Buzzy Carlyle - Bad Juju!

 We've noticed here at Big And Tall Records that Buzzy Carlyle seems to be in fine voice, and his guitar playing is fine as well. Since his previous song, Drinkin' My Lunch, Dinner Too, Buzzy has been collaborating with other musicians that provide bass and drum accompaniment. Buzzy usually goes solo, but it appears that the backup musicians have helped him get back in his groove since his illness and recovery from alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs. He still has to use a wheelchair for mobility when he has to walk a lot, and for a time he was having breathing problems. His cardiologist urged him to get back to singing, hoping it would help hios breathing issues. and it sounds like it has!

Buzzy sings about meeting a Juju woman, someone who practices the spiritual beliefs of many associated spiritual practices. We don't know much about the whole thing, but a short read on the 'net gave us a few things about it. These practices include casting spells, using charms and amulets, and other things. It's an old African spiritual system that is still practiced in its home country and other areas of the world including the U.S. Buzzy sent an email along with the song file with some insights:

This happened many years ago. I seen Juju men and women before, and the shit can get pretty strange! So when this woman started lecturing me, I was looking for her to hang some voodoo hoodoo doll around my neck to ward of the 'bad juju', the bad luck of being hooked on dope. But all she done was tell me to get off the dope, to straighten up and fly right! 

We're glad Buzzy is feeling well enough to  record and write his songs. And it was great to see an email from him! He didn't want anything to do with computers at first, but he's found a good outlet for his innate curiosity about things. Since he can't get around too well any more, he needed something to keep his mind occupied! 

Bad Juju! Oh, bad juju!
You think that it’s magic and good for you!
Now if you think it’s magic, hell that’s true
But it’s misery and death, black magic to you!
 
When I was on the road, ended up on the East coast
Had my guitar, my coke, and five dollars at the most
Don’t ‘member where, friends had dropped me there
Been snortin’ so much my nose were toast!
 
Managed to get a few gigs at the local blues place
Didn’t recognize not even a single face
But I made just enough, to keep me in stuff
Was there that I met her face to face
 
An old woman, sittin’ in the crowd right there
Wrinkled up face, red bandana ‘round her hair
She come up to me after I was done
Said, “Important that I talk to you son!”
 
She was short and shuffled her feet
Her clothes were clean, she kept real neat
“I’m an old woman, so I seen lots of days
So I’m tellin’ you boy, you better change your ways!
 
“You’re wasting your life, precious time!
Drinkin’ smokin, snortin’ the lines!
That stuff is evil, sure ain’t no good for you
You’re infectin’ yerself with bad juju!”
 
Bad Juju! Oh, bad juju!
You think that it’s magic and good for you!
Now if you think it’s magic, hell that’s true
But it’s misery and death, black magic to you!
 
Man, I didn't believe all that hoo doo shit!
What she gonna do now, gimme an amulet?
Don't need no damned old woman preachin' to me
I tol' her git out my face...leave me be!
 
"Listen boy, I'm a juju woman, Mama was too
Ain't no magic potion I'm gonna give to you
No charms or pouches, mojo bag neither
Gonna help you to change and be a believer
 
Bad Juju! Oh, bad juju!
You think that it’s magic and good for you!
Now if you think it’s magic, hell that’s true
But it’s misery and death, black magic to you!
 
So all she tol' me was quit snortin' dope
Couldn't live without it, the end of my rope
I took my guitar and headed for the bar
But she grabbed my arm, didn't get far
 
“Listen! I know what you're goin' through!
Had to give you a word to the wise when I seen you
Sing out your heart, play the blues so sad
You're wastin' your life, makes me so mad!”
 
Bad Juju! Oh, bad juju!
You think that it’s magic and good for you!
Now if you think it’s magic, hell that’s true
But it’s misery and death, black magic to you!

Gummer Beaudine - Pretty Hunk Of Honky Tonk!

Gummer Beaudine is one of our raunchier artists, and she's got a solid hard-core group of followers that frequent her gigs at local gin mills.  She's a pretty tough cookie, having lasted through some rough relationships, working in industry for a long time, and playing venues that used to have a curtain of chicken wire between the band and the audience to prevent flying objects from hitting them.  Big Marv, one of our resident producers and mentors, as well as a fine musician himself, took Gummer under his wing early on. Now Big Marv is no stranger to raunchy, but after her first few records he quit mentoring her and producing her songs. He said she didn't need him, she'd figured it all out and was tougher than he was!

