Herb Mayfield
December 20, 1920 – May 29, 2008
Herb Mayfield was a guitar and mandolin picker who, along with his two brothers, made up the Mayfield Brothers, who made a name for themselves throughout Texas in the late ’40s. They were generally chosen as opening acts for when such acts as Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Maddox Brothers, and Hank Snow came to Amarillo or Lubock. Mayfield died of renal failure on May 29, 2008.
Molly Bee (Born Mollie Beachboard)
August 18, 1939 – February 7, 2009
Molly Bee was teenage country star who gained in popularity due to her TV appearances on Hometown Jamboree during the 1950s. Bee was only 10 years old when she was discovered, and by the time she was 13, she had her first hit record with “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” Bee was a popular guest on television variety shows like those of Tennessee Ernie Ford and Steve Allen. She released five albums between 1958 and 1982. Mollie Bee died of complications from a stroke on February 7, 2009. She was 69 years old.
Cliffie Stone (Born Clifford Snyder)
March 1, 1917 – January 17, 1998
Cliffie Stone was a country singer, musician and songwriter as well as a producer and A&R man for Capitol Records during the label’s early years. As a bassist, he played in big bands that became popular throughout Southern California thanks to appearances on local radio shows. In 1946, he was hired by Capitol where he signed Tennessee Ernie Ford and Hank Thompson, among others. He released a handful of his own albums during the 1950s. During the ’60s, Stone found more success with his own publishing company, Central Songs. On January 17, 1998, Cliffie Stone died of a heart attack at the age of 81.
Wesley “Speedy” West
January 25, 1924 – November 15, 2003
Speedy West was one of country music’s greatest pedal steel guitarists. He is best remembered for his work with Jimmy Bryant and Tennessee Ernie Ford. Born and raised in and around Springfield, Missouri, West learned to play the peddle steel at an early age, and after WWII, he and his young family moved to Los Angeles to follow his dream after learning of tremendous opportunities for musicians in the area. His big break came in 1948 when Spade Cooley hired him to perform in his big swing band. West soon met Cliffie Stone who was doing A&R for Capitol Records, and by 1949, he was a full time session player. It was soon after that West began recording with Bryant. Over the first five years of the 1950s, West played on upwards of 6000 recordings by over 175 artists. That list includes Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford, and Johnnie Ray. During the late ’50s, West worked with Bobby Bare, helping he establish his career, and then playing on his records. Work for country musicians began to dry up in Los Angeles by the early ’60s, so West moved to Tulsa to manage Fender Instruments’ distribution center. He continued to play, but not nearly as much as he had in California. West suffered a massive stroke in 1981 that left him unable to play. He was 79 when he passed away on November 15, 2003.
Merle Travis
November 19, 1917 – October 20, 1983
Merle Travis was a country singer, songwriter and guitarist who was just as renowned for his picking as he was for his songwriting. Born in the coal country of Kentucky, Travis struck a chord with his lyrics about the horrible conditions that coal miners worked and lived in. Travis moved to Hollywood in the mid ’40s and found work as a studio musician. Within a few years, he was signed to Capitol Records where he began to release a string of country albums that are considered some of the best of the genre. His songs were recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dolly Parton, Doc Watson and Tennessee Ernie Ford who made a huge hit out of his “Sixteen Tons.” In 1953, he appeared in the blockbuster film, From Here To Eternity, performing “Reenlistment Blues.” In later years, his music found favor with folk fans, bringing new life to his career during the folk revival of the ’60s. Merle Travis died of a heart attack at the age of 65.
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