Gruesome Twosome: Country Cuties Edition

Lynn Anderson: “I’ve Been Everywhere”
LP: Uptown Country Girl, 1970 | BUY

Skeeter Davis: “There’s a Fool Born Every Minute”
RCA Victor records single, 1968 | BUY

Hey there y’all : today’s selections come through the courtesy of two of my favorite country singers. For a time it appeared that Lynn Anderson had it all — beauty pageant looks, talented songwriter ma (Liz), and she was a champion equestrian to boot! The tongue-twisting “I’ve Been Everywhere” dates from Lynn’s late ’60s tenure with Chart Records. Later on she’d move on to huge crossover success with “Rose Garden,” but I kind of like the rowdy, sexy image she projected on her earlier stuff. Pert Skeeter Davis might accurately be interpreted as a countrified Lesley Gore; most of her music consists of winsome vocals double-tracked over cushiony, Girl Group-ish productions (thanks to Nashville legend Chet Atkins). Her 1968 hit “There’s a Fool Born Every Minute” is no exception, an interesting contrast of downbeat lyrics and perky instrumentation. A new Skeeter CD comp, The Pop Hits Collection Vol. 2, has just been released on Taragon Records.