That Gummer would write and perform a song about a man she has the hots for is pretty typical. She's aggressive, she can be nasty, and she's talented! We at Big And Tall Records appreciate her unique perspectives and talents!  

Favorite place for me to play is a gin mill next town over
Got a good clientele and none of ‘em are sober
Lots a drinkin’, dancin’, behavior goin’ too far
But the best thing ‘bout it is the hunk that's tendin’ bar!
 
He’s a handsome son of a gun, sends ma heart to shiver
Ever time I see him my lady parts begin to quiver
Give me the chance, I’d ride him like a bronc!
He’s jest a big old pretty hunk of honky tonk!
 
His name is Jerry and ever time I'm around him
Wanna grab him by his hips and guide it right in
I imagine goin' in his jeans and seein' what I'd find
DAMN, it makes me wanna do the bump and grind!
 
He says he's married already, but I don't give a shit
Don't wanna cause a divorce, jest fuck a little bit
He says he will be true, and that he jest won't
But I sure as hell won't tell no body if'n he don't!
 
He’s a handsome hunk of a man, sends ma heart to shiver
Ever time I see him my lady parts begin to quiver
Give me the chance, I’d ride him like a bronc!
He’s jest a big old pretty hunk of honky tonk!
 
I tol' my current boyfriend to please be aware
I see Jerry I just can’t help but stare
Wanna dance with him, do the spin and twirl
And later take him home and ride him cowgirl!
 
Jerry what a hunk! What a man!
Jerry what a stud! Get him if I can!
Jerry be my lover! Let's let off steam!
Jerry come on over! Oh, I can dream!
 
He’s a handsome hunk of a man, gives ma heart a rush
Ever time I see him my old body starts to flush
Give me the chance, I’d ride him like a bronc!
He’s jest a big old pretty hunk of honky tonk!

The Burgoo Boys featuring Uncle June's Jug Band - Uncle June Sings! A Big And Tall Records Album

It was early in 2025 when we got the first song by a new group for us here at Big And Tall Records. The group’s name was The Burgoo Boys, and they were a bluegrass band from Kentucky. The name of their first song was The Roadkill Café. We decided to go ahead and release it, and it met with some success. We released a total of 5 songs from the group, with the last one being a political commentary song TheBallad Of Elon. This was in July of 2025. We heard no more from the group, and thought they might be busy playing Kentucky county fairs and such. But even after fair season was over, we still heard nothing. Ended up the group went through a dry spell; they had begun promoting and performing their original songs. But they had only 5 songs, hardly a full songbook to be promoting!

 
We tried to contact the leader, John Henry Flort, but none of our calls or emails was answered. We’ve come to realize that burnout can happen to groups. It’s a tough way to make a living and keep things fresh. We decided to quit contacting, and see what happened.
 
During the holiday season, middle December of 2025, we received a song file, and the credits were The Burgoo Boys featuring Uncle June’s Jug Band! The song was Kentucky New Year’s Eve. We had just enough time for a limited release before New Years, s owe went through with it, despite never hearing about Uncle June’s Jug Band. But the song was different and fun. We eventually talked to Uncle June himself, June McShary. June told us the two groups were hired to play a New Year’s Eve get-together, and they put their heads together and decided to collaborate on a song  The song did very well, and we encouraged them to write some more!
 
On that firs song, Uncle June didn’t sing, but played the kazoo as well as jaw harp. The next song they did was ‘Possum Livin’ Skills, and Uncle June sang on this one. We instantly knew that his voice was for us! Slightly rough, hoarse, but very musical, and he had a great sense of rhythm and keeping the music moving forward. Uncle June and his group served to inspire The Burgoo Boys to tighten up their music, expand their creativity, and the groups melded together like they’d been playing together for years. And all of them wee proud Kentuckians, and that was reflected in all their songs. The different instruments added by Uncle June’s group has expanded their sound as well.
 
