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.