Bandera Waltz

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"Bandera Waltz" is a song written by O. B. "Easy" Adams. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

It is a Western cowboy ballad. [6] [7] [8] According to the book Country Music USA, it talks about "the famous Bandera Stampede in Texas". [7]

This was the first song released by the Texas Top Hands on their own Everstate record label in 1949. The song became a regional hit and has since been considered "a dance hall classic". [3]

Track listing

10-inch shellac record (Everstate C-101, 1949) [9] [10]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."That's The Only Way"John Currie2:45
2."Bandera Waltz" Easy Adams 2:45

Jimmy Wakely version

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboard positive [8]

Jimmy Wakely released his rendition on Capitol in 1950 (cat. no. 1240, c/w "Pot o' Cold"). [11] Billboard gave a positive review: "A sensational cowboy waltz is warbled to a turn by Wakely, smartly backed by smooth-playing combo." [8]

Slim Whitman version

"Bandera Waltz"
Single
A-side "Bandera Waltz"
"End of the World"
Released1952
Length2:40
Label Imperial
Songwriter(s) [
singles chronology
"Love Song of the Waterfall" / "My Love Is Growing Stale"
(1949)
"Bandera Waltz" / "End of the World"
(1952)
"Cold Empty Arms" / "In a Hundred Years or More"
(1952)

Slim Whitman recorded his version, along with "Love Song of the Waterfall", "My Love Is Growing Stale", and "End of the World", in November 1951 at KWKH. [12]

The first big hit ["Love Song of the Waterfall"] to be recorded at KWKH was by a yodeling tenor balladeer, Slim Whitman, who joined the Hayride in May 1950. Recently signed to Imperial Records, his day job as a postman prevented him from traveling to California for a recording session. Slim turned to Bob Sullivan in seeking a solution to his dilemma. "Sully, can you cut me a record?" The answer was in the affirmative with the proviso that the session could only take place when KWKH was off air. In November 1951 "Love Song of the Waterfall," "My Love Is Growing Stale," "Bandera Waltz," and "End of the World" were recorded one morning.

Shreveport Sounds in Black and White [12]

Whitman's first single for Imperial would be "Love Song of the Waterfall" coupled with "My Love Is Growing Stale", following by "Bandera Waltz" coupled with "End of the World".

Track listing

7-inch single (Imperial 45-8144, 1952, United States) [13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Bandera Waltz"O. B. Easy Adams2:40
2."End of the World" Jerry Whitman 2:35
10-inch shellac record (London HL-1018, 1952, Australia) [14]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Bandera Waltz"Adams 
2."My Love Is Growing Stale" Lacy  

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References

  1. "Original versions of Bandera Waltz written by Easy Adams". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  2. Bush, Johnny; Mitchell, Ricky (24 May 2017). Whiskey River (Take My Mind): The True Story of Texas Honky-Tonk. University of Texas Press. ISBN   978-1-4773-1548-4.
  3. 1 2 Barkley, Roy R. (2003). The Handbook of Texas Music. Texas State Historical Association. p. 318. ISBN   978-0-87611-193-2.
  4. "The Journal of Country Music". 1986.
  5. "Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series". 1953.
  6. Laird, Tracey E. W. (2000). Shreveport's KWKH: A City and Its Radio Station in the Evolution of Country Music and Rock-and-roll. University of Michigan. ISBN   978-0-599-68147-7.
  7. 1 2 Bill C. Malone; Tracey E. W. Laird (2018). Country Music USA: 50th Anniversary Edition. University of Texas Press. p. 279. ISBN   978-1-4773-1535-4.
  8. 1 2 3 "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. October 28, 1950 via Google Books.
  9. "Tracks on That's the Only Way - Texas Top Hands (November 1949)". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  10. "Texas Top Hands – That's The Only Way / Bandera Waltz (1949, Shellac)". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  11. "Billboard". Billboard. October 7, 1950 via Google Books.
  12. 1 2 Lornell, Kip; Laird, Tracey E. W. (February 17, 2010). Shreveport Sounds in Black and White. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN   978-1-4968-0062-6 via Google Books.
  13. "Slim Whitman - Bandera Waltz / End Of The World". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  14. "Slim Whitman - Bandera Waltz". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-03-13.