Dorsey Burnette
Encyclopedia
Dorsey Burnette was an early Rockabilly
singer. With his younger brother, Johnny Burnette
, and a friend named Paul Burlison
, he was a founder member of The Rock and Roll Trio
.
. The 'e' at the end of his surname was added later. His younger brother, John Joseph "Johnny" Burnett, was born on March 25, 1934. The family lived in a public housing project in the Lauderdale Courts area of Memphis, Tennessee
.
Dorsey was a competent athlete with an interest in boxing. Both of the Burnette Brothers turned out to be successful amateur boxers, becoming local Golden Gloves
champions. In 1949, Dorsey was introduced to another young boxing contender named Paul Burlison
by his boxing teacher, Jimmy Denson and they were to become firm friends. Later, Burlison was introduced to Johnny Burnette
and they also become firm friends. All three men had a mutual interest in music to which they had had an early introduction to music. Burlison had begun to receive guitar lessons when he was eight years old. In 1939, Dorsey Sr. gave his two sons a pair of Gene Autry
guitars. According to most sources, each brothers immediately broke them over the other's head. Dorsey Sr. doggedly bought them two more guitars. Dorsey later recalled that their father had said, "Learn to play those guitars. You can be like those folks on the Grand Ole Opry
if you want to ……." Dorsey said that "he learned the G, C and E chords and when the strings broke, he would use bailing wire".
After graduating from a Catholic high school in Memphis, Dorsey tried his hand as a professional boxer becoming a Southern pro champ before working at a number of daytime jobs, which included a cotton picker, an oiler on a Mississippi
riverboat, a fisherman, a carpet-layer. He was finally to work at the Crown Electric Company with Paul Burlison as an apprentice electrician and would spend six years studying for an electrician's license. Johnny Burnette
also worked as a deck hand on barges, which traversed the Mississippi River
and though they worked separately, each of them would bring his guitar on board and write songs during his spare time. After work, they would perform those and other songs together at local bars with a varying array of sidemen. Paul Burlison
joined them after his discharge from the US Armed Forces and in 1952 or 1953 they formed a group, which may have been called The Rhythm Rangers at the time. Johnny Burnette sang the vocals and played acoustic guitar, Dorsey played bass and Paul Burlison played lead guitar.
, where they managed to get an audition with the Ted Mack
Original Amateur Hour
. They won the competition three times in a row, which gained them a place in the finals, a recording contract with Coral Records
and they officially became The Rock and Roll Trio
. Promotional appearances were arranged on Dick Clark's American Bandstand
, Steve Allen
's Tonight Show and Perry Como
's Kraft Music Hall
, together with a summer tour with Carl Perkins
and Gene Vincent
. On September 9, 1956, they appeared as finalists in the Ted Mack
Original Amateur Hour
at Madison Square Garden
. Despite all of this activity, however, the three singles, which were released over this period failed to make the national charts.
In order to cover their living expenses, the Trio was forced to go on the road, completing what seemed to be an endless stream of one night stands. This exhausting regime led to squabbles, which were exacerbated in Dorsey's case by Jerome's use of the name Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio on records and live dates. Things finally came to a head at a gig in Niagara Falls
in the fall of 1956, when, as a result of a fight, Dorsey quit the group a week before they were to appear in Alan Freed
's film, Rock, Rock, Rock. Johnny Burnette and Paul Burlison recruited Johnny Black, the brother of Elvis's bassist Bill Black to fill Dorsey's place and the Trio were duly completed their spot in the film. Despite the film appearance and three more single releases and one LP release, the group failed to achieve any chart success and the Trio officially disbanded in the fall of 1957.
and Jim Reeves
among others). French researchers Giles Vignal and Marc Alesina place the demo session at the Sun Records
Studio in November 1956 and they have Dorsey being backed by Johnny Burnette
and Paul Burlison
. "Let's Fall In Love" and four other tracks were cut, but all are believed to be lost. On November 24, 1956, Dorsey went to a session at the Fabor Studio in Malibu, California, where he cut four tracks, "The Devil Queen", "Let's Fall In Love", "At A Distance" and "Jungle Magic". These tracks were released as two singles, "Let's Fall in Love/The Devil's Queen" (Abbott 188-45) on November 24, 1956 and "Jungle Magic/At a Distance" (Abbott 190-45) on February 23, 1957. Fabor Robinson offered to place Dorsey on either the Louisiana Hayride
or the Town Hall Party (the West Coast's leading country music showcase).
After moving to California, Dorsey found work as an electrician to make ends meet and began writing songs in his spare time. Once he had settled down, Dorsey sent for his family. By the fall of 1957, Johnny Burnette was now unemployed and he decided to try his luck on the West Coast. With a friend, Joe Campbell, he hitched a ride in a railroad boxcar out to Los Angeles
, where they joined Dorsey. With their past differences forgotten, the brothers attempted to resurrect The Rock and Roll Trio
by sending for Paul Burlison
. He joined them briefly, but decided to return to Memphis and concentrate on his electrical business. Dorsey continued with his day job as an electrician to pay the family expenses, while he and Johnny continued with their song writing activities in their spare time.
