Betty Miranga - It Didn't Mean Nothin'

We've read that country bars and taverns sell more beer per occupant than regular bars, and this is attributed to the country music played in these taverns, especially if there's a live band playing. Most folks like a good story, and country music can be sad, hence the mood of the drinkers in the tavern buying more alcohol. We don't know if all of that's really true about selling more beer, but we do agree that a great deal of country music deals with telling a story.  Betty Miranga is one of those storytellers.

The few songs she's recorded for Big And Tall Records have been mostly story songs; personal stories. This latest gives some of the insight she's learned from life that deals with a cheating lover. Her high pitched voice sends the message in a way only she can. 

If you ever have a partner
Cheat on ya say this to you
It didn't mean nothin'
Walk away and say yer all through
 
One time I had a sweetheart
Who I caught two-timin' on me
Figured I'd try to work it out
He really meant a lot to me
 
Then he said it was no big deal
Nothin' serious or true
It didn't mean nothin'
He tol' me I love only you
 
That changed ever thing right there
Really? Didn’t 't mean nothin'?
Then why was I tied up in knots?
Dang, for me it was shore somethin'!
 
If you ever have a partner
Cheat on ya say this to you
It didn't mean nothin'
Walk away, and say yer all through
 
He kept right on a talkin'
Diggin' himself ever deeper
Said he didn't love her at all
Don't never believe a cheater!
 
Wanted to put it in the past
That it'd never happen again
But if I’d a believed all that
My chance to be happy was slim
 
He tried to play me for a fool
Younger days it might a worked
But I learned a lot through the years
Know when my chains bein' jerked
So...
 
If you ever have a partner
Cheat on ya say this to you
It didn't mean nothin'
Walk away, and say yer all through

Chuck Wagon Calhoun - The Ballad of Dead Eye Calhoun

Chuck Wagon Calhoun sings his latest song about Dead-Eye Calhoun, a gunslingin' ,cross-eyed, woman shootin', not too bright ancestor.  We're still not sure who in hell this Chuck Wagon is, but we like his songs, written with his tongue firmly in cheek! 

 Howdy
My name's Chuck Wagon Calhoun
Thought ya'll might like to hear the tale of
my ancestor, the gunslinger Dead Eye Calhoun!

A man that lived long ago
A gunslinger in the old west
His fame he come by honestly
But he twernt better than the rest

Wanted to be a gunslinger
Ever since he were a kid
But his eyes crossed afore his nose
Glasses down his face they slid

Deadeye Calhoun, a real killer
Yer chance of dyin' were mighty
If ya stood smack dab behind him
You would meet the almighty

He done put notches on his gun
Fer ever one he done kilt
But they twern’t all men, no indeed
In shootin' gals he were skilled

The safest place to stand
When he drawed on men he despised
Was right in front the dumb ass
Cuz of his googlin' eyes!

Deadeye Calhoun, a real killer
Yer chance of dyin' were mighty
If ya stood smack dab behind him
You would meet the almighty

Deadeye made his rounds of the towns
Of fame in the old, old west
Dodge City and Laredo, 
Tombstone, El Paso, and the rest

Was in the town of Wichita
When drunk, and full of cruel hate 
He drew down on a rival
And Deadeye met his fate

He got a bead on the cuss
He drawed first and pulled the trigger
He missed who he wanted to kill
Caused the crowd watchin' to snigger

The bullet left the pistol
Careened off towards a water pump
Ricocheted  off the metal
Come back and hit him in his rump

It went through both his ass cheeks
Hoot and hollered out his head
Took off runnin' down the street
As the wounds gushin' they bled

He kept on shootin' his guns
'Til he run out of ammo
Fell down in the dusty street
As the blood continued to flow

He bled out right then and there
To die like that might not seem fair
Fer an old west gunslinger
But ain't nobody seemed to care...

Deadeye Calhoun, a real killer
Yer chance of dyin' were mighty
If ya stood smack dab behind him
You could meet the almighty

So there's the story of Deadeye Calhoun My Ancestor
Best I can figger; he was my  Grampaw 4 times over
My other relations ain't talkin' to me no more since I tol' the story.
and I know why...
Cuz Deadeye was not only a cruel bastard,
He was a no account murderous boil on the ass
of society that deserved to die in the dirty, cow shit covered streets 
of Wichita cuz he was a heartless sum bitch and...a real dumb shit!

