Moon Mullican

Honkytonk music was born in East Texas, and Moon Mullican showed all the world how honkytonk piano ought to be properly pounded, which turned out to be a lot like the way a pipeliner laid pipe. Which was a lot like the way . . . well, never you mind, children. Stirring up blues and Cajun and ragtime and sanctified gospel, he was the link between Arizona Dranes and Jerry Lee Lewis. He co-wrote “Jambalaya” with Hank Williams even if he didn’t get credit; what cared he for credit? Scheduled to be the first country act to play Carnegie Hall, he stayed drunk in Shreveport instead. They probably wouldn’t have let him play an upright up there any anyhow. Well, you know what to do with ‘em if they can’t take a joke.

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