Boots randolph biography graphic organizer


Born Homer Louis Randolph III on June 3, 1927, in Paducah, KY; spliced Dee Randolph; children: Randy and Linda. Addresses: Management--Boots Randolph Management, 4780 Lickton Place, Whites Creek, TN 37189. Website--Boots Randolph Official Website:

Best known be thankful for his 1963 recording of "Yakety Sax," which British vaudevillian Benny Hill after used to propel his sight-gag-laden Television sketches with scantily clad young corps, Boots Randolph became the consummate melody industry professional. Besides playing on fulfil own popular instrumental albums, the Kentucky native was a vital component scrupulous the famed Nashville Sound of say publicly 1960s and 1970s, playing hundreds not later than session dates behind artists as varied as Al Hirt, Chet Atkins, honesty 101 Strings Orchestra, Clarence "Frogman" Rhetorician, and Elvis Presley.

Came from Musical Family

Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Homer Louis Randolph III was raised in nearby City, a rural community. "That was next to the Depression years and our dulcet background was country music basically," proceed said in a 2004 interview. "My father played a lot of responsible instruments---violin, and different things. He everywhere encouraged us boys to play burden or other that was different newcomer disabuse of that. ... After a few era, I finally wound up with integrity saxophone." Asked what it was distinguish the saxophone that attracted him, Randolph explained, "The big bands were done the rage when I was go again into music and ... I universally liked to hear one of ethics guys stand up and play fal de rol in front of that big pin. That was always intriguing to liability. After I got the saxophone, Uncontrolled started listening to more jazz supporters like Coleman Hawkins and Lester Pubescent, Ben Webster and Don Bias. ... The more I listened the work up I got involved in it.

Randolph's fellow-man Bob invented the future sax legend's famous stage moniker to avoid flat confusion. "The name 'Boots' came gorilla a nickname when I was estimated 15 or 16 years old. Tonguetied father is named Homer, but Uncontrolled wasn't a "junior." ... [My brother] said, 'We need a catchy name'... it stuck pretty good so surprise stuck with it."

During his high faculty years, Randolph and his brother take for granted a six-piece group and played dances at various army bases, but distinction young man did not really develop serious about the saxophone until do something was drafted in 1945 and began playing in the army band.

Initially, Randolph's post-war plans included a day-job simulated the American Fork and Hoe problem Evansville. "They put me to enquiry driving wedges into hammer heads," soil told the editors of Country Music: The Encyclopedia. "I hit my fingers and thumbs more than I exact the wedges. After four weeks Frantic decided to quit. I reasoned go off at a tangent if I ever hoped to caper the sax again I'd need livid fingers and thumbs."

Working with various combos throughout the Midwest, Randolph soon discerning the key to steady employment was versatility. He luckily found a four-year sit-down gig at a club follow Decatur, Illinois, and put his newfound sense of showmanship to work. "When I was playing commercially," he stand, "I was able to play acceptable about any style. ... I matte that way I'd have more opportunities to make a living for about and my family. I did laughable hat things. We did parodies. Phenomenon sang funny songs and goofy thing, like a comedy combo."

Jethro Burns, bring into play the famed country comedy act Safety & Jethro, saw Randolph's group, captain appreciating the high level of complex skill employed, told Chet Atkins shock defeat RCA about the young saxophonist. Make sense co-writer James "Spider" Rich, Randolph locked away already written an early version flawless "Yakety Sax," titled "Chicken Reel." Atkins heard the tape and encouraged illustriousness sax player to come to Nashville and do session work.

Signed by RCA, Randolph was initially billed as Lickerish Randolph, and actually sang on her majesty first single, "I'm Gettin' Your Announce Baby." The disc was unsuccessful, since was his first recording of "Yakety Sax." Randolph recalled that the drift helped his studio career. "When Berserk recorded 'Yakety Sax' in 1958, lose concentration helped me to open a choose by ballot of doors to the country penalisation side, you might say."

Played on Conference for Elvis Presley

"Owen Bradley used crux sparingly for a lot of fulfil country artists," said Randolph, of realm first sessions experiences. "One of 'em for sure was Brenda Lee. Crazed recorded a lot of stuff sell Brenda. I recorded the solo slash 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree,' which you still hear quite often. At present, on Brenda Lee's stuff, I reliable almost every one of those them bubblegum hits that she had lengthen in those days." He added, "There were some good solos that Frantic played on some of her harass. I think probably that I false a little different than everybody on the other hand and that's what they wanted."

Randolph vigorous a far bigger splash when fair enough was contacted to play on Elvis Presley's first post-army album, Elvis psychoanalysis Back!, where he laid down fine gritty blues solo on the remodel of Lowell Fulson's "Reconsider Baby." "They knew I was versatile with loftiness different sounds and I got cheerfulness be the guy they would agree to to put on the sessions, on the other hand sometimes I'd record only one ticket all night," Randolph recalled. "They knew that sooner or later he'd foothold into something that he'd like rant put the sax on. ... Funny don't believe anyone played a sax solo on one of Elvis's rolls museum but me. I played background explode baritone sax on a lot imbursement his stuff. It wasn't always transpire dominant. 'Return to Sender' was twin of the biggest things I false baritone sax on. I did take off on some other things, like nobility soundtracks that we did for picture movies."

Randolph also got to play arraignment stage with Presley and witness honourableness rock king's impact on an tryst assembly first-hand. "That was really exciting!," powder declared. "You had 15,000 screaming young and he had a charisma pant him that was just spooky. Boss around couldn't explain it, it was cogent there."

Greatest Success at Monument Records

Despite climax status as a sought-after session competitor, Randolph's RCA recordings were not cavernous sellers. As a result, he assess the label in 1961 and individualized with Fred Foster's Monument Records. Immobilize doing session work, he recorded thoroughly often with Roy Orbison, laying stop trading sax parts for such hits trade in "Mean Woman Blues" and "Oh, Attractive Woman." Recording with the same Nashville A-Team denizens as he had conjure up RCA, Randolph got more attention breakout the smaller company. As a answer, their re-recording of "Yakety Sax" became a dual market hit and spick perennial jukebox favorite.

A few of Randolph's subsequent singles garnered good airplay, specified as "Hey, Mr. Sax Man," "Temptation," "The Shadow of Your Smile," nearby the Grammy-nominated "With Love." During Randolph's hot run with Monument, he arised on such network TV programs because The Jackie Gleason Show, The Be bounded by Sullivan Show,The Tonight Show, and depiction syndicated Mike Douglas Show. The maker star also made countless appearances trace such country music-oriented programs as The Jimmy Dean Show,Country Carnival,Pop Goes rank Country, and Hee Haw. He likewise toured with Atkins, pianist Floyd Cramer, trumpter Danny Davis, Roy Clark, instrumentalist Johnny Gimble, and harmonica legend Dickhead McCoy under the aegis The Master's Festival of Music, which led manage a break-out gimmick for Davis. Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass became one of RCA's strongest sellers be intended for a time.

Also a Nightclub Owner

Randolph in tears his association with Monument after 1976 and recorded a few one-off LPs for Mercury and CBS. He further tried to cut back on glory amount of session work he took on. He opened his own cabaret, Boots Randolph's, in Nashville. The truncheon, located in Nashville's historic Printer's Qualify, would be the sax player's fair for the next 17 years. Noteworthy occasionally took time out to exercise special concert events and TV shows, or make high profile recordings substitution the likes of Atkins, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, or rock group R.E.O. Speedwagon. After leaving his successful go club in 1995, Randolph shared systematic bill with Danny Davis at great theater across from the Opryland Inn called the Stardust Theater. The shows went well, but Nashville was avid as a live music center.

In decency early 2000s Randolph has considered herself semi-retired. Yet he plays dozens vacation concerts every year with jazz turf symphony orchestras, not to mention Elvis Presley tribute shows. At the gunshot, he routinely makes audiences leap merriment their feet with his inspired rhythm club-influenced solo on "Reconsider Baby." On one\'s own initiative if he still loves making song, Randolph grins and replies, "Oh sure! That's my passion. Playing that sax is my first love and low point passion---maybe outside my family. ... Frenzied will probably play until my unhinged gets bad and I can't take place. I'm 77 so who knows? Uproarious still do pretty good."

by Ken Block up

Boots Randolph's Career

Began playing saxophone clichйd age 16; continued playing sax, trombone, and vibraphone while in the Soldiers, 1945-46; played various Midwestern clubs, mid-to late 1950s; discovered by the nation comedy team of Homer & Jethro, 1957; signed with RCA as excellent recording artist, became part of Nashville's elite session players The A-Team, 1958; signed with Monument Records, 1961; exposed in movie That Tennessee Beat, 1966; appeared on several country music-oriented depress programs, 1960s-80s; recorded for Palo Contralto, 1983; opened Boots Randolph Club amuse Nashville, 1977-95; played the Stardust Dramatics with Danny Davis of Nashville Harlot fame, l996-98; toured and lectured curious, early 2000s.

Boots Randolph's Awards

Inducted into Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, 2002.

Famous Works

  • Selected discography
  • Singles
  • "Yakety Sax," Monument, 1963.
  • "Temptation," Monument, 1967.
  • "The Shadow of Your Smile," Monument, 1967.
  • "With Love," Monument, 1969.
  • Albums
  • Yakety Sax Monument, 1960.
  • Boots Randolph's Yakety Sax Monument, 1963.
  • Hip Boots! Monument, 1964.
  • The Yakin' Sax Man RCA/Camden, 1964.
  • 12 Monstrous Sax Hits Monument, 1965.
  • Boots Randolph Play More Yakety Sax! Tombstone, 1965.
  • Sweet Talk RCA/Camden, 1965.
  • Boots with Strings Monument, 1966.
  • The Fantastic Boots Randolph Memorial, 1966.
  • Saxsational Monument, 1967.
  • Voices and Strings Sepulchre, 1967.
  • Boots Randolph with the Knightbridge Strings Monument, 1968.
  • Sunday Sax Monument, 1968.
  • The Make safe of Boots Monument, 1968.
  • Boots and Stockings Monument, 1969.
  • With Love: The Seductive Shaper of Boots Randolph Monument, 1969.
  • Yakety Revisited Monument, 1969.
  • Hip Boots 1970 Monument, 1970.
  • Boots with Brass Monument, 1971.
  • The World go Boots Randolph Monument, 1971.
  • Homer Louis Randolph III Monument, 1971.
  • Boots Randolph Plays blue blood the gentry Great Hits of Today Monument, 1972.
  • Cool Boots Monument, 1972.
  • Country Boots Monument, 1972.
  • Sentimental Journey Monument, 1973.
  • Greatest Hits Monument, 1976.
  • Party Boots Monument, 1976.
  • Sax Appeal Mercury, 1977.
  • V.S.O.P. CBS, 1977.
  • Yakety Madness Laserlight, 1992.
  • Christmas bonus Boots' Place Laserlight, 1992.
  • Live CBS, 1992.
  • Greatest Hits Sound Solutions, 1993.
  • Yakety Sax Transport Family, 1994.
  • The Best of Boots Randolph Curb, 1997.
  • Songs for the Spirit Nation, 2000.
  • Yakety Sax and other Instrumental Classics Power Pak, 2002.
  • A Christmas Holiday Community, 2002.
  • Te Deseames Una Feliz Navidad Delta, 2003.
  • Yakety Sax RCR/Cbuj Ent., 2005.
  • Nashville Regular Time Hive, 2005.
  • As session player
  • (The Nashville All-Stars) After the Riot at Newport RCA, 1960.
  • (Elvis Presley) Elvis is Back! RCA, 1960.
  • (Homer & Jethro) Homer & Jethro at the Country Club RCA, 1960.
  • (Brenda Lee) This Decca, 1960.
  • (Scotty Moore) The Guitar that Changed rank World Epic, 1964.
  • (Chet Atkins, Floyd Cramer, and Boots Randolph) Chet, Floyd, & Boots RCA, 1971.
  • (Ronnie Hawkins) Rock 'n' Roll Resurrection Monument, 1972.
  • (REO Speedwagon) R.E.O. 2 Epic, 1972.
  • (101 Strings Orchestra) Take Me Home Country Roads RCA, 1973.
  • (Chet Atkins) Stay Tuned CBS, 1985.
  • (Roy Composer, with Sonny James) RCA Sessions Furnish Family, 1987.
  • (Roy Orbison) Legendary Roy Orbison Columbia, 1988.
  • (John D. Loudermilk) Blue Train Bear Family, 1989.
  • ( Jerry Lee Lewis) Classic Bear Family, 1989.
  • (Elvis Presley) Known Only to Him: Elvis Gospel 1957 - 1971 RCA, 1989.
  • (Brenda Lee) Anthology, Vol. 1 MCA, 1991.
  • (Brenda Lee) Anthology, Vol. 2 MCA, 1991.
  • (The Collins Kids) Hop, Skip and Jump Bear Cover, 1991.
  • (Ray Stevens) Lend Me Your Ears Curb, 1991.
  • (Al Hirt) Raw Sugar, Sugary Sauce Sony, 1991.
  • (Billy "Crash" Craddock) Boom Boom Baby Bear Family, 1992.
  • (Johnny Cash) Essential Johnny Cash: 1955-1983 Columbia, 1992.
  • (Chet Atkins) RCA Years, 1947-1981 RCA, 1992.
  • (Buddy Holly) Buddy Holly Collection MCA, 1993.
  • (Dr. Feelgood) Doctor Is In! Bear Kinsmen, 1993.
  • (Elvis Presley) Harum Scarum / Female Happy RCA, 1993.
  • (Elvis Presley) Kid Character / Girls! Girls! Girls! RCA, 1993.
  • (Elvis Presley) Spinout / Double Trouble RCA, 1993.
  • (Elvis Presley) Viva Las Vegas Accomplishments Roustabout RCA 1993.
  • (Clarence Frogman Henry) Ain't Got No Home: The Best conclusion Clarence "Frogman" Henry Chess, 1994.
  • (Jack Scott) Classic Scott Bear Family, 1994.
  • (Elvis Presley) Kissin' Cousins / Clambake / Compass Away Joe RCA, 1994.
  • (Elvis Presley) Flaming Star / Wild in the Territory / Follow That Dream RCA, 1995.
  • (Hank Locklin) PLease Help Me I'm Falling Bear Family, 1995.
  • (Ettore Stratta Memphis Opus Orchestra) Symphonic Elvis Elektra, 1996.
  • (Elvis Presley) Blue Hawaii [expanded] RCA, 1997.
  • (Tommy Jones) Tide Pool Artifex, 1998.
  • (Ann-Margret) 1961-1966 Earnings Family, 1999.
  • (Joe Barry) I'm a Ninny to Care: The Complete Recordings 1958-1977 Night Train International, 1999.
  • (The Velvets) Tonight Could Be the Night: The Progress Best of the Velvets Collectables, 1999.
  • (Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra) Let's Polka 'Round Rounder, 2003.
  • (Con Hunley) Sweet Memories IMMI, 2003.

Further Reading

Sources

Books
  • McCloud, Barry, Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Kingdom Music and Its Performers, Perigree, 1995.
  • Stambler, Irwin, and Gruelin Landon, Country Music---The Encyclopedia, St. Martin's Griffin, 2000.
Online
  • "Boots Randolph," All Music Guide, (September 10, 2005).
  • "Boots Randolph," Internet Movie Database, (September 10, 2005).
  • "Boots Randolph," Kentucky Melody Hall of Fame and Museum, (September 7, 2005).
  • "Randy Randolph," RCS Artist Discography, (September 10, 2005).
  • Additional information for that profile was obtained from an question with Boots Randolph on August 13, 2004, from which quotations used get in touch with this entry were drawn.

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