Model A Blues/Rockabilly Songs

[Hoogah]

Next weekend is a big one for lovers of real, interesting cars in my town, with local displays of historic vehicles (my club) and a big hot rod cruise. There will be over 300 vehicles on display across two locations. I'm in heaven.

For the past 18 years I have presented a weekly blues radio program on our local community radio station. For a bit of fun, in preparation for this week's show, I set myself the challenge of rummaging through my CD collection and putting together a playlist of blues and rockabilly songs entirely devoted to specifically named cars (pre-1970) and hot rods, plus a few sympathetic tracks that aligned with this theme. I succeeded with just two exceptions (but they also had the right "feel"!).

There were three songs specifically devoted to the Model A. See attachment.

Are there other songs that you know of:
- preferably in a blues/rockabilly vein?
- or perhaps in other styles of music recorded sometime before 1960?

[pooch]

Henry's made a lady out of Lizzie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOw-qEIH-7M

I don't really know what blues/rockabilly vein is ?

Hoogah, can you state what the one song is that is the epitome of what you are after ?

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by pooch

Henry's made a lady out of Lizzie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOw-qEIH-7M

I don't really know what blues/rockabilly vein is ?

Hoogah, can you state what the one song is that is the epitome of what you are after ?

Bill Gaither's Old Model A Blues fits the bill perfectly!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzKwGQJnt8M

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by pooch

Hoogah, can you state what the one song is that is the epitome of what you are after ?

When I hear "rock a billy" I think of Blue Suede Shoes. This music is the precursor to the birth of rock and roll. The early works of these artists from the 50's Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley/Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis etc,

[Jim/GA]

I like On The Dixie Bee Line by Vernon Dalhart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6-CjhKknYs

Strictly speaking, this is about the Model T. It was recorded in 1926. This is a Victor recording. He did a different recording for Columbia that is better. Look for:

On That Dixie Bee Line - Vernon Dalhart - Columbia 15092D Matrix W142507 - (NYC) Aug 4 1926

[KenCoupe]

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A good, fun song from 1958 is Beep, Beep by the Playmates (It is also known as Little Nash Rambler). It is not blues, and not really rockabilly, but it is a fun car song. I see you have Rocket 88 but I am not familiar with that particular singer/group. The version I am familiar with is supposedly the original by Ike Turner (before he met Tina Turner). A great rockabilly song that has lyric references "Move hot-rod, move man" is Race with the Devil by Gene Vincent.

[pooch]

Not sure if I can hep you Hoogah, when I drive my model A , I have Elvis blaring.

[fordlovr]

V8 Ford by Willie Love, 32 Ford by Piltdown 5, A-V8 Boogie by Jack Barrymore, Dig That Ford by Doug Harden and many more , cheers

[colin1928]

Little Deuce Coupe

[updraught]

Flip the needle on the radiogram to play 78's ...

Sunday Driving by Jerry Lewis (no. 7 a snap shot of it here )
https://now.jbhifi.com.au/album/1085_811868557885

[SeaSlugs]

Jerry Reed - Lord Mr. Ford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jOMcAlO7rQ

probably not what your looking for but a good song anyways

[Y-Blockhead]

More "Boogie Woogie" but I always liked 'Hardtop Special'. Richie Loidl's version, and you get a recipe to boot... Sorry couldn't find a recording elseware.
https://youtu.be/9O-h7jtAMgs

[Synchro909]

Hoogah,
Here is a list of songs that might fit the bill. I have googled a few with mixed results. Good luck.
http://www.dalnet.lib.mi.us/henryfor...cession163.pdf
or try
https://archive.org/details/BillyMur...bledRightAlong

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by KenCoupe

...I see you have Rocket 88 but I am not familiar with that particular singer/group. The version I am familiar with is supposedly the original by Ike Turner (before he met Tina Turner)....

Actually the original was by Jackie Brenston who was the sax player in Ike's band. It's credited by some with bring the first rock 'n' roll record. Move over Bill Haley!

Some great suggestions in this thread that will add to my list. Thanks, and keep 'em coming!

[fins2nv]

Don't forget "Stick Shift" by The Duals. I bought this 45 rpm record back in 1961. I still like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CNcehcJayc

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I grew up with OLD Country music & was later immersed in REAL ROCK & ROLL, in the '50's.
When I listen to some of that, it puts me in a WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD! I Had to LEARN to like Elvis.
Trivia: Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart & Mickey Gilley, ALL learned the Piano from the SAME Lady Teacher. Mickey Gilley was my Step Mothers' Nephew!
Bill W.

