They All Had Their Own Story

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It should’ve happened… multiple hits, a massive career, world recognition and all the rest.

 

Howard Cockett

“Last Will and Testimony of a Drinking Man”

Howard Cockett had a career pitching for

the Brooklyn Dodgers’ farm team, when he

got hit with a shoulder injury; followed by

a stay in the U.S. Navy. He was born Howie

Hausey, Christmas Day 1925 on a farm in

Yellow Pine, Louisiana. He had been pickin’ n’

grinnin’ for a spell and on his return he got the gumption to bring some tunes he had been hatchin’ to the

Louisiana Hayride. He got himself back stage and in front of soon-to-be big-time Johnny Horton (“Battle

of New Orleans”…) and his manager Floyd Tillman. He sang the three songs he had created and Johnny

and Floyd liked his tune “Honky Tonk Man.”

Hey, it was a “simpler” world, then: Johnny’n Floyd wanted a 1/3 piece of the action each, if Horton were

to record that “Honky Tonk” thing. Howie, with the excitement chills, agreed. The tune became the first

country hit for Johnny Horton (#9, May 5, 1955) and Howie moved nearby, to Fort Worth, Texas.

Howie got himself a contract with Dot Records. Folkie countryman Mac Wiseman anointed him with his

nickname and a first single—a rockabilly-like thing—“You Got Me Lying” was issued, in June 1957. Gosh,

it sounded like Johnny Cash during his Sun Record glory days. Didn’t do much, but a second single was

to follow, “Branded.” Cash-like Crockett became a regular on the Louisiana Hayride and Horton

continued to record his tunes; though none was as ape-sized as “Honky Tonk Man.” Over the next few

years he recorded for Dixie, Hamilton, Manco, and Solar. Two country mainstreamer favorites were cut

for Mercury off-shot, Smash—“Deep Elm Dave” and “Break Away Billy Boy.”

In 1973, Crockett got his one and only mini-sized C&W chart entry, with his Cash-ish vocalizations–“Last

Will & Testimony (of a Drinking Man)” (#52, C&W May 19, 1973). No near hits were to trail and with

Howie’s wife’s death, he recorded…

Give a listen: “Don’t Go To Nashville In the Summer, Songwriter, Or You’ll Freeze to Death and Won’t

Know Why.”

Before his succumbing to a long-standing cancer, two days following Christmas Day 1994, another—

Dwight Yoakam–recharted—big-time, #3—with his “Honky Tonk Man.”

Crock deserved more than this…