Bobbie Gentry > Ode to Billie Joe
Composed by Bobbie Gentry

It’s hard to convey just how big this record was, other than to say it not only prompted Lou to cover it, but also the unlikely likes of King Curtis, Ike Turner, and Buddy Rich!

What Was That? Week #7 
Legends of Country #2
Ballad #40

Merle Haggard > It’s All In The Movies
Composed by Kelli & Merle Haggard

Growing up in the New York metro, home of everyone from Frank Sinatra to Sonny Rollins, country music wasn’t exactly at the top of my list. For the first six months I worked in the anomaly of a New York City country music radio station, I practically kept cotton in my ears. After all, it was the era of Barbara Mandrell and Ronnie Milsap.

One day I was working on a radio spot when a voice cut through the ubiquitous live air check that played on the station’s PA. A resonant voice, a moving voice. Merle Haggard’s It’s All In The Movies drilled it’s way into my head and through the other side. I’ve never been the same and neither has my former tin ear.

Wimp Week #6 
Ballad #14 
Legends of Country #1