, who had written "Ready Teddy" and "Rip It Up" for Little Richard
, as well as "Good Night My Love" and other hits. He was looking for a singer to help him with a new song, "Bertha Lou". Dorsey and Johnny went into the Master Recorders Studio in Hollywood and backed by Odell Hull (lead guitar), Danny Flores (piano) and H.B. Barnum (drums) cut two tracks, "Bertha Lou" and "‘Till The Law Says Stop". It was originally planned that Johnny should sing the lead vocals, but when he recalled that he was still under contract to Coral Records
, Dorsey suggested that nobody would care if he sang the song. The vocal duties were switched, with Johnny singing some of the backing vocals. The two sides were released as a single (Surf SR5019-45) under Dorsey's name. Coral threatened to sue and so label owner, Kenny Babcock withdrew the record. Babcock had Dorsey's voice overdubbed with that of one of his own singers, Johnny Faire (also known as John Faircloth). Surf SR5019-45 was subsequently re-released as by Johnny Faire. Johnny Faire was later to change his name and find fame as Donnie Brooks
.
The songwriting credits show John Marascalco
as the writer of "Bertha Lou", but Cub Koda
reports Brooks as saying that the song was in fact written by Johnny Burnette
, who, as part of the recording deal, sold it to Marascalo. John Marascalco
was later persuaded to release Dorsey's version, which he still owned. In 1965, "Bertha Lou"/"Keep A Knockin’" was released as Cee-Jam #6 with "Bertha Lou" under the name of Dorsey Burnette. The flipside, "Keep A Knockin’", was released under the name The Brothers. In 1966, "Bertha Lou"/"’Til The Law Says Stop" was released as Cee-Jam #16 with both sides under the name Dorsey Burnette.
It was sheer bravado that enabled the Burnette Brothers to have their first major breakthrough as songwriters. On arriving in Los Angeles
, Joe Campbell bought a copy of “A Map To The Stars” which showed the location of the then teen idol
Ricky Nelson
's home. In an effort to get their songs to him, the Burnettes and Campbell decided to sit on the steps of the star’s home until they could get a meeting with him. This persistence worked and Nelson was impressed with their work, enough so that he recorded "Believe What You Say You Say", "It's Late" and "Waitin' In School", among others. Other artists on Nelson's label, Imperial Records
, such as Roy Brown
, who covered the brothers' "Hip Shakin' Baby", benefited from their songwriting abilities and this led to them signing a recording contract with Imperial.
As the Burnette Brothers, Dorsey and Johnny had a single release on the Imperial label, "Warm Love"/"My Honey" (Imperial X5509), which was released on May 5, 1958. It did not make the charts. In 1961, they had two instrumentals releases on the small Infinity and Gothic labels. The first single, "Green Grass Of Texas"/"Bloody River" (Infinity INX-001), was released on February 20, 1961. The second single, "Rockin' Johnny Home"/"Ole Reb" (Gothic GOX-001), was released on May 29, 1961. Both singles were released under the name The Texans. Another instrumental, "Lonely Island"/"Green Hills" (Liberty 55460) under the name The Shamrocks appeared on Liberty Records
on June 6, 1962. "Green Grass Of Texas"/"Bloody River" was re-released in February 1965 on the Vee Jay label (VJ 658), again under the name of The Texans.
as a solo artist, "You Came as a Miracle"/"Try" (Imperial X5561), released on March 9, 1959 and "Lonely Train"/"Misery" (Imperial X 5597), released on September 7, 1959. Neither record was a hit. In late 1959, Dorsey offered a song, "Tall Oak Tree", to Ricky Nelson
, who turned it down. Now signed to Era Records, Dorsey recorded the song himself and it was released on January 11, 1960 backed with "Juarez Town" (Era 3012). The record entered the charts and reached #23 on the Hot 100. He was the first of the Burnette Brothers to have a hit record. This success spurred Coral Records
to dig into their archives and release two old Rock and Roll Trio recordings as "Blues Stay Away From Me"/"Midnight Train" (Coral 9-62190). The top side was released under the name Dorsey Burnette but the flip side was under the names Dorsey and Johnny Burnette. It did not make the charts. On May 2, 1960, Era released a follow-up record, "Hey Little One"/"Big Rock Candy Mountain" (Era 3019), by Dorsey and it reached #48 in the Hot 100. Two days later on May 4, 1960, Johnny Burnette’s first major solo hit record, "Dreamin’", was released on Liberty Records
. On May 23, 1960, Imperial Records followed Coral's example and released "Way in the Middle of the Night"/"Your Love" (Imperial X 5668) under the name Dorsey Burnette, but it failed to make the charts.
Dorsey Burnette's third single on the Era Label, "The Ghost of Billy Malloo"/"Red Roses" (Era 3025) was released on August 29, 1960 but unlike its predecessors, it failed to enter the charts. His final release for the Era label that year was "This Hotel"/"The River And The Mountain" (Era 3033), which was released on November 7, 1960, but it also failed to become a hit. In 1961, he had two single releases on Era Records, "Hard Rock Mine"/"(It's No) Sin" (Era 3041), released February 27, 1961 and "Great Shakin' Fever"/"That's Me Without You" (Era 3045) released April 24, 1961. These singles failed to become hits and in May 1961, Herb Newman of Era Records sold Dorsey's contract together with the masters of his last two Era recording sessions to Dot Records
, whose biggest recording artist at that time was Pat Boone
.
