Page 26 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 2-3-2016

Saturday night live: Wanda Jackson, Jason D Williams,

10

The Nelsons and Killer Vees join the Crickets tribute

immediately. In 1971, Jackson and her husband be-
Jackson said came Christians, which she says saved their
In addition to a tribute to The Crick- it was Presley, marriage. She released one gospel album
ets, which will include seven members along with her on Capitol in 1972, Praise the Lord, before
of the group, the great Wanda Jackson, father, who shifting to the Myrrh label for three more
Jason D Williams and the Killer Vees will encouraged gospel albums. In 1977, she switched again,
perform. Ricky Nelson Remembered will her to sing this time to Word Records, and released
be presented by Matthew and Gunnar rockabilly. another two.
Nelson. In
Wanda Jackson 1956, Jackson In 2009 Wanda was inducted into the
In 1952, when she was 12-years-old, finally signed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That year it
Wanda Jackson won a local talent contest Wanda Jackson with Capitol, was also announced that Jackson would start
and was given a 15-minute daily show on work on new recordings with Jack White.
KLPR in Oklahoma City. The program, a relationship The resulting album, The Party Ain’t Over,
soon upped to 30 minutes, lasted through- that lasted until the early ‘70s. Her record- was released in January 2011. It included
out Jackson’s high school years. Jackson ing career bounced back and forth between a cover of the Bob Dylan rockabilly song,
recorded several songs with the Brazos Valley country and rockabilly. Jackson cut the “Thunder on the Mountain” as well as a
Boys, including “You Can’t Have My Love.” rockabilly hit “Fujiyama Mama” in 1958, fiery cover of Amy Winehouse’s hit song
The song, on the Decca label, became a which became a major success in Japan. “You Know I’m No Good.” “The Party Ain’t
national hit, and Jackson’s career was off and Her version of “Let’s Have a Party,” which Over” was well-received by many critics and Jason D Williams
running. Elvis had cut earlier, was a U.S. Top 40 pop fans all over the world. genres, incorporating everything from
Jackson insisted on finishing high hit for her in 1960, after which she began Jason D Williams classical to country blues, jazz and rockabilly.
school before hitting the road. When she calling her band the Party Timers. A year From MTV to The White House, Jason He electrifies audiences as he stomps and
did, her father became her road manager and later, she was back in the country Top Ten D Williams brings a mad-man’s wild energy bangs and dances behind the keys, and
hit the road with her. Her mother made and with “Right or Wrong” and “In the Middle and a sparking passion to the stage. His sometimes on the keys. The dynamic piano
helped design Wanda’s stage outfits. When of a Heartache.” In 1965, she topped the signature brand of wild and rowdy boogie player from Memphis, Tenn. combines the
Jackson first toured in 1955 and 1956, German charts with “Santa Domingo,” sung woogie and rock and roll, mixed with raw musical genius of Mozart with the versatility
she was placed on a bill with none other in German. In 1966, she hit the U.S. Top energy and boundless talent, is a sure fire and on-the-edge attitude that makes for a
than Elvis Presley. The two hit it off almost 20 with “The Box It Came In” and “Tears recipe for fun. fantastic show.
Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine.” Jackson’s Williams’ sound skips across multiple
popularity continued through the end of the continued next page
decade.

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