There are not too many in this world who can shine in the shadow of a legendary parent or sibling. However, I recently had the opportunity to interview such an individual. His name is David Frizzell, the second youngest of eight, and brother of country legend, Lefty Frizzell. And that country icon sure cast one big shadow!

      In his time, Lefty could be likened to Elvis Presley or to a Garth Brooks today. The point is, his singing style of stretched phrasing influenced the likes of Merle Haggard, John Anderson and Randy Travis, who readily admit to it. But interestingly enough, his fame never ever bothered little brother David. Lefty, in fact, was David's biggest hero.

       This aroused my curiosity, so I arranged to meet with David Frizzell and his truly beautiful wife, Joanne, for lunch at the Longhorn Steakhouse in Rivergate. Once we were comfortably settled in a booth, I got quickly to the chase regarding big brother, Lefty. As David put it, "All my life, and to this very day, Lefty was ten feet tall as far as I am concerned.”

      So much for living in the shadow of a Country Music Hall of Famer!

LIFE WITH LEFTY.

       Unlike most country music artists, David Frizzell just kind of evolved into the world of entertainment through his brother, Lefty. My guess is that he didn't want to be an oilfield worker and part-time bootlegger like their dad, Naamon Orville Frizzell. Anyway, by the age of fourteen, David began travelling around with Lefty when he toured and was soon playing in the band.

       By the time he was eighteen, he finally came out into his own sunlight and recorded two singles produced by Don Law of Columbia Records. They didn't fly, but David was now finding his wings and landed himself spots as music director for various house bands. According to David, " I was more of a flunky doin' all the driving and collecting the money from whomever was supposed to be paying it."

      But there is another side of the coin. He went on to say,"Back in the Fifties, all the big acts would do a Sunday matinee and a show that night. As a result I got to meet and open for stars such as Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Mel Tillis, Johnny Horton, Carl Smith Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, and many others. I loved those days, but didn't really appreciate them at the time. All those honky-tonks and wonderful people. I sure wish I could live it all again today!"

FROM ON PARADE TO HIT PARADE.

       Eventually, David began touring with Buck Owens until he was drafted into the airforce in 1960 at age twenty. I guess he really wanted to fly this time, but it turned out to be a forgetable four years. Upon discharge from the airforce, he formed his own band and began to work the Las Vegas circuit and loved it! We were joined at the table by Gordy Collins, a popular celebrity photographer and longtime friend of David's who was once the lead singer of Collins Coins, a top pop group in the Sixties and Seventies. Fact is, in 1955 the both appeared on the first Grand Ole Opry Tour. Talk about your old time networking!

      By now, David Frizzell's performances and songwriting talents were being recognized in Nashville. He hadn't reached the status of big brother Lefty, but his records and songs were charting. And then he teamed up with Shelly West, the wife of his brother, Allen, the youngest of the Frizzell brood. Together they had several Top Ten hits including the classic, "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma," written by Sandy Pinkard and Larry Collins. And then in 1982, David scored a Number One hit with a Dewayne Blackwell song titled "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home." And to this day, it's still getting airplay.

      It's a long way from boot camp to bott scootin', but David Frizzell has been there. And his love for the music industry and the legacy left him by his legendary big brother have paid off. David, over the years, has had his talents recognized by the ACM, CMA, Music City News and Billboard Magazine. Not only that, he has had two Grammy Award nominations and was awarded "Duo Of The Year" twice with Shelly West as well as "Song Of The Year" in 1982. His other credits include appearances in several movies and TV shows, not to mention inclusion of his songs on the soundtracks of Clint Eastwood's "Any Which Way You Can" and "Honky Tonk Man."

      Not bad for a kid who was named David, not Lefty!

THE MUSIC BUG BITES DEEP.

       David decided to take some time off from touring and recording. He got into his songwriting as well as writing his brother Lefty's biography. That project is completed except for final editing. He also continues to hold special concerts at his beautiful Cross Plains, Tennessee ranch honoring his brother and other icons like Johnny Paycheck, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Rodreguiz. In addition he has just completed a state of the art recording studio where he plans to produce an album of children's songs titled STILL BELIEVING IN CHRISTMAS to be released in December 2006..

       In April this year he released his latest CD which includes some of his hits and new material such as the title song "Confidentially" along with a bonus DVD of his accomplishments. Currently he is doing radio station tours to promote the album as well as package shows at various casinos.

      David Frizzell was definitely born to entertain. He has also put together a Silver Anniversary Tour to celebrate the 25th anniversaries of "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma" and "I'm Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home."       

      Meanwhile, Gordy Collins introduced him to a project from NMG Records which he has recorded with Grammy Award winning producer, Rich Adler. The song is titled "Water Makes Her Clothes Stay On"  penned by Dan Wunsch and Denise Benson. The label is planning a music video for the single which is to be filmed in February of 2007. Promotion has already begun with a talent search for three female fans to be featured in a video scene where they flash their sexy bras. Bands, DJ's and club bartenders around the country are to act as official talent scouts.

       I guess when you get the music bug you can't lose it. This is definitely the case when when it comes to the very talented Davis Frizzell. Lefty would be proud!