Arkie Shibley

about

Jesse Lee "Arkie" Shibley (born Jesse Lee Shibley, 21 September 1914, Van Buren, Arkansas - d. September 1975, Van Buren, Arkansas) was a country singer who recorded the original version of "Hot Rod Race" in 1950. The record was important because "it introduced automobile racing into popular music and underscored the car's relevance to American culture, particularly youth culture."[1] Shibley had relocated from Arkansas - hence the nickname "Arkie" - and, around 1948, began hosting a regular country music show on radio station KBRG in Bremerton, Washington. Although the writing credit for "Hot Rod Race" is given to George Wilson, this may be Shibley's pseudonym. He offered the song to 4 Star Records in Los Angeles, but was turned down, and Shibley decided to release the song on his own Mountain Dew label. The record was credited to "Arkie Shibley and his Mountain Dew Boys", the line-up being Shibley on rhythm guitar, Leon Kelley on lead guitar, Jackie Hayes on bass and banjo, and Phil Fregon on fiddle. The record became popular and was reissued on 4 Star's Gilt Edge imprint. Shibley's record raced into the country charts in January 1951, peaking at # 5, with cover versions on major labels by Ramblin' Jimmie Dolan on Capitol, Red Foley on Decca and Tiny Hill on Mercury. The Hill version also crossed over to the pop charts (# 29). In 1951 Shibley recorded four sequels to his hit, all performed in a Woody Guthrie-like talking blues style: "Hot Rod Race # 2", "Arkie Meets the Jud

top songs

albums

Hot Rod Race

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The Original Sound of Country 1951

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Hot Rod Rockabilly - '50s Rumble

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That'll Flat Git It Vol.26

That'll Flat Git It, Vol. 26 Rockabilly From The Vault Of Four Star Records

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Swingbillies Vol. 4

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Kings of Country

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Swingbillies CD4

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Roots of Rock N' Roll Vol.7, 1

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Unforgettable Hit Pops Vol.1

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Swinging Hollywood Hillbilly Cowboys #3 Cowboy & Western Swinging Hollywood Hillbilly Cowboys #1 the West Coast Indies

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Swingbillies

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