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Thread: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

  1. #26

    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Hi, Allen,

    I found a lot of references to the String-A-Longs on Google. Here's some info from wikipedia. Isn't amazing this great tune has gone into obscurity?

    The String-A-Longs were an instrumental group from Plainview, Texas, produced by Norman Petty on Warwick Records. They consisted of Richard Stephens, lead guitar, Keith McCormack and Jimmy Torres, rhythm guitars, Aubrey de Cordova, bass guitar and Don Allen, drums.[1]

    Their biggest hit single was their first, "Wheels", in 1961 (released in 1960). The tune peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the number 8 single of 1961 according to Billboard.[2] The track reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[4] In Britain later the same year the tune was revived by the Joe Loss Orchestra as "Wheels Cha Cha"; it reached #21. It became popular in France later in 1961 under the title "Dans le cœur de ma blonde". Billy Vaughn was at number one in the German singles charts with the song for 14 weeks; in the USA he reached #28.

    The String-A-Longs followed up "Wheels" with "Brass Buttons" (U.S. #35), "Should I", and "Replica".

  2. #27
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    So Marian, all we need is a "where are they now?"
    Allen Hopkins
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  3. #28

    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    I am so glad that I found this site. I hope that I can post here, but I don't play any instrument. Years and years and years ago, I heard Wheels (the vocal version--not the instrumental one by The String-A-Longs). The only lyrics that I can remember are: "All aboard, the honeymoon train is here, all aboard, the honeymoon train is here. Listen to the music of the wheels."

    Right around the same time, I heard a vocal version of Down Yonder. The lyrics (little that I can recall) were: "Down yonder, someone's waiting for me . . . la la la and the Robert E. Lee."

    I hope that someone out there remembers these and can help me find the actual songs. This would have been the mid-to-late 1960s.

  4. #29
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Wheels vocal version by Johnny Duncan:



    Down Yonder vocal version by Champ Butler (or Norman Brooks):



    Those "Daddy and Mammy, Ephraim and Sammy" lyrics put it in the same league as other songs like Waiting For the Robert E. Lee and Mississippi Mud -- 20th century versions of the minstrel-show, ersatz-African-American ethos.

    Cool melody, though.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  5. #30

    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Wheels vocal version by Johnny Duncan:



    Down Yonder vocal version by Champ Butler (or Norman Brooks):



    Those "Daddy and Mammy, Ephraim and Sammy" lyrics put it in the same league as other songs like Waiting For the Robert E. Lee and Mississippi Mud -- 20th century versions of the minstrel-show, ersatz-African-American ethos.

    Cool melody, though.
    This is fantastic! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  6. #31
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Quote Originally Posted by OldGrayMare1954 View Post
    This is fantastic! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
    You're welcome. Actual thanx to YouTube and Google.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  7. #32
    Registered User Andy Alexander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Dan Tyminski does another song called "Wheels" which is the title track of an album he did maybe 5 years ago.

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  9. #33
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy Alexander View Post
    Dan Tyminski does another song called "Wheels" which is the title track of an album he did maybe 5 years ago.
    Which is clearly not the one being discussed.

  10. #34
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    leo kottke did Wheels on one of his first albums I believe. I listened to the the vocal version with the train and am pretty sure same tune just that leo kept instumental

  11. #35
    Registered User Sandy Beckler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    There's a Gram Parsons tune called Wheels, recorded by the Flying Burrito Brothers and the Knoxville Grass, for two, as well as by Parsons. The String-A-Longs had a Ventures-like instrumental hit called Wheels in 1961. A quick Google search will bring up YouTube "videos" of each. If neither of them is what you're looking for, there may be more to the title than that one word.
    A true classic...Gram Parsons, The Burrito Brothers...Sneaky Pete....Oh how I long for those days.

    Sandy

  12. #36

    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    I have a recording of Hank Marvin (The Shadows) playing ithe instrumental "Wheels" on one his albums... Oops - Steel Wheel...

  13. #37
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    I have a Chet Atkins instrumental of it. Don't know if this is the "Wheels" you are looking for. It is a great version.

  14. #38
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    There used to be a YouTube video of the McGee Brothers playing it on the Wilburn Brothers show. I can't find it, but here is another version of that tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzL4ntNwpH8

  15. #39
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    It was the B side on an old 45 I had a lifetime ago. Good tune. I think the Ventures did it too.

  16. #40
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    Mention “Wheels” to anyone of a certain age in the UK and people think of Hank Marvin and visualise this - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=flxqNMqxTRY

    I doubt that this is the tune the o/p was looking for all those years ago!

  17. #41
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    Default Re: Anyone know an old country music tune "Wheels"?

    @Mike Bunting: I found the lyrics on this website: https://www.classic-country-song-lyr...icschords.html (this site enables you to change the Key as well - very useful). I also found it on YouTube by Emmylou Harris-very nicely done with a mandolin lead after 1st verse & chorus. I have an instrumental of Wheels by Chet Atkins, but don't believe it is the same song. I recorded it from YouTube with my recorder on my laptop. I am unable to attach the M4A format file as I recorded it.

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