Hillbilly Hop!: Bill Carter

Bill Carter, nacido en 1929, es un músico de Western Swing que contribuyó en la Historia del Sonido Bakersfield. Bill Carter trabajó con todas las grandes estrellas del momento, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Tommy Hill, Slim Whitman, Marvin Rainwater, ... Bill Carter se convirtió en Pastor en 1961 y abandonó el mundo de la Música Country. Carter fue inducido al Western Swing Society Hall Of Fame

Gracias Bill, por dedicar un tiempo a esta entrevista, es un honor para mí. Bill, ¿qué música le gustaba cuando era niño?

Bill Carter: Música Country, me encantaban Eddy Arnold y George Morgan…

¿Dónde aprendió a tocar la rhythm guitar, el piano y el bajo?

Bill Carter: De mi hermano mayor y de mi padre.

¿Qué significado tiene para usted la Música?

Bill Carter: La Música es una gran parte de mí. Tarareo o canto todo el tiempo.

Bill, ¿qué recuerda sobre su temporada en la emisora KREO en donde ofreció su primer concierto?

Bill Carter: Yo tenía 14 años y formé una banda llamada "The Southwesterns" formada por Grover "Shorty" Lavender y Slim Clark de la Tex Ritter band.

Bill, ¿qué recuerda sobre Slim Whitman?

Bill Carter: Slim era nuestro invitado en el programa de radio y a nuestros conciertos

Left to right Milt Hibdon, Slim Whitman, Bill Carter, and Honeybear Collins, a member of the Slim Whitman band

Usted ha conocido a Buck Owens ¿Qué impresión tiene de Buck?

Bill Carter: Era muy temperamental y no me divertí trabajando con él.

Fred Maddox on Bass fiddle, Buck Owens, Roy Nichols Bill Crosser and Bill Carter

¿Qué recuerda sobre el show de Televisión Cottonseed Clark ´The Hoffman Hayride” en donde apareció varias veces?

Bill Carter: The Hoffman Hayride show era increíble. Solía cantar una canción cada semana. Había muchas grandes estrellas, Eddie Dean, Merle Travis, Eddie Kirk, Tommy Duncan, Stuart Hamblin, por mencionar algunas.

Bill, usted conoció a Ray Price en Salinas, Ca, ¿cuáles son los recuerdos que conserva sobre él?

Bill Carter: Ray Price y yo tocamos juntos muchas veces. En Salinas, había poca gente, así que Ray me preguntó si quería ¡cantar todos sus éxitos con su banda! ¡Guau! ¡Qué gran honor!. Él también apareció en Nashville en mi primera sesión de grabación y yo ya estaba suficientemente nervioso… Nos reimos sobre aquello más tarde… Es un gran amigo.

Bill Carter, Ray Price, Extra, Big Jim DeNoone, Marty Robbins, Arlie Duff

¿Es cierto que trabajó como DJ?

Bill Carter: Sí, trabajé como DJ en varias emisoras de radio: KBOX (Modesto,Ca), KSTN (Stockton,Ca), KEEN (San Jose, Ca), KCVR (Lodi, Ca) and KAHI (Auburn,Ca)

¿Qué recuerdos tiene del Town Hall Party?

Bill Carter: Fui invitado dos veces al Town Hall Party. Uno de los mejores recuerdos fue cuando cante "Lonesome Letter Blues" y tenía de guitarristas a Merle Travis y a Joe Maphis respaldándome.

El 10 de Noviembre de 1955 usted conoció a Elvis Presley en la Convención de DJ´s en el Hotel Andrew Jackson en Nashville, Tennessee. ¿Puede contarnos sobre ese día?. Usted siempre dice que Elvis era muy acogedor y una persona compasiva, ¿qué más recuerda sobre él?

Bill Carter: Conocí a Elvis en la Convención de DJ´s en la cafetería del Hotel Andrew Jackson, hablamos sobre dos horas y mostraba mucha consideración por mi trabajo como DJ. En aquella época, él estaba en la Sun Records y lo mencioné en varias revistas como un nuevo talento. Él hizo esfuerzo especial por entablar conversación conmigo, de lo cual me sentí honrado.

