If That Ain't Country

In this week's episode we're remembering an extremely popular regional act who almost broke the big time save for a few noble family decisions: Rem Wall & The Green Valley Boys. The host of a long-running TV show out of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Rem Wall made some great honky tonk during his years with Glenn Records (Hammond, IN) and later Columbia. Poised to enjoy national success, Wall opted to stay put and lived out his career as a big fish in a relatively small pond. His recordings tell the tale of a man who had "it" as much as the next guy on the Nashville hit list so let's get digging into this week's box o' 45s!

In this week's episode we're featuring Kentucky's Hugh X. Lewis' fourth album for Kapp Records: "Country Fever" (1968). A high school buddy and his songwriting chops lead him to Nashville in 1963 and after Paul Cohen signed him to Kapp, Lewis cut some super material through our feature album's release (which was his last for the label). Lewis' wrote or co-wrote nine of his fifteen charting singles so it's no surprise his hand is prolific on "Country Fever" (particularly the B-side) and it's a better album for it.

In this week's episode we're featuring an album from the wonderful Ray Pillow: "Even When It's Bad It's Good!" (1967). From Lynchburg, Virginia and a Grand Ole Opry favourite for more than fifty years, Pillow's rich and smooth baritone drew comparisons to Dean Martin over his long career. And though he hailed from Virignia, folks often thought he was Texan for his love of country shuffles. Our feature album delivers in spades and proves Pillow's back catalogue is well worth digging into.

In this week's episode we return to Canada for a fresh new release from Winnipeg's Sean Burns: "Lost Country" (2023). After some spitballing with guitar slinger and buddy Grant Siemens, Burns' came up with the idea of recording an album of all-Canadian, mostly unknown country covers and it came together quickly. Recorded and released in between gigging as part of Corb Lund's band, "Lost Country" is delivered with bravado, swagger and reverence all at the same time. If hearing good material for the first time is up your alley, Sean Burns' "Lost Country" will be too.

This week it's all gals! More than just Dolly, it's three hours of the very best female voices of traditional country, honky tonk, bluegrass and western swing and nothing but.