Saxophone in Country Music?

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 4 Jun 2013 9:14 pm

my son's been sitting in with my honky-tonk band on tenor sax. as we like to say, he's putting the "honk" in honky-tonk. $:\$

he asked me for some examples of sax in country music, but aside from Merle Haggard I can't think of too much else.

any suggestions?

William Lake · Post by **William Lake** » 4 Jun 2013 9:44 pm

Yakety-Axe? Boots Randolph and also done by Chet Atkins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcq_xLi2NGo

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 4 Jun 2013 11:09 pm

"Eye Of A Hurricane" by John Anderson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrnxEllDWH4
(bad sound)

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 5 Jun 2013 1:22 am

Check out some of Merle Haggard's music. "It's All in the Movies", e.g.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 5 Jun 2013 2:35 am

Jerry Overstreet wrote:Check out some of Merle Haggard's music. "It's All in the Movies", e.g.

but aside from Merle Haggard I can't think of too much else.

I guess Scott already knew that, Jerry

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 5 Jun 2013 3:12 am

Go back to the old days of Johnny Cash (ring of Fire) Spade Cooley, Bob Wills. Other than Hag in modern times I don't recall anyone else who carried a Sax like he did and still does.

John Ed Kelly · Post by **John Ed Kelly** » 5 Jun 2013 3:29 am

Right now I'm listening to ''Loudmouth'' recorded by the Modern Mountaineers in 1937.

Fabulous tenor sax by Hal Herbert, and, J.C.Way is in the band too, although no solo on this piece. There 10 tracks in all on this 4 CD compilation from JSP Records from the UK.

I just looked at disc #1 and there is included the famous 14 pieces by Ocie Stockard, also recorded in 1937. The wonderful understated trumpet playing of Harry Palmer is also featured on most tracks.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 5 Jun 2013 5:07 am

Joachim Kettner wrote:
Jerry Overstreet wrote:Check out some of Merle Haggard's music. "It's All in the Movies", e.g.
but aside from Merle Haggard I can't think of too much else.
I guess Scott already knew that, Jerry

Yeah, sorry. Didn't read very thoroughly did I? Don't do much very well at 5:00 a.m.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 5 Jun 2013 11:05 am

Not pure country, but country pop played on the country stations back in the /80's.....Dan Seals, "Bop". I'm sure there's a ton of 'em.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 Jun 2013 12:23 pm

Of course, Asleep at the Wheel has often had a sax player in the band.

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 5 Jun 2013 12:55 pm

Check Ace Cannon's
~> discography for
country content.
~Russ

Doug Palmer · Post by **Doug Palmer** » 5 Jun 2013 1:09 pm

I double on Steel and Sax in the band. It works well for me. Saxophone will fit in almost any song, but really well in the swing stuff. I play instrumentals on Sax that go over too, Always on My Mind, I can't stop Loving You and Tuff just to name a few. Here's a link to my band's YouTube so you can check it out: http://www.youtube.com/user/girlindehood

Encourage him!

Doug

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 5 Jun 2013 5:16 pm

Check out any Hank Williams Jr live album; Jimmy Hall has been playing tenor sax (and harmonica) in his bands for over 20 years and still does.

I think Jim Murphy played some tenor sax on Johnny Paycheck's live record.

Reba McEntire and T Graham Brown both used a great tenor player, Joe McGlohon, on the road in the 90's and used him on some of their records, and The Oak Ridge Boys had one before that...

"Ring of Fire" and similar Johnny Cash songs are all just "mariachi" trumpets I'm pretty sure... But his "Orange Blossom Special" from 1965 has a Boots Randolph tenor solo.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 5 Jun 2013 6:57 pm

thanks for the replies guys... keep 'em coming!

i forgot Jim Murphy played sax too. what a monster.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 5 Jun 2013 7:23 pm

Eddie Kilgallon, former keyboardist for the band Ricochet was also a saxophone player-he played keyboards, he sang, played acoustic guitar, and saxophone. I remember at a Jo Dee Messina/Vince Gill concert, Jo Dee played saxophone, in addition to guitar, piano, and drums. At Dollywood, there was a saxophone player named Dale Puckett.

Bryce Baker · Post by **Bryce Baker** » 5 Jun 2013 7:43 pm

Glenn "Blub" Rhees was with Bob Wills for a number of
years. His blend of sax with Gene Crownover's steel
guitar was really unique.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 5 Jun 2013 8:40 pm

Go Babs Go!

CLICK HERE.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 6 Jun 2013 6:24 pm

Crystal Gayle's bandleader plays mostly soprano and some alto. Fits her style very well. Apologies to him that I can't recall the name at the moment.

Jan Viljoen · Post by **Jan Viljoen** » 7 Jun 2013 12:26 am

Check out the Country Boots cd by Boots Randolph.

It is chock a block with country songs and sax.

Send it folks!!

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 7 Jun 2013 11:20 am

How about Sax & Pedal Steel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfuM1w_28KY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn0a4bzyDqk

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 7 Jun 2013 1:01 pm

Sounds like Toy Caldwell played a Maccaferri style guitar on the first track.

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Saxophone in Country Music?

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