Elvis Presley at the Andrew Jackson Hotel

Eres muy amigo de Marvin Rainwater, ¿dónde y cuándo lo conoció? ¿puede contarnos alguna anécdota con él?

Bill Carter: Cononí a Marvin Rainwater en el show de Televisión Black Jack Wayne en Oakland, California. Desde que supimos que teníamos parte de sangre India, fuimos grandes amigos. Venía muchas veces cuando mi banda estaba tocando y cantaba con nosotros. Una vez me preguntó si quería ir con él Blackboard en Bakersfield. Así que nos tomamos dos días libres para estar juntos.

Bill Carter and Marvin Rainwater

Bob Anderson, Bill Carter, Marvin Rainwater and AV. Looper, 1959

Bob Anderson, Bill Carter and Marvin Rainwater in 1959

"Intermission at the night club in Oakland,California at the l902

. Our trio, Bob "Peasoup"Anderson,A.V.Looper,and myself, visiting with Marvin Rainwater in 1959. A.V.Looper (White shirt) is the drummer who took that famous solo in 'Cool Tom Cat"Bob played lead guitar on the record. " Bill Carter

"1959. Bob Anderson and playing a little "Twin" guitar work behind "Gonna Find me A Bluebird"....Marvin told me that Hank Snow and he were in an elevator in Nashville and Hank bent over in front of Marvin and asked Marvin to kick him for not recording 'Bluebird" ". Bill Carter

Bill, ¿cuál era su relación con Cal Veale?

Bill Carter: Cal Veale grabo una vez para mi propia compañía, Indio Records. Más tarde, construyó un estudio de grabación en Modesto, California y empezó a escribir canciones. Me preguntó si quería hacer una "demo" de todas las canciones que él escribió. De ahí que las grabasen. Escribió ambas caras de mi disco de la MGM: "Stranger Shake Hands With A Fool" y "Shot Four Times And Dyin". Entonces permitió a la discográfica "D" record en Houston, Texas que utilizasen el disco. La emisora de radio KIKK en Houston empezó a pinchar "Shot Four Times And Dyin" cada quince minutos. Un distribuidor de la MGM dió la casualidad de que se encontraba en Houston y escuchó mi disco y firmé con MGM... Una vez Del Reeves le preguntó a Cal si podia ayudarle en su carrera y Cal le dijo estas palabras: “No, dedicaré mi vida entera a convertir a Bill Carter en una estrella.”

Bill Carter and Cal Veale holding Jim Reeves' record of Cal's songs

Usted grabó en el sello MGM durante los años 50 al mismo tiempo que Hank Williams, ¿lo llegó a conocer?

Bill Carter: Estuve con Hank Williams muchas veces y trabajé con él en bailes en California. Siempre fue muy agradable conmigo y más tarde, su guitarrista (steel), Don Helms, tocó la steel en mis sesiones en Republic.

Sobre Cliff y Billy Mize, estaban en el grupo vocal en sus sesiones de grabación en Bakersfield…

Bill Carter: Mi primera sesión de grabación en el sello Tally editó dos canciones escritas por Cliff Crofford. "I Wanna Feel Good" y "I Knew her When". Los cantantes en mi sesión eran Billy Mize, Bonnie Owens y Fuzzy Owen.

Usted era amigo de Stu Carnall, ¿en dónde le conoció?

Bill Carter: Conocí a Stu Carnell en el Town Hall Party. Era el manager de Johnny Cash. Ayudé a Stu para que tuviera varios conciertos en Northern California. Stu me dijo que recogiera a Johnny Cash y The Tennessee Two en el aeropuerto y los llevase a los locales en donde iban a actuar. Desde que yo era soltero de aquella, Stu ahorraba el dinero de las facturas de los moteles haciendo que los músicos limpiaran mi apartamento. Stu contrataba a muchos artistas de la zona y venían a donde vivía para prepararse para el show.

Ray Price, Hazel Houser, Jess Willard, Johnny Cash, Bill Carter, Hank Cochran

Bill, usted grabó en 4 Star Label, Gilt-Edge, Republic, MGM, Tally, Black Jack, … ¿por qué tantos sellos discográficos?