Now our job is to promote and sell songs, and having a group’s name being so long is not in the best interest of that goal. So we held meetings with the two leaders on ways we could consolidate the names, even offered to give each group an individual contract. But they told us flat out, they already took a vote from all the musicians, and everyone including themselves, wanted the name of the group to be: The Burgoo Boys featuring Uncle June’s Jug Band, so that’s what it is!
 
John Henry approached Uncle June with an idea; would Uncle June like to make an album of The Boys first songs as the lead vocalist! Hence, this 5 song album, Uncle June Sings! John Henry was no longer satisfied with the original versions of four of the songs. He wanted to add different instrumentation and June’s distinctive voice in hopes to make the songs even better. So while writing new songs, the group also revised those 4 songs. Uncle June had recently written a country ballad Sweet Belle Of Louisville, Kentucky as an anniversary present for his wife on their 30^th wedding anniversary, and all the musicians agree to include this song as well.
 
1. What The Hell Is Burgoo? - This song was originally written as The Burgoo Boys 3^rd song, and they wrote it in response to some people commenting on their name and what burgoo was! Original can be heard here : What The Hell Is Burgoo?
 
2. Roadkill Café - The first song sent to us, we were immediately drawn to the humor of the lyrics and the quality of the musical performance. Original can be heard here: Roadkill Café 
 
3. Sweet Belle Of Louisville, Kentucky - This song was written by Uncle June as a gift for his wife on their 30^th wedding anniversary. It’s a slow, country ballad and shows how Uncle June’s voice, while not being the most attractive musically, can be used for genuine heart-felt emotion. Uncle June told us the story: 

Uncle June McShary

Yeah, this be pretty much how it happened. I'm a country boy, used to git all cleaned up once in a spell an' go into Louisville to the picture show. Usually had my brothers and sisters with me, but this time I was by my own self. Don't 'member why, but anyhow, I never seen the girl before then, and there was somethin' 'bout her took my breath away. I were seventeen, had a few gal friends afore, but none of 'em affected me like this! I was kind a shy back then, still amazed I asked her to sit with me, but I did. Even more amazed she said 'yes'! 

Found out later she was a city girl, so we come from two different lifestyles. Took us a bit to get used to the way each other done things, but it was never a case of one bein' better than the other. Just different. Long story short, we've been together ever since. Never had a break up, had our share of disagreements but we hung in there, got married, had four kids that are all growed now, got some Grandbabies too! Life with her has been great! 

4. When Yer Up To Yer Ass In Alligators - Another humorous original, taken from an old country saying of perseverance among unforeseen circumstances. Original was titled Up To Yer Ass In Alligators
 
5. Feed ‘Em Beans! - That The Burgoo Boys can write lively, toe-tapping, (and profane!) songs is shown in this example. The original is also a great example of the virtuoso musicians in the group, as the tempo is quite brisk. Now add that together with the virtuosity in Uncle June’s group, and you’ve got a quite different interpretation! Original can be heard here: Feed ‘Em Beans!

Chuck Wagon Calhoun - Workin' At The Rattlesnake Saloon

The latest from our resident spinner of tall tales, fabrications, imaginative truth-stretching and other fancy words and phrases for BULLSHIT! This song is about whisfirst job back in the old west when he worked in The Rattlesnake Saloon (location not disclosed) cleaning and polishing spittoons. Then one night, when the chorus line was short a girl, his boss drafted him to be in it! A teenaged boy doesn't really look like a chorus girl, especially in the old west, a time when  chorus line women that didn't work for the bigger saloons in the larger cities were also 'soiled doves'! But Chuck Wagon assures us when he was young he was "downright pretty," and the women put make-up on his face as well as lace stockings, a dress, and "frilly under drawers!"

As is usual many times in his songs, things turn nasty, and he has to make a hasty retreat from town after he messes up the face of a drunken cowboy that put a hand up his dress. And at the end of the song, Chuck Wagon tells how the experience made him appreciate women, as well as...well...listen and read for yerselves! Yee Haw Ya'll!

My legs was pretty back then
Smooth with no hair on 'em
Now they's bowlegged and all
Back then they was straight and slim
 
Howdy
My name's Chuck Wagon Calhoun, and I
Got a tale to tell 'bout when I was young
And downright pretty!

