Tanya Tucker Takes Her “Turn”
Posted on June 25, 2009
by Chuck Dauphin
Many people have fond memories of going to the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, and Tanya Tucker is no different.
“My dad had taken me to Nashville all the way from Wilcox, Arizona back in 1967,” she recalls. “I was nine years old and he was going to get me started there. I made some demos, and after we did that, I wanted to go to the Opry. So he took me to the Ryman, and we waited in line. It was in the middle of summer and it was so hot! Of course, that was back in the days when the Ryman didn’t have air conditioning. We sat in the back with our hand-held fans, and Daddy looked down at me and said ‘Now don’t you wish you were up there doing it, instead of back here sitting with me? That was a pretty monumental thing for me, as I realized I wanted to be a singer.”
Just a little over four years later, Tucker was the talk of Music Row with her cut on Alex Harvey’s “Delta Dawn,” and the rest, they say, is HER-story! The legendary career of the Seminole, Texas native continues with the release of her Saguaro Road debut MY TURN, which is a collection of songs that share two things in common: One, they are all some of Country Music’s most enduring songs, and Two—they were all favorites of her late father, Beau.
“I dedicated the album to his memory because he’s the one that got me into Country Music and started my love affair with it,” she says of her father who passed away in November of 2006. “He was my mentor, my coach, and my manager. These are some songs he always loved—I used to sing several of them when I was a kid, so it only made sense to dedicate the album to him.”
Recording the songs on MY TURN, which were all originally made famous by some of Country Music’s most legendary male vocalists was a daunting task—even for the adventurous Tucker. “There was a fear of not being able to do these songs as well, or do them justice,” she admitted. “You get the originals implanted in your head. I just wanted to try to make these my own–like they did. Take “Lovesick Blues” from Hank Williams, for example. That’s hard to beat. I don’t think we did, but I hope we did it justice. I just hope the people like our versions.”
Tanya recently shared a few of her thoughts concerning some of the cuts off MY TURN with Music News Nashville!
“Love’s Gonna Live Here” (originally a # 1 for 16 weeks in 1963 for Buck Owens.)—”We all loved Buck Owens. He was very inspirational to me when I was a kid. This is one that Pete Anderson, my producer, was very adamant about. I kind of wanted to do “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail,” but when I finished it, I realized I really enjoyed our version of this one. Having Jim Lauderdale guest on the track was special, as well!”
“Crazy Arms” (originally a #1 for 20 weeks in 1956 for Ray Price.)—-”I didn’t do this one as a kid, but I’ve heard it all my life, so I was very familiar with it. I don’t think I even had to have a lyric sheet. I had second thoughts when I left the studio—that I could have done it better… like Ray Price did. It’s a great song, I just hope we did it right.”
“You Don’t Know Me” (a hit in 1956 for Eddy Arnold)—-”My dad really loved this song. It was one of his favorites. I did it a few years ago for a George Jones special, and he said ‘If you cut that song as a single, it will be a hit.’ That was a song I really wanted to do. I hope that Eddy Arnold would be proud of it. Rhonda Vincent’s just incredible on the song, as she is on several on the album. I think she’s just awesome.”
“After The Fire Is Gone” (the very first Conway-Loretta duet from 1971)—-”That is another song that is one of my favorites. It turned out to be one of my favorite cuts on the album. I was going to cut it with Billy Ray Cyrus, but our schedules got crazy. I think the Grascals were just great, and I put my own Loretta touch on the cut.”
While promoting MY TURN is her top career priority these days, she is also gearing up for another round of reality television. “We have about six episodes in the can. It’s called “Tuckertime,” and it’s going to be a continuation of “Tuckerville.” The only difference is we used our own production company, and it’s going to be a lot more reality than the other show was. We’re really proud of it. As soon as we get it finished, we’re going to take it to cable and hopefully get it sold and out.”