The Burgoo Boys featuring Uncle June's Jug Band - Kentucky Shine

The Burgoo Boys and Uncle June's Jug Band are at it again; this  time in a song that mentions many of the things Kentucky is known for, with the main item being Kentucky Shine, or moonshine. Uncle June himself is the soloist in his unique voice.  The Boys like the variety of instruments and players Uncle June has access to, and they plan to collaborate much more in the future. 

The term moonshine was given to illegal corn whiskey that was many times made at night to try and avoid detection. There are many legal distillers of moonshine, but there is still a small group that do it on the sly illegally to avoid the costs of licenses and the expense of a distillery that is subject to state inspection and regulation. Despite some states having laws that permit a limited amount of moonshine made for personal use, there remains a federal law against it. 

Uncle June

Making moonshine can be dangerous on different levels. Straight alcohol creates vapor which is highlyflammable, especially in an enclosed space and can explode, so adequate ventilation is needed. Even static electricity can ignite the vapors. Then there's toxic substances that can contaminate the alcohol. Lead can come from using the wrong items to make a still, for example. Then there's the liquid that comes directly after the initial product of the still, called the Head. It contains traces of toxic materials such as acetone and formaldehyde and should never be consumed. The byproducts of fermentation that are contained in the aftershot, or very last liquid from the still are also toxic and should not be consumed. Seems to us that there's more danger in the stuff than it's worth! After all, like Uncle June says: But if ya'll can't handle the stuff, we all wanna reassure, use it fer cleanin' car engines, makes a damn good degreaser! But make sure you do it in a well ventilated area and don't smoke! 

Taint got no fancy bottle 
Or frilly label neither
Don't drink too much or it might
Knock you out like a snort of ether

The Great State of Kentucky  
Is known for many things
Bluegrass music keeps the state
Smilin' happy as it sings

Got horses a plenty too
And the famous Derby race 
Louisville slugger baseball bats
Help the batters keep a pace

Kentucky Fried Chicken as well 
That's known around the world 
And the finest bourbon whiskey
In glasses of ice that's swirled

And don't forget the classic dish
We'll mention special stew
A really long cooked tasty bowl
Of home cooked thick Burgoo 

But there’s still one thing that's left
We wanna mention 'fore we're through
Pistol packin', wallopin'
Gullet burnin' mountain dew!

Taint got no fancy bottle 
Or frilly label neither
Don't drink too much or it might
Knock you out like a snort of ether

Home brewed in them thar hills
By bootleggers young and old
Tradition has fruit jars filled
With clear alcoholic gold

A quart'll last ya a while
But damn, take it nice and slow
A little bit'll make ya smile
But too much'll make ya crow!

Proof numbers in triple digits
Don't git it near no open flame!
Treat it right or ya'll be sorry 
Gits away it'll be hard to tame!

Taint got no fancy bottle 
Or frilly label neither
Don't drink too much or it might
Knock you out like a snort of ether

First time drinkers will think it's like
Suckin' on a fire burnin' match 
It'll scorch yer mouth, torch yer craw
In heat that'll be hard to match

But if ya'll can't handle the stuff
We all wanna reassure
Use it fer cleanin' car engines
Makes a damn good degreaser

Taint got no fancy bottle 
Or frilly label neither
Don't drink too much or it might
Knock you out like a snort of ether

Chuck Wagon Calhoun - Ol' Tom

 A new artist here at Big And Tall Records! Chuck Wagon Calhoun! Yee haw! Now the story so far about Chuck Wagon is that he used to work as a chuck wagon cook in a re-enactment group in a cattle roundup. It was like a dude ranch as professionals would take amateurs out on the range rounding up cattle, and the experience included chuck wagon cuisine. Evidently the dude ranch/roundup enterprise went under after a few attempts. Since then Chuck Wagon Calhoun has been making the rounds of local county fares playing the role and cooking genuine chuck wagon grub. 

A group of musicians got together with Chuck and organized a band that would add music to the act, and they've been playing country venues ever since and have gained some local popularity. One of our associates caught their act, and passed this is along to us, and it hit a quirky, funny note for us. Kind of like a risque Spike Jones!