Bill Carter: Siempre estaba contento cuando alguien me preguntaba si quería grabar en su sello… ¡simplemente lo disfrutaba mucho!. Por eso grabé en tantos sellos,… Solía tener una pared de mi casa cubierta por mis 45´s de todas las casas discográficas: Ozark, Honnee Bee, Check, Blue Ribbon etc

Usted lo pasó muy bien actuando con Little Jimmy Baker en el Cindy Walker´s ¿puede hablarnos de esos días?

Bill Carter: Little Jimmy Baker was a midget... He stood only three feet high. Nuestra gran actuación consistía en subir a Jimmy a mis hombros cada uno sosteniendo un micrófono y hacíamos duetos como “Dust Skies”... Siempre el público lo pasaba en grande.

¿En dónde conoció a Joe Maphis y Merle Travis?

Bill Carter: Conocí a Joe Maphis en el Town Hall Party y ofrecimos muchos conciertos juntos... Conocí a Merle Travis en el The Hoffman Hayride… Me siento muy honrado de que hayan tocado la guitarra para mí en el Town Hall Party.

Here is the great Joe Maphis on appearance with Bill Carter and Bill Crosser in Southern California in the 50's. That big double-neck guitar is on display at the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville,Tennessee. The case he carried it in is at Bill Carter´s home housing his Mosrite bass guitar. When Joe got a new case, Semie Mosley gave Bill Carter his old case. Bill Crosser and Bill Carter always wore their belt buckles on the side to keep from scarring our guitars. (Photograph Courtesy of Gregory Scot Crosser)

Usted tocó con Tommy Hill en el Circle B en San Antonio, TX, ¿qué recuerda sobre él?

Bill Carter: Tommy y su hermana Goldie actuaron en el Circle B y yo tenía el show detarde. Ellos tenían el show de noche. A veces yo tocaba la bass fiddle con su banda… Me gustaban mucho los dos.

Bill, usted cantó canciones con Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys... Gracias a ello consiguió la inducción en el Western Swing Hall of Fame, ¿cómo era Bob Wills y qué canciones cantaron?

Bill Carter: Si, fui invitado a salir al escenario para cantar con Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys... Canté "Deep Water" y "Faded Love". Bob era muy simpatico conmigo y gritaba su popular "Ah Haw!" “sing it Billy Boy" cuando yo cantaba... Por otro lado, Tiny Moore y Billy Jack Wills cantaban conmigo "Faded Love". Esas dos canciones fueron la razón por la que fui nominado e inducido en el Western Swing Hall of Fame in 2007.

Su banda tocaba en Sacramento, cada noche de jueves durante años, ¿con quiénes tocó allí?

Bill Carter: Yo tenía mi propia banda, Bill Carter and The Hometown Boys que tocaban conmigo en el Wills Point

¿Durante cuánto tiempo trabajó con Bill Crosser?

Bill Carter: Bill Crosser, también conocido como Waterdog Willie, y yo, tocamos juntos durante unos dos años en el Fred Maddox Playhouse en Pomona, California. Hacíamos duetos de temas de The Everly Brothers,... "Bird Dog", "All I Have To Do Is Dream", "Wake Up Little Susie", etc.

Billy Armstrong, Bill Carter, Bobby Lee Tramel and Bill Crosser

¿En dónde conoció a Teddy y Doyle (Wilburn Brothers)?

Bill Carter: Conocí a The Wilburn Brothers en las convenciones de DJ en Nashville que se celebraban anualmente.

Bill, usted siempre dice que Ernest Tubb fue muy amable, ¿qué hizo por usted?

Bill Carter: Ernest Tubb siempre quería que tocase con su banda cuando teníamos giras en California. Cenamos juntos muchas veces. Me invitó a cantar con él en el Midnight Jamboree para la WSM desde la tienda de discos de Ernest Tubb en Nashville… y acepté.

¿En dónde trabajó con Fred Maddox?

Bill Carter: Después de que Maddox Bros y Rose se separasen, Fred Maddox abrió la Fred Maddox Playhouse en Pomona y en La Puente, California... Bill Crosser y yo teníamos la banda que solía tocar allí y Fred tocaba el bass fiddle con nosotros.

