Cash on the Barrelhead
Encyclopedia
"Cash on the Barrelhead" is a song written by Charlie
and Ira Louvin
, known professionally as the Louvin Brothers
, which was first recorded and released in 1956 as the B-side of "You're Running Wild". The single came at a high point in the Louvins' career, and the song's rollicking honky-tonk feel has led it to be frequently covered both in recordings and live performances.
The song tells a picaresque tale of an unfortunate rogue facing jail time or a fine for "getting in a little trouble at the county seat". Unable to raise the funds, he spends "thirty days in the jailhouse." His financial woes continue to bedevil him, leaving him unable to make a call from jail and finally unable to pay his bus fare home when released.
cut the song as a single.
In 1973 Ronnie Sessions
recorded the song as a single and it hit a 72 on the Country charts.
Gram Parsons recorded the song with backing vocals by Emmylou Harris
for his 1974 album Grievous Angel
, as part of the "Medley Live from Northern Quebec", along with the song "Hickory Wind
". This rendition is noteworthy for its curious faked live performance ambiance and the sparkling country guitar work of Elvis
sideman James Burton
.
Don McCalister, Jr from Austin, Texas
covered the song on his 1993 album Brand New Ways.
In 1996 Charlie Louvin
re-recorded the song on his album Longest Train. The album was produced by Julian Dawson
and included backup vocals and rhythm guitar by Barry and Holly Tashian
and this version of the song included a noticeably spectacular rockabilly backing guitar part by Steuart Smith
who has worked extensively with the Eagles (band).
The Colorado-based, "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass" band Leftover Salmon
offered a rollicking cover of the song on their 1997 release Euphoria
.
The Balham Alligators lead by Geraint Watkins
covered the song on their Gateway to the South album.
Dolly Parton
covered the song on her traditionally themed 1999 album The Grass Is Blue
.
The "Queen of Rockabilly" Wanda Jackson
offered a recording of the tune on Heart Trouble
in 2003, dominated by a rockabilly
lead guitar.
Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent
covered the song for the tribute album Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers
in 2003. Despite the traditional instrumentation (mandolin and fiddle), this version has a distinctly commercial country production feel, highlighted by Nichols's lead vocal.
The Brooklyn
-based producer and performer Rench offered what might be termed a Gangstagrass
reinterpretation of the song with banjo and turntable distortion
in 2006.
Anders Drerup and Kelly Prescott offered a loving tribute to the Gram Parsons-Emmylou Harris rendition of the song in the musical theatre
production Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons in 2009.
Charlie Louvin
Charles Elzer Loudermilk , known professionally as Charlie Louvin, was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1955.-Biography:Born in Henagar, Alabama, Louvin was one of 7 children...
and Ira Louvin
Ira Louvin
Ira Lonnie Loudermilk , known professionally as Ira Louvin, was an American country music singer, mandolinist and songwriter. He was a cousin of songwriter John D. Loudermilk.-Biography:...
, known professionally as the Louvin Brothers
Louvin Brothers
The Louvin Brothers were an American country music duo composed of brothers Ira Lonnie Loudermilk and Charlie Elzer Loudermilk , better known as Ira and Charlie Louvin. They helped popularize close harmony, a genre of country music.-History:The brothers adopted the name Louvin Brothers in the...
, which was first recorded and released in 1956 as the B-side of "You're Running Wild". The single came at a high point in the Louvins' career, and the song's rollicking honky-tonk feel has led it to be frequently covered both in recordings and live performances.
Song premise
The song plays on the popular expression "cash on the barrelhead" implying that immediate payment is demanded. The expression apparently derives from the custom of using barrel tops as ersatz tables in bars. In such circumstances, "customers were required to pay for their drinks immediately, literally putting their money on the top (head) of a barrel."The song tells a picaresque tale of an unfortunate rogue facing jail time or a fine for "getting in a little trouble at the county seat". Unable to raise the funds, he spends "thirty days in the jailhouse." His financial woes continue to bedevil him, leaving him unable to make a call from jail and finally unable to pay his bus fare home when released.
Personnel
- Ira LouvinIra LouvinIra Lonnie Loudermilk , known professionally as Ira Louvin, was an American country music singer, mandolinist and songwriter. He was a cousin of songwriter John D. Loudermilk.-Biography:...
: vocals, mandolin - Charlie LouvinCharlie LouvinCharles Elzer Loudermilk , known professionally as Charlie Louvin, was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1955.-Biography:Born in Henagar, Alabama, Louvin was one of 7 children...
: vocals, guitar - Don HelmsDon HelmsDon Helms was a steel guitarist best known as the steel guitar player of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys group....
: steel guitar - Paul Yandell: lead guitar
- George McCormick: rhythm guitar
- Floyd Chance: bass
- Murry Harman: drums
Versions
In 1966 Bobby LordBobby Lord
Robert L. Lord , better known as Bobby Lord, was an American country music artist popular in the 1950s and 60s.-Biography:...
cut the song as a single.
