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Additional Research Info for April 11, 2005, QMH:
In researching for this show I reviewed many more country songs by straight artists than I could possibly fit into an hour show, so for those interested I wanted to mention others I considered, with some comments here and there. I'll discuss them in alphabetical order, by artist. Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley - Where's the Dress (1984) While this comedy country song certainly evokes many gay images, mainly of Boy George, it's mainly about Moe & Joe figuring out how they can copy Boy George to get a hit record and make money. I don't consider it homophobic at all. Steve Brooks - Jesus Loves You Even If You're Gay (1999, from "Sex, Lies & Videotape," certainly a pro-gay song by Texas singer/songwriter and liberal humorist). Neil Burris - The Sissy Song (1951, cover version of the Billy Briggs song) Chinga Chavin - Sadomasochistic Transvestite Queen (1993, from "Live & Politically Erect Country Porn." From the artist who brought us the "Okie From Mustogee" parody "Asshole from El Paso," a generally crude live album). David Alan Coe - Fuck Anita Bryant (1978, from an underground x-rated album, as you might have guessed. You can hear it on one of my FCC shows from last summer) Da Yoopers - I Tink My Beagle's Gay (1997, from "We're Still Rockin'" another generally don't-play-for-your-mother comedy act) Kacey Jones - Every Man I Ever Loved Is Either Married, Gay or Dead (2000, from the album of the same name, a gay-reference song, of minor interest) Si Kahn - Just the Way You Are (1984, from "Unfinished Portraits," a remarkably pro-gay and very nice song done in country style by an artist mostly known in the folk genre. But not at all surprising from this pro-feminist artist) Master Baiting Crappie Club - My Wife Frank / Gay Caballero (1999, from "Nothing to Do With Love." Two homophobic songs done without the benefit of wit or musical ability) M. Bum & the Hobos - Gay Liberation (1970s, a 45 rpm release with remarkably non-homophobic lyrics given the song's humorous style and the times. I've not been able to verify a year for this song but it has earmarks of, say, mid to late 1970s). National Lampoon - Rules of the Road (2003, an album of gay trucker parody songs, most with lyrics that would not permit radio play. Its problem is that none of the songs are particularly good musically or interesting lyrically. You would expect better of the National Lampoon folks than this homophobic romp). Prairie Ramblers (as the Sweet Violet Boys) - I Love My Fruit (1933, this has been written up as a bold "gay" song by a Western Swing group, so much so that they released it under another name, Sweet Violet Boys, and that it was immediately doomed to get no airplay. Personally, I don't see it as enough of a gay reference at all to be worth the fuss, then or now, and mention it because net searches may bring up their name). Rude Girls - Girl in the Red Velvet Dress (1987, from "Rude Awakening") and Rufus and Beverly (1990, from "Mixed Messages). Two interesting songs done in pseudo-country style, the first about two women at a dance, and the second, a transgender song, also recorded by Bryan Bowers). Tiny Tim - I'm Gonna Be a Country Queen / I Ain't No Cowboy (1971, strange 45 rpm record with both songs having gay content, not necessarily negative as the humor is self-directed, from music's main tip-toer). Freddy Weller - Betty Ann and Shirley Cole (1973, from "Too Much Monkey Business." One of the few songs on this list by a bona fide country artist, it's the story of two small-town women who at the end of the song end up together as a couple. It is interesting for its lack of homophobia and judgment for that time period).
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LAVENDER COWBOY
It
appeared in a movie western in the 1930 called "Oklahoma Cyclone." It seems that Ewen Hail may have published the score for the song, according to this reference. See http://iii.library.unt.edu:81/search/aHainer,+Earl./ahainer+earl/-5,-1,0,B/frameset&FF=ahail+ewen&2,,3 And, we know that the Vernon Dalhart version of the song was banned by radio due to this reference (http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,763731,00.html) ..."Blue"
songs are naturally not allowed on the radio networks. Last week NBC
revealed that 147 songs are on its blacklist. Because their titles are
suggestive, 137 may not even be played instrumentally[!]. Among them: Among the many versions of the song "Lavender Cowboy" I've notated the following recordings: (alphabetical by artist, year & source given if known; and I've not heard most of these) Arkin, Alan
("Folk Songs, Once Over Lightly" 1954) The
Lavender Cowboy He
was only a lavender cowboy, But
he was inwardly troubled First
he tried many a hair tonic. But
with a spirit undaunted He
battled for Red Nellie's honor Gay Caballero just a few of the recordings of this song
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