Holiday Music | Other Country Styles
The Landers Family "The Old Folks Don't Live Here" (Old Homestead Records, 1981) (LP)
Bluegrass gospel from a rootsy family band, centered on multi-instrumentalist Jake Landers (1938-2018), a solid picker from Alabama who co-founded the Dixie Gentlemen band along with mandolin picker Herschel Sizemore and Rual Yarbrough, who adds a few banjo licks on this album. Also on board are family members John Landers (lead and harmony vocals), and daughters Phyllis and Wanda Landers on vocals, as well as Melvin Hallmark plunking bass, and Al Lester playing fiddle. Jake Landers was a prolific songwriter, penning numerous tunes for the Dixie Gentlemen, as well as most of the songs on this album. Highlights include "I Thank God For America Today" (co-written with Herschel Sizemore) and "I'm Working For The Lord," which was co-composed with Mr. Hallmark.
The Jake Landers Family "The River Is Deep" (Old Homestead Records, 1982) (LP)
Same group as above, though without John Landers and a slightly different cast of supporting players. Here, Jake, Phyllis and Wanda Landers are joined by T.R. Campbell on guitar, Melvin Hallmark (banjo) and Larry McWilliams on fiddle. The repertoire remains rock-solid gospel twang, though.
Christy Lane - see artist profile
Connie Lane "One Nation Under God" (Ripcord Records, 1976) (LP)
Another mystery album from the folks at Ripcord, this time with an American Bicentennial spin. This seems to have been more of a folk/gospel/Southern gospel album, with several songs written by Connie Lane, including the title track, which was also released as a single. Ms. Lane appears to have been from Saint Helena, Oregon, but other than that remains a pretty elusive figure. Although the backing musicians aren't identified, the back cover liner notes inform us that background vocals are provided by by Jim Hamar and Deana Rickert. Does anyone have more info about this album? Was she the same Connie Lane who recorded a few singles for the Dynamic Sound label? Inquiring minds want to know...
Tracy Lawrence "The Rock" (Rocky Comfort Records, 2009)
(Produced by Tracy Lawrence & Julian King)
Hat act hero Tracy Lawrence has gone indie, starting his own label and doing what few Top Forty singers do anymore: he's put out an all-gospel country album. And it's pretty darn good. It's a work of its times, too -- Lawrence keeps the production style and the sensitive-roughneck attitude that his fans are used to, and applied it to gospel-themed lyrics, thinking about Jesus while standing over the barbeque grill. Several of these guitar-heavy nuggets sound just like his regular old radio hits, and indeed if you heard 'em on the air, it might take you a while to figure out the religious themes. Others are more direct, some shamelessly sentimental, and all seem quite sincere. Although tossing a gospel tune or two onto a mainstream album has become pretty commonplace, the country gospel album haas become kind of a lost art form on modern-day Nashville, replaced by Christmas albums and shout-outs to God in the liner notes. Lawrence is both bold and triumphant in this effort -- it's an album that will hold up pretty well in years to come.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver -- see artist discography
Melissa Lawson "Constant" (2010)
Christian pop and Christian country from a finalist on the 2005 season of the Nashville Star TV talent contest. Decent material, if you like the style; veers a bit further into rock-oriented "contemporary Christian" territory than her EP made with Texas indie icon Ray Benson (above).
Melissa Lawson "United We Stand" (EP) (Bismeaux Records, 2010)
(Produced by Ray Benson)
Shanna Learn "Jesus Loves You And So Do I" (Smokehouse Records, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Donald D. Morris & Kevin McManus)
Side One is secular, with covers of "Delta Dawn," "The Gambler," "Good Hearted Woman," "Proud Mary" and "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," while the second side is gospel material, including a couple of Hank Williams songs.
Shanna Learn "Country Sunshine" (Smokehouse Records, 1981) (LP)
(Produced by Donald D. Morris)
This album is mostly a set a gospel standards, chestnuts such as "Amazing Grace," "Great Speckled Bird," "He Touched Me" and "I'll Fly Away." Although this was a Nashville session, the backing band isn't an A-list crew: Reggie Allen, Bill Hook, Jack Gates, Don Morris, Bruce Osborn, and John Rees, none of whom I recognize.
Shanna Learn "God Bless America" (Smokehouse Records, 1982) (LP)
(Produced by Donald D. Morris & Kevin McManus)
Following their earlier formula, this album includes secular material on Side One ("Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," "There Goes My Everything," etc,) and gospel on Side Two. The album closes with "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," but isn't a patriotic record, per se.
