"Bandera Waltz" is a song written by O. B. "Easy" Adams.[1][2][3][4][5]
It is a Western cowboy ballad.[6][7][8] According to the book Country Music USA, it talks about "the famous Bandera Stampede in Texas".[7]
This was the first song released by the Texas Top Hands on their own Everstate record label in 1949. The song became a regional hit and has since been considered "a dance hall classic".[3]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "That's The Only Way" | John Currie | 2:45 |
| 2. | "Bandera Waltz" | Easy Adams | 2:45 |
Jimmy Wakely version
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard | positive[8] |
Jimmy Wakely released his rendition on Capitol in 1950 (cat. no. 1240, c/w "Pot o' Cold").[11] Billboard gave a positive review: "A sensational cowboy waltz is warbled to a turn by Wakely, smartly backed by smooth-playing combo."[8]
Slim Whitman version
edit| "Bandera Waltz" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Slim Whitman | ||||
| A-side | "Bandera Waltz" "End of the World" | |||
| Released | 1952 | |||
| Length | 2:40 | |||
| Label | Imperial | |||
| Songwriter(s) | [ | |||
| Slim Whitman singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Slim Whitman recorded his version, along with "Love Song of the Waterfall", "My Love Is Growing Stale", and "End of the World", in November 1951 at KWKH.[12]
The first big hit ["Love Song of the Waterfall"] to be recorded at KWKH was by a yodeling tenor balladeer, Slim Whitman, who joined the Hayride in May 1950. Recently signed to Imperial Records, his day job as a postman prevented him from traveling to California for a recording session. Slim turned to Bob Sullivan in seeking a solution to his dilemma. "Sully, can you cut me a record?" The answer was in the affirmative with the proviso that the session could only take place when KWKH was off air. In November 1951 "Love Song of the Waterfall," "My Love Is Growing Stale," "Bandera Waltz," and "End of the World" were recorded one morning.
— Shreveport Sounds in Black and White[12]
Whitman's first single for Imperial would be "Love Song of the Waterfall" coupled with "My Love Is Growing Stale", following by "Bandera Waltz" coupled with "End of the World".
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bandera Waltz" | O. B. Easy Adams | 2:40 |
| 2. | "End of the World" | Jerry Whitman | 2:35 |
References
edit- ^ "Original versions of Bandera Waltz written by Easy Adams". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ Bush, Johnny; Mitchell, Ricky (24 May 2017). Whiskey River (Take My Mind): The True Story of Texas Honky-Tonk. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-1-4773-1548-4.
- ^ a b Barkley, Roy R. (2003). The Handbook of Texas Music. Texas State Historical Association. p. 318. ISBN 978-0-87611-193-2.
- ^ "The Journal of Country Music". 1986.
- ^ "Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series". 1953.
- ^ Laird, Tracey E. W. (2000). Shreveport's KWKH: A City and Its Radio Station in the Evolution of Country Music and Rock-and-roll. University of Michigan. ISBN 978-0-599-68147-7.
- ^ a b Bill C. Malone; Tracey E. W. Laird (2018). Country Music USA: 50th Anniversary Edition. University of Texas Press. p. 279. ISBN 978-1-4773-1535-4.
- ^ a b c "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. October 28, 1950 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Tracks on That's the Only Way - Texas Top Hands (November 1949)". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ "Texas Top Hands – That's The Only Way / Bandera Waltz (1949, Shellac)". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. October 7, 1950 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Lornell, Kip; Laird, Tracey E. W. (February 17, 2010). Shreveport Sounds in Black and White. Univ. Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-4968-0062-6 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Slim Whitman - Bandera Waltz / End Of The World". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
- ^ "Slim Whitman - Bandera Waltz". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-03-13.