Expert: Mel Priddle - 7/29/2006

Question
In the mid 70's I heard a country song on KLAK in Denver, before it became an easy listening station. The song went as follow: I moved out west in 1967. Left Milwaukee & my family home. I made the rounds with Willie and with Waylon, but every night I went home alone.  But it didn't take me long to learn to score, boys. Justin boots replaced my Tom McCaans.  And shiny gaberdine gave way to denim, and a Stetson with a silver concho band.
(chorus) You've got to let all the girls know you're a cowboy, let them know there's nothin you can't ride. They don't want no tender foot can fit the saddle.  You got to lope along and never break your stride.
I cannot find anything on this song, its' title or artist in the Library of Congress.  I am also searching for a way to buy, or download, a copy of "what in Sam Hill's goin' on"  written by Tommy Collins and performed by Mearle Haggard on his Strangers album, or by Willie Nelson.

Thank you for any help you can offer

Answer
Hello Tom,

"You Gotta Let All The Girls Know You're A Cowboy" was recorded by a relatively little-known singer by the name of Jim Silvers in 1978.

Here are a couple of links with more information about him:

http://www.steamiron.com/twangin/essay-undiscovered1.html

http://tinyurl.com/ouzra


"Sam Hill" has been recorded by Tommy Collins, Jimmy Dean, Merle Haggard and Claude King, amongst others. The Merle Haggard version is available on CD at the following links:

http://tinyurl.com/jjxlz

http://tinyurl.com/ebx2z



There's a certain hill outside of town called Sam Hill   
And a certain guy used to go there every day     
They said a certain girl lived up in Sam Hill     
Aw, a pretty girl, not hep to city ways

This certain guy would come down the hill a smilin'
Headed back to town at the crack of dawn
And he had 'em all a wonderin' what he was doin'   
Yeah, wonderin' what in Sam Hill's goin' on

We knew this certain guy was not a goldminer       
Cause he never took a shovel or a pick  
He only took a little box of candy    
And disappeared in Sam Hill mighty quick

We tried to follow him to his destination    
But he had a secret path and soon he was gone      
And he had us all a wonderin' what he was doin'      
Yeah, wonderin' what in Sam Hill's goin' on

I know that you have wondered too about Sam Hill       
You've probably asked "What in Sam Hill's goin' on?"   
All I can say in answer to your question    
Is the goin's on are still goin' on

This certain guy's still takin' up his candy    
He's 99 and all his youth is gone     
But he climbs that hill and still comes down a smilin'         
And we're wonderin' what in Sam Hill's goin' on      
Wish I knew             
What in Sam Hill's goin' on        
He won't tell us'       
What in Sam Hill's goin' on      
He just snickers       
What in Sam Hill's goin' on


Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.