Shanna Learn "I'm A Little Country Girl" (Smokehouse Records, 1983) (LP)
They really flipped the script on this one, putting the gospel material on Side One, and the secular stuff on Side Two. Covers include "Heartaches By The Numbers," "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" and "You Win Again." Im not sure if the title track, "I'm A Little Country Girl," is a cover song, or an original.
The (Singing) Ledbetters "Waitin', Longin', Yearnin' " (A Smile From Heaven Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Dale McCoy)
A perky family gospel band from Wichita, Kansas who really threw themselves into their music and had an amazingly prolific recording career, with at least ten albums under their belt that I'm aware of.... Led by their dad, Glenn Ledbetter, the group generally takes an upbeat approach and were willing to let the Oklahoma City studio musicians at Benson Sound cut loose with some twangy chicken-pickin' licks which don't overwhelm the vocals, but do add to their uneven, rural charm. (The steel player isn't identified, but guitarist Jimmy Jay may have added them in as overdubs; other studio help comes from pianist/arranger Larry Benson, Stan Bonham (bass), and drummer Rex Stafford, as well as a string section drawn from the OCO Orchestra...) My attention was drawn to a couple of songs by the Hemphills, though Glenn Ledbetter also contributes a couple of his own originals; the album also features three songs by the otherwise-unfamiliar Harold Herrington. A little chaotic at times, though personally I prefer that to the too-perfect stuffiness of many other gospel records.
The (Singing) Ledbetters "Ready To Go" (Family Circus Records, 1972-?) (LP)
(Produced by Chet Barnett, Larry Benson & Jim Ford)
This was the family's eighth album, according to the liner notes, and though it strays away from country twang, there's still an unruly undercurrent to be felt, with the Ledbetters getting a little carried away when they hit the emotional peaks in certain songs. And there is some twang in there as well, as on the steel-sprinkled "He's Not A Stranger To Me" as well as the recitation song "Amazing Grace (Was Mama's Theme Song)", which sounds like something Melba Montgomery mighta done. Another album recorded at the Benson Sound Studio, in Oklahoma City, with Larry Benson presiding on piano, along with Stan Bonham (bass), Doug Campbell (steel guitar), Jim Hochanadel (harmonica), Larry Kent (lead guitar), Brenda Stafford (organ) and Rex Stafford on drums... They cover several relatively obscure gospel songs, though the album is more notable for the originals, including "He Stood By Me," "I Can See The Dark Clouds Hovering," "I Know A Man Who Can" and "I'm Gonna Wake Up In Glory." The back cover notes that the group's longtime guitarist, Mike Leichner, had recently enlisted in the US Marine Corps, "defending the right that his family and others have to worship and sing Gospel Music in a 'free' America." Apparently this was around 1971 or '72, because in later interviews, Leichner (now a pastor in Kansas) recounts how his unit was ready to deploy in Vietnam, but were called back when President Richard Nixon became an intensive bombing campaign. At any rate, he survived the war, and returned to the Midwest, where he later took up solo career as a southern gospel singer.
Brenda Lee "Precious Memories: Favorite Gospel Songs" (BL Productions, 1997)
Brenda Lee "Gospel Duets With Treasured Friends" (Reunion Records, 2007)
An all-star cast joins Ms. Lee, including luminaries such as Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton, as well as some newer, '90s-er Top Forty artists... and even an appearance by Huey Lewis, from the pop world!
Carol Lee & Jimmy Snow "Visions Of Glory" (Heart Warming Records, 1962)
A country-gospel power couple of sorts... This was one of several albums recorded by Jimmy Snow, the son of country star Hank Snow and his wife, Carol Lee Cooper, the daughter of hillbilly old-timers Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper... As "Carol Lee," she led her own group of studio vocalists, the Carol Lee Singers, which did a lot of studio work in Nashville, much like groups such as the Anita Kerr Singers or the Jordanaires.
Carol Lee & Jimmy Snow "Sweethearts Of Sacred Song" (Heart Warming Records, 1964)
Carol Lee & Jimmy Snow "Carry On Family Traditions" (Heart Warming Records, 1966)
Laura Lee "Stroll Over Heaven With Daddy" (19--?) (LP)
Wilma Lee - see: Wilma Lee Cooper
Brennen Leigh "The Gospel According To Austin" (2003)
The Lewis Family - see artist discography
Hugh X. Lewis "Just A Prayer Away" (Kapp Records, 1968) (LP)
Jerry Lee Lewis/Johnny Cash "Sunday Down South" (Sun Records, 1970) (LP)
Jerry Lee Lewis "In Loving Memories, The Jerry Lee Lewis Gospel Album" (Mercury Records, 1971) (LP)
Roy Lewis "Gospel Banjo" (Canaan Records, 1972) (LP)
The first solo album by "Little" Roy Lewis, of the fabled Lewis Family gospel group... Mighty fine picking, for sure, though I prefer the vocal numbers with the full band.
