Willie Thomas Phelps (September 5, 1914 in
Chesapeake City – March 1, 2004) was an American songwriter and country and western guitarist. He performed with his brothers Norman and Earl as the
Phelps Brothers.
Findagrave.com
/ref> His songs were recorded by country artists such as Jim Reeves, and once by Elvis Presley. Phelps' songs featured in cowboy films in the 1930s; the three brothers had a screen appearance as Ray Whitley's cowboy band in ''Hittin' the Trail
''Hittin' the Trail'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury. It stars singing cowboy Tex Ritter and Hank Worden.
Plot
Penniless horse traders Tex and Hank meet a stranger in need of a horse. Though he has no money and ...
'' 1937, and Phelps' "Move Slow, Little Dogie" featured in the film '' The Renegade Ranger'' 1938.
In 1961 he saluted Jimmie Rodgers
James Charles Rodgers (September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as "the Father of Country Music", he is best known for his distinctive rhythmi ...
(died 1933) and Hank Williams
Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he reco ...
(died 1953) on an EP ''Willie Phelps Salutes Rodgers And Williams'', with the songs A1: "Hank Williams Meets Jimmie Rodgers", A2: "There's A New Star In Hillbilly Heaven", B1: "Hank Williams Will Live Forever", B2: "So Long Pal Jimmie"
Selected songs
*"The Merry Christmas Polka" Jim Reeves Twelve Songs of Christmas
''Twelve Songs of Christmas'' is an album by Jim Reeves released in the US in 1963. It was Reeves' first and only Christmas-themed release. The album was released by RCA Victor in stereo (LSP-2758) and mono (LPM-2758) respectively. The album ...
1963
*"When Jesus Calls" Stand by Me (Ernest Tubb album) 1966
*"I'm Beginning to Forget You" 1959 Elvis: A Legendary Performer Volume 4
Discography
;Phelps Brothers
*A: Were You Really Livin' / B: Playin' House
;Willie Phelps
* A: I'm Beginning To Forget You B: Do Anything But Leave Me 1957
* A: I Got A Feelin' B: Silver Box 1957
*A: Someone's Gonna Get Hurt Now B: All Too Soon They Grow Up 1966
References
1914 births
2004 deaths
American male songwriters
20th-century American musicians
20th-century American male musicians
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