In 1973 Ronnie Sessions
Ronnie Sessions
Ronnie Sessions is an American country music singer. Between 1972 and 1986, he recorded for MGM, MCA and Compleat. He also charted sixteen times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including the Top 20 hits "Wiggle Wiggle" and "Me and Millie"...
recorded the song as a single and it hit a 72 on the Country charts.
Gram Parsons recorded the song with backing vocals by Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
for his 1974 album Grievous Angel
Grievous Angel
Grievous Angel was the second solo album by Gram Parsons, compiled from 1973 sessions and released four months after his death. It received great critical acclaim upon release, but failed to find commercial success, a fate shared with his previous efforts solo and with The Flying Burrito Brothers....
, as part of the "Medley Live from Northern Quebec", along with the song "Hickory Wind
Hickory Wind
"Hickory Wind" is a song written by country rock pioneer Gram Parsons and former International Submarine Band member Bob Buchanan. The song was written on a train ride the pair took from Florida to Los Angeles in early 1968, and first appeared on The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo album. Despite...
". This rendition is noteworthy for its curious faked live performance ambiance and the sparkling country guitar work of Elvis
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
sideman James Burton
James Burton
James Burton is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 , Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame...
.
Don McCalister, Jr from Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
covered the song on his 1993 album Brand New Ways.
In 1996 Charlie Louvin
Charlie Louvin
Charles Elzer Loudermilk , known professionally as Charlie Louvin, was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1955.-Biography:Born in Henagar, Alabama, Louvin was one of 7 children...
re-recorded the song on his album Longest Train. The album was produced by Julian Dawson
Julian Dawson
Julian Dawson is a British singer–songwriter, guitarist and author. His style has been compared to Wilco and Ron Sexsmith. He is fluent in German and French...
and included backup vocals and rhythm guitar by Barry and Holly Tashian
Barry and Holly Tashian
Barry and Holly Tashian are an American country, folk and bluegrass duo. They are both singer-songwriters and musicians. They have performed and recorded together since 1972...
and this version of the song included a noticeably spectacular rockabilly backing guitar part by Steuart Smith
Steuart Smith
Steuart Smith is a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, writer and producer currently working with American rock band the Eagles. Smith is from Arlington, VA.]].-Current work:...
who has worked extensively with the Eagles (band).
The Colorado-based, "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass" band Leftover Salmon
Leftover Salmon
Leftover Salmon is a jam band from Boulder, Colorado, formed in 1989. Their unique blend of bluegrass, rock, country, and Cajun/Zydeco, which the band calls "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass", has found favor with the jam band scene...
offered a rollicking cover of the song on their 1997 release Euphoria
Euphoria (Leftover Salmon album)
Euphoria is a 1997 album by Leftover Salmon, and their first release on Hollywood Records.-Track listing:#"Better"#"Highway Song"#"Baby Hold On"#"River's Rising"#"Mama Boulet"#"Funky Mountain Fogdown"#"Cash on the Barrelhead"...
.
The Balham Alligators lead by Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
covered the song on their Gateway to the South album.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
covered the song on her traditionally themed 1999 album The Grass Is Blue
The Grass Is Blue
-Chart performance:-External links:*...
.
The "Queen of Rockabilly" Wanda Jackson
Wanda Jackson
Wanda Lavonne Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist...
offered a recording of the tune on Heart Trouble
Heart Trouble
"Heart Trouble" was the third official release by the Detroit soul group The Parliaments. The single was released in 1965 by Golden World Records...
in 2003, dominated by a rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
lead guitar.
Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent
Rhonda Vincent
Rhonda Lea Vincent is a bluegrass singer, songwriter, mandolin player, guitarist, and fiddle player.Her musical career started as a child in her family's band, The Sally Mountain Show, and has spanned almost four decades...
covered the song for the tribute album Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers
Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers
At the Grammy Awards of 2004, Livin', Lovin', Losin won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album and James Taylor and Alison Krauss won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for their duet on "How's the World Treating You"...
in 2003. Despite the traditional instrumentation (mandolin and fiddle), this version has a distinctly commercial country production feel, highlighted by Nichols's lead vocal.
The Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-based producer and performer Rench offered what might be termed a Gangstagrass
Gangstagrass
Gangstagrass is a group of musicians in New York City, founded and led by Brooklyn producer "Rench," that combine authentic bluegrass and rap into a new genre. Gangstagrass' music started reaching a wide audience when their song "Long Hard Times to Come" was selected to be the opening theme song...
reinterpretation of the song with banjo and turntable distortion
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
in 2006.
Anders Drerup and Kelly Prescott offered a loving tribute to the Gram Parsons-Emmylou Harris rendition of the song in the musical theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
production Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons in 2009.