Let´s Bop!: Billy Harlan

Billy Harlan es un cantante, compositor y músico de Hillbilly y Rockabilly, inducido al Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Billy grabó para la RCA y fue músico en la banda de Jim Reeves “Blue Boys band”. Billy Harlan escribió canciones para Johnny Russell, Hawshaw Hawkins y otros artistas que grabaron en Nashville en los años 50. Actuó en el Grand Ole Opry con Jim Reeves, Wilburn Brothers,… es amigo personal y actuó con Don y Phil Everly (The Everly Brothers). Bill Harlan nos deja un gran legado con su música y con sus recuerdos. En esta ocasión Billy nos va a hablar sobre alguno de sus amigos y compañeros

Muchas gracias Bill por esta entrevista. Has tenido una interesante vida relacionada con la música, has grabado varias canciones de éxito y trabajado con leyendas del Country y del Rock and Roll.

Billy Harlan: Como sabes, grabé con Brunswick (“Schoolhouse Rock” y “I Wanna Bop”). También para la RCA Victor ("Teen Jean Jive” y “This Lonely Man”). Lo dejé después, fui a la escuela y empecé un nuevo negocio. Sin embargo, ahora que estoy retirado, estoy tocando de nuevo. Actúo en Florida en Residencias, Am Legions, Moose Clubs y lugares así.

Escribí canciones para Hawkshaw Hawkins, Johnny Russell,…trabajé con Everly Brothers, The Wilburn Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, Dave Rich, Jerry Reed, Jimmy Lee Fautheree, … Hace un par de años trabajé con la hija de Onie (Karen Wheeler) en Florida. Actué en unos 10 conciertos con ella. Es una gran artista y cantante. He tenido bastante buena vida para ser un pobre chico de campo.

¿Cuáles eran tus músicos favoritos cuando eras un adolescente?

Billy Harlan: Carl Smith era mi cantante favorito cuando era niño. También Chet Atkins y Merle Travis.

Bill, conociste a los Everly Brothers, ¿cuándo?

Billy Harlan: Nos conocimos por la época en la que está tomada la fotografía, 1949. Don y yo teníamos unos doce años y Phil sobre 10. Sus padres y mi familia eran del mismo pequeño pueblo minero. Los Everly solían venir a visitar a su familia durante el veano, es cuando los conocí. Llegamos a estar muy unidos desde el primer momento. Nos vemos de vez en cuando y hablamos por teléfono. Hablé con Phil hace unos meses. No hablo con Don desde hace un par de años. Solía llamarlos por el cumpleaños. Janet Bleyer de The Chordettes estaba casada con Archie Bleyer. Archie Bleyer era el presidente de Cadence records. Janet Bleyer era la madre de primera mujer de Phil Everly, Jackie. No conocí a Jackie.

¿Cómo se conocieron Don Everly y Sue Ingraham?

Billy Harlan: Creo que Doug Tubb estaba casado con la primera mujer de Don Everly. No sé la fecha. Elaine Tubb, la hija de Ernest Tubb, era el manager de Don Everly por aquella época. Sue Ingraham era amiga de Elaine. Es como Don y Sue se conocieron. Después de que Don y Sue se divorciaron, Sue salió con Doug Tubb. Creo que siguen casados en la actualidad. Puedo estar confundido pero creo que es así. Nunca conocí a Doug Tubb pero lo ví por Nashville.

¿Conociste a Roy Orbison?

Billy Harlan: “Claudette”, fue por Roy Orbison. Yo no estaba cuando grabó “Ooby Dooby”. Pero estuve cuando The Everly Brothers grabaron “All I have to do is Dream”. La cantaron 31 veces y editaron la 27. De todos modos, Don y Phil tuvieron también un éxito con “Claudette”.

¿Cómo era Jim Reeves?

Billy Harlan: Jim Reeves era un perfeccionista y lo tenía todo bajo control. Él y yo nos llevábamos muy bien porque a los dos nos gustaban mucho los deportes. Jim y yo jugábamos al beisbol a un alto nivel. Jim me enseñó a jugar al golf.