While Tanya has lived her life before the cameras, “Tuckerville” was a learning experience, albeit one that she had pleasant thoughts of—early. “Well, at the beginning, it was great. They did a great job in the beginning, but I think that Hollywood gets very impatient. They want to make something happen. I kept telling them to just hang out and film…Something would happen, but they got impatient. They started to create things for my kids to do, and there were some things I wouldn’t let them get by with. I didn’t find out some of them until I saw it on TV!”
Right now, it’s the new album that has her attention, and she’s hopeful that the man she made it for would be pleased. “I would hope that he’d be proud of it. He was my biggest critic, so I’m sure there’d be something he wouldn’t like about it,” she says with a laugh. “But that’s the way we are……I do hope he would be happy with it.”
(c) 2005-2007 MNN Enterprises, LLC. Music News Nashville is designed, owned
and published by Dan Harr. All rights reserved.
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August 19, 2009
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taylor said:
excellent news!
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September 4, 2009
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Linda Kunau said:
Tanya,
Your dad would definately be proud of “My Turn”. I really love your voice on “You Don’t Know Me”. I play it over and over again. Since the start of your career, I’m still continually loving hearing your voice and music. Your beautiful voice makes every song a special melody to enjoy.
Looking forward to Tuckertime!
Linda
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September 27, 2009
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Roger & Kate said:
Tanya,
What an amazing performance you gave at the Opry the other evening for the Opry Classics/ George Jones tribute!! You’re just an incredible fireball of energy, a superbly talented singer, and someone who is obviously adored by her many loyal fans. We loved your performance of ‘Ramblin Fever’ and couldn’t wait to get your newest cd to hear it. Also have to say, the kindnesss, patience and humor you showed the fans waiting in those long lines wanting to get an autograph, a hug, and a photo with you was admirable and kinda rare these days. Your work ethic, talent, and generosity of spirit are obvious; and we thrilled that we were able to finally see/hear you in person. Much love to you and to your family…
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October 20, 2009
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Scott Conners said:
Tanya, you rocked at BB Kings. Great interview about the new album. You reminded me of Cher, a 70s survivor who still sounds and looks great. I just wish your show were longer and you did more songs like “Here’s Some Love”, “Should I Do It”, “Tear Me Apart”, “I’m the Singer, You’re the Song”, “Lucky Enough for Two”, well there’s too many as you have such an excellent back catalog. I didn’t care for Locash. They did too many covers and their set was too long and as Reba told you once “they didn’t keep it country”. They seemed to want to be rockers, or maybe they were just trying to impress the city folk. Anyways, look forward to your next cd and I have songs for you (I waited after the show but had work next day, so gave up!).
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October 25, 2009
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Kathy said:
Tayna,
You have definately proven that you still have the tallent. We came to your concert at the Stafford Centre on 10/23/09 in Stafford, Texas and can definately say that your performance is by far the best that we have ever seen. Keep up the great singing and we look forward to seeing you at Grene Hall in Novermber.
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October 25, 2009
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Barry and Cathy Rimler said:
Your show at Billy Bob’s last night was unbelievable. We have been married 41 years – and “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” took on a whole different perspective of a marital relationship. Thank you for that. Also – in the 70’s we raised two babies with Dad singing “Delta Dawn” to them during road trips and private plane piloting and bedtime…any stressful time.
Thank you again for a wonderful concert. I am still humming in my head. Delta Dawn, what’s that flower…..Barry and Cathy
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October 27, 2009
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DONALD LINDAHL said:
SATURDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 24TH 2009 AT BILLY BOBS FT.WORTH WAS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST EVER. LYNDA, MY WIFE WILL NOT MISS SEEING YOU BECAUSE OF SEEING YOU WHEN YOU WERE SO YOUNG IN HOT SPRINS, ARK. WHEN YOU FIRST GOT STARTED. WE LOVE THE WAY YOU END YOUR SHOW WITH WANTING TO HEAR MORE SONGS AND STAYING ON THE STAGE AT THE END OF YOUR CONCERT TO CLOSE YOUR SHOW. MY WIFE LYNDA LEE GREW THE TWO SHORT STEM ROSES FOR YOU THAT SHE PITCHED UP ON THE STAGE AT THE END OF THE SHOW. SHE HELD THE ROSES ALL THE WAY THERE TO GIVE TO YOU. DO HOPE YOU GOT THE TWO ROSES SHE GREW AT HOME FOR YOU. PLESAE COME BACK TO BILLY BOBS AGAIN IN 2010. WE PLACE THE REQUEST AT BILLY BOBS EVERY YEAR FOR YOU TO COME BACK.THE SONG DOWN TO MY LAST TEARDROP IS LIKE A DREAM FOR HER EVERY DAY AND PLAYS EVERY DAY ON C D. YOU ARE GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL. THANKS, DONALD LINDAHL AND MY WIFE LYNDA LEE. ARLINGTON, AND HOW ABOUT THOSE COWBOYS ARLINGTON, TEXAS
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October 27, 2009
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DONALD LINDAHL said:
YOU ARE WONDERFUL.READ SOME OF YOUR READINGS AND SO GLAD YOU LOVE ANIMALS. WE HAVE TWO LARGE LABS ALEXAS 5 AND BUD JR.4 AND THESE LABS ARE OUR BABIES OF THE DAY AND THEY LISTEN TO YOUR CD EVERY DAY. ITS LIKE THEY COULD ALMOST SING THE SONGS TO YOUR C D. THANKS AGAIN DONALD LINDHL, LYNDA LEE LINDAHL OF ARLINGTON, TEXAS. OCTOBER THE 27TH 2009.
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November 13, 2009
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Maureen Kunnizzie said:
My friends and I cant wait to see you in concert December in Las Vegas. I am from Inuvik, Northwest Territories Canada. I have been a fan of yours since I was Little
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February 12, 2010
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arline robertson said:
hi tanya, I have been a fan of yours since I was 15. My late husband remembers you coming to bandera. I sure wish you would come back to texas. my husband passed from cancer but I along with your other fans would love it.arline at
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March 25, 2010
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Bunnik said:
killer skidoo, lol
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March 30, 2010
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riley burlington said:
My favorite song is “BlOOd red and Going Down and Jamestown Ferry.
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April 3, 2010
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Bob Tucker said:
Hello Tanya. I am not sure why I m igning this guest book..guess I have been researching my family tree..looking for othr Tucker’s a little like me. I grew up on country music in Sounthern .Ohio..near Connie Smiths old homeplace. Well I grew up Methodist..they talked me into Bible School…No more country music for me. LOL Not really..I sneaked a song in from Mrs. Parton now and then. But Friar tuck did not fit in with those Methodists..even though I do love them a lot. Anyways my sig other died two years ago..and I miss him very much…My perfect Love religion help me give him good care with his Huntington’s disease.
This Tucker is Scotch Irish +maybe some Bermuda Triangel mixed in…Who knows? But I will be listening to your songs again..this Easter weekend. Happy Easter Girl…Bob Tucker in Columbus, Ohio..Oh I love Yellow Roses. Oh my favorite color is scarlet Red,
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April 24, 2010
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BRUCE AND HOLLY OLSON said:
HELLO Tanya, me and my wife were told just recently were told by our older neighbors that you lived in our house when you were a teenager, in HENDERSON NV.OUR ADDRESS IS 100 LINDEN ST. 89015.We have been told this by more than one person and that you went to basic high school..we have owed the house for six years…we were just wondering if our neighbors were right..if there were a attach part on this i could send a picture of house..if you have time let us know….thanks so much
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June 1, 2010
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alan pugh said:
hello tanya ive bin a fan ot yours for many years. i am a great friend of mark moseley fom soundcontrol studio were he tells me you have been recording wish i could have bin there to meet you.maybe one day i may get that chance… i am from liverpool england..mark sent me some pictures of you in the studio i must say your as gourgess as ever..well bye for now take care.x.
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August 10, 2010
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Laura said:
Hi going back to Henderson I lived at 157 Ivy when I was a little girl I had a little boyfriend who’s older sister played steel guitar on the front porch. I can’t remember their names but have often wondered if that was you?
….fond memories