George Croft’s American Music Show

GCAMS Episode 34: Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline: The Queen of Country Music Patsy Cline (1932–1963) was an American country music singer whose powerful voice, emotional delivery, and crossover appeal made her one of the most influential figures in country music history. Often called the "Queen of Country," she broke barriers for women in the genre, blending heartfelt ballads with pop sensibilities. Her career was tragically short, but her legacy endures through timeless hits and her role in elevating country music's prestige. Early Life Born: Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 30, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. Background: Raised in a poor family during the Great Depression, she grew up in rural Virginia. Her father abandoned the family when she was young, leaving her mother to support Patsy and her siblings through factory work. Patsy dropped out of high school at 16 to help financially, working as a soda shop clerk and secretary. Early Influences: Inspired by stars like Judy Garland, Perry Como, and country singers such as Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb. She taught herself piano and began performing locally as a teenager. Rise to Fame First Break: In 1954, at age 21, she won Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts TV show with "Walkin' After Midnight," which became her first hit in 1957, reaching No. 12 on the country charts and No. 2 on the pop charts. Key Milestones: Marriage and Family: Married Gerald Cline in 1953 (divorced 1957); then Charlie Dick in 1957. They had two children: Julia (1958) and Randy (1961). Personality: Known for her bold, no-nonsense attitude, generosity (she mentored Loretta Lynn), and love of luxury—furs, jewelry, and Cadillacs. She survived a near-fatal 1961 car accident, which left facial scars she covered with makeup. Challenges: Faced sexism in the male-dominated industry, throat surgery in 1959, and depression after personal losses. Tragic Death On March 5, 1963, at age 30, Cline died in a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee. She was returning from a charity benefit with fellow stars Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas. The small Piper Comanche hit trees in bad weather, killing all aboard. Her death shocked the music world and cemented her iconic status—fans left flowers at her grave for years.

GCAMS Episode 33: Conway Twitty

Conway Twitty (September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician, born Harold Lloyd Jenkins in Friars Point, Mississippi. He had a prolific career, recording 55 No. 1 singles, more than any other artist in any genre at the time, earning him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Early Life and Career Shift
Twitty grew up in Helena, Arkansas, and started performing as a teenager, initially pursuing a career in rockabilly under the name Conway Twitty, inspired by Conway, Arkansas, and Twitty, Texas. His early hit, "It's Only Make Believe" (1958), reached No. 1 on the pop charts, showcasing his smooth, emotive voice. After a stint in rock and roll, he switched to country music in the mid-1960s, finding his true calling.
Country Music Success
Twitty’s country career took off with hits like "Hello Darlin'" (1970), a signature song that topped the country charts. His style blended traditional country with a soulful, romantic edge, often focusing on themes of love, heartbreak, and longing. Notable hits include:
"You've Never Been This Far Before" (1973)
"Linda on My Mind" (1975)
"Don't Take It Away" (1979)
"Tight Fittin' Jeans" (1981)
He was known for his duets, particularly with Loretta Lynn, with whom he recorded classics like "After the Fire Is Gone" and "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man." The duo won multiple CMA Awards for Vocal Duo of the Year.
Style and Legacy
Twitty’s deep, resonant voice and ability to convey raw emotion made him a standout. He wrote many of his own songs and was a savvy businessman, investing in music publishing and even a theme park, Twitty City, in Tennessee. His influence persists in country music, with artists like George Strait and Alan Jackson citing him as an inspiration.
Personal Life and Death
Twitty married three times and had four children. He was known for his charisma and dedication to fans. Tragically, he collapsed on tour in 1993 and died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm at age 59.

GCAMS Episode 31: Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie (1912–1967) was an American folk singer-songwriter, born in Okemah, Oklahoma. He’s best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land," a folk anthem that captures the spirit of the American working class. Guthrie’s music, rooted in the struggles of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era, gave voice to the disenfranchised—farmers, laborers, and migrants. His songs blended protest, storytelling, and social commentary, often with a sharp wit and unpolished honesty.
He traveled widely, hitching rides and riding freight trains, which shaped his perspective and lyrics. His output includes hundreds of songs, like "Pastures of Plenty" and "Deportee," addressing inequality, labor rights, and human dignity. Guthrie was a key influence on the folk revival of the 1940s–60s, inspiring artists like Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger. He performed with the Almanac Singers, a group that promoted union causes and anti-fascist messages during WWII.
Politically, Guthrie leaned left, sympathizing with socialist and communist ideals, though he wasn’t formally tied to any party. His guitar famously bore the slogan “This Machine Kills Fascists.” He wrote columns for leftist newspapers and even penned a semi-autobiographical novel, Bound for Glory.
Later in life, Guthrie suffered from Huntington’s disease, a genetic disorder that progressively impaired his health, leading to his death in 1967. His legacy endures through his music, archived at places like the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, and his influence on folk, country, and protest music. His son, Arlo Guthrie, also became a notable musician.

