

OLD VIOLIN
HEY GOOD LOOKIN'
HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
THE BLUES MAN
GOT NO REASON NOW FOR GOING HOME
AMANDA
WALK THE LINE
LONESOME FUGITIVE
COWBOY RIDES AWAY
ETC, ETC...

Pigsfootpeete · November 30th, 2005, 02:26 AM

Merle-
My Favorite Memory of All
Tonight the Bottle Let me Down
Big City
Mama's Hungry Eyes
Are the Good Times Really Over for Good
Branded Man
Mama Tried
If We Make it through December
Silver Wings
Today, I Started Loving You again

Buck-
My Heart Skips a Beat
Excuse Me, I think I've Got a Heartache
The Key's in the Mailbox
Above and Beyond (the Call of Love)

D. Yoakum-
Streets of Bakersfield
Fast as You

George Jones-
The Grand Tour
Still Doin' Time
A Good Year for the Roses
Just an Old Love Turned Mem'ry
Bar Tender's Blues
Just Someone I used to Know

Gene Watson-
Farewell Party

David Allan Coe-
The Ride
Jack Daniels, if you Please

George Strait-
Amarillo by Morning
Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross your Mind
All My ex's Live in Texas
The Fireman
The Chill of an Early Fall

Don Williams-
Amanda
Tulsa Time
I Hope this Day is Good
Gypsy Woman

Hank Jr.-
Old Habits
OD'd in Denver
A Country Boy Can Survive
Outlaw Women
Family Tradition
The Blues Man
All My Rowdy Friends

Willie-
Whiskey River
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Don't Let your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys (W/Waylon)

Kenny Chesney-
Anything but Mine
Who You'd be Today

Marty Robbins-
Begging to You

Oak Ridge Boys-
Settin' Fancy Free
In the Pines
Ya'll Come Back Saloon

Rolling Stones-
Dead Flowers

Others-
Faded Love
Good Hearted Woman
Tupelo Honey
Angel from Montgomery
The Dance
I Can't Help it if I'm Still in Love with You
Cripple Creek
Green, Green Grass of Home
Release Me
Alcohol (B. Paisley)
There Stands the Glass
Teach Your Children
Fox on the Run
The Window up Above
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You
Jersey Girl (Bruce Springsteen)
Boardwalk Angel (Eddie & the Cruisers)
Ain't Goin' down til the Sun Comes Up
Keep your Hands to Yourself (Ky. Headhunters)

And, about a ga-zillion more.
But these, along with the other suggestions posted, will give you a killer starting list that will go over great with most crowds.

Tele-Whacker · November 30th, 2005, 12:29 PM

I've played for a living for 35 years, and I'd have to say the MOST requested all time country song is :SILVER WINGS by Merle Haggard. Here's some more:
Shelley's Winter Love, Swingin' Doors, Lonesome Fugitive, Workin' Mans Blues, The Farmers Daughter, It's All In The Movies, (all by Haggard)

Then there's: Bob Wills: Faded Love, San Antonio Rose, Take Me Back To Tulsa, Bubbles in my Beer, "Corina, Corina", Time Changes Everything.

Buck Owens: Act Naturally, Tiger By The Tail, Gonna Have Love, Love, Love one more Time, Love's Gonna Live Here, Buckaroo (instrumental), -Perfect break song!

Other titles by various artists: Pick Me up On Your Way Down- The Other Woman- Keys In The Mailbox- A-11- Oh Lonesome Me- Just Walk On By- For The Good Times- Don't Worry About Me- Heartaches By The Number............The list goes on Forever..... There's a lot of great suggestions above my post also. Hope this helps

November 25th, 2005, 10:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
jazztwang TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Old/Classic Country Standards - Need Advice I'm thinking of putting together a country band and need song recommendations (some sure fired crowd pleasers). Artists I like are: Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Jimmy Bryant, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakum, and of course Redd Volkaert! You can tell the kind of country I like so please make sure any song suggestions would fit this mold. I also plan on putting some rockabilly and 50's rock n roll in the mix (stuff like Elvis, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry). I've got some songs in mind but I'm still new to the country genre and looking to gain much more knowledge of it. Thanks.

