Foolin' Around with Lightnin' Wells

The Foolin’ Around Podcast with Lightnin’ Wells, Episode 7: Jimmie Rodgers

Lightnin’ Wells and co-host Silas Albright celebrate The Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers, with 14 Rodgers tracks performed by Wells throughout the years across numerous instruments and with plenty of yodeling. Rodgers, born Sept 8, 1987 in Meridian, Mississippi, grew up working on railroads with his father, starting as a waterboy and working his way up to become a brakeman. Rodgers later lived and played in Asheville, North Carolina, eventually recorded in Bristol, Tennessee and went on to become a country music superstar with hits like million-seller Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas), Waitin’ For a Train, In the Jailhouse Now and Muleskinner Blues, influencing later stars from Gene Autry and Ernest Tubb to Bill Monroe and Bob Dylan.  (0:59) Lightnin' introduces Jimmie Rodgers (8:28) The Brakeman’s Blues (13:13) Everybody Does it in Hawaii (17:02) My Rough and Rowdy Ways (21:02) I’m Lonely and Blue (25:09) In My Dear Old Southern Home (28:20) Mother (The Queen of My Heart) (32:20) Tuck Away My Lonesome Blues (36:10) He’s in the Jailhouse Now (40:19) Why Should I Be Lonely (44:31) Hurry Home Sweet Mama (48:00) Roll Along Kentucky Moon (52:18) Never No Mo’ Blues (55:56) Travelin’ Blues (59:58) Waiting For a Train Video: Jimmie Rodgers stars in short film The Singing Brakeman (1929) featuring performances of Waiting for a Train, Daddy and Home and Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvA9fWnEXw0]

Episode 6: Uncle Dave Macon

In this episode, Lightnin’ Wells and co-host Silas Albright highlight old-time banjo legend Uncle Dave Macon. Macon, born in 1870, went on from driving a covered wagon hauled by mules in rural Tennessee to become the first star of the Grand Ole Opry. Lightnin' shares 12 of his own takes on Uncle Dave songs over the years. (0:56) Lightnin' introduces Uncle Dave (12:16) Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase (16:05) (She Was Always) Chewing Gum (19:01) Railroadin’ and Gamblin’ (23:10) Over the Mountain (26:35) Going Across the Sea (30:26) Give Me Back My Five Dollars (34:00) Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy (37:50) Heavenly Sunlight (41:29) C-H-I-C-K-E-N Spells Chicken (45:24) Go Along Mule (49:38) Walk Tom Wilson (53:49) You’ve Been a Friend to Me Video: Barefooted Lightnin’ plays Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy [https://www.facebook.com/reel/2541905179408060] Video: Uncle Dave does banjo tricks and performs Take Me Back to My Carolina Home [https://youtu.be/gicjw5n92qQ?si=YFHb2LttLGaw7zj8] Uncle Dave Macon photo gallery [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SJSlKyu5uJMSdr0YdVjTdSKmM-tdR9_7?usp=sharing]

Valentine’s Day Edition

Lightnin’ Wells plays and talks about a fresh set of nine newly-recorded old-fashioned love songs with co-host Silas Albright to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Spread the love! Lightnin’ Wells Documentary Premiere Tickets [https://fcac.ludus.com/select.php] (March 27 in Farmville, NC) 1. (2:26) I’ll Be Coming Home Every Saturday Night [originally by Turner Fodrell [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLhLgGW6P1c]] 2. (6:42) Someone is Waiting For You [originally by Bradley Kincaid [https://nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/Site/inductee?entry_id=1407]] 3. (10:01) I’ll Buy the Ring (and Change Your Name to Mine) [recorded by Ukelele Ike [https://ukuleletravels.com/blog/en/cliff-edwards/] and Ukulele Bailey [https://www.discogs.com/release/11136307-Ukulele-Bailey-Webb-Hahne-Salt-And-Pepper-Ill-Buy-The-Ring-Look-What-Youre-Missing-Wasting-Time]] 4. (13:55) Shady Grove [Traditional] 5. (18:38) Eliza [written by Gus Kahn [https://www.songhall.org/profiles/gus-kahn]] [sheet music cover art from 1924 [https://www.ebay.com/itm/334702168400]] 6. (23:11) My Dixie Darling [recorded by The Carter Family in 1936 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCN22b1y_aA]] 7. (27:26) Wait’ll You See My Gal [recorded by Arthur Fields and May Singhi-Breen in 1924 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aEfShTWa1E]] [sheet music cover art from 1926 [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/774478467165992293/]] 8. (31:00) One Way Gal [originally by WIlliam Moore [https://www.rivahguide.com/william-moore-virginia-blues-legend/]] [video of Lightnin’ playing in 2017 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2yJBYZFBmw]] 9. (35:02) I Love You the Best of All [recorded by Lester McFarland and Robert A. Gardner in 1929] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxby-8yfpnc&list=RDMxby-8yfpnc&start_radio=1] [recorded by The Louvin Brothers [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMWO98WPa3k]] Happy Valentine’s day from Lightnin’ Wells! [https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T-GpA6Y8bPO1orz-Io_L9TuPSWw1LBz/view?usp=sharing]

Young Lightnin' Part 2

Lightnin’ Wells debuts eight of the first tracks he ever recorded, using a two-track reel-to-reel recorder in his bedroom in 1969-70, and discusses them with co-host Silas Albright.  Check out Young Lightnin' Part One [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BpXC0cy2m2qWg65d32cm8?si=6e37218936c64135] for a deep dive into Lightnin's upbringing and early musical interests and influences. Young Lightnin’ photo gallery [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-MvppNYbVi-WWFut3agQ-u7DC7ZVz7gLgyY2ECNv7rE/edit?slide=id.p#slide=id.p] (0:00) Variations on Three Blind Mice (clip) (0:48) Intro (5:37) Summertime (8:50) I Shall Not Be Moved (12:52) Under The Double Eagle (16:15) Fishin’ Blues (20:52) Dust My Broom (24:37) Beaumont Rag (28:05) Instrumental (Based on Maui Chimes) (31:15) Variations on Three Blind Mice (full) (35:12) Outro

Young Lightnin' Part 1

Lightnin’ Wells details his childhood and early musical influences and interests with co-host Silas Albright. Lightnin’s sister, Cindy, stops by for an insightful conversation.  Plus enjoy a taste of a couple early Lightnin' recordings: Fishin' Blues (0:00) and (52:44) and This Land is Your Land (15:04). Check out Young Lightnin' Part Two [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2WZOKn2qZG2OCDqggNCeWn?si=FqwnmWkVShiYTE3uWCL6Gg] to hear eight of the first tracks he ever recorded available exclusively on the Foolin' Around Podcast. Young Lightnin’ photo gallery [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-MvppNYbVi-WWFut3agQ-u7DC7ZVz7gLgyY2ECNv7rE/edit?slide=id.p#slide=id.p] (0:00) Fishin’ Blues clip (0:53) Intro (3:13) Lightnin’ on Lightnin’ (15:04) Lightnin’ plays This Land is Your Land clip at Boy Scouts rally (33:01) Conversation with Lightnin’s sister, Cindy (51:49) Outro (52:35) Fishin’ Blues kazoo break