Lefty Frizzell

William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country and honky-tonk singer-songwriter.

Frizzell is known as one of the most influential country music vocal stylists of all time. He has been cited as influencing prominent country singers such as George Jones, Merle Haggard, Roy Orbison, and Willie Nelson. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982, as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In his prime, Frizzell was the first artist to achieve four songs in the top 10 on the Billboard Country Music charts at one time. Frizzell went on to have more success, releasing many songs that charted in the top 10 of the Hot Country Songs charts as an artist and songwriter. After dealing with alcoholism, he died of a stroke at age 47.

Early life

William Orville Frizzell was born the son of an oilman, the first of eight children, in Corsicana in Navarro County in North Texas, United States.

After his release in late 1949, he was led away from music, and back to the oil fields to work with his father. He soon was performing in nightclubs again. By 1950, he had landed a regular job at the Big Spring, Texas, nightclub "Ace of Clubs" where he developed a dedicated fan following.

Recording career

thumb|upright|Frizzell in 1951

During a show at the "Ace of Clubs", Jim Beck, the owner of a Dallas recording studio, took notice of Frizzell. Beck had deals with several major record producing labels and maintained connections with many publishers. Impressed with Frizzell's performance, he invited him to make a free demo at the studio. In April 1950, he cut several demos of Frizzell singing his own songs, including "If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)," which Beck took to Nashville where he pitched it to Little Jimmy Dickens, who disliked the song. However, Columbia Records producer Don Law heard the cut and liked it. After hearing Lefty in concert, he signed the singer and recorded him for the first time.

"If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)" became a two-sided smash hit in 1950 upon its release; the B-side was the song Frizzell wrote to his grief-stricken wife Alice from jail, "I Love You a Thousand Ways." In early 1954, he reached the top 10 for the last time for five years.

Having had few hits in the middle to late 1950s, he felt burnt out and had little energy for his career. He became frustrated that Columbia Records did not release what he thought to be his best material, so he stopped writing and recording songs. It has been recorded over 22 times since, with Keith Whitley's version standing out as one of the best versions.

Personal troubles, later years, and death

Frizzell began a downward spiral after developing a debilitating alcohol problem. Despite his history of infidelity, arrests for sex with underage fans, contractual legal troubles, and automobile accidents, Alice Harper remained his wife, and their marriage produced three children. with an asking price of $350,000; Haggard purchased the guitar and it remains a part of his estate.

Legacy and influence

thumb|upright|Frizzell circa 1955

Frizzell's style of singing influenced a great many singers, particularly Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Keith Whitley, and Roy Orbison. In addition, he was widely recognized for his songwriting talents. In the foreword to a biography of Frizzell by his younger brother David Frizzell, Merle Haggard said, "The impact Lefty had on country music is not even measurable. ... No one could handle a song like Lefty. He would hold on to each word until he finally decided to drop it and pick up the next one. Most of us learned to sing listening to him."

Stoney Edwards recorded "Hank and Lefty Raised My Country Soul", a tribute to Hank Williams and Frizzell, written by Dallas Frazier. It hit the Top 40 in 1973.

George Strait recorded a Sanger D. Shafer song called "Lefty's Gone" on the album Something Special. In addition, Willie Nelson's 1977 album, To Lefty From Willie was a tribute to Frizzell and consisted entirely of cover versions of Frizzell songs. Frizzell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is also in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame along with his son Crockett Frizzell. Frizzell ranked number 31 on CMT's 2003 40 Greatest Men of Country Music.

Fellow Texan Roy Orbison was a devout fan of Frizzell's sound, and in 1988, as a part of the Traveling Wilburys, he chose the name "Lefty Wilbury" to honor his musical hero.

Maine singer-songwriter David Mallett included Frizzell's "Saginaw, Michigan" on his 2014 album The Horse I Rode in On.

His younger brother, David Frizzell, is also a country singer. His biggest hits were 1982's "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino (To Decorate Our Home)" and "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma", a 1981 duet with Shelly West. Their youngest brother, Allen Frizzell followed in his older brothers' footsteps in country music. He was an opening performer for Dottie West. He was also married to Shelly West, Dottie West's daughter. Allen also played with Keith Whitley. He now plays country gospel music.

In 2006, J.D. Crowe and the New South released the album Lefty's Old Guitar. The song "Lefty's Old Guitar" was written about his custom Gibson J-200.

Daryle Singletary referenced Frizzell in his song "Ain't It the Truth" on an album by the same name, released by Giant Records in 1998.

In 2019, Frizzell's single "Long Black Veil" was selected by the U.S. Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

In 2024, Cody Jinks released the album Cody Jinks Sings Lefty Frizzell, featuring nine songs by Frizzell.

Discography

Number-one country hits

"If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)" (1950)
"I Love You a Thousand Ways" (1950)
"I Want to Be with You Always" (1951)
"Always Late (With Your Kisses)" (1951)
"Give Me More, More, More (Of Your Kisses)" (1952)
"Saginaw, Michigan" (1964)

References

External links

Lefty Frizzell's Guitar
Frizzell in the Country Music Hall of Fame