GCAMS Episode 30: Vern Gosdin

Vern Gosdin (August 5, 1934 – April 28, 2009) was an American country music singer and songwriter, known as "The Voice" for his emotive delivery. Born in Woodland, Alabama, he grew up in a musical family, singing gospel with his siblings as the Gosdin Family. In the 1960s, he moved to California, forming the Gosdin Brothers with brother Rex, blending country with folk and recording minor hits like "Hangin' On." After a brief retirement, Gosdin launched a solo career in the late 1970s, achieving success with albums like Never My Love and hits such as "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance" and "Set 'Em Up Joe." His 1988 album Chiseled in Stone was a career peak, earning CMA Song of the Year for the title track. Known for his traditional country style, Gosdin recorded 19 studio albums, charting 19 Top 10 hits. He faced health issues, including strokes, and passed away in 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee, leaving a legacy as a soulful country artist. #VernGosdin #CountryMusic #ClassicCountry #TheVoiceOfCountry #ChiseledInStone #CountryMusicLegend #TraditionalCountry #CountryMusicHistory #GosdinBrothers #NashvilleSound #GCAMS

GCAMS Episode 29: Guy Clark

Guy Clark (1941–2016) was a renowned American singer-songwriter, often hailed as one of the architects of the Americana and outlaw country genres. Born in Monahans, Texas, on November 6, 1941, he grew up in a musical environment influenced by the folk revival scene in Houston during the 1960s, where he honed his craft writing poetic, narrative-driven songs about life's hardships, wanderers, and the American Southwest. Clark released over 20 albums, starting with his debut Old No. 1 in 1975, and penned classics like "Desperados Waiting for a Train," "L.A. Freeway," and "To Live Is to Fly," many of which became hits for other artists such as Johnny Cash, The Highwaymen, and Willie Nelson. He won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Folk Album with My Favorite Picture of You, named after a photograph of his wife Susanna. Clark's home in Nashville became a creative epicenter for the 1970s singer-songwriter community, as captured in the documentary Heartworn Highways. He passed away on May 17, 2016, in Nashville after a long battle with lymphoma.
Relationship with Susanna Clark
Susanna Talley Clark (1939–2012) was Guy's wife, muse, and creative partner, as well as a painter and songwriter in her own right, contributing to the same Texas country and folk circles. Born in Atlanta, Texas, she met Guy in the late 1960s amid Houston's bohemian music scene, and they married in 1972—with Townes Van Zandt serving as best man. Their union was unconventional and deeply intertwined with their art; Susanna's paintings often inspired Guy's songs, and she co-wrote tracks like "I'll Be Here in the Morning" (originally for Townes). The couple's Nashville home in the 1970s was an open-door haven for musicians, fostering collaborations amid a backdrop of love, addiction struggles, and artistic intensity. They separated briefly in 1989 due to personal and professional pressures but reconciled in 1995, remaining together until Susanna's death from cancer on June 27, 2012. Their relationship is the subject of the 2021 documentary Without Getting Killed or Caught, which portrays it as a passionate, complicated bond that fueled much of Guy's most enduring work. Susanna's influence extended to the broader scene, as she was known for her warmth and role in nurturing talents like Townes.
Friendship with Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997), another Texas troubadour and one of folk music's most revered songwriters, shared one of the closest and most legendary friendships with Guy Clark. They met in the mid-1960s Houston folk clubs and quickly bonded over their shared love of storytelling through music, with Guy often citing Townes as a profound influence on his concise, evocative style. The two were inseparable in the 1970s Nashville and Austin scenes, frequently collaborating—such as on the 2001 live album Together at the Bluebird Cafe (recorded in 1995 with Steve Earle)—and appearing together in Heartworn Highways. A iconic 1972 photograph by Al Clayton captures the trio of Guy, Susanna, and Townes on their porch, symbolizing their tight-knit dynamic. Townes and Susanna also shared a deep emotional connection, co-writing "Heavenly Houseboat Blues" and forming what some describe as a spiritual soul-mate bond within the marriage; Susanna was reportedly in love with both men, adding layers of complexity but ultimately strengthening their creative circle. Guy included Townes' songs like "If I Needed You" on many of his albums, and their friendship endured until Townes' death from health complications in 1997. Both were interviewed for Townes' 2008 biography A Deeper Blue, highlighting their mutual respect.

