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When I was a kid, there was a show on TV called Hee Haw. And every weekend, through the summer, I remember the family gathered around the TV set to watch all that “cornpone” humor. It was hosted by Roy Clark and Buck Owens. And Buck Owens is the guy who sang “Tiger By The Tail.”Now, keep in mind, I’m basically not a country music fan. Especially what’s trying to pass itself off as country music these days. But I was raised in the midwest, mid south, and south. So, there was no way to avoid it all together. And I DO get a kick out some of the old songs.
Tiger By The Tail was one of those songs.
It was a hit back when songs didn’t always try to have a political message. Or lyrics focused on who’s hookin’ up with who (or is that whom?). In fact, lyrics didn’t have to be deep at all. Just catchy. Like these from the chorus of Buck’s song:
I’ve got a tiger by the tail, it’s plain to see.
I won’t be much when you get through with me.
Well I’m a-losing weight and I’m turning mighty pale.
Looks like I’ve got a tiger by the tail.
You might not believe this, but whole families used to sit around the TV, together, and listen to stuff like that. And just in case it doesn’t sound cool, get this. Dean Martin, aka: Mr. Cool, had Buck Owens on his TV show, and he sang that song with Buck. You don’t have to believe me. But it’s on YouTube, so there.
I took a different spin on the tiger tail idea.
In the first song, off my Kiddin’ Around collection of songs for kids, I said “Don’t grab a tiger by the tail.” And I followed that up with “Don’t go dancin’ with a whale.”
Yeah, that song is filled with lots of advice on what you shouldn’t oughta do. And I remember how kids laughed when I sang it for them at a Christian school outdoor get-together a few years ago.
Now, Kiddin’ Around is a coloring, drawing songbook.
Lyrics to all the songs in the collection are on the first pages. Then there are characters to color. And then there are blank pages for drawing. But the best part is the secret link to download all the songs that go with all those lyrics. And right now I have a limited supply of autographed copies of the book.
Get one for your kids today: https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/kiddin-around-book
And just in case you doubt the Dean Martin, Buck Owens connection, here they are on YouTube:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBDezyqHG60)
Stay tuned,
