Candy Kisses

admin · Post by **b0b** » 11 May 2010 7:00 pm

I heard George Morgan's "Candy Kisses" the other day. Beautiful steel backup from beginning to end. At first I was sure it was Little Roy Wiggins, but later in the song there were a few things that sounded a lot like Jerry Byrd. Who played on that song?

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 11 May 2010 7:14 pm

Assuming you are talking about the original version (January 1949):

Billy Robinson, steel
Grady Martin, lead guitar
Tommy Jackson, fiddle
Zeb Turner, guitar
Ernie Newton, bass

Morgan's first recording session and quite a band.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 11 May 2010 7:37 pm

Oddly enough, there's no steel listed here, but I'd go with Little Roy:
4 May 1958 [14:00-19:00] Bradley Film & Recording Studio, 804 16th Ave. South, Nashville 3, TN – George Morgan (Harold Bradley [gt], Hank Garland [gt], Grady Martin [gt], Bob Moore [bass], Buddy Harman [drums], Marvin Hughes [piano]. Producer: Don Law)
103 CO 60863/OB 1557/JZSP 44461 CANDY KISSES 4-41246
From http://ko-kr.facebook.com/topic.php?uid ... opic=13636
BTW, "Candy Kisses" makes a good swing instrumental, I play it all the time.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 11 May 2010 11:23 pm

The correct answer is definately Billy Robinson!

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 12 May 2010 2:06 am

Although Roy worked a lot with George on the Opry it was probably Billy. If it had been recorded in the 40's I would go with Roy. Roy said that Jerry Byrd and he were the two main steel guitar session pickers in the 40's.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 12 May 2010 6:57 am

George Morgan recorded a lot of different versions of the tune - it was his signature hit, I think. The version I heard on the radio had real strong steel harmonic chimes on the first verse, and the steel never stopped! It was there all the way through the tune. In the solo there were some 6th licks with a forward slant that made me think of Jerry Byrd. I never heard Roy Wiggins play that way.

It might be Billy Robinson, though. Billy always seems like a bit of a chameleon to me. He can sound like anyone - even the early pedal steel players.

In another topic, Forum member Micky Lawson posted this link to the version I'm talking about: Candy_Kisses.mp3

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 12 May 2010 8:46 am

It is common knowledge here in Nashville at our n.t.s.g.a. meetings and Super Jams. It comes up in conversations with Billy all the time! George Morgan/Billy Robinson = Candy Kisses, 1948. Billy's first recording session.

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 12 May 2010 9:20 am

Billy Robinson for sure.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 12 May 2010 12:25 pm

That was Billy's first recording session? Wow!! You don't want to hear my first recording session.

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 12 May 2010 1:39 pm

Cowboy Copas recorded Candy Kisses on King Records with Jerry on steel.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 12 May 2010 4:25 pm

Billy Robinson,

And he did a beautiful job on alot of other recordings back there too. I love is CDs today! He's just a tremendous talented individual and fun to talk too.

Terry

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 12 May 2010 8:32 pm

BILLY ROBINSON told me......personally......that it was "HE" on the record of which you speaketh.

Roy Wiggins and JERRY BYRD both played on some of George's records.........

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 12 May 2010 9:06 pm

b0b if you don't want this here please delete or move it. While on the subject of George Morgan.In the 50s in Odesssa,Tx,another steel player friend of mine and i had the same night off. We would usually go listen to other bands and many times in Big Springs,Tx.

We would usually go in his car and this was back in the days when country music and western swing were played on the radio. No matter where we were at when the D.J. played a G.M.song he would pull over shut the motor off and listen.Now thats a fan.

Tracy

Not sure but think George had a new song out called The Wall. Any how it was being played a lot over the radio at the time new or not.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 13 May 2010 8:45 am

I've seen Billy Robinson perform at many steel shows and he always does this tune and tells the audience that he was 18 years old when he played on the record.

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 14 May 2010 11:57 am

Not only was Candy Kisses Billy's first session, it was George Morgan's first time in the studio as well.

Chris

admin · Post by **b0b** » 14 May 2010 12:28 pm

Before either of them was spoiled by big time record producers!

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 14 May 2010 11:16 pm

Billy Robinson. I met Billy at Bobbe's store about 4 years ago, and he introduced me to Billy, and shared that information with me.

George Morgan's "Candy Kisses" incorporates Billy's steel playing.

Dean Neeley · Post by **Dean Neeley** » 15 May 2010 9:38 am

I allways thought it was Don Davis.

Dean Neeley

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 15 May 2010 11:58 am

Think i posted this some time back but not sure. Any how,back in the mid 60s I was at the black poodle in Nashville and George Morgan sang Danny Boy. The band did not back him and he didn't play his rhythm guitar.
The only back up he had was Curly Chalker playing chords as only he could do.Was the most beautiful thing i had ever heard. On break i told George he should record it exactly like that. He said Ray Price was or was going to record it.
I wish he had ,but Curlys back up would have went in to outer space over the publics head.

[/u]

The Steel Guitar Forum

Candy Kisses - who's the steeler?

Candy Kisses - who's the steeler?

Geo. Morgan & Candy Kisses

WELL who are you gonna believe?

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