GCAMS Episode 28: Randy Mandy and the Frequency Experience

In this episode we sit down with Randy and Amanda Russell of Randy Mandy and the Frequency Experience at the Kennedy Meadows Music Festival. Please enjoy and check them out on Instagram @randymandyband.

GCAMS Episode 27: Kenzie Duboiz

Kenzie DuBoiz is an emerging independent artist blending introspective storytelling with a genre-fluid sound that straddles country, pop, and hip-hop. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, she carved her path by self-releasing raw, emotionally charged tracks like *High On My Horse* and *Barely Gettin By*, which combine stripped-down acoustic vibes with modern, beat-driven production. Her lyrics often reflect personal struggles and triumphs, with themes of resilience, mental health, and unapologetic self-discovery. DuBoiz gained traction through grassroots platforms like TikTok and YouTube, where her soulful vocals and DIY ethos resonated with fans drawn to her authenticity. She often collaborates with her brother, producer Jax DuBoiz, creating music that feels both intimate and defiantly experimental. Recent tracks like *One Lifetime* and *Empty* showcase her knack for pairing vulnerable lyricism with catchy hooks, solidifying her as a bold voice in the "alt-country-meets-bedroom-pop" space.

GCAMS Episode 26: Interview with Zach Neil

Zach Neil
Zach Neil is the 2022 Texas Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year and has earned 5 consecutive Top 40 Texas Country singles - not bad for someone who planned to follow in his dads footsteps and farm. Farming is the family business, but Zach decided take that work ethic and apply it to a career in music. As a singer, songwriter and live performer, Zach uniquely  puts his own twist on country music. 
​
"I love playing live. Every show is different, every crowd is different. Each night on stage is a chance for me to grow and share my love of country music!"
And that's exactly what he's doing with a heavy touring schedule ahead for 2025. Check the Tour tab to find out where Zach will be!
​
Texas hits include:
​
- When She Drinks Whiskey (2019)
- Something In the Stars (2020)
- Half Bad (2021)
- Long Live the Cowboy (2022)
-All the Pretty Horses (2022)
Till The Numbers Run Out (2024)
​
New music is coming early this year, and all Zach's music is available to stream now!

