In this week's episode we're featuring the debut album from Missouri's Leona Williams: "That Williams Girl, Leona" (1970). As a young woman in St. Louis working as a beautician by day and playing music several nights a week on the side, connections that Leona Williams made during that time would serve her young career well. A friendship with Loretta Lynn saw Leona move to Nashville and join Loretta's first band "The Blue Kentuckians" and a former bandmate who landed an Opry role helped her to get her first recording session. Leona's traditional-edged style got the attention of industry heavyweight Wesley Rose, and she was signed to Hickory Records in 1967. Rose deliberately helped set her up for a lifetime in country music, and that's exactly how it panned out for this modest gal from The Show Me State. Leona herself will say "she's just as plain as an old shoe" (an expression her mother liked to use), but hopefully the music featured in this week's show will serve to convince you that Leona Williams' 50+ year in country music is testament to an entertainer who had the charisma, talent and drive to deserve it.
Tommy Overstreet & The Nashville Express - There'll Never Be Another First Time
Ray Price - Sometimes A Rose
George Jones - Love Bug
Mel Tillis - Stateside
James Carothers - Still Country, Still King: A Tribute To George Jones
Justin Tubb - Justin Tubb (Self Titled)
Kristyn Harris - Down The Trail
Wayne Kemp - Wayne Kemp (Self Titled)
Laura Cash - Awake But Dreaming
David Ball - Thinkin' Problem
Merle Haggard - A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World
Tracy Byrd - Love Lessons
Dolly Parton - The Grass Is Blue
Bobby Marquez - The Cowboy Way
Weldon Henson - Honky Tonk Frontier
Starday Country & Western Golden Hit Parade
Jack Guthrie - His Greatest Songs
Randy Travis - Old 8x10
Skeets McDonald - Call Me Skeets!
Jim Owen - A Song For Us All: A Salute To Hank Williams
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