The Light Crust Doughboys "Religious Memories" (Doughboy Records, 1979-?) (LP)
(Produced by Bob Sullivan)
In contrast to innumerable western swing revival discs, this album skips past the Bob Wills oldies and zeroes in on a repertoire of classic gospel standards -- "Just A Closer Walk," "Precious Memories," "The Old Rugged Cross," etc. -- and takes things at a leisurely, relaxed pace. Side One is bookended by a couple of Albert E. Brumley gems, "Turn Your Radio On" and "I'll Fly Away," and though these may not be the most lively or rapturous versions ever, both songs are always welcome whenever they waft by my ears. The lineup on this album includes Bennie Arnett on piano, Jim Boyd (bass), Jerry Elliott (lead guitar), Marvin Montgomery (banjo, guitar and vibraphone), and fiddler Johnny Strawn. A little sleepy-sounding, perhaps, but not a total snooze. This has a similar feel to latter-day Sons Of The Pioneers records, a nice change of pace from their secular swing nostalgia albums.
Lilimai & The Southern Gospel Singers "The Church In The Valley" (Harp Records, 1965-?) (LP)
Rugged bluegrass gospel from Ohio... Lilimai Whitaker (vocals, guitar) was accompanied by bassist Curnie Collins, fiddler Aaron Hicks and Charlie Whitaker on banjo and vocals. Ms. Whitaker wrote two of the songs, "Lord Show Me How" and "You Gotta Go To Judgement," which fit in nicely with a repertoire that includes a couple of Reno & Smiley covers, as well as other songs listed as traditional material. The Whitakers have recordings dating back at least as far as the early 1960s, and appear to have been part of the whole Dayton/Columbus/Cincinnati country gospel scene, also recording with J. D. Jarvis.
Lilimai & The Gospelaires "Jesus Has Called Me" (Rural Rhythm Records, 1971) (LP)
Lilimai & The Dixie Gospelaires "Hymn Time" (Rome Records, 197--?) (LP)
The Lilly Brothers & Don Stover "What Will I Leave Behind" (County/Rebel Records, 1973) (LP)
Great bluegrass gospel. A sublime gospel album recorded fairly late in the Lilly Brothers' career, a couple of years after they had all-but disbanded in 1970. This is one of those wonderful cases where the older the wine, the sweeter the music -- the vocals are notably low-key and geezerly, but the picking is simply divine. By now the Lillys had perfected the cross-cutting, intertwined lead mandolin-and-guitar style pioneered by Jim & Jesse, and from start to finish this album is packed with gorgeous, ringing melodies and solid, soulful instrumental work. A lovely, heartfelt album that harkens back to the Carter Family as well, with its simplicity and plainspoken reverence. Nice stuff!
Linda & Rita "Sing Again" (Dean Brown Productions, 197--?) (LP)
(Produced by Dean Brown & Mary Jean Brown)
A surprisingly effective and genuinely charming set of duet vocals by Rita Harmon and Linda Mearig, of Sitka, Alaska, who sing in lovely, simple harmonies strongly reminiscent of gal singers of the Kennedy-era teenpop scene, or maybe the folk revival of a similar vintage. Think: Skeeter Davis, Connie Francis, or maybe Judy Collins or The Simon Sisters... sweet, bright, cheerful singing, without much muss or fuss. The accompaniment is very minimal, usually just bass, guitar and organ, with a little smidge of pedal steel on one track ("Pass It On"). The musical backing is laid on with a very, very light hand -- initially it may feel like too little, but the minimalist approach does allow their singing to hold center stage, and their sincerity and pleasant tone are remarkably effective at holding our attention. The liner notes inform us that they traveled down to California to record this album at a studio session led by the husband-wife duo of Dean Brown and Mary Jean Brown, an evangelical couple who cut a couple of albums of their own in the late 'Seventies, with some connection to the Youth For Christ scene. The rest of the musicians included Mary Jean Brown on piano, Bill Keene (guitar), Tom Keene (guitar), Gene Roberson (organ) and Paul Stillwell on bass; Tom and William Keene seem to have been the most professionally accomplished, working as a studio musician on an unknown number of gospel and folk albums for various label is Southern California. The album title implies that Linda & Rita had made earlier recordings, but I haven't been able to track them down.
