Eric Hilliard Nelson was an American musician and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. In 1957, he began a long and successful career as a popular recording artist.
Donald William 'Bob' Johnston was an American record producer, best known for his work with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, and Simon & Garfunkel.
Shotgun Willie is the 16th studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson, released on June 11, 1973. The recording marks a change of style for Nelson, who later stated that the album "cleared his throat". When Nelson refused to sign an early extension of his contract with RCA Records in 1972, the label decided not to release any further recordings. Nelson hired Neil Reshen as his manager, and while Reshen negotiated with RCA, Nelson moved to Austin, Texas, where the ongoing hippie music scene at the Armadillo World Headquarters renewed his musical style. In Nashville, Nelson met producer Jerry Wexler, vice president of Atlantic Records, who was interested in his music. Reshen solved the problems with RCA and signed Nelson with Atlantic as their first country music artist.
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and released the following year on his second album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, and as the b-side of the single "Blowin' in the Wind". The song was covered by several other artists, including Peter, Paul and Mary, who released it as a single, which reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
"Walkin' After Midnight" is a song written by Alan Block and Don Hecht and recorded by American country music artist Patsy Cline. The song was originally given to pop singer Kay Starr; however, her label rejected it. The song was left unused until Hecht rediscovered it when writing for Four Star Records. Originally Cline was not fond of "Walkin' After Midnight", but after making a compromise with her label she recorded it. However, the first released recording was by Lynn Howard with The Accents, released in August 1956.
"She Belongs to Me" is a song by Bob Dylan, and was first released as the second track on his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home. The song may be about a former girlfriend, Suze Rotolo, or fellow folk singer Joan Baez, contemporary siren Nico, or Sara Lownds, the woman that Dylan would wed in November 1965.
"Love Minus Zero/No Limit" is a song written by Bob Dylan for his fifth studio album Bringing It All Back Home, released in 1965. Its main musical hook is a series of three descending chords, while its lyrics articulate Dylan's feelings for his lover, and have been interpreted as describing how she brings a needed zen-like calm to his chaotic world. The song uses surreal imagery, which some authors and critics have suggested recalls Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" and the biblical Book of Daniel. Critics have also remarked that the style of the lyrics is reminiscent of William Blake's poem "The Sick Rose".
Thomas Grady Martin was an American session guitarist in country music and rockabilly.
"Walkin' Down the Line" is a song written by Bob Dylan and first recorded by him in November 1962 for Broadside magazine. Dylan recorded the song again in March 1963 for his music publisher Witmark and this version was released in 1991 on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 1961–1991.
"Night Life" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. Nelson was inspired to write the song during one of his trips from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to his work, singing at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston.
"The Last Letter" is a song written by country music singer Rex Griffin. Griffin wrote the song in 1937, after he was left by his wife. The song tells through a suicidal letter the feelings of an older man who is left by his young wife. The song, released on Decca Records became a hit for Griffin.
"Pretty Paper" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson in 1963. After being signed to Monument Records, Nelson played the song for producer Fred Foster. Foster pitched the song to Roy Orbison, who turned it into a hit. Nelson later recorded his own version of the song in November 1964.
Charles "Bud" Dant was an American musician, arranger and composer. In the 1930s, he attended and graduated Indiana University's School of Music. Jazz composer Hoagy Carmichael had persuaded Dant—who at that time had his own "Bud Dant Collegians" danceband—to come to IU to study at their School of Music. At that time, Carmichael did not know how to read or write music. The two friends met one day in 1927 at the school's Book Nook restaurant, where Carmichael played the first several bars of a song he had conceived—a jazz chorus. He asked Dant to write an arrangement right there in the Book Nook restaurant—this was the first time the song Stardust, which at the time was called "Star Dust," had ever been written down. According to Dant, the piece was originally a peppy jazz song and recorded in 1927, but in 1928, a slower version was written out by Dant and Carmichael. The piece was recorded with Carmichael and others at the Gennett Records studio in Richmond, Indiana. In 1929, Mitchell Parish wrote lyrics to the song. Stardust, an idiosyncratic melody in medium tempo, became an American standard, and is one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, with over 1,500 total recordings.
Alone with You is a compilation album by American country singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. It was released in June 1972 on Vocalion and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was only Lynn's fourth compilation released in her career and her second with the Coral label. The album contained a series of tracks recorded early in years at Decca Records.
More Songs by Ricky is the fifth album by rock and roll and pop idol Ricky Nelson, released in 1960. The album was recorded at Master Recorders studios in Hollywood, California, United States. The album was the last to credit his first name as "Ricky" and final studio album credited as "Ricky Nelson" during his lifetime. Jimmie Haskell arranged the album, while Charles "Bud" Dant produced it.
The Very Thought of You is the tenth studio album by rock and roll and pop idol Rick Nelson and his third for Decca Records. It was released on August 3, 1964. Jimmie Haskell was the arranger. Charles "Bud" Dant produced the album.
Best Always is the twelfth studio album by rock and roll and pop idol Rick Nelson, and his fifth for Decca Records, released on April 19, 1965. One single, "Mean Old World", was minor hit in the US. Jimmie Haskell arranged the album and Charles "Bud" Dant produced it.
Love and Kisses is the thirteenth studio album by American rock and roll and pop singer Rick Nelson, and his sixth for Decca Records, released on November 15, 1965. Nelson sang three songs in his last film of the same name: "Love and Kisses", "Say You Love Me", and "Come Out Dancin'". Jimmie Haskell arranged the album and Charles "Bud" Dant produced it.
Bright Lights and Country Music was a studio album by American singer Ricky Nelson. Released on May 30, 1966, it was his seventh for Decca Records and fourteenth overall. It was considered a significant change in direction for Nelson from the rock and roll of previous albums.
Ricky Sings Spirituals is an EP by American singer Ricky Nelson. It was released in February 1960 and contains four gospel songs. Jimmie Haskell arranged the album and Charles "Bud" Dant produced it.
