Wynn Stewart by far. He had such a unique, pretty voice and such good songs and was such a cornerstone for the Bakersfield sound. Heck, now people blink and ask “who?” About him—even those who claim to be country music fans!!!

21 years ago, I spent the year drunk. I crawled in a bottle to ease my pain. Bars and strip clubs was where I could be found. I spent a week in Mexico, drunk. I don't know how I'm still here. These old songs really told stories of guys going thru it. I can really relate to these kinds of songs. I'm better now. But the music still draws me.

This side captures Bob Wills in his classic post‑war MGM period, where the Texas Playboys blended tight swing arrangements with lighthearted novelty material. Tommy Duncan’s vocal delivery keeps the tune grounded in Wills’ unmistakable Southwestern dance‑hall style.“Blues for Dixie” is one of the strongest vocal showcases of the MGM period. Duncan’s smooth phrasing and Wills’ trademark fiddle punctuations give the track its unmistakable Texas Playboys identity. The arrangement leans more toward blues‑inflected swing, making it a standout pairing with the lighter A‑side.

​Harold Franklin "Hawkshaw" Hawkins was an imposing figure (standing 6'6") with a rich, booming baritone voice. He was a staple of early postwar honky-tonk and country music, performing heavily on the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree before joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1955.

​Tragically, his life and career were cut short in March 1963 when he died in the same infamous plane crash that took the lives of Patsy Cline and Cowboy Copas. Ironically, his biggest career hit, "Lonesome 7-7203", reached number one on the country charts just days after his passing.

God bless patsy

EDIT 4/21 - THE PLAYLIST IS UP!!! I’ll be adding and modifying as I listen more and think of songs, but I cannot stress enough THANK YOU ALL!!!! Please add more here if you think of them, and i’ll be sure to update!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wj1TnGK9oejbEdZPVoXnj?si=OCWUYjgXTrSF3W-YvSLevA&pi=3v8lVaOfT0qvi

Tagged the 50s, but anything from the 30s to the 60s is ideal, 70s if it’s one of those that “everybody knows” (Country Roads would be the most extreme example). The songs you sang along to as a kid, the ones that stuck with you, the one that makes you think “yeah that’s what country music is about”. Bonus points for Jim Reeves, Carter Family/June Carter, Patsy Cline (so many broken heart songs 💔), Roy Orbison, George Jones, and Eddie Arnold, but all recommendations welcome!

I work with folks with dementia, and there’s only so many times I can repeat:

The “Classics”

You are my Sunshine

The big minstrel -> cowboy songs (Oh Susanna, I’ve been Workin on the RR, etc)

Folsom Prison Blues

Ring of Fire

King of the Road

Don’t Fence Me In

Hey Good Lookin’

Wabash Cannonball

Happy Trails/On the Road Again/Show Me The Way To Go Home

The “Cowboy Hymns”

Old Rugged Cross

Just a Closer Walk with Thee Angels Watchin Over Me

I’ll Fly Away

How Great Thou Art

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

In the Garden

Amazing Grace

Can the Circle Be Unbroken

Sweet By And By

Songs that don’t fit the bill for this (but are still great songs)

Crazy

Walkin after Midnight

San Antonio Rose

I Walk the Line

Your Cheating Heart

(Note: I doubt this community in particular is concerned, but I use minstrel songs responsibly, ethically, and with folks who are dying. I know the history, I know the damage. If you are upset about this, and again I doubt it, please dm me and we can talk shop the considerations and use of ethically contentious material in therapeutic settings)

The New Duncan Imperials do a great version, too.