¿Cuándo le conociste?

Billy Harlan: En enero de 1957, pasé tres años de aquí para allá con él. Dejé la banda en Agosto de 1959 y me mudé a Arizona. Dos años después me mudé a California. Grabé “This Honey Man” y “Teen Hean Jive” para Chet Atkins en la RCA. Cuando Chet decidió no publicar el disco, rompió mi corazón y dejé el negocio de la música.

He tocado “The Padre of Old San Antone” muchas veces con Jim Reeves. Pienso en Jim bastante a menudo. Me acuerdo mucho de él. ¿Conoces “Kentucky Waltz”? Kentucky Waltz, es una canción “rara”. Habla sobre un chico que toca el bajo, de Cleaton, Kentucky, ese soy yo. Solía cantar “Searchin” y “Boney Maroni". Las cantaba para animar al público antes de que entrase Jim Reeves. Fueron grandes días. La primera época del Rock and Roll.

¿Has escrito sobre Jim Reeves?

Billy Harlan: No, no voy a escribir sobre Él. Escribí un libro “The Perfect Christmas”. No está publicado por ahora. Mi intención es hacer un show sobre el libro algún día. El libro contiene 10 canciones de Navidad que he escrito. El título debería de haber sido “The Perfect Christmas Gift”. Y he sacado un nuevo CD. Una de las canciones se llama “Be Bopping Annie”. Es todo sobre Rock and Roll de los años 50. El nombre de mi mujer es Anna y tengo una amiga llamada Ana.

Muy amable por tu parte, precioso detalle. ¡Gracias! ...Bill, has conocido a James Kirkland también…

Billy Harlan: James Kirkland me reemplazó como bajo para Jim Reeves en 1960. Yo solía tocar en el show de Jim Reeves.

¿Qué recuerdas sobre Tillman Franks?

Billy Harlan: Conocí a Tillman en Fort Worth hace varios años. Jim Reeves nos presentó. Yo intentaba aplaudir antes de que él desenfundase y pusiera el arma entre mis manos. Tillman siempre ganaba. Gran recuerdo.

¿Conociste a Carl Smith?

Billy Harlan: Conocí a Carl, nunca trabajé con él. Era uno de mis cantantes favoritos. Don Everly también era muy fan de Carl.

Te gustan mucho los deportes, ¡y los coches!

Billy Harlan: Me encantan aquellos antiguos Cadillacs. Utilizábamos uno para ir de viaje. Era un cuatro puertas del 55 en beige. Tuve un For 57 en 1957. Lo compré con el dinero que ganñe durante la gira de 1957 por Europa. Aunque no llegué a ir a España.

Puedes hablarnos sobre Hana Faye Harger?

Billy Harlan: Conocí a Hana Faye Harger, Era realmente guapa. Hablábamos mucho por teléfono. Tenía un disco llamado Searching” , la canción de Kitty Wells. Ella estaba un sello raro pero aparentemente firmó para la RCA. Le envié hace poco un mensaje a un amigo para saber si sabía algo sobre ella. Mi amigo se llama Al Harris. Al tocaba el teclado para Conway Twitty.

Moon Mullican era un gran músico, ¿qué recuerdas sobre él?

Billy Harlan: Moon era un tipo divertido. Sin embargo, solamente trabajé con él en un show. Fue en Roanoke, Virginia, en 1956. También trabajé con Ray Price en ese mismo show. Fue la primera vez que trabajé con las estrellas del Grand Ole Opry. El éxito de Ray Price “Crazy Arms” fue número uno en aquella época.

¿Quién era tu manager?

Billy Harlan: Buddy Killen era el Presidente de Tree Publishing, Buddy era mi publicador y manager. Ël hizo que firmase con Brunswick Records y también con la RCA. Buddy era una bellísima persona. Siempre le estaré agradecido por lo que hizo por mí. Buddy Killen se casó con June Webb. June trabajó yendo de gira con nosotros en 1958. Midwest Tour a través de Iowa, Nebraska y Wisconsin. Ella estaba casada con él por aquella época.

