Lulu Roman "Now Let Me Sing" (Rainbow Sounds, Inc., 1974-?) (LP)
(Produced by Bob Cline & Jim Grier)
An admittedly painful album by Hee-Haw cast member Lulu Roman, was a Texas gal whose career dated back to the 1950s, when she cut a string of straight country singles, but failed to click as a headlining artist. Later in life, Roman -- who had a thyroid problem that contributed to her weight gain -- settled into a "fat gal" schtick and played that role for many years on Hee-Haw. Like Johnny Cash before her, Roman struggled with drug addiction and straightened out after she got religion, eventually moving into the Southern Gospel field. This is an all-gospel album, recorded in Dallas, Texas with a hometown studio band that included local luminaries such as Smokey Montgomery, Marc Jaco, and guitar picker Tom Morrell, along with the Bob Cline Singers. The title track and "Oh How He Loves Me" were both co-written by Lulu Roman, along with someone named Dearman. She also covers a couple of Andre Crouch songs, a version of Fanny Crosby's "Blessed Assurance," and a couple credited to someone named Wolfe, possibly Lanny Walfe, though again, there's no first name given.
Lulu Roman "Jesus Set Me Free: The Personal Testimony Of Lulu Roman" (Rainbow Sounds, Inc., 1974-?) (LP)
Mostly a spoken-word album, featuring Lulu Roman testifying in front of televangelist Rex Humbard's Ohio congregation, appearances that were presumably broadcast on his TV show as well. There are also a couple of songs, one per album side, with a version of Roman's own composition,"Now Let Me Sing," with "One Day Too Late" added on Side Two. I'm not sure of the extent of Roman's connections to Humbard's Cathedral of Tomorrow organization, since her own base of operations was down in Dallas-Fort Worth. Anyway, if you're interested in hearing her abase herself and repent for her drug use and whatnot, that version of her life story is available here. She is also pictured on the back cover also with her then-pastor, neo-pentacostalist Howard Conaster, who led the Beverly Hills Baptist Church, in her hometown of Dallas, Texas.
Lulu Roman "One Day At A Time" (Rainbow Sounds, Inc., 1975-?) (LP)
(Produced by Jim Grier)
Lulu Roman "Love Comin' Down" (Rainbow Sounds, Inc., 1976) (LP)
(Produced by Bob Cline & Jim Grier)
Lulu Roman "Hee-Haw's Lulu Sings For Her Friends" (Rainbow Sounds, Inc., 1979) (LP)
(Produced by Jim Grier, David Boothe & Larry Nix)
This disc is kind of a transitional effort, mixing secular country and pop covers with gospel songs... A Dallas native, Roman drew on local talent such as Smokey Montgomery, steel player Maurice Anderson, bassist Marc Jaco and drummer Perry Skidmore... They deliver a professional, if somewhat by-the-numbers backing, mainly in a soft-sounding post-countrypolitan mode which, if you ask me, doesn't support Roman's rather husky vocals as well as a more robust, uptempo style might have done. The inner gatefold features "scrapbook" backstage photos of a number of huge country stars that Roman had hung out with -- Roy Clark, George Jones, Jerry Reed, Connie Smith and others -- but several self-deprecating comments sprinkled throughout cast a shadow on the project. For example, a picture taken with Tennessee Ernie Ford reads, "Ernie...(and) 16 TONS!!" which strikes me as a little depressing... Overall, body issues aside, this is an okay album, though it didn't really wow me.
Lulu Roman Smith "You Were Loving Me" (Canaan Records, 1984) (LP)
Lulu Roman Smith "Take Me There" (Word Records, 1985) (LP)
Lulu Roman Smith "Hymns That Light My Way" (Word Records, 1986) (LP)
Lulu Roman Joy "Lulu Roman Joy" (1988)
Lulu Roman "Key To The Kingdom" (Homeland Records, 1990)
(Produced by Roger Bennett)
Lulu Roman "Joy" (Homeland Records, 1990)
Lulu Roman "Best Friend" (Benson Sounds, 1991)
(Produced by Michael Sykes)
Lulu Roman "Lulu Salutes Patsy" (Silver Wing Records, 1996)
A rare secular set from Ms. Roman, her tribute to the great country-pop balladeer, Patsy Cline.
Lulu Roman "Hymns, Promises And Praises" (Daywind Records, 1997)
Lulu Roman "Intimate Expression" (Daywind Records, 1998)
Lulu Roman "Orphan Girl" (Martingale Music, 2006)
Lulu Roman "Seven Times" (Son Of Jesse Records, 2009)
Lulu Roman "There's A New Kid In Town" (Daywind Records, 2009)
A Christmas-themed album, with Jesus making a cameo as "the new kid" in the manger...
Lulu Roman "At Last" (Homesick Entertainments, 2013)
This set of classic hymns includes duets with several major country stars, notably George Jones and Dolly Parton...
Lulu Roman (nee Bertha Louise Hable) was a country music singer and comedian who was "discovered" by Buck Owens and recruited into the original cast of TV's Hee Haw hillbilly variety show, where she was often used as a comedic foil as a result of her weight. Roman had a lifelong thyroid condition which contributed to her weight; this in turn lead her into alcohol and drug abuse, necessitating a prolonged break from the show, just as Hee Haw was at its commercial peak... She reemerged as a contemporary Christian artist, although she managed to keep some of here rural roots intact. Here's a quick look at some of her work...
