15 / 16
127
S e s s i o n s Ma y 8 & J u n e 4 , 1 9 5 4
78
RPM
single C
OLUMBIA
21452
45
RPM
single C
OLUMBIA
4-21293
For the first time in The Gang's recorded history, a session was planned for a spe-
cific album release, 'Joy To The World' (1954). They recorded seven Christmas songs
on this date, and all of them were the old-time traditional favorites, some several
centuries old. For unknown reasons, the eighth title
While Shepherds Watch Their
Flocks By Night
, was postponed until the next session.
The Chuck Wagon Gang's producer, Don Law, requested two songs for them to
record:
Tattler's Wagon
and
O Why Not To-Night
. In later years, Roy Carter recalled
that there were only a couple of times in The Gang's years with C
OLUMBIA
that their
producer ever suggested a song for them to record.
Tattler's Wagon
had been previ-
ously recorded and released by The Jordanaires on C
APITOL
R
ECORDS
in 1953. There
was no written music for the song, so the arrangement was worked out completely
by ear, which was uncommon for the gospel material of the Chuck Wagon Gang.
Tattler's Wagon
was certainly an unusual song in nature and theme for the Gang,
and has been well-remembered down through the years. Even though the song re-
ceived a lot of airplay, it was never reissued on an album, so when the single went
out of print, the song could not be bought. Eventually, because of the original sin-
gle's obscurity, the CWG re-recorded the song for two other labels in later years.
O
Why Not To-Night
was postponed to the next session along with the remainder of
the Christmas album.
June 4, 1954 • Jim Beck Studio, 1914 Forest Avenue, Dallas, Texas • Producer: Don Law
Rosa Lola Lee 'Rose' Carter Karnes: soprano vocal; Effie Juanita 'Anna' Carter Gordon: alto vocal; David P. 'Dad'
Carter: tenor vocal; Roy Carter: bass vocal; Howard Gordon/guitar
125. Co 51624
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Co 21286 Co HL 9027
JB 205 (Nahum Tate - George F. Handel) BCD 17348-5/17
126. Co 51625
I've Got That Old Time Religon In My Heart
Co 21452, Co B 2815 BCD 17348-5/18
JB 206 (Hurdist Milsap)
127. Co 51626
O Why Not To-Night?
Co 21293, Co B 2815 BCD 17348-5/19
JB 207 (E. Reed - J.C. Bushey)
128. Co 51627
In The Sweet Forever
Co 21452, Co B 2815 Ha HL 7355
JB 208 (Luther. G. Presley) BCD 17348-5/20
This session began with
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
; thereby finishing their
first Christmas album, 'Joy To The World.' Hurdist Milsap's song,
I've Got That Old
Time Religion In My Heart
, is a southern gospel favorite sung by many groups includ-
ing The LeFevres and The Speer Family. Anna really poured on the coals on this
fiery number. This song was only issued as a single and never made its way to an
album, so this collection makes it available for the first time since the single went
out of print.
O Why Not To-Night
, recorded per request of Don Law, is an old song of
the church that should be familiar to most people. Luther G. Presley's
In The Sweet
Forever
has been recorded by many male and mixed groups, and is still a popular
song today. Both Rose and Anna take turns throughout the song. The current
Chuck Wagon Gang began performing this again after re-recording it in 2009.
Marty Stuart's mother, Hilda, says,
"This is one of my all-time favorites the Chuck Wagon
Gang ever did."