"Ve grrow too soont oldt; und too late shmart!"

"I'll Hold You in my Heart" is very sentimental to me because my girlfriend (my wife now of 53yrs) and I, used it as "our" song, because we only got to see each other 2 mos out of each year from 1947 til 1950.

I lived in Chicago; she lived in Tampa. I met her on my first visit back to Tampa at a boarding house my dad was living in. We instantly became sweethearts and during the other 10 mos of the year we wrote letters, dreaming and impatiently waiting for those precious 2 mos each year.

Eddy Arnold is a unique person. Soooooo different from ANY "country" music star ever been. In fact, according to Little Roy Wiggins, "he HATED country music." His idol was Bing Crosby. EA was truly the first Country crooner. Opting to not use any of the "hillbilly" styles very prevalent when he entered country music.

In fact the night he hired Little Roy at the back stage of the Opry, he told him, "I do NOT want you to sound like Oswald. You can trill (now called "ting-a-ling"), but mellow it up!"

And so, a 13 yr relationship unprecedented, began between two people; Eddy Arnold, the first NON country "country crooner"; and the epitome of a country steel player named Roy Wiggins (later tagged Little Roy Wiggins) with his now famous "ting-a-ling" began. NO other country star until this happening crossed over the charts like EA and his signature created by LRW.

So identifiable the world over was that ting-a-ling sound to Eddy Arnold (and soon to be hated by him) was this signature kick off-break-and ending to each recording, that Eddy one night about 7 yrs after Roy signed up, told him, "Tone down the trilling. The fans are clapping louder for you than for Eddy Arnold!"

There is soo much more that I could tell you, but I will leave it with this: It is my understanding that Eddy Arnold made in that 13 yrs over 70 million dollars, in a time that would be worth over a billion today; and Little Roy Wiggins barely made a living.

Eddy was a shrewed investor, and that 70 million is now worth many times that now. Yet sadly and tragically one of the true pioneers of the country steel guitar players, AND the player that MADE one of the richest non country singers in country music, died sooo poor his family could NOT even afford a grave marker.

Sad, I cry every time I think about it. May Jesus rest his soul and may Jesus bring his precious family joy untold. And as always, may he richly bless all of you,

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 01 July 2004 at 12:41 PM.]

Can someone post a short clip of a typical "Ting-a-ling?"
It doesn't have to be long, just the actual sound you guys are talking about

Thanks

I DO believe you are correct. And much more!

Thanks Jay, you are most kind.

To hear "I Hold You in my Heart, til I can hold You in my Arms", click on the following link, then scroll down to Country Music Archives #6. Click on it and then scroll down to the song. You may just listen to it (click on the "guitar" icon) or download it (click on the "boot" icon).

The famous "ting-a-ling" is scattered throughout the song. Also, the classic LRW ting-a-ling "ending" that was used on almost every song Eddy recorded, until he told Roy to tone it down. Roy even changed from a straight E tuning to an E7th tuning with a high G# and an added C#, to accomadate Eddy's request.

I seem to recall, if I am not mistaken, the first song Eddy recorded with this newer tuning was "Just a Little Lovin'"

http://recordlady.webgcs.com/main2.htm

Now you folks have really brought tears. I cannot begin to tell you what this song means to me. Also my wife just came into the room and she also is in tears.

If you only new what listening to this (my all time favorite song) did to me.

Thank you for this thread.

carl

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 01 July 2004 at 12:40 PM.]

Do as you did before only click on Real Country Archives #8 and then scroll down to

"Mr Ting-a-ling", by George Morgan.

http://recordlady.webgcs.com/main2.htm

Incidently, after Eddy got uppidy and began recording with his "strings" back up, Roy was let go and George picked him up. They became dear friends and both felt the other walked on water.

May Jesus rest George's soul as well. A truly beautiful person. For those that do not know, his daughter is the famous "Lori Morgan". You may recall one of her classics, "Ya had to be there, ya really had to be there",

It's on Ray's page on the jerrybyrdfanclub.com site. I did the best I could.........and remember now, this done back in about 1960 +/-.

Thanks to Mike Weirauch we were able to pitch in on this Forum and get Little Roy a headstone!

------------------
Frank Estes - 1978 Emmons D-10 8+7 #2441D

Yer killin me. Now look pahdnah, wunst is enuf fer wun day

I am as of now, usurping a roole on this hyar ferum.

NO body is allow't ta sound lack Jerry Bryd or Little Roy, UNTIL I have lurnt ta do it!

Now is that clear? HUH???#$%^%$##@#$

Cuz if'n ya violate dat roole bubba, I am gunna brake bof lags, cut off yer arms and hade and poop in yo nack.

Love it precious friend, just loved it. More tearful nostalgia. You brought back a time when I would play that song, listening to Little Roy with those "C# minors, etc" and think of my sweetie down in Tampa.

Wow, don' think Ah cud take anuddern tuh day!

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kd...and the beat goes on...

It has all the classic recordings, plus several unissued songs and features Little Roy at his best!

Kind Regards, Walter
www.austriansteelguitar.at.tf

Regards, Paul

[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 04 July 2004 at 11:03 AM.]