Just checked out all the songs he wrote. He probably wrote EVERY song that I love, and some I didn’t know, including this one that is definitely going to be a fave of mine. RIP, Superstar ❤❤❤
Big Jonny roselle was so awesome god took you home and we all miss you but god got a good guy to sing up in heaven rip loved and not forgetting by nomenns listen to one of your songs a least too times a week
God put so many gifts into that big body of Johnny Russell that it was unbelievable. As you can hear, he was a splendid singer & he was a fabulous song writer, but was unclaimed for both. With his unique sense of humor, he could've been known as a great comedian. As a human being, they don’t come any better than Johnny Russell. Perhaps of all his accomplishments, he succeeded most by becoming a friend to anybody that ever met him. He meant it that he was like a brother to the Wilburn Brothers.
Johnny was a truly great artist and song-writer. A good natured guy who never took himself too seriously but it is a pity that he did not reach superstardom during his life time.
Johnny Russel was an amazing talent. He's sorely missed by those of us who remember when this actually came out. I have to say I love Doyle and Teddy Wilburn. I live just outside of Hardy Arkansas now where they were born and raised. It's a crying shame that Hardy doesn't recognize these two amazing talents.
Perhaps like many others, I first heard this song done by the Jerry Garcia Band. It was always one of my favorites. I saw the JGB lotsa times but I never got a Catfish. This version is fantastic. Made me look deeper into Mr. Russell. What a great artist!
I think 'Big Johnny Russell', was one of the best, and most humble people in the entertainment buisness. I remember one time, on the old 'Nashville Now' t.v. show, he had on a pair of blue jeans, with a rip in the crotch. A female stage hand came over with a dark magic marker to cover it up. Boy, he milked it for all it was worth. What a great guy! I really miss him.
I love this song so much, because it is real oral history of a real American man--Catfish John was a real person, a friend of the father of songwriter Bob McDill. Bob was born in 1944, so his father was a little boy in maybe 1910 or so--and if Catfish John had been born a slave in Vicksburg around 1850, he'd have been 60 when he knew Bob McDill's father. What a wonderful story!
Man.....I'm 40 years old....since age of 6 ...nothing but rap/hip hop....some metal and definitely techno/electronic.. Country??? Absolutely would rather scoop out eardrums with a rusty knife....UNTIL.....i heard the oollllderrr country. Like the honkey tonk type....i love it...i play it so loud and just get into the stories:)
Agreed ... Johnny Russel is probably the best untold country music singer and writer .. those idiots should be thankful he was just that good to take it in stride.
I miss those great singers like Johnny Russell, what harmony, what great stories they told. I guess is Johnny Russell had a Son it would be Chumlee from Pawn Stars
at :31 right after he takes a bow, you see the thought cross his mind... :-) "well, I guess I could wait till after my set to kill him." They don't make 'em like this anymore. Thank you for blessing us with this one.
Wonderful singer, voice and talent for writing. (Won't say what I want to here about the intro.) RIP Johnny. Will add that songwriting credit needs to be given to the great country songwriter, Bob McDill.
nickd444 I Just Dont Believe Johnny was Offended, It Was Out Of Line, But Johnny Always Said Him Self, "Can You See Me All Right"". I Guess To Live With Others remarks, One Just Has To Go Along With It.
I loved the Wilburns but were way out of line on that remark....Johnny was a gentleman but you can see it did hurt him that he was introduced in that way....and then Wilburn made the statement of Johnny eating them out of house and home.....When Johnny Russell opened his mouth to sing, you listen...you don't look his size.....HE HAD MORE TALENT THAN HIS SIZE
Nope, the Wilburn brothers loved John to death. Agree was out of line but they took care of him at the end. Actually paid his expenses in death as well.
what he said was part of the script. big john knew they were gonna say it. if you ever watched their show, they said somethin like that to all their guests
I have NEVER CARED FOR 'POLITICAL BOVINE EXCREMENT'! ! If that makes me a 'Red Neck', so be it. Have always loved Johnny Russel and 'Red Necks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer'! ! ! Others can say what they want since I suppose this is a free (notice the lower case) society! !