Albert Locke "Walking In The Shadow Of His Love" (Joyful Sound Records, 196--?) (LP)
A country gospel set from The Reverend Albert Locke (1934-2012) who at the time was the pastor of First Baptist Church, in Laurel Hills, Florida, holding that position between 1967-73. Mr. Locke is accompanied by his wife Louvene Locke (vocals), their sixteen-year old daughter Charlene Locke (bass guitar), Pete Courtney (tenor vocals), Mr. Courtney's sister, Jeanette Henderson on piano, and David Fox on lead guitar and steel. The album opens with a Louvin Brothers song (always a good sign) the gospel classic, "I Love God's Way Of Living," then moves into more contemporary southern gospel offerings by the likes of Rusty Goodman, Mylon LeFevre and Ben Speer, and also includes an original song composed by Mr. Locke's brother, Elmer Locke, the title track, "Walking In The Shadow Of His Love." There's no date on the album, but it must have been released at least some time after 1967, as Rev. Locke's liner notes mention him having been pastor at First Baptist for some time.
Hank Locklin "The Gloryland Way" (RCA Victor, 1966) (LP)
(Produced by Chet Atkins)
Hank Locklin "By The Grace Of God -- The Gospel Album" (Yell Records, 2006)
Ardon Lockyer & Patti Lockyer "For Others He Came" (Gospel Sing Records, 196--?) (LP)
(Produced by Mike Carter)
Ardon Lockyer & Patti Lockyer "Broken Things The Lord Can Use" (Golden Sunrise Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Mike Carter)
Ardon Lockyer & Patti Lockyer "If That Isn't Love" (Golden Sunrise Records, 1969-?) (LP)
(Produced by Gene Breeden, Frank Kejmar, Andy Thompson & Roy Ward)
One of the more marginal albums in the Ripcord Records story... This gospel set was recorded at four different studios, with sessions at Ripcord Studios up in Vancouver, Washington, as well as three different places in both Northern and Southern California. There were a few different studio band lineups, with various (unidentified) musicians provided by producers Gene Breeden and Richmond, California's Roy Ward. The bottom line is that, even given the known foibles and tropes of the southern gospel and contemporary Christian genres, this is a pretty not-great album: as singers, neither Ardon and Patti Lockyer were very easy on the ears. He had a booming, puffed-up baritone, with sort of a residual folk-scene vibe, while she's a bit more haphazard. What redeems this album, a little, is the reckless abandon adopted by the session players: you get the sense that the Lockyers didn't care that much what the backing sounded like, as long as the record got made, and -- sensing this -- the musicians indulged themselves and got a little goofy, going off on uninhibited jazz and western swing-influenced flings on a tune or two. Gene Breeden's longtime collaborator Ray Ellis is on board with his own trio providing the accompaniment on some songs, and though he usually played it cool while helming gospel sessions, here he had some fun. This disc definitely falls into the so-bad-it's-good kitsch category... so you were either warned, or now you have something to search for.
The Long Brothers "Laughin' At Satan" (Horne Records, 1977-?) (LP)
(Produced by Roger L. Horne)
A southern gospel harmony trio formed by brothers Donnie, Eddie and Steve Long, who have a perky, boisterous sound similar to the Statler Brothers. The album kicks off with the novelty number "Laughin' At Satan," which contains a lot of tummy-rolling "ho-ho-hos" and "ha-ha-hahs" but doesn't quite hit the heights you might hope for... The Longs were all three young'uns, apparently in their twenties, though they sound older both tonally and stylistically. As '70s southern gospel goes, this is reasonably robust material and definitely has a strong pop-country base, though after a few tunes it started to feel a bit drippy. Not sure where the Longs were from; the independent Horne label was based in Nashville, though it may not have made many records outside of this one and one by owner Roger Horne, who mentions meeting the Long Brothers in 1975. No info on the backing musicians, either, alas, though they were pretty decent country pickers.
Shorty Long & Dolly "34 Hymns And Recitations" (Dollo Records, 19--?) (LP)
A three-LP(!) set of country gospel songs recorded later in their careers... The duo is backed by "Brother Lou at the Kimball organ" and there's a photo of all three together at TV station WRFY (were they on the air there?)
Shorty Long & Dolly "34 Hymns And Recitations" (Dollo Records, 19--?) (LP)
A three-LP(!) set of country gospel songs recorded later in their careers... The duo is backed by "Brother Lou at the Kimball organ" and there's a photo of all three together at TV station WRFY (were they on the air there?)
