Classic Tracks: Someday I'll Sober Up ~ Johnny Russell

Classic Tracks: Someday I'll Sober Up (Johnny Russell)

•Album: She's In Love With a Rodeo Man: RCA Records, APL1-0542 (1974)
•Single: Someday I'll Sober Up: RCA Records, APBO-0248 (1974)
•Written By: Johnny Russell
•Produced By: Jerry Bradley
•Recorded: 1974, RCA Victor Studio, Nashville

Session Personnel: Dale Sellers, Pete Wade, Reggie Young (lead guitar), Ray Edenton, Chip Young, Jimmy Capps, Jerry Shook (rhythm guitar), Hal Rugg, Pete Drake (steel guitar), Hargus Pig Robbins, David Briggs, Ron Oates (piano), Bobby Emmons (organ), Tommy Cogbill, Bob Moore, Joe Zinkan, Mike Leech, Harold Bradley (bass guitar), Buddy Harman, James Isbell, Snuffy Miller, Hayward Bishop (drums), Charlie McCoy (harmonica/vibes), George Tidwell (trumpet), Vocals: The Jordanaires, The Lea Jane Singers.

Johnny Russell (1/23/1940 ~ 4/3/2001) was a country singer, songwriter and a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Russell was active as a performer and recording artist in the 1970s and 1980s. Johnny is remembered for Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer. As a songwriter, he is most famous for co-writing Act Naturally, a song that was recorded by both Buck Owens and The Beatles.

Russell was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta's Sunflower County. He heard the Grand Ole Opry as a youngster and was influenced by the music of Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, and Roy Acuff. Johnny's family moved to Fresno, California, when Russell was 11. As a high school student Johnny won various talent contests and he began writing songs. In 1958, Russell had his first song published, In a Mansion Stands My Love, which was recorded by Jim Reeves. That helped establish Russell's reputation as a songwriter. Johnny's next major feat came in 1963, when Buck Owens took Russell's, Act Naturally, to number one on the country chart. Two years later, the Beatles covered the tune.

Johnny landed a songwriter position at the Wilburn Brothers' publishing house in Nashville, where he penned several hits in the '60s and '70s. These included the Wilburn Brothers' own single, Hurt Her Once for Me. In 1971 Chet Atkins signed Johnny to RCA Records. His debut single, Mr. and Mrs. Untrue (1971), failed to break into the top-40. Russell had his first Top-20 single with Catfish John (No. No. 12, 1972) and the following year Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer (No. 4, 1973, became his biggest hit. The song was nominated later that year for a Grammy Award. Johnny had six more hits through 1975, including Hello I Love You (No. 13, 1975). In 1977, he ended his stint with RCA. Russell then switched to Mercury and had a Top-30 hit with How Deep in Love Am I? (No. 29, 1978). Johnny had several more moderate hits with the label, but none of them made it past the Top-50.

Russell continued to find success as a songwriter, however. He pinned Making Plans, a duet for Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. With Wayland Holyfield he co-wrote the Statler Brothers hit, You'll Be Back Every Night (In My Dreams) and he wrote or had a hand in such familiar numbers of that era as Gene Watson's Got No Reason Now (For Going Home) and George Strait's Let's Fall to Pieces Together. In the mid-'80s, Russell joined the Grand Ole Opry as a comedy and vocal act. Johnny teamed up with Little David Wilkins in 1987 to record the minor hit Butterbeans. Before the year was out, Russell had a mild stroke and the following year he underwent surgery to remove a blockage from his chest. Still, he continued to perform and tour serving as master of ceremonies when Garth Brooks joined the Opry in 1990. His untimely death was due to complications surrounding diabetes.

About Jerry Bradley: Record executive Jerry Bradley is the son of Nashville music industry pioneer Owen Bradley and Country Music Hall of Fame member and the nephew of Country Music Hall of Fame member and A-team session guitarist Harold Bradley. Harold and Owen opened a studio in Nashville in 1951 and then opened the first recording studio on Music Row (Bradley Film & Recording Studio) located on Sixteenth Avenue South in 1955. Jerry Bradley succeeded Chet Atkins as RCA's Nashville division chief in 1972.

About RCA Records: RCA Records (originally The Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor) is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America, which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.

~RJB: Country Music Historian, 12/2010. References: Record Research: Country Music Singles 1944 -- 1993; Billboard Magazine; RJB: Original Country Music Chronicles.

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[scottymacIII]

@flashbell gee, wonder why you have a whopping 8 comments on this video, not that people are waiting in line to sling profanity, but you make us wary to put anything whatsoever, hell, I'll probably receive a warning from you for this

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[barbiesweet45]

I am so glad to see this it is so rare, I wish they had this Policy on Facebook and other networks, it is so degrated when you are looking for music etc and see this profanity and no respect for others Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Barbara really enjoyed this video

[buddyhyatt1]

I had the privilege of recording Johnny with the Buckaroo's at my studio in Nashville in 1999. He was a hoot to work with and became a close friend. He is greatly missed.

Buddy Hyatt

[wlmaden]

Whenever I hear or see a picture of Johnny Russell, I immediately always think of "Catfish John", None Better.

[yenal56]

Johnny does a great job on this good song. Clark Ranger of KWKY Des Moines played this song frequently on his morning show in the 1970's.

[claysjavelin1]

Great

[BABSINUK]

Hi,new singer to me,my loss.real Country song,real Country voice.

Thanks for sharing.