Cuando June Webb grabó “It´s Too Late when Love Dies” la acompañaba la banda de Jim Reeves. Su marido tocaba el bajo. Los otros miembros de la banda eran Jimmy Day a la steel guitar, Leo Jackson a la guitarra, Louie Nunn a la fiddle, Tommy Hill Rhythm a la guitarra, Floyd Cramer al piano. Yo reemplacé a Buddy al bajo un poco después. Fue estupendo verlos a todos de nuevo.

¿Qué recuerdas sobre Floyd Cramer?

Billy Harlan: Floyd era un hombre muy agradable y muy tranquilo. Lo conocía muy bien. Él vivía cerca de Jim en Madison, Tennessee.

Empezaste a actuar de nuevo, ¿verdad?

Billy Harlan: Sí, trabajo con un trio ahora. Sobretodo canto. Interpretamos muchos temas de los Everly Brothers.

¿Cuál es el nombre de tu banda actual?

Billy Harlan: Blue Boys Trio. Royce Morgan y yo somos dos de los miembros originales de la Jim Reeves Blue Boys Band, Royce y yo somos los líderes del trío.

¿Cuáles son tus planes futuros?

Billy Harlan: En 1958 escribí una canción llamada “One Soda Pop” and “Two Straws”. Las incluiré en mi nuevo CD. Tom Ingram me preguntó si me interesaba tocar en Las Vegas y tocar en el show que hace en Orleans. Probablemente lo haga en 2012.

Prepararé seis canciones para el Viva Las Vegas. La Semana Santa que viene , el 8 de Abril de 2012 en el Orleans Casino.

Muchas gracias, Bill por tu amabilidad. Buena suerte.

- En enero de 1955, la banda de Dave Rich, "The Melody Ranch Hands", contrata a Billy Harlan (bajo), Royce Morgan (guitarra) y después Archie Shanks (fiddle), Clarence Hanks (stl gtr) y Stonewall Jackson (batería) tocaron en la emisora WNES, en Central City, donde Dave era DJ también.

- En 1955 Billy empezó a trabajar con Ray Price y The Cherokee Cowboys.

- El 18 de Octubre de 1955, Billy Harlan, Dave y Buddy Killen tocaron con Jerry Reed en su primera sesión de grabación "Capitol" en Nashville.

- A finales de 1955/principios de 1956, Hawkshaw Hawkins grabó una canción co-escrita con Billy Harlan y Dave Rich titulada"My Fate Is In Your Hands”. Billy pronto se casaría con Jane Wester y su hijo sería bautizado como Philip Don para homenajear a sus viejos amigos Don y Phil Everly.

- Billy tocó con Dave Rich en la Wisconsin State Fair, del 18 al 28 de Agosto de 1956, y compartió scenario con Jimmy and Johnny, Jim Reeves, Betty Foley y una nueva adolescente de la RCA llamada Janis Martin.

-En 1957, Billy llegó a ser miembro permanente de la banda de Jim Reeves, The Wagonmasters, con Leo Jackson, Louis Dunn and Bobby Garrett. En Abril de 1957 Jim y su banda vuelan a Europa para ofrecer una gira en Alemania.

- El 31 de Marzo de 1958, gracias a Buddy Killen, Billy Harlan grabaría dos canciones editadas con Tree "I Wanna Bop" y "School House Rock", dos grandes canciones de Rockabilly.

- A finales de 1958, Jim Reeves disolvió la banda y Billy Harlan se unió a The Wilburn Brothers mientras Royce Morgan se cambió a la banda de to Red Sovine until fall 1959.

- El 29 de Abril 29 de 1959, Billy grabaría dos canciones para la RCA. En la canción, "Teen Jean Jive", Billy está respaldado por los The Everly Brothers (gtr), Pig Robbins (pno), Jimmy Day (stl gtr) and Jackie Moffitt (bat). En esa canción, Chet Atkins tocaba la guitarra.

- A finales de lo 50, trabajó como Disc Jockey para la WMTA y WNES.

- En Agosto de 1959, Billy cansado de viajar, puso fin a su carrera.

