A VOICES OF COUNTRY LEGENDS CONVERSATION

David Frizzell: The Unlikely Road to “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma”

Clint Eastwood, Shelly West, and the brother he called Sonny

With David Frizzell | Hosted by Frank Gerard

David Frizzell had been looking for a hit for years. When he and Shelly West recorded “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,” he says the record labels passed. Then producer Snuff Garrett played it for Clint Eastwood, and the song’s fortunes changed.

In this conversation with Frank Gerard, the singer behind “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home” looks back on the long road to his own success, the unexpected beginning of his partnership with Shelly, and the people who helped him along the way.

David also remembers his older brother Lefty, whom the family called Sonny. There are stories from their years on the road, memories of hearing “Long Black Veil” take shape, and an honest account of how difficult it was to narrate his book, I Love You a Thousand Ways: The Lefty Frizzell Story. He shares how Merle Haggard became like a brother after Lefty’s death, and why keeping their music alive remains personal.

There’s room for some fun, too, including an Elvis Presley slot machine and the song David has been singing to his wife Joanne ever since.

In this conversation

• Singing on the radio at 9 and learning the business on the road with Lefty.

• Shelly West singing “Bartender’s Blues” in David’s doorway, and the duet partnership that followed.

• The hit songs that got away, including “That’s the Way Love Goes.”

• Recording “Lefty” with Merle Haggard, and the studio mishap that forced them to record it again.

• His love of Buddy Holly’s music and the story behind “Maria Elena.”

• The Nudie suit David says Lefty gave George Jones, and why those memories matter.

FIND DAVID FRIZZELL:

Official website

https://www.davidfrizzell.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/DavidFrizzellMusic

Listen: A Tribute to Brother Lefty Frizzell

https://lnk.to/ATributeToBrotherLeftyFrizzell

Voices of Country Legends is created in connection with the Legends of Country Music Museum in Nashville.

Museum website

https://www.legendsofcountrymusic.com/

Nashville Souvenirs

https://www.nashvillesouvenirs.com/

Voices of Country Music website

https://www.voicesofcountrylegends.com/

Listen and Download:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-country-legends/id6803165342

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/24CHgY0uLKNM2gIwR0S7MG