Hello, folks. Return over here of Summer’s heat. I suppose it’s the same for you. Here’s a bundle of Hillbilly boppers you can wander to even download ; indeed I am releasing not common tunes.
Short Fellow Blues
Abe Heape
First cut for the Stillwater, Oklahome label Rose in 1958, an Hillbilly rocker by ABE HEAPE (female), « Short Fellow Blues ».(# 116). This Rose label is no to be confused with the Cisco, Texas Rose label owned by Charlie Brown (4 superior sides) , from 1955 ; maybe for another forttnght’s selection.
Hank Locklin
Far well known is the next artist, HANK LOCKLIN, who during the early-to-mid ’50s cut a good amount of boppers. Here’s on 4 Star 1641, the fine bopper (steel and guitar solo, over a good voice, a bit like Hank Williams) : « I’m Tired Of Buming Arond ». . Later Locklin turned to pop country, like his Statemate Jim Reeves ; nevertheless his products on 4 Star are well worth looking for.
I'm Tired Of Bummin' Around
When I Hold you
Forrest Lee And Cleet Stewart
« When I Hold You », a fast bopper with unison chorus, piano and fiddle, is to be found of the rare and small California label Chesterfield # 353 : FOREST LEE & CLEET STEWART are the artists, backed b a very young Buck Owens on guitar.
On the major Decca label (# 46361, from 1954) I am releasing « Give Me An C. Cola And A Moon Pie » (what a title) by LONZO & OSCAR. A fast bopper : mandolin solo, also fiddle – the whole song is joyful. One of my first experiences to bopping music during the ’70s. One of the two artists (I don’t know who) had a later career under the name of Ken Marvin.
Lonzo & Oscar

Give Me An RC Cola And A Moon Pie
I'm Playing It Cool
Neal Jones
A shuffler now (good fiddle) by a Texas artist, NEAL JONES, released at the end of Columbia 20000 serie : # 21415 : « I’m Playing It Cool » from 1955, a loose and free track.
Reggie Ward
On Nemo 1005, and from January 1951, an uptempo, joyful bopper with « Juke Box Baby » by REGGIE WARD & His Sons Of Texas. Vocal duty is held by Jack Ford. One can wonder if this is the same that came out later, e.g. on the Chess 4800 serie (1955-1956).
Juke Box Baby
Hanging My Tears Out To Dry
Tennessee Jim
From Kansas City, MO. now comes TENNESSEE JIM (McDonald). He does a fine uptempo with good solos (guitar, steel and fiddle) with « Hanging Out My Tears To Dry » on the Choice label # 846.
download
Hesitation Boogie
Hardrock Gunter>
Finally the well-known Alabamian.Sidney « HARDROCK » GUNTER, who was never reviewed in bopping. Here he is with « Hesitation Boogie » published January 1951 on Decca 46383, a solid bopper : great piano, guitar and prepossing vocal for this invitation the dance.
/span>Sources : my own archives ; Columbia files (W. Agenant for Neal Jones) ; 45 of the Ohio River (Jimmy Settle label) ; Bert Martins tapes (held back since the 1970s!) for Lonzo & Oscar ; Country Hicks 2 LP for Abe Heap, 7 for Tenn. Jim ; Bopping Hillbillies serie : 11 (Reggie Ward), 17 (Forrest Lee)
I really enjoyed the Hank Locklin selection here. Some great backing by Chet Atkins and Drifting Cowboys Don Helms, Jerry Rivers, Howard Watts and Sammy Pruett. Probably my all time favorite Hank Locklin record. Thank you!