Portrait of Lefty Frizzell

Lefty Frizzell

Origin: Corsicana, Texas, USA Years: March 31, 1928 - July 19, 1975

Lefty Frizzell, born William Orville Frizzell, was an American country music singer-songwriter and honky tonk pioneer who created one of the most distinctive vocal styles in country music history. Known for his smooth, laid-back delivery, innovative phrasing, and ability to sing about heartbreak with remarkable emotion, Frizzell recorded over 100 singles during his career, with 37 reaching the Billboard country charts and 8 hitting number one. His signature songs like 'If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)' and 'I Love You a Thousand Ways' became country classics, while his vocal phrasing influenced countless artists including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and George Jones. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Frizzell is widely regarded as one of the most important honky tonk singers of all time.

Honky TonkCountryWestern SwingCountry PopOutlaw CountryCountry Ballads

Discography Overview

During his recording career from 1950 to 1975, Frizzell released over 100 singles across Columbia, Decca, and other labels, with 37 charting on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and 8 reaching number one: 'If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time),' 'I Love You a Thousand Ways,' 'Always Late (With Your Kisses),' 'Mom and Dad's Waltz,' 'My Baby's Gone,' 'Saginaw, Michigan,' 'Don't Take It Out on Me,' and 'That's the Way I Feel.' His catalog includes multiple gold albums, and his songs have been covered by artists across multiple genres, with 'Long Black Veil' becoming one of the most recorded country songs in history with over 200 versions. His recordings have sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

Key Albums

  • Listen to Lefty Frizzell (1959)
  • The Long Black Veil (1959)
  • Sings the Songs of Jimmie Rodgers (1951)
  • Lefty Frizzell Sings (1956)
  • The Best of Lefty Frizzell (1964)
  • For the Good Times (1970)

Key Songs

  • If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)
  • I Love You a Thousand Ways
  • Long Black Veil
  • Always Late (With Your Kisses)
  • Mom and Dad's Waltz
  • Saginaw, Michigan
  • My Baby's Gone
  • Gonna Have a Little Talk
  • Don't Take It Out on Me
  • I'm an Old, Old Man
  • Cigarettes and Coffee Blues
  • That's the Way I Feel

Career Timeline

  1. 1947 Made first radio appearance at KBOC in Corsicana, Texas; performed locally under name 'Lefty Frizzell'
  2. 1949 Won talent contest at the Corsicana rodeo; earned recording contract with Columbia Records
  3. 1950 Debut single 'If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)' reached number one on country charts; 'I Love You a Thousand Ways' also hit number one
  4. 1951 Released 'Always Late (With Your Kisses)' and 'Mom and Dad's Waltz,' both number-one hits; released album 'Sings the Songs of Jimmie Rodgers'
  5. 1952 Released 'My Baby's Gone,' which became fourth number-one single; appeared in first film 'The Last Wagon'
  6. 1953 Drafted into U.S. Army; served for two years during Korean War
  7. 1955 Discharged from military; returned to recording with 'Gonna Have a Little Talk' and 'Don't Take It Out on Me'
  8. 1957 Released 'Cigarettes and Coffee Blues'; career momentum slowed due to personal problems
  9. 1959 Released albums 'Listen to Lefty Frizzell' and 'The Long Black Veil,' featuring classic honky tonk recordings
  10. 1960 Signed with Decca Records; continued recording but with diminishing commercial success
  11. 1964 Released 'The Best of Lefty Frizzell' compilation album
  12. 1970 Released 'For the Good Times' album; recorded final sessions
  13. 1975 Died from cardiac arrest in Nashville at age 47; career spanned 25 years
  14. 1982 Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously

Influence Graph

How Lefty Frizzell sits in the influence chain

Influenced by

Influenced

  • Merle Haggard
  • Willie Nelson
  • George Jones
  • Johnny Cash
  • Doug Kershaw
  • George Strait
  • Alan Jackson

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