The Frizzell family, most famous for its prominence on the Country Music Charts, is now witnessing the artistic successes of the second generation. Although he has siblings following in the Frizzell music footsteps, who have accepted the challenge of emerging from the giant shadow first cast by the family music patriarch, Lefty Frizzell, Corey chose a different path. A path to create his own shadow.
Corey is somewhere in the middle of the six children spanning four decades of Allen Frizzell, former Nashville recording artist and younger brother of the Legendary Lefty Frizzell and Country Star, David Frizzell. Allen began his musical career at the age of nineteen following his older brother’s lead, singing Country Music. After years of touring off and on with his brothers, Allen went out on his own and while working the West Coast, opened a show for the late great, Dottie West, who insisted that he move to Nashville and work for her fronting her tour. It was during these impressionable years that Allen would perfect his craft and fall in love with Dottie’s daughter, Shelly West. But the Frizzell musical lineage would start 27 years earlier.
Lefty Frizzell has been called the most influential singer/stylist in the history of Country Music. After spending years singing in various honky tonks, barn dances and parties, lefty got the attention of Columbia Records in 1950. Don Law, the record executive who signed him to Columbia, heard that sound no one including himself had ever heard before.
Frizzell signed with Columbia at the age of 22, releasing "If You've Got The Money Honey, I've Got The Time" and "I Love You A Thousand Ways" in July that year. In 1951, Lefty owned the charts with the release of "I Want To Be With You Always" (#7), "Always Late (With Your Kisses)" (#1), "Mom And Dad's Waltz" (#2), and "Travelin Blues" (#8). Frizzell held the number one spot for 26 weeks. Having 4 songs in the top 10 at the same time, is a feat that has never been duplicated to this day! Lefty Frizzell was a premiere songwriter and song interpreter. The deep and emotional sound that gets a person's heart and that wonderful quaver he inserted into his vocals has gone on to influence singers from Merle Haggard to Keith Whitley.
When he recorded "Long Black Veil" in 1959, he again took a spot in the top 10. Frizzell recorded "Saginaw Michigan" in 1964, his last #1 hit and a song so strong, nothing could hold it back. It was nominated for a Grammy, and crossed over to the pop chart, a rarity for country songs in that era. Lefty, no longer with Columbia records, signed with ABC Records in 1972. He recorded two albums that some regard as having masterpiece songs like, "That's The Way Love goes", "I Can't Get Over You To Save My Life" and "I Never Go Around Mirrors". Lefty was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982 but sadly didn’t live to see the latter since dying of a massive stroke in July of 1975.
While still a teenager, David Frizzell left home to perform and tour with his legendary brother. By his 18th birthday, Frizzell began recording country and rockabilly albums for Columbia Records. Although a four-year stint in the military slowed his emerging musical career, Columbia immediately re-signed Frizzell after his discharge.
After Lefty’s death, David gradually created his own artistic identity. He recorded and charted the first country version of “L.A. International Airport” — months before Susan Raye made it a hit-and followed it with a Top 40 rendition of “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” the B. J. Thomas pop favorite. Frizzell then parlayed his recording successes into headlining country shows in Las Vegas. This bold move opened the Vegas gates for many other country acts.
While David was gaining the attention of the music industry in 1977, youngest brother Allen, commonly mistaken for David, married Shelly West, who would later become a Country Star in her own right. The marriage between Allen & Shelly lasted just short of a decade, however the union has been compared to being the Tim & Faith of the 80’s and produced one of the most successful duos in Country Music, Frizzell & West. But it would be brother David who would take the starring role as Shelly’s duet partner while Allen filled in as front man.
After recording “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma”, Clint Eastwood heard and loved it and insisted on adding it to the soundtrack of his forthcoming film, Any Which Way You Can. Frizzell & West went on to become one of the hottest and most-awarded acts in the business. They recorded five albums together, won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award for 1981 and 1982, won the Academy of Country Music award for Vocal Duet of the Year for 1981 and 1982 as well as the ACM Song of the Year award in 1981 and sold out arenas worldwide. Frizzell and West garnered Music City News Awards for Duet of the Year in 1982 and 1983 as well as Music City News’ Song of the Year award in 1982.
1982 also marked a turning point for Allen and Shelly’s marriage. They divorced and the Frizzell & West partnership would dwindle. David and Shelly would part ways but continue to enjoy chart success with solo careers while Allen’s career was just taking off. David continued his solo career and scored a huge chart-topping hit with “I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home.” The record, which has since become a standard, was recently featured on CMT’s 40 Greatest Drinking Songs in Country Music, making #17 in the countdown. Also, making #6 in CMT’s countdown of the 100 Greatest Duets is “You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma."
Allen recorded for Sound Factory, CMS, ABC Dot - MCA and Sony, writing the number one billboard hit, “Your Out Doing, What I’m Hear Doing Without”. As his career gained momentum, he appeared on TV shows like, That Nashville Music, Nashville Now, Hee Haw, New Country, appearing with Keith Whitley, Country Sportsman, Music City Tonight and Don Kirshner’s, You Can Be A Star (as celebrity judge).
In 2005, much like Randy Travis, Allen would pursue a country gospel career, recording his first gospel album, “I’m Just A Nobody”. After teaming with the gospel promotional co; Double E Promotions, garnered him a number one hit on the Power Source Christian Country Chart for April of 09’ for his single “Man of His Word”.
