GERALD MELLIX aka 'Southside' Jerry said on Feb 20, 2017 3:04 AM

If it weren't for Mr Doggett's "HONKY TONK" and Pittsburgh's DJ - Porky Chedwick playing it every day, I wouldn't be playing sax today. I fell in love with the sound of the classic organ quartet just because of that song. I can't remember the last time I played that tune with a B-3, drummer and guitar player. I hope before I retire from "Sho' Bid-ness" I get to do that tune again with a B-3, guitar and drummer. However, I play Honky Tonk part 2 at any gig that tune is appropriate. In fact, I just did it last night at New Brighton-PA's Wooley Bully's Juke Joint. I was with The Bob Vallecorsa Organ Trio (with drummer/singer Bobby Short). We didn't have a guitar player and only had time to play a version of Honky Tonk part 2 but I loved it and apparently so did our dancing audience. I rarely get to play part 1 because most guitar players don't know or remember it. And most keyboard players I've had the pleasure of working with don't have the sound of that old Hammond B-3 in their patch or carry a Leslie. Nor do they have the feel of Mr Doggett's Bluesy organ. Back in the day I use to do "RAM-BUNK-SHUSH", thinking it was written by Trombonist and Western PA. resident & musician, Harold Betters, because he played it all the time. His fans would never let him go home until he played it. I think it was a regional hit for him. Anyway, for the longest, I couldn't get the sax line down in the Honky Tonk tune and for me it was easier to play Ram-Bunk-Shush. Plus the band I was with back in 1963-1965, 'Little Willie Beck & The Crossfires, didn't have a keyboard player. Ram-Bunk-Shush was easier for us to pull off. By the time I came out of the Army in 1968, I owned Honky Tonk like it was an old and comfortable jacket that I'd wear every chance I'd get. And still do! I would love to know the name of the musicians that recorded "Honky Tonk" with Mr Doggett.