Nah you have it all wrong... Saw Johnny Russell many times.. First was as an opening for the Statler Brothers at the Wheeling Jamboree... Mid 70s.. " The Wheeling Feeling" WWVA radio.. Johnny was a great entertainer.. From the first I saw him, he used his weigh as jokes to entertain. .Unfortunately, I believe he died a poor man,, and it could have been alimony and taxes.. The last album I have is a tribute album, from the stars of Nashville,, all the songs he wrote, or sang. Headed up by Connie Smith. Used to pay funeral expenses.. It is a great album, with only acoustics used.. It's a good buy..
An absolutely perfect performance by Johnny Russell. RIP Sir!!! 💙
God bless Mr. big John Russell. So under appreciated in the music world. His song writing and Singing were legendary. Never be another
He wasn't under appreciated in Nashville. Very well recognized for his songwriting.
My dad had this 45 we listen over and over RESTING IN PEACE GORDON u
Johnny had an amazing, strong voice!
Just checked out all the songs he wrote. He probably wrote EVERY song that I love, and some I didn’t know, including this one that is definitely going to be a fave of mine. RIP, Superstar ❤❤❤
Really Good Memories
Thebestjohnnyrusselsongofalltime
Big Jonny roselle was so awesome god took you home and we all miss you but god got a good guy to sing up in heaven rip loved and not forgetting by nomenns listen to one of your songs a least too times a week
Love his music. Saw him in person twice.once at the opry. Got to talk with him after a show he signed autographs and took pics...He was super sweet
Going way back now Tks for sharing.
Why i love You Tube. You can find gems like thes at the touch of a finger.
This guy was an unsung hero. Real not fake
I saw Mr Russel in fort pierce fla in Dan Mcardy high school gem 1973
I truly love this song and Johnny russell !
God put so many gifts into that big body of Johnny Russell that it was unbelievable. As you can hear, he was a splendid singer & he was a fabulous song writer, but was unclaimed for both. With his unique sense of humor, he could've been known as a great comedian. As a human being, they don’t come any better than Johnny Russell. Perhaps of all his accomplishments, he succeeded most by becoming a friend to anybody that ever met him. He meant it that he was like a brother to the Wilburn Brothers.
Johnny Russell is a great singer
JOHNNY RUSSELL....ONE OF COUNTRY'S ALL TIME GREATEST SONG WRITER AND SINGER
A nicer man you couldn’t have known!
This is my person favorite song by Johnny Russell
I had a crush on Johnny when I was young. I still love to listen to him. Love his smile. ❤
This song always brings tears. Such memories. It takes me way, way back, to the mountains of my childhood.
Johnny was a truly great artist and song-writer. A good natured guy who never took himself too seriously but it is a pity that he did not reach superstardom during his life time.
i believe his songs took him to stardom. it's too bad he was taken early.
Johnny Russel was an amazing talent. He's sorely missed by those of us who remember when this actually came out. I have to say I love Doyle and Teddy Wilburn. I live just outside of Hardy Arkansas now where they were born and raised. It's a crying shame that Hardy doesn't recognize these two amazing talents.
all the wonderful music ive discovered thorough the world of the grateful dead and jerry garcia, excellent string music
Such a beautiful rich voice. I loved this song as a teenager and still do.
Great talent.Like to hear his songs.
I love this song. Love the era. Your great jonny.
Johnny Russell..Great talent.. Class act!!
He was a great singer 🎉
Perhaps like many others, I first heard this song done by the Jerry Garcia Band. It was always one of my favorites. I saw the JGB lotsa times but I never got a Catfish. This version is fantastic. Made me look deeper into Mr. Russell. What a great artist!
This song takes.me down 2 the muddy..mississippi..river.
Great song. Sad song.
