The Last Letter

Billy Henderson · Post by **Billy Henderson** » 23 Sep 2004 9:12 am

Who had the big record on this? Has anyone put it out lately? I would like to find a copy. Thanks

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 23 Sep 2004 9:31 am

I think Ernest Tubb had the first (maybe the biggest) hit in the middle to late 40's.??? I might have it on one of his albums. I'll check.

Gere Mullican · Post by **Gere Mullican** » 23 Sep 2004 9:34 am

Jack Green also has a great version of it and maybe Cal Smith.
Gere

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 23 Sep 2004 9:42 am

Ray Price also sang it, it's in the Bear Family box set.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 23 Sep 2004 10:31 am

It was written by Rex Griffin who also had the first version out (I believe).

I searched my record database and found a lot of different versions: ET, Ray Price, Connie Smith, Jack Greene, James O'Gwynn, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Sammi Smith, Tommy Collins, Faron Young,...

Quite an impressive list!

Kind Regards, Walter

www.lloydgreentribute.com
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

------------------

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 23 Sep 2004 11:00 am

Ralph Mooney fans will enjoy the Waylon Live version of that song, although I think Waylon leaves out a verse.

------------------
HagFan

Mark Herrick · Post by **Mark Herrick** » 23 Sep 2004 11:46 am

Chris O'Connell did it with Asleep At The Wheel in 1974...

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 23 Sep 2004 1:25 pm

Of course it wasn't a 'big record' for him - but Little Roy Wiggins would often play The Last Letter at ISCG and other steel shows, evidently as a result of performing it with Eddie Arnold.
Roy preferred the 'three-chord version' as opposed to the 'plentichord' version.
~Russ
--------------------------------------
A title search at ASCAP yielded this list of artists that recorded the tune:
ARNOLD E
ARNOLD EDDY
ASLEEP
ASLEEP AT WHEEL
CLARK R
COLEMAN A
GRIFFIN R
HAGGARD M
HAGGARD,M
JENNINGS W
MC COY C
MCCOY C
NASHVILLE BRASS
NELSON W
NELSON WILLIE
PRICE R
RODRIGUEZ J
SMITH C
WISEMAN M

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 23 Sep 2004 7:01 pm

Well it is a great song, and my favorite version is from my favorite girl singer, LANEY HICKS. If you have not heard her sing this, it is on one of her CDs. You need to hear Laney and Russ do this beautiful Rex Griffin tune.

------------------
Billy Easton
Casa Grande, AZ
Southwestern Steel Guitar Association

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 24 Sep 2004 8:05 am

"The Last Letter"

Fabulous song! (Kinda gruesome, though, as it's really a suicide note.)

I think Hawkshaw Hawkins (and much later, Jack Greene), had the biggest hits with this song. The song is sometimes confused with "Soldier's Last Letter", a different song which Tubb had a big hit with.

Rex also had it out himself, but it wasn't a real big hit. I've even heard that Hank Sr. recorded it once, but the cut was never released, and it got lost along the years, somehow.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 25 Sep 2004 12:56 am

I have a George Jones album with the song on it. Killer version (of course, it's George).

------------------
Carter D10 9p/10k, NV400

Billy Henderson · Post by **Billy Henderson** » 26 Sep 2004 8:21 am

Thanks to all! Somehow I missed the song growing up and only heard it recently for the first time. A fellow did it at a jam and WOW what a beautiful song, good for the steel as well! Thanks again.

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 27 Sep 2004 7:19 pm

Perry ,, you are thinking of Soldiers last Letter , recorded by Ernest Tubb,
written by Redd Stuart

Joe Yednasty · Post by **Joe Yednasty** » 28 Sep 2004 5:50 pm

Yes, Ron Page is right on the money about the Waylon Live version of "The Last Letter" with Ralph Mooney on steel. (I think its a steel guitar, I have a steel but it doesn't sound like whatever Ralph Mooney is playin). Waylon Jennings also does "The Last Letter" on his album "Live at JD's." Hope this info helps keeps you on the right track.

------------------
"Eskimo" Joe Yednasty
Emmons P/P S-10
Peavey Session 500

Dayna Wills · Post by **Dayna Wills** » 5 Oct 2004 9:28 pm

I recorded it with Tom Morrell and several Texas Playboys on Bob's Sister Helen's Kid Vol I.
There! I tooted my own horn.

------------------

Dayna Wills · Post by **Dayna Wills** » 5 Oct 2004 9:45 pm

I thought I posted, but it didn't take...anyhoo, I recorded it with Tom Morrell and several Texas Playboys on my Cd titled Bob's Sister Helen's Kid, Vol. I. Uncle Luke sang it (and recorded it) with Uncle Bob's band.

Billy Henderson · Post by **Billy Henderson** » 6 Oct 2004 5:27 am

Thanks Dayna sent you an Email.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 10 Oct 2004 9:43 am

Billy:
Did you get a copy of this song? I have it by most everybody on the above list plus also the Carter Family and Jerry Lee Lewis. Jerry Lees' version has a real nice steel intro but my favorite version of the song is by Merle Haggard.

------------------
Rebel™
ICQ 614585
http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html