Lee Hazlewood and Ann Margret :: The Cowboy & The Lady

The “Cowboy” got to Nashville on a Friday. His plane wasn’t a direct flight from Gobbler’s Knob, Kentucky, or Chittlin Switch, West Virginia. The “Cowboy” flew in from London. (He claimed it was a business trip). The “Cowboy” was met at the airport by Donnie Owens (no relation to Buck) and Joe Nixon (no relation to Richard, though there is a rumor they have the same tailor). Donnie and Joe arrived in a new Caddy. The “Cowboy” had requested a limo, but his semi-clever associates thought a new Caddy ambulance would do well. (Funny cigarettes and bad whisky had long ago destroyed the last molecule of reasoning in their brains). So, the “Cowboy” entered the rear of the ambulance and lay on the stretcher, while Donnie and Joe hummed old Jinks Carmen rifts all the way to the hotel.

The “Lady” arrived on Saturday. She looked beautiful when she stepped off the plane. Not at all like a “Lady” who had just flown 2,000 miles. She was late. (She claimed the rains had destroyed her driveway and made her tardy). She brought an excuse written by her husband, named Roger Smith. The “Lady” and her husband registered in a hotel as Mr. and Mrs. Smith. (They claimed it was their real name).

A Harmonica player named Charlie McCoy, who doubles on a tuba, arrived at Victor Studios with some of his friends and the recording session started.

The “Lady” sang the first song alone. The “Cowboy” (who claims to be a record producer) liked what he heard, and they started another song. The “Cowboy” moved slowly out of the booth and into the studio. You could tell by the look in his eyes, that the half-dozen shots of Chivas Regal had put his ego to rest, and he was ready to sing with the “Lady.”

They sang for three nights – the “Cowboy” and the “Lady,” and the Gods were kind, and their album was finished on time. Herein, lie the results…Some good, some bad and some more.

“The Cowboy”

Listen: You Turned My Head Around

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