SHOWS I MISSED AND LATER REGRETTED...

Writing about Conway and Loretta brought back memories of two concerts, in particular, that I was unable to get to and regretted for a long time. Conway Twitty was co-billing with George Jones in New York, but an unreal blizzard prevented me from making it. Shortly thereafter, he died. Conway was a prolific hitmaker, from hardcore country--the best, in my view being, "This Time I Hurt Her More (Than She Loves Me), to tons of I guess what can be call slick pop and adult contemporary. One of his earliest hits was "Hello Darlin'":

"Hello Darlin'"


A second concert I just couldn't get to featured one of my all-time favorites, Marty Robbins. A consummate singer, songwriter, performer, he was also a ham, but his fans loved him. His voice was magnificent and he excelled at all forms of music, from cowboy songs to Mexican-themed tunes to Hawaiian music and the ballad. Here are three of his finest:

"The Same Two Lips"


"Devil Woman"


"Tonight Carmen"


Learn more about:

• Conway Twitty
• Marty Robbins

Porter Tubb

IT TAKES TWO, WHEN IT USED TO TAKE ONE: Duos I Love, Pt. 3

Loretta Lynn's first duo partner was Ernest Tubb. ET could have chosen anyone as a duo partner, but he believed in Loretta and wanted to give her a break, as he did to countless artists. They had a few hits, but Loretta struck gold when she teamed up with Conway Twitty. I believe their first hit duet, from 1971, was their finest musical collaboration. It came to mind recently when hearing an awesome version by Marty Stuart and Connie Smith on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree on WSM radio.

Here's Conway and Loretta's version of "After The Fire Is Gone."

Porter Tubb