Dorsey had three singles released during his time with Dot. The first was "Rainin'"/"A Full House" (Dot 45-16230) released May 1961, followed by "Feminine Touch"/"Sad Boy" (Dot 45-16265) released September 25, 1961 and finally "Dying Ember"/"A Country Boy In The Army" (Dot 45-16305) released January 1962. None of these releases caught the public's ear and he was released at the end of his six-month contract. From here, he moved to Reprise Records
, the label owned at that time by Frank Sinatra
. At Reprise, Dorsey worked with producer Jimmy Bowen and arranger Jack Nitzche and had two single releases in 1962. "Castle in the Sky"/"The Boys Kept Hangin' Around" (Reprise R-20,093) was released on June 30, 1962 and "I'm Waitin' For Ya Baby"/"Darling Jane" (Reprise R-20,121) was released October 27, 1962. Neither single was a hit. During 1963, he had four singles releases on Reprise. The first was "Foolish Pride"/"Four For Texas" (Reprise R-20,146) released February 23, 1963, which was followed by "Hey Sue"/"It Don't Take Much" (Reprise R-20,153), released March 9, 1963 then "Invisible Chains/Pebbles" (Reprise R-20,177) released May 9, 1963. His final release was "Where's The Lonely Girl?"/"One of The Lonely" (Reprise R-20,208) released August 24, 1963. To coincide with this single, Imperial released "Circle Rock"/"House With A Tin Roof Top" (Imperial 5987) in August 1963. None of these singles reached the charts and so he moved on to the Mel-O-Dy label, a subsidiary of Motown Records
. The label's early releases were soul oriented and included tracks by Lamont Dozier, The Vells (Martha and the Vandellas
) and The Pirates (The Temptations
).
The single "The Greatest Love"/"Thin Little, Simple Little, Plain Little Girl" (Liberty 56087) was released in late 1968 and was in "hitbound" status on some radio stations as of December 25, 1968.
. His last two Mel-O-Dy singles, "Jimmy Bowen"/"Everybody’s Angel" (Mel-O-Dy 116) released October 1964 and "Long Long Time Ago"/"Ever Since The World Began" (Mel-O-Dy 118) released in November 1964 failed to make the charts. The label was discontinued in April 1965 and from then on Dorsey recorded without luck on a series of labels such as Liberty, Merri, Happy Tiger
, Music Factory, Smash (where he re-recorded "Tall Oak Tree"), Mercury, Hickory and Condor, which released "The Magnificent Sanctuary Band"/"Can't You See It Happening" (Condor FF-1005) on February 7, 1970.
, for Dixie Dynamite. In 1977, he was credited as the composer of the original music for the sound track of the horror movie, Kingdom of the Spiders. In 1978, he was credited with singing the title song of the movie, My Boys Are Good Boys, as well as co-writing the song in collaboration with Doug Goodwin.
.
. He played a half hour show at a benefit for the Arthritis Foundation the day before he died.
Patrick Landreville who played the final show with Dorsey stated
organized a benefit concert for Dorsey’s widow at the Forum in Inglewood, California
, in which Kris Kristofferson
, Hoyt Axton
. Tanya Tucker
, Glen Campbell
, Edward James Olmos
, Duane Eddy
, Delaney and Bonnie, Gary Busey
, Maureen McGovern
and Roger Miller
appeared. Dorsey Burnette's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
.
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
singer. With his younger brother, Johnny Burnette
Johnny Burnette
John Joseph "Johnny" Burnette was an American rockabilly musician. Along with his older brother Dorsey Burnette, and also a friend named Paul Burlison, Burnette was a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. He was the father of 1980s rockabilly singer Rocky Burnette.-Early life:Johnny Burnette...
, and a friend named Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison was an American pioneer rockabilly guitarist and a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he was exposed to music at an early age. After a stint in the United States Military, Burlison teamed up with Johnny and Dorsey Burnette...
, he was a founder member of The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio was the name of a rockabilly group which was formed in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1950s. They were also known as "Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio" and the "Johnny Burnette Trio". The members of the Trio were Dorsey Burnette, his younger brother Johnny, and a...
.
Background and early career
Dorsey Burnett was born on December 28, 1932 to Willie May and Dorsey Burnett Sr. in Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. The 'e' at the end of his surname was added later. His younger brother, John Joseph "Johnny" Burnett, was born on March 25, 1934. The family lived in a public housing project in the Lauderdale Courts area of Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
.