[Simonpie]

not quite the right genre, but 'Mean Model A" by the Boss martians is pretty fun. It is on the "13 Evil Tales" CD. "Tombstone track" on the same CD is also worth a listen.

[jeep44]

Maybe not Rockabilly, but close (Western Swing): Bob Wills "Cadillacin' my Model A"


https://youtu.be/3EzOCxLmLMg

[Tod]

Like a Rocket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bum69mmW6w

Lot's of stuff on YouTube.

Tod

[Chris in CT]

Hey Hoogah, "Maybelline" by Chuck Berry. 1950's race between a Cadillac and a V-8 Ford. Strictly speaking its rhythm and blues, but has a definite rockabilly beat. "Cadillac look like its standin' still, and I caught Maybelline at the top of the hill..."
HooHah!

Chris

[Brujo29]

Brian Setzer's version was a bit more "rockin" but Gene Simmons' original is right there with it.."Peroxide Blonde in a Hopped Up Model Ford"

http://youtu.be/5ogWaNpjnW4

[Synchro909]

OK, Hoogah, Please let us know how the weekend went, especially your music.

[RUNNERBUN]

I'd give my right arm to be down there with you all. I'm sure you will have an amazing time. Good luck with your song selection, looks like you have a lot of great songs to select from. Have lots of fun.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

OK, Hoogah, Please let us know how the weekend went, especially your music.

The radio program was a heap of fun, Synchro.
Full of stuff like these Ford tunes:

Broken Down Old Ford (Rockbottom James & The Detonators)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7KvDNzAQ6o

Henry Ford's Model A (Oscar Ford)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztTOOreJRpQ

V8 Blues (Three Tobacco Tags)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCw6lrKoq0Q

Ford V-8 (Cedar Creek Sheik)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4528DErEY

No Money Down (Chuck Berry)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK_ZP6dN6sU

Me and My Chauffeur Blues (Maria Muldaur)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8eYScakrK4

For the past three or four years, my grandson (now 12) and I have made this a bonding day for just the two of us. We both look forward to it each year, both the hot rod and the vintage displays, and he's learning heaps. That's him by the Pilot (a car that I lusted after as a kid!).

It was great to see the love of classic machinery being instilled in kids via their very own push car or motorised model car (the black '32!).

Here are a few photos from the hot rod part of our day. Purists, don't look, and if there's not enough relevance here for Ryan, I'll understand. I have purposely included the Stude pickup for Tom Wesenberg. Don't know what the purple monster was - nothing like having the motor right there in your face!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, I was going to ask who the wise guy was that chopped a nice M-5 Studebaker.

[Hoogah]

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This is an old thread, but it's two years on and I'm still presenting my weekly community radio blues program, and we are approaching the local car shows weekend again.

This time there are three shows within 45 min of me:

1. The hot rods at Port Fairy (expecting 100-200 cars)
2. The veteran, vintage and classic car display at Warrnambool (expect 100+ cars - this year "celebrating" the demise of our own Holden as a special feature section)
3. For the first time, the Camperdown Car and Bike Show (expecting up to 500 cars and 250 bikes - I reckon there'll be a heavy leaning toward muscle cars).
Such choice!

So, inspired once again, on Tuesday night I cranked out another 2-hour playlist full of blues and rockabilly songs about cars on 3WAY-FM 103.7.

Here it is. Still hoping to use some of the good suggestions received earlier in this thread for next year's special program!