Fred Maddox,Billy Armstrong, unknown,Bill Carter,Bill Crosser. February, 1958 (Photograph Courtesy of Gregory Scot Crosser)

¿Cuáles son sus mejores recuerdos en KBOX?

Bill Carter: La radio KBOX en Modesto era una emisora que radiaba Música Country a tiempo complete y tenía una gran audiencia. Yo actuaba por las mañanas, de 6 a 9 y por las tardes de 4 a 6... Promocionaba a los invitados que actuaban con mi banda en el Riverbank Clubhouse... Siempre había un cartel con estrellas del Grand Ole Opry.

¿Puede contarnos sobre sus proyectos actuales?

Bill Carter: Mis proyectos actuales consisten en disfrutar de mi jubilación.

Muchas gracias, Bill, espero que nunca pierda su sentido del humor y que continúe grabando discos de Gospel con su mujer Vi, ¡son muy buenos!.

Bill Carter: ¡Gracias Ana!

Bill Carter, born in 1929, is a Western Swing Musician who belongs to the Story of the Bakersfield Sound. Bill Carter have played with many of the greatest stars of the moment as Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Tommy Hill, Slim Whitman, Marvin Rainwater, ... Bill Carter became a Christian in 1961 and left the Country Music World. Carter was inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall Of Fame

Thank you Bill for this interview, it is an honor for me. Bill, what Music did you like when you were a child?

Bill Carter: Country Music mostly I loved Eddy Arnold and George Morgan.

Where did you learn to play rhythm guitar, piano and bass guitar?

Bill Carter: from my older brother and dad.

What does music, in its entirely, mean to you?

Bill Carter: Music is a big part of me-I hum or sing all the time.

What do you remember about KREO station where you gave your first show?

Bill Carter: I was 14 years old I formed a band called "The Southwesterns" that featured Grover"Shorty" Lavender and Slim Clark from the Tex Ritter band.

Bill, what do you remember about Slim Whitman?

Bill Carter: Slim was a guest of mine on my radio show and at our dances a lot.

Bill, you have met Buck Owens, did you like to work with him?

Bill Carter: He was very temperamental and I did not enjoy working with him.

Bill, what do you remember about the Cottonseed Clark´s TV Show ´The Hoffman Hayride” where you appeared many times?

Bill Carter: The Hoffman Hayride show was great.I got to sing one song each week..There were a lot of big stars...Eddie Dean,Merle Travis,Eddie Kirk,Tommy Duncan,Stuart Hamblin just to mention a few

You have met Ray Price in Salinas, Ca, what are your memories with him?

Bill Carter: Ray Price and I were together several times. In Salinas,there was a very small crowd, so ray asked me to sing all his hits with his band! Wow! What a great honor!. He also just happened to show up at my first Nashville recording session and I was nervous enough already… We laughed about it later. He's a great friend.

Is it true you worked as DJ?

Bill Carter: I worked a s a DJ on Radio Station KBOX (Modesto,Ca), KSTN (Stockton,Ca), KEEN (San Jose Ca), KCVR (Lodi Ca) and KAHI (Auburn,Ca)

What are your memories at Town Hall Party?

Bill Carter: I guested twice on Town Hall Party... One big highlight was when I sang "Lonesome Letter Blues" I had the twin guitars of Merle Travis and Joe Maphis backing me.

On November 10, 1955 you met Elvis Presley on the Country Music DJ´s Convention at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in Nashville, TN. Can you tell us about that day? You always says that Elvis was very warm and compassionate person, what more can you remember about Elvis?

Bill Carter: I met Elvis at the DJ convention at the Andrew Jackson hotel coffee shop. We chatted over two hours as he had respect for my standing in the Disc Jockey world. At that time he was on Sun Records and I had mentioned him in the trade magazines as an up-and-coming talent. He made a special effort to look me up… I was honored.

You are friend´s with Marvin Rainwater, where and when did you meet him? Can you tell us any anecdote with him?

Bill Carter: I met Marvin Rainwater at the Black Jack Wayne TV show in Oakland,California… Since we are both part Indian, we really became great friends… He would drop in many times where my band was playing and sing with us. One time, he asked me to go with him to the Blackboard in Bakersfield… So we took off for a two-day spree together.