Howdy

My name’s Chuck wagon Calhoun I'm the last of my kind Ah got a story to tell ya’ll So unplug yer ears, if yer so kind... There's still cattle roundups goin' on Even in this here day and age Kind of old timey, I’ll grant ye From an ol’ history page Them ‘pokes what steal ride the range Gotta have all of them’s vittles So that’s where I enter the scene But I ain’t no lickspittle! ‘Round the far after supper The ‘pokes play their guitars they brang Raise their butt cheeks and then fart In tam with the music they sang Got a mule pulls the wagon He’s ol’, and feisty, and crusty The wagon’s older than hell too With wheel axles all rusty So it ain’t easy fer ol' Tom To keep up with the herd And it makes me all kind of anxious Makes me say a harsh word ‘Round the far after supper The ‘pokes play their guitars they brang Raise their butt cheeks and then fart In tam with the music they sang Well, ol’ Tom got a wild hair Was pullin' the wagon too fast No matter how hard I reined him To the next night stop he past He got that there rusty ol’ wagon Movin’ at a right rapid pace Wheels hit a gopher hole hard Throwed me all out on my face

Now them pokes ain’t had no supper Sangin’ songs ‘bout stringin’ me up Cain’t find that goddam mule nowhere And they’s got empty guts and cups! Mercy me! Where in hell's that Tom! Goddammit! All them cowboys grumbling' Cuz of their empty belly Made my knees shiver and quake Was nervous as hell, oh nelly! But jest 'bout to give it up Lookin' fer that goddam mule He come lopin' 'round the bend Started brayin' like a fool! Wagon still hooked on him Nothin' tall got spilt! So it twern't long time at all before... ‘Round the far after supper The ‘pokes played their guitars they brang Raised their butt cheeks and then farted In tam with the music they sang What in hell ya dew that fer, Tom? You long-eared, dumb ass galoot! That's the third time you done it! What’s' a matter, you bored Oughta beat ya'll in yer thick hayed With a 2 by 4, iff'n I had one! Goddam lolligaggin' consarned dadburned sum da bitch worthless poor excuse fer a fuckin' mule! 

 

Tugboat Jackson - 1984

 Tugboat Jackson, one of our most prolific artists here at Big And Tall Records has been absent for awhile, so it was with pleasure we saw this sound file in our email. The song 1984 compares the book by George Orwell, published in 1949, about  the dangers of big government and 'Big Brother' to modern times and the prolific lying that is going on.

Orwell's book was prophetic, as it took what was the current political turmoil of  the world at  the time, mainly Communism as practiced by the former Soviet Union and fast-forwarded what could happen to a society when state sponsored terror, control of history, and the cultural narrative could do. This warning applies equally to  the extreme political right and political left, as totalitarianism is itself a form of government that is evil in its own right. With totalitarianism comes the control of everything, usually to the deification of the wealthy that kowtow to the powers that be, and leads to blatant corruption and inequality to those who disobey in the slightest. Our business is music, not politics, so we defer any curiosity that Tugboat has stirred in the listener to the encouragement to read Orwell's book that is widely available in bookstores, online, and libraries, and see for yourself if there is or is not parallels in contemporary society and governments. 

In the past, Tugboat has been not only vocal in his lyrics but in words he had written for us. For whatever reason(s), he he declined further comment on any of his songs or opinions. He only tells us what he has to say he says in his songs. An honest enough response for an artist in any case. 

Ya think you’ve heard it all Then when ya git outta bed Lies float out over the airwaves Try to burrow in yo head Spewed out hard like the dry heaves Everything skewed all around Tryin' to make one take root The liar works on iffy ground Like a waterfall of nonsense Like the book written long ago George Orwell predicted it In his book nineteen eighty fo The bigger and fatter the lie The more outlandish and bold More that people will believe it The dirty lie that is told Repeat it loud and often Beat it hard into their ear Compassion is for the weak The only way is through fear Like a waterfall of nonsense Like the book written long ago George Orwell predicted it In his book nineteen eighty fo And the people are helpless So they have been led to believe Been lied to until they’re senseless Hardly any hope of reprieve The shadows will follow you Will tolerate no defiance It's almost too late for it For a rule of law reliance People united cannot fail Despite all the ones with riches Take back our country fight them all These lyin' sons of bitches!

