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Hold What You've Got

by

Joe Tex



Album: Hold On To What You've Got      Released: 1965
US Chart: 5     
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Joe Tex's real name is Joseph Arrington.

Tex was on the verge of having his contract with Dial Records torn up after three years of futility when label owner and producer Buddy Killen suggested on more try, but only if Tex agreed to follow Killen's instructions to the letter. When recording time arrived, Tex had a song about his childhood sweetheart, written on a paper bag.

Tex: "My first wife, Johnny Mae, was pregnant with my son, Jean was married, and I was thinking about leaving Baton Rouge, trying to get Jean back."

When Tex entered the studio to record this, he didn't have a melody yet, and he could barely speak with a hoarse voice. Killen suggested that the words be matched to a gospel song, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty" to take advantage of the Christmas season, and when Tex failed to hit the high notes while trying to record the song, Killen suggested that he merely talk through the part with the high notes. The "sermon" made the recording a #5 smash -- Tex's first Top 40 hit. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for all above)

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