Dorsey was a competent athlete with an interest in boxing. Both of the Burnette Brothers turned out to be successful amateur boxers, becoming local Golden Gloves
Golden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...
champions. In 1949, Dorsey was introduced to another young boxing contender named Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison was an American pioneer rockabilly guitarist and a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he was exposed to music at an early age. After a stint in the United States Military, Burlison teamed up with Johnny and Dorsey Burnette...
by his boxing teacher, Jimmy Denson and they were to become firm friends. Later, Burlison was introduced to Johnny Burnette
Johnny Burnette
John Joseph "Johnny" Burnette was an American rockabilly musician. Along with his older brother Dorsey Burnette, and also a friend named Paul Burlison, Burnette was a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. He was the father of 1980s rockabilly singer Rocky Burnette.-Early life:Johnny Burnette...
and they also become firm friends. All three men had a mutual interest in music to which they had had an early introduction to music. Burlison had begun to receive guitar lessons when he was eight years old. In 1939, Dorsey Sr. gave his two sons a pair of Gene Autry
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
guitars. According to most sources, each brothers immediately broke them over the other's head. Dorsey Sr. doggedly bought them two more guitars. Dorsey later recalled that their father had said, "Learn to play those guitars. You can be like those folks on the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
if you want to ……." Dorsey said that "he learned the G, C and E chords and when the strings broke, he would use bailing wire".
After graduating from a Catholic high school in Memphis, Dorsey tried his hand as a professional boxer becoming a Southern pro champ before working at a number of daytime jobs, which included a cotton picker, an oiler on a Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
riverboat, a fisherman, a carpet-layer. He was finally to work at the Crown Electric Company with Paul Burlison as an apprentice electrician and would spend six years studying for an electrician's license. Johnny Burnette
Johnny Burnette
John Joseph "Johnny" Burnette was an American rockabilly musician. Along with his older brother Dorsey Burnette, and also a friend named Paul Burlison, Burnette was a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. He was the father of 1980s rockabilly singer Rocky Burnette.-Early life:Johnny Burnette...
also worked as a deck hand on barges, which traversed the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and though they worked separately, each of them would bring his guitar on board and write songs during his spare time. After work, they would perform those and other songs together at local bars with a varying array of sidemen. Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison was an American pioneer rockabilly guitarist and a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he was exposed to music at an early age. After a stint in the United States Military, Burlison teamed up with Johnny and Dorsey Burnette...
joined them after his discharge from the US Armed Forces and in 1952 or 1953 they formed a group, which may have been called The Rhythm Rangers at the time. Johnny Burnette sang the vocals and played acoustic guitar, Dorsey played bass and Paul Burlison played lead guitar.
The Rock and Roll Trio
For economic reasons, in 1956, the three young men moved to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where they managed to get an audition with the Ted Mack
Ted Mack
Ted Mack may refer to:*Ted Mack , Edward Mack, Australian politician*Ted Mack , born William Edward Maguiness, American television host...
Original Amateur Hour
Original Amateur Hour
The Original Amateur Hour is an American radio and television program. The show was a continuation of Major Bowes Amateur Hour which had been a radio staple from 1934 to 1945. Major Edward Bowes, the originator of the program and its master of ceremonies, left the show in 1945 and died the...
. They won the competition three times in a row, which gained them a place in the finals, a recording contract with Coral Records
Coral Records
Coral Records was a Decca Records subsidiary formed in 1949. It recorded pop artists McGuire Sisters and Teresa Brewer, as well as rock and roller Buddy Holly....
and they officially became The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio was the name of a rockabilly group which was formed in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1950s. They were also known as "Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio" and the "Johnny Burnette Trio". The members of the Trio were Dorsey Burnette, his younger brother Johnny, and a...
. Promotional appearances were arranged on Dick Clark's American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
, Steve Allen
Steve Allen (comedian)
Stephen Valentine Patrick William "Steve" Allen was an American television personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer. Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best known for his television career. He first gained national attention as a guest host on Arthur Godfrey's Talent...
's Tonight Show and Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
's Kraft Music Hall
Kraft Music Hall
The Kraft Music Hall was a popular variety program, featuring top show business entertainers, which aired on NBC radio and television from 1933 to 1971....
, together with a summer tour with Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins
Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
and Gene Vincent
Gene Vincent
Vincent Eugene Craddock , known as Gene Vincent, was an American musician who pioneered the styles of rock and roll and rockabilly. His 1956 top ten hit with his Blue Caps, "Be-Bop-A-Lula", is considered a significant early example of rockabilly...
. On September 9, 1956, they appeared as finalists in the Ted Mack
Ted Mack
Ted Mack may refer to:*Ted Mack , Edward Mack, Australian politician*Ted Mack , born William Edward Maguiness, American television host...
Original Amateur Hour
Original Amateur Hour
The Original Amateur Hour is an American radio and television program. The show was a continuation of Major Bowes Amateur Hour which had been a radio staple from 1934 to 1945. Major Edward Bowes, the originator of the program and its master of ceremonies, left the show in 1945 and died the...
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. Despite all of this activity, however, the three singles, which were released over this period failed to make the national charts.
In order to cover their living expenses, the Trio was forced to go on the road, completing what seemed to be an endless stream of one night stands. This exhausting regime led to squabbles, which were exacerbated in Dorsey's case by Jerome's use of the name Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio on records and live dates. Things finally came to a head at a gig in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
in the fall of 1956, when, as a result of a fight, Dorsey quit the group a week before they were to appear in Alan Freed
Alan Freed
Albert James "Alan" Freed , also known as Moondog, was an American disc-jockey. He became internationally known for promoting the mix of blues, country and rhythm and blues music on the radio in the United States and Europe under the name of rock and roll...