The Burgoo Boys featuring Uncle June's Jug Band - 'Possum Livin' Skills

The discovery of Uncle June's Jug Band by The Burgoo Boys has given Big And Tall Records another group of artists that we love; the relatively unknown artist that deserves to be heard more widely. And the word 'discovered' only pertains to the group being recorded. Uncle June has played for weddings, dances, all kinds of local events and is widely known in his area of Kentucky. 

Uncle June himself is the soloist in this song, 'Possum Livin' Skills, and he has a voice that isn't what you'd call pretty, but it is assuredly distinctive. With a little bit of a growl, a touch of hoarseness, and an ability to put a lot into the lyrics of a song. But we do advise that listeners follow along with the printed lyrics, as Uncle June's accent combined with his voice timbre can leave some words hard to understand. But it is worth the effort, as Uncle June is the author of them, and they contain Kentucky country wisdom as well as good humor. 

We talked to the leader of The Burgoo Boys, John Henry Flort, and he told us their group was playing the same gig as Uncle June's and they liked their sound, started jamming with them after the gig, and they ended up playing until morning! John Henry said that the group gives them an added dimension besides bluegrass. He also told us that the entire group is the happiest bunch they've ever met. Not a sourpuss in the bunch! He gave us Uncle June's phone number, so we gave him a call.

His good will and humor came across the phone just talking to him, and he had some things to tell us about himself:

Yeah, we been playin' for quite a few years. Played all kinds of events, even had a bar mitzvah scheduled once, but they cancelled! Man, The Burgoo Boys like they been playin' with us fer years! Hit it right off, blended good. They like all the oddball instruments my guys can play. You name it, these guys done played it! We're lookin' forward to playin' with The Boys lots more. They told us we could prolly get a contract from ya'll on our own, but nah, we'll stick with The Boys. They's recorded before, got more experience. Truth be told, me and my boys don't want the bother of it all. We jest wanna play! 'Sides, lot of the guys got other jobs, good payin' one too, hard to come by this day and age in this here part of the country, so this is jest a sideline for 'em. 

Uncle June

As fer myself, hell I'm not only REtired, I'm STILL tired! Don't let my looks fool ya, I'm older than I look! As for the 'Possum Livin' Skills song, I been mullin' that over in my head fer quite a spell. Seen lots of 'possums 'round these parts, and got to thinkin' how they get along so well, some of them in town to boot. 'Possums just adapted to modern times I reckon. The music was a group effort fer sure. Our trombone player, 'Boner' Stewart came up with the trombone parts and brought some of his other 'bone buddies and a tuba blower also to help out. The guy's been playin' the 'bone for longer than I know, and he's real good! Course gotta have the washtub bass and washboard for the bottom of the song! Gotta tell ya, at the recording, I thunk up the last line of the song I'd rather be well fed and alive than purty and dead, on the spot. When I said it at the end, we also spoiled the recording because my guys started crackin' up!  That and when I said the word 'omnivore' the first few takes, the band cracked up too. They didn't kn ow what it meant, jest thought it sounded funny and too hifalutin for a song we was recording! That's the only trouble we got with recording; we have so much fun playin' t'gether, we crack up and cain't keep goin'. Come to a dead stop gigllin' and carryin' on!

Times is hard for a lot of us
So here's some things ya'll can try
We call it 'possum livin' skills
All kind a tricks to get by

'Possum plays dead, but not all the time
Sometimes he just saunters off
Other times he'll hiss like a snake
Sometimes stand his ground get pissed off!

So pick your battles carefully
Sometimes jest puff up say no!
Others raise up your hackles
Others ya just gotta let go

Times is hard for a lot of us
So here's some things ya'll can try
We call it 'possum livin' skills
All kind a tricks to get by

When persimmon trees are in fruit
The 'possum gets his belly full
On a branch, feedin' hisself
Enjoyin' ever sweet mouthful!

