"The Most Unique Thing That Ever Happened to Country Music"

Lefty Frizzell's career peak lasted less than 2-1/2 years.
That brief time -- beginning in 1950 -- proved influential on countless country musicians.
An influential artist himself, Merle Haggard called Frizzell "the most unique thing that ever happened to country music."
I listened to Frizzell on a portable CD player while embarking on a long walk last night. I have been listening to him again this morning as I prepare for work.
Listen to Frizzell's music -- simple, slower-tempo honky tonk -- and it is difficult to see what all the fuss is about.
Then he sings.
Vowels bend and stretch, as Frizzell seemingly takes lines and wraps them around melodies. Roy Orbison, George Jones, George Strait and Randy Travis have all paid homage to Frizzell and his vocal technique.
Frizzell could sing. He also had a way with words.
You know the song "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time?" Lefty wrote that.
"I Love You a Thousand Ways" is his composition. "Look What Thoughts Will Do," "How Long Will it Take (to Stop Loving You)" and "Shine Shave Shower (It's Saturday Night)" are Frizzell songs, too.
Then there is "Always Late (With Your Kisses)," arguably the pinnacle of Frizzell's brief career. He displays all of his greatest attributes in this 1951 classic.
A warbly steel guitar riff opens the tune, then Lefty croons: "Alwa-aaa-aays Laay-aaaay-aaaay-te with your kisses."
Amazing.
Heavy drinking, legal problems, contractual disputes and changing times curtailed Frizzell's popularity in 1953.
He returned to the charts with two more memorable (although, not self-penned) songs: "Long Black Veil" in 1959 (later covered to great effect by The Band) and "Saginaw Michigan" in 1963.
Frizzell co-wrote "That's The Way Love Goes" late in his career, but the heavy drinking caught up with him.
William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell passed away in 1975, felled by a stroke.
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