Spittoon

YEE HAW YA'LL!
 
First job I had when I were young
Was at the Rattlesnake Saloon
Had to clean out and then polish
All of them there brass spittoons
 
One day the boss waved me over
Hell ya'll don't even shave yet!
Face as soft as a baby's ass
Girls'll take care of ya don't fret!
 
They was short a girl the dance line
All they needed was one more
I felt kind a sheepish indeed
DIDN'T WANNA BE NO WHORE!
 
They put net stockings on ma legs
Lipstick and rouge on ma pan
Put me in frilly under drawers
Said the dance was the Can can
 
The boss done tol' me “Don't worry
Take yer place smack in the middle
Jest kick up yer legs with the rest
When ya hear piano and fiddle”
 
 I was prancin' along real good
Dancin' with all of the rest
They all turned 'round bent over
AND ALL THEM THROWED UP THEIR DRESS!
 
Tol' the boss to hell with you!
Ain't gonna show my ass hell no!
He said “Now jest you hold yer horse
Don't ya know what ya got in store?
 
“Them gals gonna treat you right good
They'll show ya all of the ropes
Can be with them when they's naked
Gettin' ready, don't be a dope!”
 
Things went well, pokes liked me fine
Thought I were a real young skirt
Boss even let me sang some songs
Then pokes got to winkin' and flirt
 
One a them drunken cowboys
Done put their hand up my dress
Gall dang, I lost my temper!
And really messed up his face!
 
Don't care what ya'll got a hankerin fer
Jest don't try it with me, sum bitch
I twern't THAT dad burned pretty
He were that goddam drunk
Boss fired me.... Gals shunned me...
But it done taught me to appreciate naked gals...
And give me a hankerin’ to wear frilly under drawers...
Like I got on right now! 

The Burgoo Boys featuring Uncle June's Jug Band - Country Women Of Kentucky

  What we call our 'supergroup' here at Big And Tall Records has almost an embarrassment of talent.  Not only do they have a large group of talented instrumentalists for traditional bluegrass music, but an incredible access to many instruments from brass to jugband instruments, but many of them are good singers as well. John Henry Flort, leader of the Burgoo Boys is a fine singer, and 'Uncle' June McShary, leader of the jugband has added a lot to the group with his distinctive voice. 'Toots' Jernigan is the soloist on this latest release by the band, and he possesses a rich baritone voice that suits the subject of the song: a tribute to country women of Kentucky. The song is more of a traditional song in the country tradition, with solos by mandolin and dobro. 

Those of us been raised in the rugged mountains
of east Kentucky, or the rollin' plains of the blue grass
of west Kentucky,  know how much the womenfolk are
the bedrock of our culture. So we sang this tribute to all of them
 
Country women of Kentucky, we love them all
Look good at a hoe down, or a fancy dress ball
Honest and true blue, country through and through...
Country women of Kentucky, we love them all
 
Country women of Kentucky come from sturdy pioneer stock
They look good in blue jeans, or a fancy frock
Can sip a sweet tea, or have a cold beer
Who face their lives, with no threat of fear
 
Country women of Kentucky, we love them spring or fall
Whether wearin' a halter top, or a fancy shawl
Honest and true blue, country through and through...
Country women of Kentucky, we love them all
 
The country men of Kentucky, taught us how to be tough
To knuckle down hard, when times get rough
But the women balanced all that with all their love
That surrounded us like a custom made glove
 
Country women of Kentucky, Gramma smokin' her pipe
Mama doin' up cherries, red sweet and dead ripe
Honest and true blue, country through and through...
Country women of Kentucky, such a lovin' type
 
Pa always came across hardy, brave, and strong
He worked all the day, worked hard and hours long
But Mama did too, and had her own inner strength
That kept her drivin' on days of such long length
 
Truth be told, wouldn't have turned out near as good
I f both Mama and Pa wouldn't have done what they should
But we was lucky, we had them both that never took sides
When we needed it, either one could tan our hides!
 
Country women of Kentucky, we love them all
Look good at a hoe down, or a fancy dress ball
Honest and true blue, country through  and through...
Country women of Kentucky...
We love them all!