Find out what your persimmons are
Oh yeah, seek it and ya'll will find
Find what gives ya satisfaction
Gives ya a sense of peace of mind

Times is hard for a lot of us
So here's some things ya can try
We call it 'possum livin' skills
All kind a tricks to get by

Live on the cheap you'll be surprised
How little can keep ya alive
Not always, but when ya have to
Keep an even keel to survive

We all need money to get by on
But don't be gettin' the notion
To work your ass off wreck your health
To try and make a big fortune

Times is hard for a lot of us
So here's some things ya can try
We call it 'possum livin' skills
All kind a tricks to get by

Don't neglect the dark of night
Ol' 'possum is a night critter
On a clear night go outside
Get a chair be a night sitter

Darker the night, the better
Light can be a distraction
Let your mind go, have a think
Take peace in your inaction

But thar's somethin' ya needs to know
Ol' 'possum is an omnivore
Nice way of sayin' he eats anything...
I wouldn't do that...OH NO!

Times is hard for a lot of us
Been that way through history
Maybe 'possum livin' skills
Can help keep ya happy and free!

'Possum livin' skills
Oh yeah!
'Possum livin' skills
Ugly ol' 'possum
Knows where it's at!
He be ugly, but he don't starve
I'd rather be well fed and alive than purty and dead.
 

Forgotten Bob - Oh, Baby Oh, Baby

 As Forgotten Bob says in hiss latest Oh, Baby Oh, Baby, he has 8(!) children by his wife, who he's been married to for many years. Their romance started way back when they were both into the punk rock scene, and as could be expected in the early 1990's no one thought their relationship would last. The punk scene was rather looked down upon as degenerate and immoral. some of it probably was, but these two prove that love is love, and they hung in together. 

They both grew out of the punk scene when they started having babies. Bob got a good paying job (he was always a whiz with numbers and computers) and quit playing music in public until a few years ago. He took an early retirement from a lucrative job after he saved up his money. He's told us they hardly have had any disagreements after over 30 years of marriage. He said  the only thing she insisted upon was that he get the tattoos removed from his hands, and he did. He attributed a lot of their long marriage in the fact that neither one was into drugs. He admitted to smoking until he quit playing, and a few beers now and then. He's told us so many he knew that were in the punk rock scene back then were into drugs, and he saw more than his share of friends meet a sad end.

His music now is what he calls 'rockabilly', but he lapses back into rock and roll on occasion, as in this song. He did tell us he never quit playing his guitar, most every day. And all eight of their children are musically talented, with one even studying to be a classical pianist! His wife doesn't play an instrument, but she was a singer and still has a decent voice he tells us, but he can't get her to sing on a recording. 

We've been mighty curious about how Bob looked in his punk days, and we finally tracked down a picture! Take a look at this young man in the bloom of his punk youth!

A marked difference with the way he looks now! There were no actual photos. He's always had a lot of artists friends that did portraits of him from the beginning. We emailed this picture to him asking if he knew who it was, and it wasn't 5 minutes later when he called us back. "Where in hell did you get THAT?" he asked with a laugh. "Good gravy, that was 35 years ago!" We told him we couldn't reveal our sources. He said, "Now you know why I said in one of my songs that I still got all the holes in my face where all the jewelry went!  And the 'tats! Holy cow, it was misery gettin' them! But ya couldn't be a punk back then if ya didn't have' em. Only one thing worse then getting 'em, that's having 'em removed! About killed my hands to get them taken off!"

 

 I met a woman long time past
She done it for me from the start
Ended up we got together
I finally followed my heart

But it took a bit to begin
It started to mess up my head
I got frustrated and angry
This is what I finally said

Oh baby, oh baby, sweet babe
Can't you open your heart for me
I cannot live without your love
Oh pretty baby can't you see?

All my pesterin' had results
Agreed to go out on a date
My heart 'bout beat outa my chest
So excited, could hardly wait

Didn't have much money back then
So we had some burgers and fries
Ended up talkin' for hours
Kept it honest, told her no lies

Oh baby, oh baby, sweet babe
You opened your heart to me
I cannot live without your love
Oh pretty baby you can see!

I met a woman long time past
She done it for me from the start
Ended up we got together
I finally followed my heart

We been through some very tough times
But we stuck it out together
Still go out for burgers and fries
Couldn't have done me no better

Oh baby, oh baby, sweet babe
Still got your heart open to me
Ain't had to live without your love
Pretty baby, lucky for me!

Yeah man! Still together. After 8 kids!
You heard me! They're all growed,
just my baby and me, lots of
Grandbabies. We still boogie.