Lefty Frizzell

The older generation can recognize and appreciate this name. The younger crowd might be clueless. William Orville Frizzell was born on March 31, 1928 in Corsicana, Texas. William began his career at an early age, playing guitar for a local children's radio show. "Lefty" gained his nickname from a schoolyard fight in 1942 at the age of 14. The nickname carried on throughout his school years, and when he won a talent contest, it carried over into his musical career. Though he worked during the days with his father in one of Texas's many oil fields, he moonlighted in bars and was eventually able to land a half hour radio show. This not only took him out of the oil fields, but it launched his professional career as well.

In 1949, Don Law of Columbia Records heard him sing; they signed him to a contract shortly thereafter. From this point on, William's career seemed to take the fast track. Several of his songs reached the number one position on music charts across the United states, and as with any country singer, the thrill and honor of being invited to perform at the Grand Old Opry thrilled and excited him.

Prior to his raise in fame, the style remained fairly unpopular and had not made the musical charts of the time. Many notable sources attribute their honky tonk style of country singing to William. It is said that with his smooth voice and relaxed countenance, Lefty inspired such well known country singers as Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.