The Long Team "Think On Jesus" (Mission Records, 1972-?) (LP)
(Produced by Jack Linneman)
A trio made up of a husband-wife duo from Aberdeen, South Dakota -- Curtis and Linda Long -- along with a younger gal named Irene Hovland. They traveled to Tennessee to record this album, backed by "some of the best talent in Nashville" according to the liner notes by fellow evangelist Lowell Lundstrom, who contributed the liner notes. They also cover one of Mr. Lundstrom's songs, "Why He Means So Much," along with a couple of their own originals, Linda Long's "Lo, I Am With You" and "It's The Lord" by Curtis Long, as well one called "Thank God I'm Free" (credited simply to McFall) and a couple by a gal named Sally Cunninhgham, who seems to have also been an upper plains local. As far as I know, this was their only album.
The Looper Trio/Brenda Looper - see artist profile
The Louvin Brothers "Nearer My God To Thee" (Capitol Records, 1957)
The Louvin Brothers "The Family Who Prays" (Capitol Records, 1958)
The Louvin Brothers "Satan Is Real" (Capitol Records, 1959)
Get it while it's hot. Most folks will probably approach this gospel album strictly as camp, but that's a big mistake. Sure, the maudlin recitations on the title track are a hoot, but can you honestly say that "There Is A Higher Power" doesn't make your hair stand on end? Moralistic, bedrock Christian ballads have always been one of the greatest appeals of the Louvins' sound... even if you don't agree with them religiously, it's hard to deny the power of their soulfulness. Originally released as an LP in 1959.
The Louvin Brothers "The Weapon of Prayer" (Capitol Records, 1962)
The Louvin Brothers "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus" (Capitol Records, 1963)
Their first true stereo album! And, yes, it's all gospel.
The Louvin Brothers "Thank God For My Christian Home" (Capitol Records, 1965)
Solid old gospel recordings, and an album which was reissued a couple of times... whatever version you get it in, this'll be some of the finest country gospel music you'll ever hear.
The Louvin Brothers "Great Gospel Singing" (Capitol Records, 1973) (LP)
Charlie Louvin "And That's The Gospel" (Playback Records, 1991)
Charlie singing with a number of guest performers, including Tammy Wynette, Jim & Jesse, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Charles Whitstein.
Sonny Lowery "King Of Kings" (Temple Music Company, 196--?) (LP)
(Produced by Larry Benson)
Country gospel by a former 'Fifties rocker. A native of Pryor, Oklahoma, singer Sonny Lowery grew up working on oil pipelines with his dad, but left home in the late 1950s to start a music career in Los Angeles, and cut a couple of singles for the Specialty label, including "Goodbye Baby Goodbye," which became a regional hit. As Lowery relates in the liner notes, he embarked on an extensive tour riding on the strength of these records, but couldn't quite grab the brass ring at the national level. After returning home, he "remembered having been raised in a Christian home" and applied his talent to non-secular music, though the guys backing him on this album were versatile players who worked both sides of the street. Producer Larry Benson assembled several of his best musicians for this session, including bassist Stu Bonham, Bobby Cotton on drums, Jimmy Jay picking guitar, pianist Rex Stafford and Johnny Vaughn on steel. No release date, alas, but it looks late 'Sixties, early 'Seventies at the latest.
Susie Luchsinger "God's Still In Control" (Psalm Ministries, 1989)
This is actually Reba McEntire's sister, whose almost entire specialty is singing religious material... She did do a couple of secular records, but for the most part she was a leading light of the modern religious country (or "positive country") scene... She toured with Reba and sang on some of her early albums before setting off on a solo career towards the end of the 'Eighties...
Susie Luchsinger "Christmas Every Day" (Psalm Ministries, 1991)
Susie Luchsinger "No Limit" (Psalm Ministries, 1992)
Susie Luchsinger "Real Love" (Integrity Records, 1993)
Susie Luchsinger "Come As You Are" (Integrity Records, 1995)
Susie Luchsinger "Inspirational Favorites" (K-Tel Records, 1996)
Susie Luchsinger "Raised On Faith" (New Haven Records, 1999)
Susie Luchsinger "My Gospel Hymnal" (New Haven Records, 2001)
Susie Luchsinger "You've Got A Friend" (New Haven Records, 2002)
Loretta Lynn "Hymns" (Decca Records, 1965)
Loretta Lynn "Who Says God Is Dead?" (Decca Records, 1968)
Loretta Lynn "Peace In The Valley" (MCA Records, 1990)
Loretta Lynn "Old Rugged Cross" (MCA Records, 1992)
Loretta Lynn "All Time Gospel Favorites" (Madacy Records, 1998)
More Country Gospel -- Letter "M"