The Widow Makers - War! War! Constant War!

It might seem a little off that a band that calls themselves The Widow Makers writes and performs a song like War! War! Constant War!, and the final lines of  the song show that the band thought of that too, and they address it: 

We call ourselves The Widow Makers, just a heavy metal band you see,

But you sons of bitches are the widow makers.... of reality!

Obvious what the band's take is on the recent developments in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The band is based in Great Britain, but their song implies that there is always the possibility of war spreading to other countries, including their own. 

In this style of music, the rhythm and music can sometimes seem to be more important than the lyrics. At least to some of our 'old' ears that grew accustomed to different styles of music. We're being diplomatic; plain speaking, the music is so loud that we can't hear or make out the lyrics, and even when we can the meaning of the lyrics can be hard to decipher. The band has taken especial care to have the singer's voice and the lyrics heard, and the meaning of it all is pretty clear!  

Ones who say they're for peace are the ones that bring about war
They've started yet another one, we're not sure what they're fighting for
Over a parcel of land compared to the size of the earth
Is tiny and inconsequential, how much could it be worth?
War, war, constant war!
Wars don't end before the next one begins
Carrying on mankind's deadliest sins
Get the artillery ready, guns big and small
Fight for the peace that we demand for all!
 
Leader of one of the largest countries on earth
Invaded a neighbor, how much is it really worth?
Ego and power, land grabbin' and murder
Been fightin' for years against a brave defender
War! War! Constant war!
No end in sight for the aggressive bear
Who tries to grab and steal, keepin' armies there
While the leader of the U.S. grows green with envy
And helps another war-monger to start more frenzy
 
Leader of what used to be the world's great democracy
Started bombs flying and refused to let anyone see
What was going on with his Israel leader tryst
But he couldn't give the plan cuz it doesn't exist!
War! War! Constant war!
Been only days, but now they all reassure
Only take a few days, maybe a few weeks more
We'll create regime change, like we did in Iraq
We're awesome warriors! We really rock!
 
War! War! Constant war! Beg yer pardon, we seen it all before!
Pat the troops on the back,give them plenty what's for!
If they do come back, fuck them over like you do
Aid war-mongers, be in league with murderers...
Because you are one too!
War, war, constant war!
We call ourselves The Widow Makers, just a heavy metal band you see
But you sons of bitches are the widow makers.... of reality

Mams Carter - That's The Nature Of Things

Mams Carter is making a name for herself as a blues singer, which is different from one of the top Honkie-Tonk  and Boogie-Woogie piano players on tour. She plays gigs with her son Amos Carter (who is one of our artists as well) and his Boogie-Woogie band, and she plays a piano solo along with her vocals once or twice at each gig.  She has a very expressive contralto voice that has richness and depth, as well as a good range towards the top of her range. She's recorded two blues songs for us, and That's The Nature Of Things follows her first blues song, The Blues Done Got Me So Bad, in using a string orchestra backing her piano and voice. It's a notch above just easy listening, as her passion does come through, especially with her first song, but there's also a mellowness she has in her voice that blends perfectly with strings. She keeps her piano accompaniment very basic, and lays down a good foundation for the songs she sings. 

Memories and dreams of many who passed come before my eye
A little nostalgic, and sad, but it's no reason to cry
Of course I’d like them not to have left, and it surely is no sin
To be glad to see them, if only in dreams or memories, again
 
I see their faces in many foggy forms
Shadows in the dark of night, in my mind of storms
Not apparitions or ghostly in any way
Sometimes a fleeting glance, sometimes a long stay
 
That’s the nature of things we get so little time
To spend among the living, experience the sublime
All of the pleasures and all of the gladness
Tied up with the dark ribbon of sadness
 
Don't get me wrong I'm happy for the ones still here
I don't live my life full of anguish, worry and fear
But I've known so many that are now long time gone
I miss them but I will continue to grow and stay strong
 
We've all got lives to continue, be a shame to waste it
I'm committed to experience, each and every bit
And I'll look forward to those times when I will see
Those people and things that are close to me
 
That’s the nature of things we get so little time
To spend among the living, experience the sublime
All of the pleasures and all of the gladness
Tied up with the dark ribbon of sadness