What was your connection with Cal Veale?

Bill Carter: Cal Veale at one time recorded for my own record company, Indio Records. Later, he built a recording studio in Modesto, California and began to write songs. He asked me to "demo" all the songs he wrote… hence, we recorded them .He wrote both sides of my MGM record: "Stranger Shake Hands With A Fool" and "Shot Four Times And Dyin"… He then leased the masters to the "D" record company in Houston,Texas. Radio Station KIKK in Houston began playing "Shot Four Times And Dyin" every fifteen minutes around the clock. An MGM distributor just happened to be in Houston and heard my record and it was then leased to MGM...One time Del Reeves asked Cal to help his career and Cal turned him down and said these words:"No,I am going to dedicate my entire life into making Bill Carter a star".

You recorded on MGM during the 50´s at the same time Hank Williams was, did you meet him?

Bill Carter: I met Hank Williams several times and worked with him on dances in California. He was always very nice to me and later, his steel guitar man,Don Helms,played steel on my Republic sessions.

About Cliff and Billy Mize, they were in the vocal group on your recording sessions in Bakersfield…

Bill Carter: My first Tally session featured two songs written by Cliff Crofford. "I Wanna Feel Good" and "I Knew her When"…The back up singers for my session consisted of Billy Mize, Bonnie Owens and Fuzzy Owen.

You were friends with Stu Carnall, where did you meet Stu?

Bill Carter: I met Stu Carnell at Town Hall Party. He was managing Johnny Cash. I helped Stu get some dates in Northern California... Stu would have me pick up Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two at the airport and transport them to their singing dates. Since I was a single man back in those days, Stu could save motel bills by having the musicians clean up at my apartment. Stu scheduled several artists in the area and at my pad to get ready for the show...

You recorded on 4 Star Label, Gilt-Edge, Republic, MGM, Tally, Black Jack, …why so many labels?

Bill Carter: I was always glad when someone would ask me to record on their label...I just loved it! That's why so many labels… I used to have an entire wall in my house covered by my 45's on all the labels... Ozark, Honnee Bee, Check, Blue Ribbon etc

You enjoyed being with Little Jimmy Baker on Cindy Walker´s, can you tell us about those days?

Bill Carter: Little Jimmy Baker was a midget...He stood only three feet high. Our big act was to have Jimmy ride my shoulders with both of us holding a microphone and do duets like Dust Skies. It always brought the house down.

Where did you meet Joe Maphis and Merle Travis?

Bill Carter: I met Joe Maphis at Town Hall Party and we did several shows together...I met Merle Travis at The Hoffman Hayride..I was indeed honored to have them play twin guitars behind me on Twon Hall Party.

You played with Tommy Hill at the Circle B in San Antonio, TX, what do you remember about him?

Bill Carter: Tommy and his sister Goldie appeared at the Circle B and I had the afternoon show. They had the evening show. I sometimes 'set in" on the bass fiddle with their band. I really did like both of them.

You sang two songs with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys...That won you the induction into the Western Swing Hall of Fame, how was him and what songs did you sing?

Bill Carter: Yes, I was invited to the stage to sing with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys...I sang "Deep Water" and "Faded Love" Bob was very gracious to me and yelled his familiar "Ah Haw!" “sing it Billy Boy" as I was singing...By the way,Tiny Moore and Billy Jack Wills sang harmony with me on "Faded Love". That two-song performance weas the reason I was nominated for an induction into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in 2007.

Your band played in Sacramento for years, who did you play with?

Bill Carter: I had my own band Bill Carter and The Hometown Boys with me at Wills Point, every Thursday night

For how long did you work with Bill Crosser?

Bill Carter: Bill Crosser AKA Waterdog Willie, and I played together over two years at the Fred Maddox Playhouse in Pomona, California. We did The Everly Brother,... "Bird Dog", "All I Have To Do Is Dream", "Wake Up Little Susie", etc.

Where did you meet Teddy and Doyle (Wilburn Brothers)?

Bill Carter: I met The Wilburn Brothers at the Disc Jockey conventions in Nashville. I made the trip every year.

Bill you always say that Ernest Tubb was very kind to you, what he do for you?