November 27th, 2005, 10:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
J. Hayes Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. Posts: 950	She Never Even Called Me by my Name.....David Allan Coe.... Family Tradition, If You Don't Like Hank Williams You Can Kiss My Ass.......Hank Jr. Hag's stuff like: Okie From Muskogee, Workin' Man Blues, Mama Tried, I Had a Beautiful Time, Sing Me Back Home, Always Wanting You, Ramblin' Fever. Willie's stuff like: Angel Flyin' too Close to the Ground, On The Road Again, Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain.........JH in Va. __________________ Ralph Mooney rules!!

November 27th, 2005, 10:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
guit145 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madera, CA Age: 30 Posts: 309	These are some that I've done over the years. Dwight: Guitars, Cadilliacs Honky Tonk Man Long White Cadilliac I Sang Dixie The Heart That You Own Streets of Bakersfield Marty Stewart: Hillbilly Rock This One's Gonna Hurt You Also, try Radny Foster's "Just Call Me Lonesome," a great shuffle with a cool tele intro on the record. __________________ Ben

November 28th, 2005, 10:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
pohorsky Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bakersfield Age: 23 Posts: 722 48 Photos	As far as Buck Tiger By the Tail Memphis Johnny B. Goode Big in Vegas Made in Japan Love's Gonna Live Here Again Above And Beyond Crying Time __________________ Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. John Wayne

November 28th, 2005, 11:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,464	I think if you have an audience that appreciates this as much as I do, you can rest assured that they are going to ask from George Strait, Alan Jackson and many others. I heard some little Jimmy Dickens stuff this weekend that made Chuck Berry sound like an amateur. I will second the Radney Foster stuff. There is more than 1 cut on 1859 that you audience would probably appreciate adding to your set list. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

November 25th, 2005, 03:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
TeleJeff TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 27	Jimmy Bryant "The Night Rider" I love that song!!! :D As for songs that non guitar players will know... Merle- Mama Tried Workin Man Blues Swinging Doors Big City Waylon- Only Daddy Thatll Walk the Line Rainy Day Woman Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way? Bob Wills is Still the King Cash- Folsom Prison Blues Walk the Line One Piece at a Time Big River That should get you started and hopefully give you some ideas about other songs too. When you play in Texas be sure and play "London Homesick Blues" by Gary P. Nun, that always goes over big.

November 28th, 2005, 09:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cheese Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 138	the tune to rawhide well, thats what the blues brothers movie says

November 28th, 2005, 10:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 46 Posts: 4,427 7 Photos	You should have a few Hank Williams tunes in your set. Hey Good Lookin'. Oh Lonesome Me. Move It On Over. Lost Highway. Etc.....

November 28th, 2005, 01:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Geo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hendersonville, TN Age: 59 Posts: 2,444 15 Photos	Marty Stewart's "Tempted" is a good one. "Prop Me Up next To The Jukebox" is funnin' "Take This Job and Shove It" - this is classic but might not hit with every audience. For slow tunes "Crazy" and "Sweet Dreams" are classic ones. One to be careful or maybe avoid until you know your audience is "The Girls All Look Prettier At Closin' Time". __________________ "Somewhere between culture and agriculture"

November 28th, 2005, 03:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
guit145 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madera, CA Age: 30 Posts: 309	"Tempted" Damn! I love that one, can't believe I forgot it. __________________ Ben

November 29th, 2005, 01:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
Brad Miller Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kokomo, Mississippi Age: 34 Posts: 627 8 Photos	"MATILDA", it is a rare occasion when that doesn't get requested. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/cbm1973

November 29th, 2005, 02:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
jdfoosh357 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 563	a good boogie..... vince gill--one more last chance crowd pleaser.... brooks and dunn--boot scootin boogie

November 29th, 2005, 03:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mark N Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Woodstock, NB, Canada Age: 37 Posts: 536 8 Photos	here's some here's a few that we play in our country/rock band guitars and cadillacs little sister hillbilly rock mercury blues johnny b good fast as you margaritaville honky tonk blues one more last chance liza jane wave on wave just a swingin folsom prison your cheatin heart (kicked up version) bad moon rising boot scootin boogie cadillac ranch (chris ledoux's and springsteen's) bubba can dance i left something turned on at home proud mary be my baby tonite plus we have a whole set of some pretty good rockin dance tunes