's film, Rock, Rock, Rock. Johnny Burnette and Paul Burlison recruited Johnny Black, the brother of Elvis's bassist Bill Black to fill Dorsey's place and the Trio were duly completed their spot in the film. Despite the film appearance and three more single releases and one LP release, the group failed to achieve any chart success and the Trio officially disbanded in the fall of 1957.
Move to California
Colin Escott of Showtime Magazine states that during or after his stint with his own trio, Dorsey recorded a demo session with Fabor Robinson (owner of Fabor Records, co-owner of Abbott Records and sometime manager of Johnny HortonJohnny Horton
John Gale "Johnny" Horton was an American country music and rockabilly singer most famous for his semi-folk, so-called "saga songs" which began the "historical ballad" craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s...
and Jim Reeves
Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound...
among others). French researchers Giles Vignal and Marc Alesina place the demo session at the Sun Records
Sun Records
Sun Records is a record label founded in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27, 1952.Founded by Sam Phillips, Sun Records was known for giving notable musicians such as Elvis Presley , Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash...
Studio in November 1956 and they have Dorsey being backed by Johnny Burnette
Johnny Burnette
John Joseph "Johnny" Burnette was an American rockabilly musician. Along with his older brother Dorsey Burnette, and also a friend named Paul Burlison, Burnette was a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. He was the father of 1980s rockabilly singer Rocky Burnette.-Early life:Johnny Burnette...
and Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison was an American pioneer rockabilly guitarist and a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he was exposed to music at an early age. After a stint in the United States Military, Burlison teamed up with Johnny and Dorsey Burnette...
. "Let's Fall In Love" and four other tracks were cut, but all are believed to be lost. On November 24, 1956, Dorsey went to a session at the Fabor Studio in Malibu, California, where he cut four tracks, "The Devil Queen", "Let's Fall In Love", "At A Distance" and "Jungle Magic". These tracks were released as two singles, "Let's Fall in Love/The Devil's Queen" (Abbott 188-45) on November 24, 1956 and "Jungle Magic/At a Distance" (Abbott 190-45) on February 23, 1957. Fabor Robinson offered to place Dorsey on either the Louisiana Hayride
Louisiana Hayride
Louisiana Hayride was a radio and later television country music show broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, that during its heyday from 1948 to 1960 helped to launch the careers of some of the greatest names in American music...
or the Town Hall Party (the West Coast's leading country music showcase).
After moving to California, Dorsey found work as an electrician to make ends meet and began writing songs in his spare time. Once he had settled down, Dorsey sent for his family. By the fall of 1957, Johnny Burnette was now unemployed and he decided to try his luck on the West Coast. With a friend, Joe Campbell, he hitched a ride in a railroad boxcar out to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, where they joined Dorsey. With their past differences forgotten, the brothers attempted to resurrect The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio
The Rock and Roll Trio was the name of a rockabilly group which was formed in Memphis, Tennessee during the 1950s. They were also known as "Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio" and the "Johnny Burnette Trio". The members of the Trio were Dorsey Burnette, his younger brother Johnny, and a...
by sending for Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison
Paul Burlison was an American pioneer rockabilly guitarist and a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he was exposed to music at an early age. After a stint in the United States Military, Burlison teamed up with Johnny and Dorsey Burnette...
. He joined them briefly, but decided to return to Memphis and concentrate on his electrical business. Dorsey continued with his day job as an electrician to pay the family expenses, while he and Johnny continued with their song writing activities in their spare time.
The Burnette Brothers
In November 1957, the brothers were approached by songwriter John MarascalcoJohn Marascalco
John Marascalco is an American songwriter, who is most noted for his collaborations with Robert Blackwell...
, who had written "Ready Teddy" and "Rip It Up" for Little Richard
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
, as well as "Good Night My Love" and other hits. He was looking for a singer to help him with a new song, "Bertha Lou". Dorsey and Johnny went into the Master Recorders Studio in Hollywood and backed by Odell Hull (lead guitar), Danny Flores (piano) and H.B. Barnum (drums) cut two tracks, "Bertha Lou" and "‘Till The Law Says Stop". It was originally planned that Johnny should sing the lead vocals, but when he recalled that he was still under contract to Coral Records
Coral Records
Coral Records was a Decca Records subsidiary formed in 1949. It recorded pop artists McGuire Sisters and Teresa Brewer, as well as rock and roller Buddy Holly....
, Dorsey suggested that nobody would care if he sang the song. The vocal duties were switched, with Johnny singing some of the backing vocals. The two sides were released as a single (Surf SR5019-45) under Dorsey's name. Coral threatened to sue and so label owner, Kenny Babcock withdrew the record. Babcock had Dorsey's voice overdubbed with that of one of his own singers, Johnny Faire (also known as John Faircloth). Surf SR5019-45 was subsequently re-released as by Johnny Faire. Johnny Faire was later to change his name and find fame as Donnie Brooks
Donnie Brooks
Donnie Brooks was an American pop music singer. Brooks is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame....
