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| Great Depression-Era Hits Re-Released to Honor Country Music In the midst of the Great Depression and a changing American landscape, Al Dexter carved his path into country music history, selling more than 14 million records during his career. More than 25 years after his passing in 1984, Dexter's classic country music has been revived to produce and distribute Al Dexter's Found Masters, a collection of hits recorded directly from his original reel-to-reel master tapes. "Releasing this master collection of his music is just another way to honor him and his contribution to country music today, " Wayne Poindexter, Al Dexter's son and president of Al Dexter Music, LLC, said. "This release was our attempt to ensure his legacy doesn't fade, even 80 years after he first began recording his music." Born in 1905 as Clarence Albert Poindexter, Dexter's legacy reaches beyond the World War II era. One of his most notable contributions to today's country music came from a song he co-wrote with James B. Paris, "Honky Tonk Blues, " which is credited as the first time the term "honky tonk" was used in a country song?but certainly was not the last. These original master tapes highlight the clear sound of a picked guitar and harmonica, instruments that were almost a requirement for country music in its infancy. Dexter's pure voice illustrates a simpler time in the music world before mixers, vocoders and digitally altered sound, but it still paints a picture of real life struggles and personal stories. Dexter's blockbuster hit "Pistol Packin' Mama, " a song he wrote that was inspired by a friend's jealous wife and mistress, helped him break the country barrier into the popular hit parade in 1943. This song, also covered by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, made its mark with United States serviceman overseas in the mid-1940s, becoming one of the most popular names for bomber planes and Navy ships during World War II. Dexter was born to humble surroundings in 1905, obtaining only a grade school education after attending classes in rural schoolhouses around East Texas. Determined to be a performer, he found his footing by performing religious songs before he became a staple on jukeboxes across the country. He received 12 gold records for million-sellers from 1943 to 1948. Proceeds from sales of Al Dexter's Found Masters will benefit various charitable endeavors in East Texas?close to where Dexter made his start in music. "My father worked hard to be a part of country music, " Poindexter, said. "His contributions have been honored in many ways?including induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. By donating the proceeds from this collection, we're able to give back to the environment that welcomed him so long ago." write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |