The Geezinslaw Brothers
The Geezinslaw Brothers | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Country music comedy duo |
| Years active | 1950s–2005 |
| Known for | Country music comedy |
| Notable work | The Kooky World of the Geezinslaw Brothers (1963), Feelin' Good, Gittin' Up, Gittin' Down (1992) |
The Geezinslaw Brothers, alternatively known as The Geezinslaws, were a country music comedy pair originating from Austin, Texas. The duo comprised Sammy Allred (vocals, mandolin; born May 5, 1934 – died May 9, 2018) and Dewayne "Son" Smith (vocals, guitar; born September 19, 1942 – died March 16, 2019). Their career spanned over five decades, during which they produced numerous albums from 1963 through 2005.
Beginning in the 1950s, The Geezinslaw Brothers served as opening acts for Elvis Presley and frequently appeared on the Louisiana Hayride radio program. Their performance on Arthur Godfrey's show in 1961 secured them a contract with Columbia Records, leading to their first album, The Kooky World of the Geezinslaw Brothers, released in 1963. After moving to New York City, they signed with Capitol Records and issued four albums between 1966 and 1969. During this era, they charted three times within the country Top 100, though none reached the Top 40.
Their television appearances included prominent shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Jackie Gleason Show, and they toured alongside artists like Roger Miller and Perry Como. They held regular spots on Ralph Emery's radio broadcast Pop! Goes the Country and featured on his television program Nashville Now in 1986. Additionally, they appeared on The Jimmy Dean Show, a well-known country variety series.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, The Geezinslaws released one album each decade. Their 1979 record, "If You Think I'm Crazy Now...", was released under Willie Nelson's Lone Star label. In 1989, they issued a self-titled album as The Geezinslaws through Step One Records.
Their 1993 release Feelin' Good, Gittin' Up, Gittin' Down garnered the National Association of Record Merchandisers' "Indie Best Seller Award" and featured their first charting single in over two decades, titled "Help, I’m White and I Can't Get Down."
The duo made three appearances on Austin City Limits and were honored with induction into the Austin Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2005. Their final album, Eclectic Horsemen (2005), included guest contributions from Willie Nelson, Kinky Friedman, and Kelly Willis.
In addition to his musical career, Sammy Allred maintained a significant presence in radio for more than forty years, mainly as a host on Austin's KVET-FM. He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and received the Country Music Association Personality of the Year Award twice (in 2006 and 2007), as well as winning the Billboard Personality of the Year Award twice (in 1971 and 1997).
Sammy Allred passed away at age 84 on May 9, 2018, in Austin. Dewayne Smith died at age 76 on March 16, 2019.
Albums
| Year | Album | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | The Kooky World of the Geezinslaw Brothers | Columbia | |
| 1966 | Can You Believe...The Geezinslaw Brothers! | 33 | Capitol |
| 1967 | My Dirty Lowdown Rotten Cotton-Pickin' Little Darlin' | 36 | |
| 1968 | The Geezinslaw Brothers & "Chubby" | 29 | |
| 1969 | The Geesinslaws Are Alive (And Well) | ||
| 1979 | If You Think I'm Crazy Now... | Lone Star/Mercury | |
| 1989 | The Geezinslaws | Step One | |
| 1990 | World Tour | ||
| 1992 | Feelin' Good, Gittin' Up, Gittin' Down | ||
| 1994 | Wish I Had a Job to Shove | ||
| 1996 | Blah, Blah, Blah | ||
| 2005 | Eclectic Horsemen | The Geezinslaws |
Singles
| Year | Single | US Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | "You Wouldn't Put the Shuck on Me" | 66 | Can You Believe…The Geezinslaw Brothers! |
| 1967 | "Change of Wife" | 57 | My Dirty, Lowdown, Rotten, Cotton-Pickin' Little Darlin' |
| "Chubby (Please Take Your Love to Town)" | 48 | The Geezinslaw Brothers & "Chubby" | |
| 1992 | "Help, I'm White and I Can't Get Down" | 56 | Feelin' Good, Gittin' Up, Gittin' Down |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | "Help, I'm White and I Can't Get Down" | Greg Crutcher |
| 1994 | "I Wish I Had A Job To Shove" | Philip Cheney |