Sean Costello-Motor Head Baby (Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile Rocket 88)
Billy Boy Arnold-Nadine (Cadillac)
Chuck Berry-Maybelline (Cadillac, Ford V8)
Rockbottom James & The Detonators-Burn Rubber Burn (Holden Grey Motor 1948-62.
Buick pre-war design)
John Lisi-Big Ol' Broke Down Buick (Buick)
The Johnny Shines Blues Band-Dynaflow Blues (Buick's auto trannie 1948-63 a.k.a. Dynaslush!)
Tommy Ball & Kenny Sultan-It Should've Been Me (Buick, Cadillac)
Mark Lemhouse-Electra 225 (Buick)
Cecil B Fardoulli & The Big Boo*-Take The Tin Lizzy (Ford T)
Oscar Ford-Henry Ford's Model A (Ford A)
Bill Gaither (Leroy's Buddy)-Old Model A Blues (Ford A)
Rockbottom James & The Detonators*-Broken Down Ford (Ford)
The Three Tobacco Tags-V8 Blues (Probably Ford!)
Eddy & Blues On The Boyle*-51 Ford (Ford V8)
Steve James-The Change (Ford Fairlane 500, 1963)
Omar & The Howlers-Big Chief Pontiac (Pontiac - Star Chief models 1954-66)
Sonny Boy Williamson with The Animals (Pontiac Blues-Pontiac)
Robert Johnson-Terraplane Blues (Hudson/Essex)
Archer*-Nasty Swing (Packard)
Chickenbone Slim-Hemi Dodge (Dodge)
Chuck Berry-No Money Down (Cadillac)
Carey and Lurrie Bell-Cadillac Assembly Line (Cadillac)
Watermelon Slim-Dumpster Blues (Tip truck!)
Rockbottom James & The Detonators*-Hot Rod Tip Truck (Tip truck!)
Craig Horton-Ridin' In My Jaguar (Jaguar)
Flattop Tom and His Jump Cats-Rocket 88 (Oldsmobile Rocket 88)
Sonny Landreth-U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile (Oldsmobile)
Sonny Landreth-Broken Hearted Road (No particular make, just the vibe!)
The Doors-Roadhouse Blues (No particular make, just the vibe!)

[JaxFLG8r]

Thanks for the update. Great songs on the list. I just wasted an hour or so here at work listening to a lot of them on Spotify. Hope the shows are good.

[zzlegend]

Always listen to the blues here in L.A. every Saturday and Sunday on KJAZ.
Did not see this on your play list but maybe missed it. Even though I have a 57 Olds, I still like Buick's. Good luck with your show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SgU1FgoQEs

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by zzlegend

Always listen to the blues here in L.A. every Saturday and Sunday on KJAZ.
Did not see this on your play list but maybe missed it. Even though I have a 57 Olds, I still like Buick's. Good luck with your show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SgU1FgoQEs

While listening to that, I found this rather risqué take on Jackie Brenston’s Rocket 88: https://youtu.be/Ale9twdO3oc

[Tod]

This is a rock/blues song that I wrote a while back but never set to music yet.


My Little Twenty-Nine
The Beach Boys sang about a thirty-two.
I’ve got me a decent little rat-rod, too.
It’s a sweet little truck.
I drive it all the time.
That’s my bone-crushin’ hot-rod.
That’s my little twenty-nine.


She accelerates so hard it’s pretty hard to control.
I wouldn’t trade it for her weight in gold.
It just keeps on pullin’
Right on down the line.
That’s my tire-smokin’ pickup.
That’s my little twenty-nine.


It ain’t that pretty, but it’s pretty mean.
Meanest little pickup drinkin’ gasoline!
It won’t win any trophies
But it’s mine, all mine.
That’s my primered-up rat-rod.
That’s my little twenty-nine.


The girls line up to take a ride with me.
They get all dolled up for everyone to see.
They want to be the one
Wavin’ out the other side
Wavin’ at the people who are
Wavin’ at my little twenty-nine.


I put her all together all by myself
I don’t want her belongin’ to no-one else
Nah, nah, she ain’t for sale
Not now, not any time
Mister, you ain’t got enough money
To buy my little twenty-nine.


She likes blarin’ out rock-a-billy rock-n-roll
She’ll make you feel young down to your very soul
I know they broke the mold
Aw, I got me one of a kind
No, man, there ain’t another like my
Like my little twenty-nine!


Tod Buttermore
11/8/2016

[pooch]

Hoogah, do you speak on your program and introduce the songs or do they just play .

If so, tell us the local time you are on air and for how long and I will tune in .

http://3wayfm.org.au/

The rest of the world can tune in too when they work out their own time zone compared to Warrnambool.

They will prob get a kick out of your OZ strine.

[zzlegend]

Now that Rocket 69 Rocks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,so to say. I just down loaded that from ITunes to my Ipad. Never heard that one before. Still cant beat Rocket 88, though. A lot of good road tunes out there. Thanks for your involvement Hoogah .

[JDupuis]

I didn't see Johnny Cash; One piece at a time.? Or did I miss it. Fun List. Jeff

[Hoogah]

Tod, you’re “Little 29” works to the tune of “Little Deuce Coupe” but needs a 2-Line refrain to be fully compatible. Didn’t know you were a songwriter. Good job! How about a photo to go with the song?