November 29th, 2005, 03:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
holndav Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 1,270 44 Photos	how about some Lefty - "Almost Persuaded" - "Always Late" - "If you've Got the Money, I've got the Time" and of course - "Long Black Veil" David __________________ "If we can't be free at least we can be cheap". FZ

November 29th, 2005, 08:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
Brad Miller Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kokomo, Mississippi Age: 34 Posts: 627 8 Photos	OLD VIOLIN HEY GOOD LOOKIN' HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY WELCOME TO MY WORLD THE BLUES MAN GOT NO REASON NOW FOR GOING HOME AMANDA WALK THE LINE LONESOME FUGITIVE COWBOY RIDES AWAY ETC, ETC... __________________ http://www.myspace.com/cbm1973

November 30th, 2005, 02:26 AM	#16 (permalink)
Pigsfootpeete Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 324	Merle- My Favorite Memory of All Tonight the Bottle Let me Down Big City Mama's Hungry Eyes Are the Good Times Really Over for Good Branded Man Mama Tried If We Make it through December Silver Wings Today, I Started Loving You again Buck- My Heart Skips a Beat Excuse Me, I think I've Got a Heartache The Key's in the Mailbox Above and Beyond (the Call of Love) D. Yoakum- Streets of Bakersfield Fast as You George Jones- The Grand Tour Still Doin' Time A Good Year for the Roses Just an Old Love Turned Mem'ry Bar Tender's Blues Just Someone I used to Know Gene Watson- Farewell Party David Allan Coe- The Ride Jack Daniels, if you Please George Strait- Amarillo by Morning Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross your Mind All My ex's Live in Texas The Fireman The Chill of an Early Fall Don Williams- Amanda Tulsa Time I Hope this Day is Good Gypsy Woman Hank Jr.- Old Habits OD'd in Denver A Country Boy Can Survive Outlaw Women Family Tradition The Blues Man All My Rowdy Friends Willie- Whiskey River Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain Don't Let your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys (W/Waylon) Kenny Chesney- Anything but Mine Who You'd be Today Marty Robbins- Begging to You Oak Ridge Boys- Settin' Fancy Free In the Pines Ya'll Come Back Saloon Rolling Stones- Dead Flowers Others- Faded Love Good Hearted Woman Tupelo Honey Angel from Montgomery The Dance I Can't Help it if I'm Still in Love with You Cripple Creek Green, Green Grass of Home Release Me Alcohol (B. Paisley) There Stands the Glass Teach Your Children Fox on the Run The Window up Above Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You Jersey Girl (Bruce Springsteen) Boardwalk Angel (Eddie & the Cruisers) Ain't Goin' down til the Sun Comes Up Keep your Hands to Yourself (Ky. Headhunters) And, about a ga-zillion more. But these, along with the other suggestions posted, will give you a killer starting list that will go over great with most crowds. __________________ *....I've forgotten more than I could ever hope to remember.....*

November 30th, 2005, 12:29 PM	#17 (permalink)
Tele-Whacker Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Millsap, Tx. Posts: 266	Most requested..... I've played for a living for 35 years, and I'd have to say the MOST requested all time country song is :SILVER WINGS by Merle Haggard. Here's some more: Shelley's Winter Love, Swingin' Doors, Lonesome Fugitive, Workin' Mans Blues, The Farmers Daughter, It's All In The Movies, (all by Haggard) Then there's: Bob Wills: Faded Love, San Antonio Rose, Take Me Back To Tulsa, Bubbles in my Beer, "Corina, Corina", Time Changes Everything. Buck Owens: Act Naturally, Tiger By The Tail, Gonna Have Love, Love, Love one more Time, Love's Gonna Live Here, Buckaroo (instrumental), -Perfect break song! Other titles by various artists: Pick Me up On Your Way Down- The Other Woman- Keys In The Mailbox- A-11- Oh Lonesome Me- Just Walk On By- For The Good Times- Don't Worry About Me- Heartaches By The Number............The list goes on Forever..... There's a lot of great suggestions above my post also. Hope this helps __________________ Chuck Cusimano