.
The songwriting credits show John Marascalco
John Marascalco
John Marascalco is an American songwriter, who is most noted for his collaborations with Robert Blackwell...
as the writer of "Bertha Lou", but Cub Koda
Cub Koda
Michael "Cub" Koda was an American rock and roll singer, guitarist, songwriter, disc jockey, music critic, and record compiler. Rolling Stone magazine felt that Koda was best known for writing the song "Smokin' in the Boys' Room", which reached #3 on the 1974 Billboard charts as performed by...
reports Brooks as saying that the song was in fact written by Johnny Burnette
Johnny Burnette
John Joseph "Johnny" Burnette was an American rockabilly musician. Along with his older brother Dorsey Burnette, and also a friend named Paul Burlison, Burnette was a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio. He was the father of 1980s rockabilly singer Rocky Burnette.-Early life:Johnny Burnette...
, who, as part of the recording deal, sold it to Marascalo. John Marascalco
John Marascalco
John Marascalco is an American songwriter, who is most noted for his collaborations with Robert Blackwell...
was later persuaded to release Dorsey's version, which he still owned. In 1965, "Bertha Lou"/"Keep A Knockin’" was released as Cee-Jam #6 with "Bertha Lou" under the name of Dorsey Burnette. The flipside, "Keep A Knockin’", was released under the name The Brothers. In 1966, "Bertha Lou"/"’Til The Law Says Stop" was released as Cee-Jam #16 with both sides under the name Dorsey Burnette.
It was sheer bravado that enabled the Burnette Brothers to have their first major breakthrough as songwriters. On arriving in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Joe Campbell bought a copy of “A Map To The Stars” which showed the location of the then teen idol
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson
Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
's home. In an effort to get their songs to him, the Burnettes and Campbell decided to sit on the steps of the star’s home until they could get a meeting with him. This persistence worked and Nelson was impressed with their work, enough so that he recorded "Believe What You Say You Say", "It's Late" and "Waitin' In School", among others. Other artists on Nelson's label, Imperial Records
Imperial Records
Imperial Records is a United States based label started in 1947 by Lew Chudd and reactivated in 2006 by label owner EMI.- The independent and Liberty Records years :...
, such as Roy Brown
Roy Brown
Roy Brown may refer to:*Roy Brown , English professional footballer who was the first black player to play for Stoke City.*Roy Brown , English footballer...
, who covered the brothers' "Hip Shakin' Baby", benefited from their songwriting abilities and this led to them signing a recording contract with Imperial.
As the Burnette Brothers, Dorsey and Johnny had a single release on the Imperial label, "Warm Love"/"My Honey" (Imperial X5509), which was released on May 5, 1958. It did not make the charts. In 1961, they had two instrumentals releases on the small Infinity and Gothic labels. The first single, "Green Grass Of Texas"/"Bloody River" (Infinity INX-001), was released on February 20, 1961. The second single, "Rockin' Johnny Home"/"Ole Reb" (Gothic GOX-001), was released on May 29, 1961. Both singles were released under the name The Texans. Another instrumental, "Lonely Island"/"Green Hills" (Liberty 55460) under the name The Shamrocks appeared on Liberty Records
Liberty Records
Liberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
on June 6, 1962. "Green Grass Of Texas"/"Bloody River" was re-released in February 1965 on the Vee Jay label (VJ 658), again under the name of The Texans.
Pop years
Dorsey Burnette had two single releases while contracted to Imperial RecordsImperial Records
Imperial Records is a United States based label started in 1947 by Lew Chudd and reactivated in 2006 by label owner EMI.- The independent and Liberty Records years :...
as a solo artist, "You Came as a Miracle"/"Try" (Imperial X5561), released on March 9, 1959 and "Lonely Train"/"Misery" (Imperial X 5597), released on September 7, 1959. Neither record was a hit. In late 1959, Dorsey offered a song, "Tall Oak Tree", to Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson
Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
, who turned it down. Now signed to Era Records, Dorsey recorded the song himself and it was released on January 11, 1960 backed with "Juarez Town" (Era 3012). The record entered the charts and reached #23 on the Hot 100. He was the first of the Burnette Brothers to have a hit record. This success spurred Coral Records
Coral Records
Coral Records was a Decca Records subsidiary formed in 1949. It recorded pop artists McGuire Sisters and Teresa Brewer, as well as rock and roller Buddy Holly....
to dig into their archives and release two old Rock and Roll Trio recordings as "Blues Stay Away From Me"/"Midnight Train" (Coral 9-62190). The top side was released under the name Dorsey Burnette but the flip side was under the names Dorsey and Johnny Burnette. It did not make the charts. On May 2, 1960, Era released a follow-up record, "Hey Little One"/"Big Rock Candy Mountain" (Era 3019), by Dorsey and it reached #48 in the Hot 100. Two days later on May 4, 1960, Johnny Burnette’s first major solo hit record, "Dreamin’", was released on Liberty Records
Liberty Records
Liberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
. On May 23, 1960, Imperial Records followed Coral's example and released "Way in the Middle of the Night"/"Your Love" (Imperial X 5668) under the name Dorsey Burnette, but it failed to make the charts.
