Harper Valley Pta

King Curtis was the last of the great R&B tenor sax giants. Born Curtis Ousley in Fort Worth, Texas, he came to prominence in the mid-'50s as a session musician in New York, recording, at one time or another, for most East Coast R&B labels. A long association with Atco/Atlantic began in 1958, especially on recordings by the Coasters. He recorded singles for many small labels in the '50s his own Atco sessions (1958-1959), and Prestige/New Jazz and Prestige/Tru-Sound for jazz and R&B albums (1960-1961). Curtis also had a number one R&B single with "Soul Twist" on Enjoy (1962).

Country songwriter and recording artist Nat Stuckey originally worked as a DJ before forming his first country band in the late '50s and becoming a regular on the Louisiana Hayride show. It was during this time that he was signed to the Paula label out of Shreveport, LA, and scored a minor hit with 1966's "Sweet Thang." His next hit came as a songwriter, however, when Buck Owens recorded "Waitin' In Your Welfare Line." Stuckey profited from the publishing royalties, and followed up with another big hit, writing "Pop a Top" as recorded by Jim Ed Brown. He recorded a few other hits such as 1968's "Plastic Saddle" and "Sweet Thang and Cisco," but he became known more as a songwriter than a performer in his own right. Stuckey later worked in commercials.

Lyrics that all can relate to; simple, direct, sometimes funny, other times sad, but always with a hook that takes you to the heart of the matter. Tunes that stick in your head and just won’t let go. These are some of the ingredients that go into one of America’s greatest musical gifts, Country music. Featuring Country Music’s most famous artists, the 50 tracks on these 2CDs take you on a journey from the Blue Hills of Kentucky to the glitzy streets of Nashville and all points in between.

Seely had several Top 20 hits during the late '60s, including "It's Only Love," "A Wanderin' Man," and "I'll Love You More (Than You Need)." In 1969, she found her most commercially successful duet partner in Jack Greene; the two cut a hit album together, and their single "Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You" was a number two smash in 1970. Seely continued to record through the '70s, cutting material for Decca, MCA, and Columbia in addition to Monument, and landed her biggest solo hit of the decade with 1973's Top Ten "Can I Sleep in Your Arms," which she adapted from an old hobo tune.

Dottie West was one of the most successful, and controversial, performers to rise to popularity during the Nashville sound era; like her friend and mentor Patsy Cline, West's battles for identity and respect within the male-dominated country music hierarchy were instrumental in enabling other female artists to gain control over the directions of their careers. I love this album, which showcases Dottie's voice superbly. Dottie never tried to do anything radical with any of the songs that she covered, but she recorded them all in her own heartfelt country.

The title track off Dolly Parton's third solo album, 1969's In The Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) (RCA Victor), avoids empty nostalgia. That term better applies to a lot of other country music trends and songs. Examples include pretending that people in the Old West sat around singing in snazzy outfits instead of fending for their lives, or, more recently, Hank Williams Jr.'s alt-history about the South winning the Civil War. Instead of longing for an exaggerated take on the past, Parton wrote about looking back realistically while acknowledging a need to move forward.

In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) is the third solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on February 3, 1969, by RCA Victor.

Story Songs is a various artist compilation album. Released in 2008 on Virgin.

There is a strong argument for calling country music 'white man's blues', but that denies the fact that so many of the best country records were made by females. One of the most famous country songs after all is Stand By Your Man, but don't be misled by the title. These were largely tough, feisty females making their way in a man's world. Decades before the Spice Girls, there was girl power in country music!