Episode 1 – Red Simpson

Red Simpson was working at the Wagon Wheel in Lamont, California when Fuzzy Owen saw him and arranged for Simpson to work at his Clover Club as a piano player. He then got a job replacing Buck Owens at the Blackboard Club on weekends. Simpson began writing songs with Owens in 1962, including the Top Ten hit “Gonna Have Love.” In 1965, Capitol records producer Ken Nelson was looking for someone to record some songs about trucking. His first choice was Haggard, who wasn’t interested, but Simpson readily agreed. His first, Tommy Collins’ “Roll, Truck, Roll,” became a Top 40 country hit and Simpson recorded an album of the same name. That year he offered up two more trucking songs, both of which made it to the Top 50 or beyond. As a songwriter, he scored his first number one hit with “Sam’s Place,” recorded by Buck Owens. After that, Simpson decided to become a full-time writer. He returned to performing in 1971 with his Top Five hit “I’m a Truck,” which had been written by postman Bob Staunton.

Still interested? Visit the artist’s Wikipedia entry to learn more about this episode’s guest.