Dorsey Burnette's third single on the Era Label, "The Ghost of Billy Malloo"/"Red Roses" (Era 3025) was released on August 29, 1960 but unlike its predecessors, it failed to enter the charts. His final release for the Era label that year was "This Hotel"/"The River And The Mountain" (Era 3033), which was released on November 7, 1960, but it also failed to become a hit. In 1961, he had two single releases on Era Records, "Hard Rock Mine"/"(It's No) Sin" (Era 3041), released February 27, 1961 and "Great Shakin' Fever"/"That's Me Without You" (Era 3045) released April 24, 1961. These singles failed to become hits and in May 1961, Herb Newman of Era Records sold Dorsey's contract together with the masters of his last two Era recording sessions to Dot Records
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
, whose biggest recording artist at that time was Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
.
Dorsey had three singles released during his time with Dot. The first was "Rainin'"/"A Full House" (Dot 45-16230) released May 1961, followed by "Feminine Touch"/"Sad Boy" (Dot 45-16265) released September 25, 1961 and finally "Dying Ember"/"A Country Boy In The Army" (Dot 45-16305) released January 1962. None of these releases caught the public's ear and he was released at the end of his six-month contract. From here, he moved to Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
, the label owned at that time by Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
. At Reprise, Dorsey worked with producer Jimmy Bowen and arranger Jack Nitzche and had two single releases in 1962. "Castle in the Sky"/"The Boys Kept Hangin' Around" (Reprise R-20,093) was released on June 30, 1962 and "I'm Waitin' For Ya Baby"/"Darling Jane" (Reprise R-20,121) was released October 27, 1962. Neither single was a hit. During 1963, he had four singles releases on Reprise. The first was "Foolish Pride"/"Four For Texas" (Reprise R-20,146) released February 23, 1963, which was followed by "Hey Sue"/"It Don't Take Much" (Reprise R-20,153), released March 9, 1963 then "Invisible Chains/Pebbles" (Reprise R-20,177) released May 9, 1963. His final release was "Where's The Lonely Girl?"/"One of The Lonely" (Reprise R-20,208) released August 24, 1963. To coincide with this single, Imperial released "Circle Rock"/"House With A Tin Roof Top" (Imperial 5987) in August 1963. None of these singles reached the charts and so he moved on to the Mel-O-Dy label, a subsidiary of Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
. The label's early releases were soul oriented and included tracks by Lamont Dozier, The Vells (Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963–1967...
) and The Pirates (The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
).
The single "The Greatest Love"/"Thin Little, Simple Little, Plain Little Girl" (Liberty 56087) was released in late 1968 and was in "hitbound" status on some radio stations as of December 25, 1968.
Johnny Burnette's death
Three months later Dorsey Burnette suffered a family tragedy from which, according to most sources, he never fully recovered. On August 14, 1964, his brother Johnny had gone out on a fishing trip on Clear Lake, California. After dark, his tiny unlit fishing boat was struck by an unaware cabin cruiser and the impact threw him into the lake where he drowned. Dorsey was distraught and he telephoned Paul Burlison, who immediately flew out to comfort him. The two men renewed their friendship and Johnny Burnette was interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, CaliforniaGlendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
. His last two Mel-O-Dy singles, "Jimmy Bowen"/"Everybody’s Angel" (Mel-O-Dy 116) released October 1964 and "Long Long Time Ago"/"Ever Since The World Began" (Mel-O-Dy 118) released in November 1964 failed to make the charts. The label was discontinued in April 1965 and from then on Dorsey recorded without luck on a series of labels such as Liberty, Merri, Happy Tiger
Happy Tiger Records
Happy Tiger Records was an independent American record label that was owned by the Flying Tiger Line air freight company. Happy Tiger only operated from 1969 to 1971, but during this time managed to produce more than two dozen albums by such notable artists as Count Basie, Mason Proffit, Red...
, Music Factory, Smash (where he re-recorded "Tall Oak Tree"), Mercury, Hickory and Condor, which released "The Magnificent Sanctuary Band"/"Can't You See It Happening" (Condor FF-1005) on February 7, 1970.
Country years
By the 1970s Dorsey had become a born-again Christian and had returned to country material. He found success on the country charts with self-penned songs such as "In The Spring (The Roses Always Turn Red)" (Capitol 3307; 1972; #21), "I Just Couldn't Let Her Walk Away" (Capitol 3404; 1972; #40), "Darlin’" (Capitol 3678; 1973; #26), "Molly (I Ain't Getting' Any Younger)" (Melodyland 6007: 1975; #28) and "Things I Treasure" (Calliope 8004; 1977; #31). He was voted “Most Promising Newcomer” by the Academy of Country Music in 1973 and in all, he had 15 Top Country hits but none of them made the Top 20.Films
During the 1970s, Dorsey turned to the big screen. In 1974, he was credited with writing the songs for the film, Bootleggers (also known as Bootleggers Angel). In 1976 he helped compose the music, with Mike Curb and Duane EddyDuane Eddy
Duane Eddy is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he had a string of hit records, produced by Lee Hazlewood, which were noted for their characteristically "twangy" sound, including "Rebel Rouser", "Peter Gunn", and "Because They're Young"...