Bill Carter: Ernest Tubb would always have me sing with his band when he was on tour in California. We had dinner together several times… He invited me to sing with him on the Midnight Jamboree over WSM from the Ernest Tubb record shop in Nashville… which I did.

When did you work with Fred Maddox?

Bill Carter: After the Maddox Bros & Rose broke up, Fred Maddox opened the Fred Maddox Playhouse in Pomona and La Puente California...Bill Crosser and I had the house band and Fred played the bass fiddle with us.

What are your best memories on KBOX?

Bill Carter: KBOX radio in Modesto was a full-time country music station and boasted a very large audience. I had the morning shift 6 to 9 and the afternoon shift 4 to 6....I promoted the guests that appeared with my band at the Riverbank Clubhouse...There was always a big line up of stars from the Grand Ole Opry.

Can you tell us about your current projects?

Bill Carter: My current projects consist of enjoying retirement...

Thank you very much, Bill, I hope you still have your great sense of humor and that you are still recording many Gospel records with your wife Vi, they are just great

Bill Carter: Thank you Ana!

Dec. 11, 1954 Billboard Magazine

Blackboard, owned by Frank Zabaleta and Joe Limi( standing on the side-walk), was the place to be back in the day. In 1951 the cafe reopened after a major remodeling and became known around town as the hottest places to hear, non horn playing, music acts, The Blackboard’s heyday came in the decade or so starting in 1952. The famous,” Bakersfield Sound,” a string twisting –twang Fender guitar based music, with a hard driven beat, a new country music style unique to the Bakersfield area, was born and burnin’. The new building is made of cement with a brick front. Hankarayblues

Bill Carter with his Mother

Aug. 13, 1955 Billboard Magazine

Club owner, Roger Miller, Wayne Powers, Bill Carter, Unknown, Cal Veale.

Feb. 4, 1956 Billboard Magazine

Bill Carter´s Authograph

Tex Williams and Bill Carter

Lefty Frizzell as Bill Carter´s guest

"The folks sang harmoiny with me on my Rural Rhythm Recordings...Ray and Wayne Cooper were with me on My Ozark and Check Recordings". Bill Carter

Hoot McCann, Lamon Davis, Bill Carter, Ralph Keith, and Dean Manuel

June 10, 1957

Fred Maddox, unknown, Stu Carnall, Bill Carter

Bill Carter,Roy Nichols and Buck Owens, March 1958 (Photograph Courtesy of Gregory Scot Crosser)

The late T.Texas Tyler on appearance with Bill Crosser and Bill Carter in California...T.Tex later became an Evangelist like Bill and spent the final 15 years of his life in the service of the Kingdom.He appeared 7 days each week in many small churches across America with his guitar and his famous growl...He was ordained with the Assemblies of God in the Oregon District..His wife passed away while he was evangelizing..but he didn't break his stride! (Bill Carter)(Photograph Courtesy of Gregory Scot Crosser)

"Vern Stovall, Bill Cater and Bill Crosser. Back in the 50´s in Southern California. Ver is the writer of "Long Black Limousine". When Elvis recorded it, Vern gave the publishing rights to Elvis Presley Music. Nowadays, Vern speaks softly and collects big royalty checks... Bill Crosser and I Still enjoy biscuits and gravy" (Photograph Courtesy of Gregory Scot Crosser)

"Left to right.Del Reeves,Bill Crosser,Bill Carter, Jack Mcfadden (Bill Crosser Manager). getting ready for a show in the dressing room.Jack McFadden was the owner of the Mcfadden Building on Music Row in Nashville.Just before he passed away I was in his office and visited with Gene Waton,Johnny Russell and Tony Booth.Franklin Delano"Del" Reeves does all the tenor singing on my MGM records with me." (Photograph Courtesy of Gregory Scot Crosser)

Fred Maddox on left, the trumpet man,Bill Carter,Bobby Lee and Bill Crosser (Photograph Courtesy of Gregory Scot Crosser)

Bill Carter ~ Cool Tom Cat

Bill Carter ~ I Used To Love You

Bill carter ~ I Wanna Feel Good

(Pictures Courtesy of Bill Carter and Gregory Scot Crosser)