Billy Harlan is a Hillbilly and Rockabilly singer, songwriter and recording artist inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Billy recorded for RCA and was front man for the Jim Reeves Blue Boys band. Wrote songs for Johnny Russell, Hawkshaw Hawkins and other Nashville recording artist during the 50´s. Performed on Grand Ole Opry with Jim Reeves and Wilburn Brothers. Personal friends with and have performed with Don and Phil Everly, The Everly Brothers. Billy Harlan leaves us a great legacy with his music and with his memories. This time Bill will tell us about many of his friends 

Thank you Billy for this interview. You have had an interesting life dealing with music, you have recorded many hits and you have worked with many Legends.

Billy Harlan: As you already know I recorded for Brunswick (“Schoolhouse Rock” & “I Wanna Bop”). I also recorded for RCA Victor “(Teen Jean Jive” & “This Lonely Man”). I gave it up and went to school and got in a whole new business. However, now that I'm retired I'm playing music again. I do shows in Florida at Senior communities, Am Legions, Moose Clubs and places like that.

I wrote songs for Hawkshaw Hawkins, Johnny Russell,… I have worked with the Everly Brothers, The Wilburn Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, Dave Rich, Jerry Reed, Jimmy Lee Fautheree, … A couple of years ago I worked with Onies' daughter (Karen Wheeler) down in Florida. I did about 10 shows with her. She is a very good singer and entertainer. I've had a pretty good life for poor old country boy.

What was your favourite musicians when you were a teenager?

Billy Harlan: Carl Smith was my favourite singer when I was growing up. Chet Atkins and Merle Travis too.

Bill, you have met Everly Brothers, when it was?

Billy Harlan: We met about the time that picture was made, 1949. Don and I were about 12 Phil about 10. Their parents and my family were from the same little coal mining town. Everlys' use to come visit their family during the summer, that when we met. We have been very close friends every since. Yes we see each other from time to time and we talk on the phone. I talked to Phil a few months ago. Haven't talked to Don and a couple of years. I usually call them on the birthdays. Janet Bleyer of the Chordettes was married to Archie Bleyer. Archie Bleyer was the president of Cadence records. Janet Bleyer was the mother of Phil Everly's first wife Jackie but I've met Jackie.

How did Don Everly and Sue Ingraham meet?

Billy Harlan: I believe Doug Tubb was married to Don Everly´s first wife. I know they dated. Elaine Tubb, Ernest Tubbs daughter, was Don Everlys' manager early on. Sue Ingraham was one of Elaines' friends. That's how Don and Sue met. After Don and Sues' divorce Sue Dated Doug Tubb. I believe they actually married. I could be wrong about the marriage but I believe I'm right. I never really knew Doug Tubb but I've seen him around Nashville.

Have you met Roy Orbison?

Billy Harlan: That's right, “Claudette”, written by Roy Orbison. I wasn't there for “Ooby Dooby”. I was there when The Everly Brothers recorded “All I have to do is Dream”. They did 31 times and then released the 27th. By the way, Don had a Standard French Poodle he named “Claudette”.

How was Jim Reeves?

Billy Harlan: Jim Reeves was a perfectionist and very controlling. He and I got along very well though because we loved sports. Jim and I both played baseball at a very high level. Jim taught me to play golf.

When did you meet him?

Billy Harlan: It was in January 1957, we spent about three years off and on with him. I left the band in August 1959, moved to Arizona. Two years later moved to CA. I recorded “This Honey Man” and “Teen Jean Jive” for Chet Atkins on RCA. When Chet decided not it release the record, it broke my heart and I quit the music business.

I've played The Padre of Old San Antone many times with Jim Reeves. I think of Jim quite often. I remember so much about him. Have you heard him do “Kentucky Waltz”? Kentucky Waltz, rare recording. He talks about his bass player from Cleaton, Kentucky, that is me. I use to do “Searchin” and “Boney Maroni". I did these songs warming up the audience for Jim Reeves. Those were the good days. Early R&R.

Have you written about Jim Reeves?

