We won't go into detail on Roy Acuff's career and biography as well as his efforts in and importance for country music's history. Rightfully, he is known as "The King of Country Music". Between 1953 and 1955, Acuff's recordings were released by Capitol, the only major label based on the west coast, and Acuff's name and rather old-fashioned style of country music is not really associated with this label. However, he recorded numerous sides for the label in Nashville, beginning in February 1953.
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Billboard February 28, 1954 |
"Whoa Mule" is a traditional song/tune known throughout the whole south, mid-western states and even southwestern states. Many artists have recorded it since the 1920s, the first being Riley Puckett's version for Columbia from September 1924. Since then, countless versions have appeared and "Whoa Mule" also made the transition from an old-time tune into bluegrass band repertoire. It is also known as "Kickin' Mule", "Buckin' Mule" or "Johnson's Old Grey Mule".
The following list contains historical recordings which I chose to include here. The list is incomplete - additions are appreciated.
• Riley Puckett, Whoa Mule (Columbia #15040-D, Silvertone #3258, Harmony #5147-H), rec. September 11, 1924, rel. October 1925 (Columbia), 1926 (Silvertone, as Fred Wilson)
• Bill Chitwood & Bud Landress, Whoa, Mule (Brunswick #2811, Silvertone #3050), rec. November 21, 1924, rel. March 1925 (Brunswick), rel. 1926 (Silvertone)
• The Hill Billies, Whoa! Mule (OKeh 40376), rec. January 1925, rel. June 1925
• Chubby Parker, Whoa Mule Whoa (Gennett #6120, Champion #15260, Silvertone #5011, #25011, Supertone #9189), rec. April 11, 1927, rel. June 1927 (Gennett)
• Al Hopkins & his Buckle Busters, Whoa, Mule (Brunswick #179), rel. 1927
• Leonard G. Fulwider, Whoa, Mule, Whoa (Victor #V-40270), rel. July 1930
• Gid Tanner & his Skillet Lickers, Whoa, Mule, Whoa (Bluebird #B-5591), rel. August 1934
• Al Clauser & his Oklahoma Outlaws, Whoa, Mule, Whoa (Melotone #7-08-63), rel. August 1937
• Prairie Sweethearts, Whoah Mule Whoah (Silvertone acetate), rec. January 17, 1942
• The Bootleggers, Whoa, Mule (Autogram AEP 173 [Germany]), rel. 1971
• Gwyn Biddix & Toe River Valley Boys, Whoa Mule Whoa (Mayland #MA 006), rel. 1973
• Stonecreek, Whoa Mule (Ca Va #S261 [UK]), rel. 1978
• Narvis Reptile, Whoa Mule Whoa (Thrust #RUFF 4 [UK]), rel. July 1982
• Rosebud Band, Whoa Mule Whoa (Blackvinyl #BV-414), unknown date
• 45cat entry
• Traditional Tune Archive
• Secondhand Songs (more versions)
• Praguefrank's Country Music Discography entry