The Troubadours

Charles French · Post by **Charles French** » 2 Sep 2003 4:37 am

I was reading an interview with Leon Rhodes and he was talking about the instrumental albums the Troubadours did. Am I to understand that Jack Greene was drumming on some of this? Would this be the same Jack Greene the singer? They don't make drummers like that anymore.This has got to be some of the best playing ever. What a band!

The Texas Troubadours
Country Dance Time
Ernest Tubb's Fabulous Texas Troubadours
The Terrific Texas Troubadours

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 2 Sep 2003 6:07 am

Yes, that was the same Jack Greene. I went to an Ernest Tubb concert many years ago and Jack Greene was in the band along with Cal Smith. They both got up and sang. Ernest wasn't adverse to promoting his band members. He assisted them along in every way possible. I think he was a true gentleman.
Erv
p.s. Marty Stuart wound up with his tour bus.[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 02 September 2003 at 07:08 AM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Sep 2003 7:02 am

Ernest wasn't adverse to promoting his band members. He assisted them along in every way possible.

Yes, very true. Ernest probably got the idea to "share the stage", and promote and credit his players (usually, right in the song!) from former artists who had occasionally done it, like Bob Wills. Ernest perfected the practice, though, and was rapidly copied by other stars of the day, such as Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Bill Anderson, who all had their bands record their own albums.

Most sidemen nowadays (with the possible exception of Jerry Douglas, when he works with Alison Krauss) toil in relative obscurity. I lament that the concept (of promoting both the star and their band) is not nearly as popular today. Perhaps, that's due to the vise-like control the recording companies and producers now exercise, or perhaps it's due to the paranoid egomania of today's crop of singers.

Likely, it's a little of both.

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 2 Sep 2003 8:45 am

Donny, I think if you check the details, it's Jerry Douglas' own contract that insists he gets individual billing...it's not any act of thoughtfulness or recognition from the boss.
Not everyone could pull that off.
-John
[This message was edited by John Steele on 02 September 2003 at 09:46 AM.]

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 2 Sep 2003 3:50 pm

Then again.....not everyone plays like Jerry.........

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Sho-Bud ProII
"there's been an awful murder, down on music row!"

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 2 Sep 2003 5:25 pm

yes and play he does.... dont he

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 2 Sep 2003 7:48 pm

As I understand it, E.T. actually had to fire Jack Greene so that Jack could take advantage of his popularity and get a recording contract.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 3 Sep 2003 2:24 am

Charles,
What interview with Leon Rhodes are you refering to?
I'd like to read it.
Thanks,
Russ

Charles French · Post by **Charles French** » 3 Sep 2003 3:45 am

Hey Russ I can get you close I think http://vguitar.com

If this doesn't take you there, do a search for vintage guitar magazine and on the left side of the home page click artist page and you'll find Leon Rhodes about 1/3 of the way down. It was a great read.

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 3 Sep 2003 5:09 pm

Here is the link that takes you right to the interview-GREAT reading!!! Enjoy Ron
http://www.vintageguitar.com/artists/details.asp?ID=95

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 3 Sep 2003 10:18 pm

SOmewhere out there, is a video of the Troubadors and ET.....Leon Rhodes and Buddy Charleton doing their famous twin guitar instrumentals like on the ablbum. Look around perhaps one of your forum friends could slip you a copy.

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 7 Sep 2003 10:25 pm

RAY, I believe that video is available from the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville.