Country music fans couldn't get enough of Lefty Frizzell in the early 1950s.
In 1950, 1951 and 1952, Frizzell -- considered the definitive honky-tonk singer -- released 13 songs that hit the Top 10, including five that reached No. 1. Of those No. 1 hits, two songs -- "I Want to Be With You Always" and "Always Late (With Your Kisses) -- were No. 1 for 11 and 12 weeks respectively.
Frizzell is probably best known for his first chart-topper, 1950's "If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time," due in no small part to the song being a staple of Willie Nelson's live show for decades.
He was born William Orville Frizzell in Corsicana, Texas, March 31, 1928, and died of a stroke on July 19, 1975.
Two of his brothers also pursued careers in country music.
David Frizzell charted three Top 10 hits in 1982-1983 -- "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino To Decorate Our Home," "Lost My Baby Blues" and "Where Are You Spending Your Nights These Days." He also recorded hit duets with Shelly West, daughter of singer Dottie West. The duo hit No. 1 with "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" in 1981.
Another brother -- Allen Frizzell -- played guitar with Dottie West's band and released several singles in the 1980s, including "It'll Be Love By Morning."
Lefty Frizzell -- the first name came from his amateur boxing career -- influenced many singers, including Nelson, George Strait, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard and George Jones. Frizzell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982.
This is a list of Lefty Frizzell's singles to reach the Top 10, their highest positions on the Billboard magazine country chart and the year of release:
"If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time," No. 1 for three weeks, 1950
"I Love You A Thousand Ways," No. 1 for three weeks, 1950
"Look What Thoughts Will Do," No. 4, 1951
"Shine, Shave, Shower," No. 7, 1951
"I Want to Be With You Always," No. 1 for 11 weeks, 1951
"Always Late (With Your Kisses)," No. 1 for 12 weeks, 1951
"Mom and Dad's Waltz," No. 2 for eight weeks, 1951
"Travellin' Blues," No. 6, 1951
"Give Me More, More, More (Of Your Kisses), No. 1, three weeks, 1951
"How Long Will It Take (To Stop Loving You)," No. 7, 1952
"Don't Stay Away (Till Love Grows Cold)," No. 2, 1952
"Forever," No. 6, 1952
"I'm an Old, Old Man (Tryin' To Live While I Can)," No. 3, 1952
"(Honey, Baby, Hurry!) Bring You Sweet Self Back to Me," No. 8, 1953
"Run 'Em Off," No. 8, 1954
"The Long Black Veil," No. 6, 1959
"Saginaw, Michigan," No. 1, four weeks, 1964
Source for chart information: Top Country Singles 1944-1988
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Style on 12/09/2018