Billy Harlan: No, I´m not writing about Him. I have written a book “The Perfect Christmas”. It is not in publication as of now. I intend to make a show from this book someday. The book has 10 Christmas songs that I have written. The tittle should have been “The Perfect Christmas Gift”. I have a new CD. One of the songs is entitle “Be Bopping Annie”. It´s all about the 50´s Rock ad Roll. My wife´s name is Anna and I have a friend named Ana.

So sweet of you Bill. Thank you! You have met James Kirkland too…

Billy Harlan: James Kirkland replaced me as a bass placer for Jim Reeves in 1960. I used to sing on Jim Reeves´ Show.

What do you remember about Tillman Franks?

Billy Harlan: I met Tillman in Fort Worth several years ago. Jim Reeves introduced us. I tried to clap my hands before he could draw and put the gun between my hands. Tillman won everytime. Great memory.

Have you met Carl Smith? How he was?

Billy Harlan: I have met Carl, never worked with him. He was one of my very favourite singers. Don Everly was also a big fan of Carl’s.

You love sports and cars too…

Billy Harlan: I love those old Cadillacs. We used one on the road. It was a 1955 ffour door tan in color. I had a 1957 Ford in 1957. I bought with the money I made during the 1957 tour of Europe. We didn't get to Spain though.

Can you tell us about Hana Faye Harger?

Billy Harlan: I met Hana Faye Harger, she was a real cute. We used to talk on the phone a lot. She had a record entitled,”Searching” , the Kitty Wells song. She was on an obscure label but apparently signed with RCA. I just sent a message to a friend to see if he ever heard of her. My friends name is Al Harris. Al played keyboard for Conway Twitty.

Moon Mullican was a great musician, what do you remember about him?

Billy Harlan: Moon was a fun guy. However I only worked with him on one show. It was in Roanoke, VA, back in 1956. I also worked with Ray Price on that show. It was the first time for me to work with Grand Ole Opry stars. Ray Price´s Crazy Arms was number one at that time.

Who was your agent?

Billy Harlan: Buddy Killen was the President of Tree Publishing, Buddy was my published and agent. He got me signed to Brunswick Records and also RCA. Buddy was a terrific human being. I´m forever grateful for what he did for me. Buddy Killen (Tree Publisher and my agent) married June Webb. June worked a tour with us in 1958. Midwest Tour through Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin. She was married to Buddy Killen at that time.

When June Webb did, “It´s Too Late when Love Dies” she was backed by the Jim Reeves bad. Her husband was playing the Bass. The other band members were Jimmy Day steel guitar, Leo Jackson guitar, Louie Nunn fiddle, Tommy Hill Rhythm guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano. I replaced Buddy on the bass a little later. It was great seeing all the guys again.

What do you remember about Floyd Cramer?

Billy Harlan: Floyd was a very quiet guy really nice. I knew him very well. He lived very close to Jim in Madison, TN.

You have started to playing again, right?

Billy Harlan: Yes I work in a trio now. I do a lot of singing in this band. We do a lot of Everly Brothers songs.

What is the name of your current Band?

Billy Harlan: Blue Boys Trio. Royce Morgan and I are tow of the original Jim Reeves Blue Boys Band, Royce and I are the leaders of this trio.

What about your future projects?

Billy Harlan: In 1958 I wrote a song called one Soda Pop and Two Straws. I will include it on my new CD. Tom Ingram has asked me to come to Las Vegas and play on the show that he does at the Orleans. I'm probably going to do that in 2012. I'll be doing six songs in preparation for Viva Las Vegas. Next Easter April 8, 2012 at the Orleans Casino.

Thank you so much Bill for being so kind. Good luck.

- Billy Harlan joined Dave Rich´s band in Jan. 1955, "The Melody Ranch Hands", featured Billy Harlan (bass), Royce Morgan (gtr) and later Archie Shanks (fdl), Clarence Hanks (stl gtr) and Stonewall Jackson (drums).

- In January 1955, they will play on the just born WNES radio, in Central City, where Dave was DJ too.

- In 1955 Billy started to work for a while with Ray Price and joined The Cherokee Cowboys.

