Thursday, June 19, 2008

Beatles + Beverly Hillbillies = Jerry Inman


The humble ol' guitarist Ace Tipton recalls that Jerry Inman "never quite made it to the big time but recorded a Beatles album that done quite well. Jerry was like a wind up jukebox when I met him. He knew every country song there was and could sing them non-stop for hours. Jerry passed away some time ago due to stomach problems of which he fought for years."
In 1968, following the Beatles covers album, Jerry was voted "Most Promising Male Vocalist" at The Academy of Country Music Third Annual Awards Show. He managed to get himself onto the "Glen Campbell Good Time Hour" in May of 1969 singing "Mississippi Woman." But, that's not why you're reading this.
What you want, is to hear how a bluegrass picker can scramble-up a damn frisky version of "I've Just seen a Face," recalling the banjo stylings used by Flatt & Scruggs (who made The Beverly Hillbillies theme a hit). Jerry's singing is ok, but it's the C&W arrangement that makes it great. We cool down with another track from Jerry's all-Beatles album, a croon of "And I Love Her."
For the record, the record's JERRY INMAN- R.F.D.- (Lennon & McCartney Country Style). He also released "You Betchum!" for Elektra in 1976. His last chart action was a cover of "Why Baby Why" in 1978. Cool stuff; Jerry's music was in, man.

2 C&W Beatles Covers

12 comments:

  1. not on the subject of this post, but ... came across your blog, and was delighted to see Paul the Puffin announcing the MP3 links! Harks back to the early a.m. cartoon days for you?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous2:10 PM

    Two time winner of the best Country guitarist of the year award. His version of From Me to You is the sweetest thing I've ever heard.
    Tom W.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations, Carolyna...you're the first to mention him, and the site went up more than two years ago!

    Nobody ever asked "who or what IS the illfolks bird?"

    To my knowledge, Paul was never animated, so I like to think that I've helped him live a little, in a different way than his storybook.

    ReplyDelete
  4. you can see Jerry lurking arund in the background with the Gene Davis Band on some of the old Star Route clips (from 1964) with the Collins Kids, Glen Campbell, etc.. he'd left the group for a time and Bobby Durham had replaced him, but he still pops up in a few.

    Later led the house band at the Palomino Club in the mid 70s, and yes he's an a Clint Eastwood film from that era in a bar scene ... he was all over LA in the 60s and 70s.

    J.

    ReplyDelete
  5. p.s. cool post, thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. does anyone know where jerry inman is buried? any information at all
    will be very appreciated.
    thanks dottie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:33 PM

    Jerry was my uncle, did'nt really know him well because he and my aunt Shirley divorced when I wes little. My cousin Scotty misses him dearly.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous10:10 PM

    Polkadot544, Jerry is buried in Texas. He was my brother in law.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JI was a great guy, loved to watch him perform. He was great friends with my steo dad and would visit often when playing at the Palomino. RIP JI

    ReplyDelete
  10. JI eventually moved to a small town called Gilroy, CA and made many good friends, one of which was my dad. Uncle Jerry is very missed and his huge laugh and smile will always be part of my best memories. I wish Scott knew how important their family has been to me. Thank you for this post/blog. Good to know people still remember & appreciate JI

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jerry was like a son to my mom in ottumwa Iowa
    He played and sang battle of new Orleans for me when I was very young.played with my brother in a band for a little while.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Terri Taylor Valcoure11:34 PM

    I was just a kid when my mom, Sonja (Sunny)Taylor and Jerry Inman were friends. The Palomino was the place to be! I still remember the lyrics to his songs after all these years. Man, those are some great memories! Oh, and I remember a DJ named Larry Scott playing his songs! Larry was a friend to them as well.

    ReplyDelete