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by pooch

Hoogah, do you speak on your program and introduce the songs or do they just play .

If so, tell us the local time you are on air and for how long and I will tune in .

http://3wayfm.org.au/

The rest of the world can tune in too when they work out their own time zone compared to Warrnambool.

They will prob get a kick out of your OZ strine.

Yeah, we stream from that URL in your post, Pooch. My program is called JuzBlooz (not booze!) and goes to air Tuesdays at 8:30 - 10:30pm, Eastern Australian Standard Time (currently Eastern Australian Summer Time, 1 hr advanced for daylight saving).
And, sorry to say, but you DO get to hear my dulcet tones throughout the two hours in addition to the music. Let Stalk Strine!

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by JDupuis

I didn't see Johnny Cash; One piece at a time.? Or did I miss it. Fun List. Jeff

Thanks for the suggestion. Next year?

[NCRebel]

Pontiac by Lyle Lovett. A bit slow and melancholy but fits men with a past and times alone in their cars.

[pooch]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Yeah, we stream from that URL in your post, Pooch. My program is called JuzBlooz (not booze!) and goes to air Tuesdays at 8:30 - 10:30pm, Eastern Australian Standard Time (currently Eastern Australian Summer Time, 1 hr advanced for daylight saving).
And, sorry to say, but you DO get to hear my dulcet tones throughout the two hours in addition to the music. Let Stalk Strine!

Will listen in next tues.

Maybe you could dedicate some appropriate songs to ford barn members....

[JohnLaVoy]

There was a song written about the Model A for the 1976 MAFCA convention. I reworked it and added some pictures and video and it is on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Beb-O0e7e34

You might like to use it.

[zzlegend]

Listening to the Beatles now. Looking forward to hearing Lazy Lester.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by pooch

Will listen in next tues.

Maybe you could dedicate some appropriate songs to ford barn members....

I'll try to remember to tune in next choosdy too.

[CHuDWah]

Arkie Shibley's Hot Rod Race and its sequels (same tune, different lyrics) - pretty hardcore rockabilly:

1. Arkie's Ford races a Mercury and both get passed by "a kid in a hopped-up Model A"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBOcJKYQe0E

2. Arkie bemoans the poor condition of his Ford after the race

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7pDjsUnVmQ

3. Arkie gets arrested for street racing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uusZYXZinc

4. The Mercury driver, also in jail, tells his side

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svq1-Wxsc2A

5. The kid in the hopped-up Model A tells his story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV-biKyGuHs

Shibley's songs inspired Charlie Ryan's Hot Rod Lincoln, which he recorded in 1955 and again in 1959. There have been covers by Johnny Bond, Red Foley, Commander Cody (my favorite), Asleep At The Wheel, Jim Varney, and several others. Some sources say Ryan wrote the song about his own car. Others say he wrote it as a rebuttal/sequel to Hot Rod Race and built the car only after the song became popular.

[wingski]

Is it possible that nobody mentioned "DETOUR" by Hank Thompson or Willie Nelson, or even Patti Page?

Mike

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by zzlegend

Listening to the Beatles now. Looking forward to hearing Lazy Lester.

Unless I’m wrong, for you West Coast Guys, 8:30pm Tuesday here translates to 1:30am Tuesday there! That’ll test your commitment!

As a sweetener, I’ll put a couple of tracks on early that should interest you.

[mike657894]

chuckberrys greatest hits are all fun songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1eI4EH-DRg

[CHuDWah]

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Hot Rod Hades - Charlie Ryan's sequel to Hot Rod Lincoln. Listen for references to a couple other car songs of the era:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icu401M6yV0

Side Car Cycle - while cruising the Hot Rod Lincoln, Charlie Ryan falls in love with a female Harley rider

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksaT80CMkPY

The Dart & The Lincoln - Charlie Ryan races the Hot Rod Lincoln against the Highway Patrol's Dart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8C3-M1tkQ

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Unless I’m wrong, for you West Coast Guys, 8:30pm Tuesday here translates to 1:30am Tuesday there! That’ll test your commitment!

As a sweetener, I’ll put a couple of tracks on early that should interest you.

GULP ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,might have set my alarm clock.

[KGBnut]

Here are a few of my favorites. I don't think that you had these on your list. They are not necessarily Rockabilly. Some are Western Swing, folk, or just old-timey.


