THIS IS A 1941 HIT.Herbert Clayton Penny (born August 18, 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama; died April 17, 1992 in California of heart failure) was an accomplished banjo player and practitioner of western swing. He worked as a comedian best known for his backwoods character “That Plain Ol’ Country Boy” on TV with Spade Cooley. He was married to country singer Sue Thompson from 1953-63.
Penny was the leader of the Radio Cowboys, which featured guitarist Julian Akins, steel guitarist Sammy Forsmark, tenor banjo player Louis Damont, bassist Carl Stewart, and vocalist, guitarist, and fiddler Sheldon Bennett in the 1930s. At WLW Radio in Cincinnati during World War II, Penny formed the Plantation Boys, which included fiddler Carl Stewart, guitarist/bassist Louis Innis, fiddler Zed Tennis, and lead guitarist Roy Lanham.
Penny had three hits on the Billboard Country Singles chart, all of which made it to #4: “Steel Guitar Stomp” (1946) an instrumental featuring both Noel Boggs on steel guitar and guitarist Merle Travis, “Get Yourself a Red Head” (1946), and his own composition “Bloodshot Eyes” (1950). A lifelong fan of jazz, Penny recorded “Hillbilly Be-Bop” for King Records in 1949 and included jazz oriented sidemen in his band including guitarists Jimmy Wyble and Benny Garcia. For a time in 1950 singer Jaye P. Morgan was part of his larger band known as the Penny Serenaders.
Along with Amand Gautier, Penny co-founded the Palomino Club in Hollywood in 1949. The club was open seven days a week, and on Monday nights, after the closing time, it was “open stage” to some of the most famous jazz musicians in the country.
In 1952, Penny began hosting his own local Los Angeles series, The Hank Penny Show, which was canceled after only seven weeks.
By 1954, Penny had moved to Las Vegas, where he began a seven-year run as a performer at the Golden Nugget casino, fronting a band which included the likes of steel guitar virtuoso Curly Chalker and later, Roy Clark, whose own comedy was influenced considerably by Penny’s onstage comic timing.
Penny made an appearance with Peggy Conner on America 2-Night playing a country husband-and-wife singing duo called Buck and Harriet Pine.
He is the father of actress Sydney Penny and his son, Greg Penny, has produced albums for Elton John and K.D. Lang.
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Marc – “Rubber …
Marc – “Rubber Dolly” is one of the favorites of fiddlers at Renfro Valley here in Kentucky and it’s a goodie. These old tunes are timeless and are not only fun to listen to but fun to dance to. One fiddler from the past, who retired because of health problems, usually followed up “Rubber Dolly” with “Back Up and Push” – another winner. You always have the good stuff on board here for us. – Paula
I love this sweet …
I love this sweet song. Hank does it so well. The first time I actually heard this song for the first time was when a very popular handsome entertainer here in Lexington known as “Cowboy” sang it in his shows years ago. I never forgot the song and went around singing it all the time – still do. This little song is so cheery and makes you picture cute youngsters noticing each other big time. Thanks so much for posting. – Paula
if you can private …
if you can private message me here with an email address I will send it to ya in a mp3 file.
Sorry, but I do not …
Sorry, but I do not have the song.
Great – I look fwd …
Great – I look fwd to hearing it on here. If you don’t have it, I do and can get it to ya somehow. It has Speedy West on steel… one of the reasons folks thought Bryant was on guitar.
Thanks for all the …
Thanks for all the very interesting info. I’ll have to see if I have the song and post it.
Hey Bro, I Just …
Hey Bro, I Just read your video description and you mentioned Hank’s 1949 record ‘Hillbilly Bebop’ on King label. Just to let you know that HOT guitar on that song is Dick Morgan! (Brother of Jaye P and the other musical Morgan bros) I have always loved this guitar solo and for years was told that it was Jimmy Bryant (who ripped some of the licks from Morgan’s solo over the years!) I think it’s one of the hottest 12 bars of solo bebop jazz guitar I’ve ever heard! He was definitely in the groove!
Yeah, it is one of …
Yeah, it is one of those “ALMOST” classics. Belongs up there with “Rubber Dolly”. LOLL!!! Seriously, I really like it, too.
I love this one.
I love this one.
Thanks for the …
Thanks for the comment.
i was proud to call …
i was proud to call Hank my friend, i miss him. IAN in England
Sorry but I do not …
Sorry but I do not have it.
Please post Hank …
Please post Hank Penny’s big 1950 hit “Bloodshot Eyes.”
It’s good to hear …
It’s good to hear from someone that remembers the 9 cents movie ticket. Not very many do. We always stopped by the ice cream parlor after the movie and had a cone of strawberry or chocolate or vanilla ice cream. 5 cents. When you left the theater, the bright sun almost blinded you until the eyes were accustomed. LOLL!!! The good ole days.
its enough to know …
its enough to know there are folks that still appreciate the magic of old tunes and shows. little is left to imagination now a days. remember when 9 cents got a double feature , cartoons, red rider and little beaver serial and comming attractions. thanx for taking me back
You Tube does not …
You Tube does not allow the necessary time to post those old radio shows or I’d be puttin’ them up for you and others. I even have about 30 15 minute radio shows by W Lee O’Daniel’s Doubhboys with Pat O’Daniel as the MC that I can not post.
oyr old philco …
oyr old philco radio either played these gret songs or just plain bill, sgt preston and youkon king, portia faces life, young doctor christian, sky king, golden arrow, fat man, thin man, bobby benson of the b-bar-b, the shadow, lone ranger, tom mix and all those wonderful memories thanx for thw posting
Yes.
Yes.
You mean Sue …
You mean Sue Thompson who had the big hit “Norman” ?
FriendlyFlirts _ …
FriendlyFlirts _ COM J0in -> Search Friends -> Chat -> Cam -> much More hgmoyc easmfhp
I did a recording …
I did a recording in 1971 with Greg Penny, Hank’s son. We recorded Cold, Cold Heart and an original called It’s Good To Be Back Home Again. Greg was 16 then. He played guitar, drums and bass on the recording. His mom is Sue Thompson. Greg is now a major producer. I have a video of the song It’s Good To Be Back Home Again up here at YouTube.
I actually like …
I actually like some of Roy’s stuff. “Yesterday When I Was Young”, “The Tips of My Fingers”, “Thank God and Greyhound You’re Gone” (funny song). Not the best voice but these are good songs (Eddy Arnold did a better version of “The Tips of My Fingers”). Buck Owens was my idol from “Hee Haw”— there will never be another like him!
I would not go that …
I would not go that far but I am with your father. I do not like his singing either. I even have a song to post by Roy (and I like it better than any I have heard him do) but it is far from being one I like.
My father was a big …
My father was a big country music fan but he absolutely hated the sound of Roy Clark’s singing! He’d leave the room when he sang on the show.
Interesting. Ole …
Interesting. Ole Roy has many fans but if I had to pick between him and Hank, I’m afraid I would choose Hank. That being said, I know ole Roy could play many instruments and could SORT OF sing.