- On October 18, 1955, Billy Harlan, Dave and Buddy Killen backed Jerry Reed for his first recording session for "Capitol" set in Nashville.

- Late 1955/early 1956, Hawkshaw Hawkins recorded a song co-writing by Billy Harlan and Dave Rich titled "My Fate Is In Your Hands”. Billy will soon wed Jane Wester and them son will be christened Philip Don to please his long time friends Don and Phil Everly.

- Billy played with Dave Rich at the Wisconsin State Fair, from 18 to 28 August 1956, and shared the stage there with Jimmy and Johnny (in fact, Jimmy Lee and Lynn Fautheree), Jim Reeves, Betty Foley and a new RCA teenage act Janis Martin.

- In 1957, he became permanent member of Jim's band "The Wagonmasters" with Leo Jackson (gtr), Louis Dunn(dms) and Bobby Garrett (stl gtr). In April 1957, Jim and his band will fly to Europe for an USO tour in Germany.

- On March 31, 1958, thanks to Buddy Killen, Billy Harlan will record two songs published by Tree "I Wanna Bop" and "School House Rock", two great rockin' songs.

- Late 1958, Jim Reeves give the leave to his band and Billy Harlan joined The Wilburn Brothers while Royce Morgan moved to Red Sovine's band until fall 1959.

- On April 29, 1959, Billy will cut two songs for RCA that will stay for years in the basement. On the song, "Teen Jean Jive", Billy is supported by The Everly Brothers (gtr), Pig Robbins (pno), Jimmy Day (stl gtr) and Jackie Moffitt (dms). On that song, Chet Atkins took care of the guitar.

- In the late 50's, he also worked as Disc Jockey

- By August 1959, Billy exhausted by the work on the road, put an end on his career.

Phil Everly, Billy Harlan, Tommy Payne and Don Everly ~ 1949

Buddy Killen

12 Jan. 1959

30 March 1959



RCA Session ~ Bill Harlan, Don Everly, Chet Atkins and Pig Robbins

"Yo a la izquierda y Don a la derecha. Un amigo, Shirley Wagner, en medio. Phil está mirando desde la puerta. Esta fotografía fue tomada en la casa de los Everly en Madison, Tennessee"

 "That is me on the left and Don on the right. A friend,  Shirley Wagner in the middle. Phil looking on from the doorway. This was made at the Everly home in Madison, Tennessee."

Billy Harlan en su 1958 Ford Fairlane Julio 2011 ~ Billy Harlan and his 1958 Ford Fairlane, July 2011

 "This picture was taken at the Everly Brothers Home Coming Concert at Central City Kentucky. They did the concert every Labor day weekend(The first weekend of September). This was probably The eleventh one. Central City is about 8 miles from where I currently live. This is the area where I grew up. Also, the area where the Brothers parent grew up. September 1999"

 Pee Wee Kershaw, Jim Reeves, Billy Harlan, Royce Morgan and Jimmy Day in 1958

Billy Harlan Authographs

(Fotografías Cortesía de Billy Harlan ~ Photographs Courtesy of Billy Harlan)



Hawkshaw Hawkins grabó la primera canción que escribió Bill Harlan  "My Fate Is In Your Hand". Con el gran Tommy Jackson al violín, Don Helms en la Steel, Jackie Phelps en la lead guitar. Cedric Rainwater en el Bajo. Big Earl tocando la rhythm guitar. Don Helms yCedric Rainwater eran miembros de la Hank's Drifting Cowboys band

Hawkshaw Hawkins recorded the first song Bill Harlan ever wrote "My Fate Is In Your Hand". The great Tommy Jackson on fiddle, Don Helms on Steel, Jackie Phelps on lead guitar. Cedric Rainwater on Bass. Big Earl  playing the rhythm guitar. Don Helms and Cedric Rainwater were members of Hank's Drifting Cowboys band

Hawkshaw Hawkins  ~  My Fate Is In Your Hand, 1957

Billy Harlan ~ I Wanna Bop

Billy Harlan ~ Schoolhouse Rock