, for Dixie Dynamite. In 1977, he was credited as the composer of the original music for the sound track of the horror movie, Kingdom of the Spiders. In 1978, he was credited with singing the title song of the movie, My Boys Are Good Boys, as well as co-writing the song in collaboration with Doug Goodwin.
Death
In 1979, he signed with Elektra/Asylum label. Just after his first record release, however, he died of a massive coronary at his home in Canoga Park, California on August 19, 1979, aged 46. He was interred near his brother Johnny in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, CaliforniaGlendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
.
Final public performance
Dorsey last appeared in public on August 18, 1979 at The Performing Arts Center in Oxnard, CaliforniaOxnard, California
Oxnard is the 113th largest city in the United States, 19th largest city in California and largest city in Ventura County, California, by way of population. It is located at the western edge of the fertile Oxnard Plain, and is an important agricultural center, with its distinction as the...
. He played a half hour show at a benefit for the Arthritis Foundation the day before he died.
Patrick Landreville who played the final show with Dorsey stated
Most people that play benefits for national or international charities get paid for their performances, at the least their expenses are paid. But Dorsey and I choose to play for free at these affairs, though neither one of us is well off financially. Dorsey is a legendary figure in music and could command a hefty sum for his services but he's chosen to give, not to take. I'm proud to know him and to have had the opportunity to make music with him and I'm especially proud that he considers me his peer.
Legacy
After his death, singer and friend Delaney BramlettDelaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. Bramlett's five decade career reached peaks in creativity, performance, and notoriety in partnership with his then wife Bonnie Bramlett, in a revolving troupe of professional musicians and Rock superstars dubbed Delaney...
organized a benefit concert for Dorsey’s widow at the Forum in Inglewood, California
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
, in which Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
, Hoyt Axton
Hoyt Axton
Hoyt Wayne Axton was an American country music singer-songwriter, and a film and television actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice. As he matured, some of his songwriting efforts became well...
. Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker
Tanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
, Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
, Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos is an American actor and director. Among his most memorable roles are William Adama in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, Lt...
, Duane Eddy
Duane Eddy
Duane Eddy is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he had a string of hit records, produced by Lee Hazlewood, which were noted for their characteristically "twangy" sound, including "Rebel Rouser", "Peter Gunn", and "Because They're Young"...
, Delaney and Bonnie, Gary Busey
Gary Busey
William Gary Busey , best known as Gary Busey, is an American film and stage actor and artist. He has appeared in a large variety of films, as well as making regular appearances on Gunsmoke, Walker, Texas Ranger, Law & Order, and Entourage...
, Maureen McGovern
Maureen McGovern
Maureen Therese McGovern is an American singer and Broadway actress, well known for her premier renditions of the Oscar winning songs "The Morning After" from the 1972 film The Poseidon Adventure, and "We May Never Love Like This Again" from The Towering Inferno in 1974.-Early life:McGovern was...
and Roger Miller
Roger Miller
Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
appeared. Dorsey Burnette's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Rockabilly Hall of Fame
The Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on the internet on March 21, 1997, to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre....
.
Albums
| Year | Album | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Tall Oak Tree | — | Era |
| 1963 | Dorsey Burnette Sings | — | Dot |
| 1972 | Here & Now | 37 | Capitol |
| 1973 | Dorsey Burnette | 41 | |
| 1977 | Things I Treasure | — | Calliope |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
CAN Country | CAN Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
|||
| 1960 | "(There Was A) Tall Oak Tree" | — | 23 | — | — | Tall Oak Tree |
| "Hey Little One" | — | 48 | — | — | ||
| 1969 | "The Greatest Love" | — | — | — | 57 | single only |
| 1972 | "In the Spring (The Roses Always Turn Red)" | 21 | — | — | — | Here & Now |
| "I Just Couldn't Let Her Walk Away" | 40 | — | — | — | ||
| "Lonely to Be Alone" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973 | "I Let Another Good One Get Away" | 42 | — | — | — | Dorsey Burnette |
| "Keep Out of My Dreams" | 53 | — | — | — | ||
| "Darlin' (Don't Come Back)" (with Sound Company) | 26 | — | 31 | — | ||
| 1974 | "It Happens Every Time" (with Sound Company) | 85 | — | — | — | |
| "Bob, All the Playboys and Me" (with Sound Company) | 69 | — | — | — | singles only | |
| "Daddy Loves You Honey" | 62 | — | — | — | ||
| "What Ladies Can Do (When They Want To)" | 71 | — | — | — | ||
| 1975 | "Molly (I Ain't Gettin' Any Younger)" | 28 | — | 36 | — | |
| "Lyin' in Her Arms Again" | 97 | — | — | — | ||
| 1976 | "Ain't No Heartbreak" | 74 | — | 45 | — | |
| 1977 | "Things I Treasure" | 31 | — | — | — | Things I Treasure |
| "Soon as I Touched Her" | 53 | — | — | — | ||
| 1979 | "Here I Go Again" | 77 | — | — | — | singles only |
| 1980 | "B.J. Kick-a-Beaux" | — | — | — | — |