RIP Ralph Mooney

Posted by Lance Davis - March 25, 2011 - Bakersfield, James Burton, Merle Haggard, Ralph Mooney, Roy Nichols, Waylon Jennings, Wynn Stewart

2

Ralph Mooney died last Sunday and calling him a pedal steel pioneer seems woefully inadequate. He was the crucial link between Bakersfield country and Texas outlaw country, the two most significant reactions to the Nashville Sound between 1955-80. Think about this. Moon played for Wynn Stewart at Wynn’s peak (1950s-’60s), played for Waylon Jennings […]

Clarence White: Easy Ridin’ in ’69

Posted by Lance Davis - December 18, 2008 - Arlo Guthrie, Byrds, Clarence White, Everly Brothers, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gene Parsons, Gib Guilbeau, Johnny Darrell, Kentucky Colonels, Linda Ronstadt, Randy Newman, The Reasons, Wynn Stewart

10

For Clarence White, 1969 began with the release of his first album as a member of The Byrds, Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde, and ended with the release of that album’s follow-up, Ballad Of Easy Rider. In between, the band played over 70 dates throughout the US, many of those gigs featuring multiple sets (early […]

Clarence White: Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Men: 1968-69

Posted by Lance Davis - October 23, 2008 - Byrds, Chris Hillman, Clarence White, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gary S. Paxton, Gene Parsons, Gram Parsons, Jimi Hendrix, Wynn Stewart

12

In July 1968, The Byrds played South Africa without Gram Parsons, who decided that shooting smack with Keith Richards was better than playing segregated Johannesburg, so he essentially fired himself. While GP’s political motives were as much expedient as heartfelt, to his credit he flew the coop on a tour that was by all […]

Clarence White: From Bakersfield To Byrdland: 1967-68

Posted by Lance Davis - September 5, 2008 - Bakersfield International, Byrds, Clarence White, Gary S. Paxton, Gene Parsons, Gosdin Brothers, Sierra Records, The Reasons, Wynn Stewart

7

“To have been a Renaissance Hillbilly in Hollywood in the 1960s would have been great for me. I could have hung out with Leo Fender, Buck Owens and Don Rich, Moon (Ralph Mooney), Merle (Haggard) and Roy Nichols. Gone to check out Wynn Stewart recording at Capitol or witnessed Johnny Cash, Joe Maphis, and Merle […]