Cadillacin' Model A
The original by Bob Wills
Click to listen - Cadillacin' Model A by Bob Wills

A nice Western Swing version by Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers
Click to listen - Cadillacin' Model A by Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers

Daddy's Old Model A by Doug Spartz
Click to listen - Daddy's Old Model A by Doug Spartz

Little Ole Model A by Buzz Martin The Singing Logger (this one is goofy, but it just cracks me up)
Click to listen - Little Ole Model A by Buzz Martin

Not a great one, but definitely an example of early Rockabilly
Model A Ford Blues by Lefty Nicks
Click to listen - Model A Ford Blues by Lefty Nicks

Hope you enjoy them.

Ken

[zzlegend]

Even though these guys aren't from the 50's, they can still get in to the blues. Hey, us bearded guys have to stick together. A good garage song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b76kjd5nvMg

[Tom Foster]

From the other side of the tracks is Lightnin' Hopkins' Black Cadillac Blues.
Sorry, I don't have a link.

[pooch]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Unless I’m wrong, for you West Coast Guys, 8:30pm Tuesday here translates to 1:30am Tuesday there! That’ll test your commitment!

As a sweetener, I’ll put a couple of tracks on early that should interest you.

Just a BTT, in case any of you insomniacs over there want to tune in or set your alarm clock.

[pooch]

http://3wayfm.org.au/

Hoogah ,are you lazy lester.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by pooch

http://3wayfm.org.au/

Hoogah ,are you lazy lester.

You’ve outed me. Yes.

[zzlegend]

Well L.L. aka Hoogah, I some what failed. One a.m. awoke to listen to your show. Rolled over and failure occurred. Two a.m. fell out of bed, stumbled to the keyboard, typed in wrong buttons three times, finally got on to the barn and listened to a few songs. And also got to hear your voice. I like the slight accent you have. Cant remember all the songs, but one stood out.
"Better slow down and turn it around." I think that was the name. I will try again next Tuesday. Thanks for all you do.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by zzlegend

Well L.L. aka Hoogah, I some what failed. One a.m. awoke to listen to your show. Rolled over and failure occurred. Two a.m. fell out of bed, stumbled to the keyboard, typed in wrong buttons three times, finally got on to the barn and listened to a few songs. And also got to hear your voice. I like the slight accent you have. Cant remember all the songs, but one stood out.
"Better slow down and turn it around." I think that was the name. I will try again next Tuesday. Thanks for all you do.

Zzlegend, I’m impressed (and somewhat flattered!j. You exceeded my expectations! You did rate a special mention as my first known US listener. Sorry you missed it!

What’s all this about an ACCENT?

[zzlegend]

Well bummer. I was trying to figure out a way to record your show. Maybe I can do better next time.
Accent,,,,,,,,,,you know,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,you Australian guys have that certain gifted speech.
And that's not a bad thing. You sounded great on the air. Hell I have enough trouble speaking. My hair keeps getting in the way.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Zzlegend, I’m impressed (and somewhat flattered!j. You exceeded my expectations! You did rate a special mention as my first known US listener. Sorry you missed it!

What’s all this about an ACCENT?

When we were in the US, we received several comments about our accent. I loved the puzzled look on their faces when I said "OK, while we are in your country, we have an accent but if you come to ours, you will have the accent."
There was usually laughter all round.

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

When we were in the US, we received several comments about our accent. I loved the puzzled look on their faces when I said "OK, while we are in your country, we have an accent but if you come to ours, you will have the accent."
There was usually laughter all round.

True.

[JaxFLG8r]

8:30 pm in Warrnambool is 5:30 am Eastern time in the US.

Just listened to some songs on the "More Country with May" program on Great Ocean Radio. Good stuff!!!

[pooch]

Hoogah / Lazy Lester, I listened in to the whole show.

Must say I am not a big blues fan.

I almost dozed off a few times.

Was a bit of fun to hear us here mentioned a bit on air.

Your voice sounds much different on air than in RL for sure.

Just a bit of trivia, but Hoogah's Model A in his avatar and mine in my avatar are the SAME car.

He is the next caretaker of it.

[Hoogah]

So, Pooch, you’ll stick to Elvis then?

P.S. Pooch says “Just a bit of trivia, but Hoogah's Model A in his avatar and mine in my avatar are the SAME car. He is the next caretaker of it.” This means you can blame/praise him for the WW tyres!

[pooch]

NO..., the WW/s were on it, but I happen to like WW/s AND rumble seats AND non black wheels.