Over the years we’ve played a lot of songs! There’s been an awful lot of gospel songs, some classic country, traditional fiddle tunes, traditional Appalachian ballads, and even some old rock songs on occasion.
Pap, Paul, Chatter, and Chitter have all written songs, but sadly those are the songs we don’t play near often enough.
There’s a couple of reasons why.
One is you never feel like your song is as good as other people’s. Even though we all encourage each other and we all agree one of the originals is really good, somehow the person who wrote it isn’t as confident about it and rarely suggests it be played.
The other reason is songs that are well known are much easier to play and sing because, well you already know how they go because someone else has showed you how they go. Of course original songs take time to figure out the lyrics and tune but even when you have that you still have to figure out an arrangement.
Of course I’m prejudice, but I think between the four of them they have written some outstanding songs that are as good as any I’ve heard.
Paul wrote Can’t Say I’ve Ever Been More Lonesome when he was in high school. It’s a dandy song with a beat that insists you tap your toes. We didn’t play it very often but at least we did manage to film it one day.
I hope you enjoyed the song as much as I do!
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Love songs that go ‘off script’ in the chorus melody. Not sure what the proper term would be but when the harmonizing switches out just a tiny bit so it changes each time the chorus is sung. The harmony is wonderful between them for this to happy.
On that song is great! It is a real for toe tapper for sure..love the harmony!
It is unreal to think that Paul wrote that in high school!!! Wow, he has multiple talents. He seems to be so kind, too. I bet he was equally great as a teacher and principal.
That was awesome! You tell Paul that’s as good as any and he should play that often! And lived watching your dad play that guitar, he was really gettin it. That really is a good song he should be real proud of it.
That song ought to be shopped around to the big time Nashville boys. I think it might fit George Strait’s style or maybe Willie Nelson.
Great “toe tappin’ upbeat” song Paul wrote; sure evidenced his writing, arrangement, and “pickin” skills early one. Glad you captured it on video to share with your readers and fans!
Pap and Paul’s voices blended so beautifully. They all were very talented to be able to write songs too – that in itself is very special.
That would be a great song for Ricky Skaggs.
Loved that happy tune this morning! Also, Tipper, I really enjoyed the Alexander Stewart book you read to us! What a talented craftsman. I am from Oak Ridge & was glad to have visited the John Rice Museum years ago. My grandfather, was supervisor of the machine shop K25 for Union Carbide for years. He also helped build Fontana Dam. I remember going there for some picnics…so beautiful and such winding roads!!!
What a splendid song! Really enjoyed! You’re absolutely right about the toe tapping! Lifted my spirits right up!
Well, Tipper, you said it was a toe tapping song and that it was! I loved it and would think it could make it high on the charts if was promoted!!
Dandy for sure!
It’s a toe tapper for sure!! Paul did an amazing job writing this and he and Pap’s voices were beautiful and with Corie playing also, it’s a winner!! As I have said before, your family is so talented! Have a blessed Sunday everyone!!!
I loved the song and music!! Perked me up! Love listening and watching your family ! We are a muscial and singing family also!
Radio worthy listening right there! Such talent! Keep up the good works
I love the song! Found you a couple of weeks ago on YouTube and have been enjoying your channel very much. I live in eastern NC but my family is from eastern KY. I went to college at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee and met a friend who lives in Andrews. Those mountains get in your heart and soul and leave a mark. You have been filling a void in me because I haven’t been able to visit my people in quite a while.
Sounds like it’s about time that Paul and his Pressley nieces started peddling their music to local disc jocks and established artists who are always looking for fresh, original music!. Loretta did it, and so did Kris and others. I like it, and chances are that many others would as well.
Great song & harmony. Pure family harmony! Take care and God bless ❣️
Good song writing and wonderful musicians. Song is worthy to be shared and enjoyed
“Just A Friend”……Roy Acuff best I remember.
I think it is common to most creative efforts that the maker is never quite satisfied. They see the flaws and think everybody else will to. Many of you knew, or know of anyway, Morris Stancil. He wrote “Because He Loved Me”, his best-known and most-requested song. But he had, his son said, ” notebooks” full of songs never made public by performance or print, each because “it needed a little more work” Morris would say. He had the sweetest spirit of anybody I ever met and that is saying some.
I’ve been that way all my life, always thinking of how I should have done better and would have if …. Keeps us humble, arguably too much, but it is a cross to bear. Being imperfect and therefore producing imperfection is the human condition. For myself, I would say that being gracious is very nearly – maybe at – the pinnacle of personality.
As already said, that song and tune is a Jim dandy.
I did enjoy the song. You and your family are very talented. It was good to see Pap on the video. Dennis Morgan
Really enjoyed this. Thanks for the share
Love the harmony but what I noticed first was the peppy intro contrasting with the sad title. Was fun watching Paul enjoying it. It was obvious he was having fun and the song was his. Thanks.
What a great song! It made me smile. Pap, Paul and Corie surely did a great job. Have a wonderful day!
Definitely play that song more! And it needs a fiddle part 🙂
Feeling lonesome seems to have been the theme for the last many days. Maybe because I was feeling that emotion, so I was more aware of songs with that word in it! Not having connection with the people you enjoy, and even your familiar routines, can really tug at your heart and mind, and make you feel lost. Happy to report my lonesomeness vanished yesterday when I was able to step back into the things I do that make my life happy again. Your family is so multi talented! All of you! Every song any of you has written, has been star quality. And I think having the original author and composer perform the song gives it so much more life because you hear it as the person who created the song heard it in their heart and mind when they were writing it down. For a teenager to write this song —- that blows my mind. Paul gave us a jewel! My heart is still singing it and will all day – it is very well written! I love when you showcase the videos of your Dad’s, Paul’s, Katie’s and Corey’s original music. I think they are as good as the older music we here all love, and their songs are so much better than the music currently popular!
Donna. : )
The tune is a toe tapper for sure and they sing great together as always. Thanks for sharing it with us!
That’s very good! Maybe you all need to make a cd of all your original songs!
Well hidden song, so glad you shared. That is a dandy toe-tapper and I found myself trying to keep the beat. Such talented family you are Blessed with.
Great song !! I love it when Pap sings with his pure sweet voice. Paul is a gifted writer and singer, I can also hear you playing bass in the background. The mandolin player is a cutie also but I don’t know if it’s Chitter or Chatter. I have twin great-grandson and I can’t tell them apart either so please don’t be offended LOL
Martha-it is Chatter (Corie) 🙂
Well, I’ve just got to agree with you about that song. It is a dandy little tune and they played and sung it very well.
Your family is so talented!!! Truly enjoyed the song!!!
I love it!
OUTSTANDING! That would make for a good old fashioned clogging song.