GCAMS Episode 25: Lefty Frizzell

Lefty Frizzell: The Honky-Tonk Legend
William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country music singer-songwriter widely regarded as one of the most influential vocal stylists in the genre's history. Known for his pioneering honky-tonk style, Frizzell's relaxed, note-bending delivery—characterized by drawn-out syllables, emotional inflections, and a smooth, slurring phrasing—revolutionized country singing. He drew inspiration from Jimmie Rodgers' yodeling and blue yodels, but Frizzell made it his own, creating a template that shaped generations of artists. His voice was described as "liquid" and soulful, capable of evoking deep emotion, and he often performed in flashy Western suits with tasseled details and bandanas, embodying the honky-tonk archetype. Frizzell's career was marked by explosive early success, personal struggles, and a lasting legacy, despite dying young from a stroke at age 47.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born in Corsicana, Texas, as the first of eight children to an oilfield roughneck father, Frizzell grew up in poverty, moving frequently between oil towns in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. As a child, he was nicknamed "Sonny" at home but earned "Lefty" from a schoolyard fight where he led with his left hand (though some accounts suggest it was a publicity stunt by his record label). He discovered music early, learning guitar and idolizing Jimmie Rodgers and Western swing singer Tommy Duncan. By age 12, he was performing on radio station KELD in El Dorado, Arkansas, and winning talent contests in Dallas.
Frizzell's teens were turbulent: He married Alice Harper in 1945 at age 16 (or 17, per some sources) and supported his family with odd jobs, including newspaper routes and oilfield work. Tragedy struck in 1947 when, at 19, he was convicted of statutory rape involving an underage fan and served six months in jail in Roswell, New Mexico. While incarcerated, he wrote heartfelt poems to Alice, one of which became the basis for his future hit "I Love You a Thousand Ways." After his release in 1948, he performed on radio stations like KGFL in Roswell and at honky-tonks across the Southwest, honing his style amid tours in Texas, Arkansas, and Las Vegas.
His big break came in 1950 in Big Spring, Texas, where talent scout Jim Beck heard him at the Ace of Clubs nightclub and recorded demos, including the unfinished "If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)." Beck pitched it to Columbia Records producer Don Law in Nashville, who signed Frizzell on the spot, impressed by his unique voice. The debut single, released that summer, was a double-sided #1 hit: "If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)" (a lively honky-tonk number) and "I Love You a Thousand Ways" (a tender ballad). Frizzell exploded onto the scene, becoming a rival to Hank Williams. In 1951 alone, he had eight Top 30 hits, including four simultaneous Top 10 entries—a feat unmatched at the time and later echoed by The Beatles on the pop charts. He joined the Grand Ole Opry that year and formed his band, the Western Cherokees, led by Blackie Crawford.
Career Highlights and Musical Style
Frizzell's peak from 1950 to 1954 produced 13 Top 10 country hits, including classics like "Always Late (With Your Kisses)" (#1, 1951), "I Want to Be With You Always" (#1, 1951), "Mom and Dad's Waltz" (#2, 1951), and "Travelin' Blues" (#3, 1951). His signature sound blended honky-tonk with Western swing influences from artists like Ernest Tubb and Ted Daffan, but Frizzell's vocal innovation—stretching words into multi-syllabic phrases and bending notes for emotional depth—set him apart. Songs like "Always Late" showcase his technique, starting with a steel guitar intro leading into his signature "ay-ays."
He was a prolific songwriter early on, penning many of his hits, but later relied on collaborations. After a career lull in the mid-1950s (due to burnout and frustration with Columbia not releasing his preferred material), he moved to Los Angeles in 1953 for the TV show Town Hall Party, which ended in 1960. Hits dried up amid the rock 'n' roll boom, but he scored occasional successes like "Cigarettes and Coffee Blues" (1959), "Long Black Veil" (1959, a folk standard later covered by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan and preserved in the National Recording Registry), and his final #1, "Saginaw, Michigan" (1964). In the 1960s, he relocated to Nashville, working at Cedarwood Publishing and co-writing with Sanger D. "Whitey" Shafer, yielding gems like "That's the Way Love Goes" (a #1 for Johnny Rodriguez in 1973 and Merle Haggard in 1983) and "I Never Go Around Mirrors."
Frizzell signed with ABC Records in 1972, releasing critically acclaimed albums like The Legendary Lefty Frizzell (1973) and The Classic Style of Lefty Frizzell (1974), though commercial success was limited. He was the first country artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and performed with his younger brother David Frizzell (a 1980s hitmaker known for duets with Shelly West). His famous guitar was a custom 1949 Gibson J-200 retrofitted by Paul Bigsby.

GCAMS Episode 24: Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, complex song structures, and emotionally charged ballads. Born in Vernon, Texas, he rose to fame in the 1960s with hits like "Only the Lonely," "Crying," "In Dreams," and "Oh, Pretty Woman." His music blended rock, pop, and country with a unique operatic style, characterized by his powerful, wide-ranging voice and dark, introspective lyrics.
Orbison's early career included work with Sun Records in the 1950s, alongside artists like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, but he found major success with Monument Records in the 1960s. His songs often explored themes of heartbreak and longing, delivered with a vulnerable yet commanding vocal style. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of his first wife, Claudette, in a 1966 motorcycle accident and two of his children in a 1968 house fire, Orbison continued to create music that resonated deeply with audiences.
In the 1980s, he experienced a career resurgence, collaborating with the Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup featuring Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty. His 1987 live performance, Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night, showcased his enduring talent. Orbison's music influenced artists across genres, from Bruce Springsteen to k.d. lang.
He died of a heart attack at 52, but his legacy endures through his timeless songs and inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His work continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and innovative style.