Al Dexter

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Al Dexter
Background information
Birth nameClarence Albert Poindexter
Born(1905-05-04)May 4, 1905
Jacksonville, Texas, U.S.
DiedJanuary 28, 1984(1984-01-28) (aged 78)
Lewisville, Texas, U.S.
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1936–1968
Website

Clarence Albert Poindexter (May 4, 1905 – January 28, 1984),[1] known best as Al Dexter, was an American country musician and songwriter.

He is best known today for his most popular song "

Andrews Sisters
.

Biography

Born in

honky tonk.[2] He made his recording debut on November 28, 1936, for ARC Records.[3] and was probably the first artist to ever use the term "honky tonk" in a country song when he recorded "Honky Tonk Blues" at his first session.[2][4]

His self-penned hit, "

Dexter was the first country singer to perform on Broadway, and in 1971, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.[1]

He died on January 28, 1984, in Lewisville, Texas.[1]

On August 21, 2010, Dexter was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall Of Fame, located in Carthage, Texas. Other inductees that night were George Jones along with composer Ray Winkler.

Following Al Dexter's death in 1984, his family discovered 50 master tapes containing studio recordings. In 2010, Al Dexter's son, Carl Wayne Poindexter, released the three-disc CD box set entitled Al Dexter's Found Masters Volume 1–3 on his independent record label, Al Dexter Estate Productions. This professionally produced collection contained digitally re-mastered studio recordings which were made by Dexter with various band line-ups and configurations.

Discography

Albums

Year Single Label
1954 Songs of the Southwest Columbia
1961 Pistol Packin' Mama Harmony
1962 Sings and Plays His Greatest Hits Capitol
1968 The Original Pistol Packin' Mama Hilltop

Singles

Year Single Chart Positions
US Country US
1936 "Honky Tonk Blues"
1937 "Honky Tonk Baby"
1939 "Jelly Roll Special"
"My Troubles Don't Trouble Me No More"
"Daddy's In The Doghouse Now"[6] 4
1941 "Down At The Roadside Inn"
"The Money You Spent Was Mine"
"You Will Always Be My Darling"
"Darling, It's All Over Now"
"Meet Me Down In Honky Tonk Town"
1942 "Honky Tonk Chinese Dime"
1943 "Pistol Packin' Mama" 1 1
"Rosalita" 1 22
1944 "So Long Pal" 1
"Too Late to Worry, Too Blue to Cry" 1 18
1945 "I'm Losing My Mind Over You" 1
"I'll Wait for You Dear" 2
"Triflin' Gal" 2
"I'm Lost Without You" 5
1946 "Guitar Polka" 1 16
"Honey Do You Think It's Wrong" 2
"Wine Women and Song" 1
"It's Up to You" 3
1947 "Kokomo Island" 4
"Down at the Roadside Inn" 4
1948 "Rock and Rye Rag" 14
"Calico Rag" 11

References

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ a b Russell, p. 235.
  3. ^ Russell, Pinson, p. 314.
  4. ^ La Chapelle, p. 150.
  5. ^ Russell, p. 236.
  6. ^ "Hillbilly Recordings – Month Ending November 25, 1939" (PDF). The Billboard. Cincinnati, Ohio. November 25, 1939. p. 68. Retrieved July 17, 2021.

Bibliography

  • Peter La Chapelle, Proud To Be An Okie, University of California Press, 2007
  • Tony Russell, Country Music Originals: The Legends and the Lost, Oxford University Press, 2007
  • Tony Russell, Bob Pinson, Country Music Records: A Discography 1921–1942, Oxford University Press, 2004

External links