Saturday 9: Got the Money

Saturday 9: If You've Got the Money (1950)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this week's song, Lefty Frizzell is eager to go out on the town and hit all the night spots. What are your plans for the weekend?

A. I may go listen to an author talk at the library, but it depends on the weather. We have lots of rain and wind in the forecast. Also, if Virginia Tech wins in the women's basketball game today, then I will watch their next game.

2) He tells his girl he'd rather ride in her Cadillac than his old car. Back in the 1950s, Caddys were quite the status symbol. Lefty bought a white one with the profits from this record. Elvis also had a fondness for Cadillacs and preferred pink. Have you ever owned a Cadillac?

A. I have never owned a Cadillac. My father has, though.

3) Lefty was a big deal in Big Spring, TX. He was a popular attraction at local bars, a favorite among oil workers who liked to unwind by listening to live music. How do you relax after a tough day?

A. I take a hot shower and read a book.

4) This was Lefty's first hit. He wrote "If You've Got the Money" and recorded a demo for producer Jim Beck to play for established singers. When no one else wanted to record it, Beck decided to give Lefty a shot. The result was a million seller that spent 22 weeks on the country charts. Tell us about someone who took a chance on you.

A. In 1984, the owner of the local weekly hired a new editor. I popped in and asked if I could write stories for him. In October 1984, my very first article, "Making Shiloh Apple Butter," appeared in the paper, and I've been writing stuff since. If the new editor hadn't agreed to let me write, I wonder what would have happened to me? 

5) After this record became a hit, success came quickly to Lefty, perhaps too fast. He signed conflicting contracts with promoters and managers which resulted in lawsuits. Have you recently consulted a lawyer or had a document notarized?

A. Not recently, no.

6) This song hit number one on the country charts twice: first this version and then in 1976 by Willie Nelson. Do you have a favorite Willie Nelson song?

A. Not really. He wrote "Crazy" which is a good song.

7) In 1950, when this song was popular, Americans began using credit cards. Do you pay with a credit card to get rewards? If yes, what rewards are you accumulating (cash back, airline miles, etc.)? 

A. I accumulate cash back. I usually let it build up and then use it over the holidays.

8) Also in 1950, Sears Roebuck and Co. acknowledged a major spike in catalog sales and took the unusual move of devoting the cover of their Spring/Summer catalog to their "satisfaction guarantee." This was meant to allay the fear of customers uncomfortable with ordering by mail instead of buying in person. 74 years later, Amazon delivers more than 3 million packages every day. Would you rather check out a product yourself in a store, or do you prefer the convenience of ordering from home?

A. It depends on the product. I would rather see furniture in person, for example. I'd also rather try on clothes before I buy them. Things like books or pots and pans and such I don't mind ordering online.

9) Random question -- You're singing along with the car radio to your favorite song when you reach your destination. Do you wait until your song is over to get out of the car?

A. I generally wait until the song finishes. I do the same thing with an audiobook. I used to sit in the garage until the end of the chapter, back when I was using CDs to listen to audiobooks instead of my cellphone.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.