I think 'Big Johnny Russell', was one of the best, and most humble people in the entertainment buisness. I remember one time, on the old 'Nashville Now' t.v. show, he had on a pair of blue jeans, with a rip in the crotch. A female stage hand came over with a dark magic marker to cover it up. Boy, he milked it for all it was worth. What a great guy! I really miss him.
absolutely magnificent performer
I love the music back then it didn't matter what you look like. singers were singers and by the way Johnny Russell you were a handsome man
What a beautiful human love him
I love this song so much, because it is real oral history of a real American man--Catfish John was a real person, a friend of the father of songwriter Bob McDill. Bob was born in 1944, so his father was a little boy in maybe 1910 or so--and if Catfish John had been born a slave in Vicksburg around 1850, he'd have been 60 when he knew Bob McDill's father. What a wonderful story!
Great song everything he did perfect
I love this version, great tune
Teddy was a great country Gentleman ,And i assure you he didnt mean it like you took it, They where the best of Freinds,RIP Teddy
I was a disc jockey when this song came out . He's the only person who can do this song justice . Long love Johnny Russell.
Had the privilege of seening him sing and take time to talk with him awesome time great memories
love this man,,, a great singer,,!!
cant believe this is first time I heard of this guy
Great Song A lot of us could learn from this song
I just love Johnny Russell
A Large man, with an equally large heart. 1 of The Best C/M Artists ever.
diabetes is a cruel thing. haunted him for years.
Agreed
magnificent entertainer--music for the heart
What an incredible voice. He is so missed.
Man.....I'm 40 years old....since age of 6 ...nothing but rap/hip hop....some metal and definitely techno/electronic..
Country??? Absolutely would rather scoop out eardrums with a rusty knife....UNTIL.....i heard the oollllderrr country.
Like the honkey tonk type....i love it...i play it so loud and just get into the stories:)
This is really a good song!
Agreed ... Johnny Russel is probably the best untold country music singer and writer .. those idiots should be thankful he was just that good to take it in stride.
John was the greatest..Also a very good person.Shirley Raye country singer.
Beautiful son, great singer!
I think of this song often when I'm at work, guess i'm old gonna be 59, lol. I always loved it!!
He could sing!
Best version I heard of that song. I like his style.
preach on brother - you right
A great song.
Love this song
Love it!
Beautiful.
I miss those great singers like Johnny Russell, what harmony, what great stories they told. I guess is Johnny Russell had a Son it would be Chumlee from Pawn Stars
great singer like no other !
at :31 right after he takes a bow, you see the thought cross his mind... :-) "well, I guess I could wait till after my set to kill him." They don't make 'em like this anymore. Thank you for blessing us with this one.
Wish I'd seen this great talent before he passed. Love his voice. More talent than was credited to him. Can't get enough of this song....
Fine singer and writer.
I love this song! Thanks for posting!!!
A beautiful voice.
I love true country music. I don't listen to fake country music. I only listen to true country music like this.
Wonderful singer, voice and talent for writing. (Won't say what I want to here about the intro.) RIP Johnny. Will add that songwriting credit needs to be given to the great country songwriter, Bob McDill.
Must'a been early 70's...flyin' nun collar.
Is there anyone out there who know how to sing like this anymore!!??
Johnny Russell sang many great songs, my personal favorite is the baptism of Jesse taylor
JOHN WAS A GREAT ,THE WILBURNS TOOK CARE OF HIM WHEN HE WAS
SICK .CLOSER THEN BROTHERS ,ALWAYS RAGGING EACH OTHER
This is exactly what country music sounds like. Don't make'm like that anymore.
Good--but I miss the swedish version with Country Road!
That was really good!
Johnny used his weight as a gag when he was on stage. His famous opening line, "Can Everybody See Me Alright? Sometimes I am kinda hard to see."
I agree
It is my opinion as well,But Mr.Russel took it like a man and that stands the test of time.
regards
waffe
I didn't realize that the Kool-Aid Man had such a great voice!
haha i thought the grateful dead wrote this, i was wrong. i think this is my favorite version, this guy has an incredible voice
I like when jgb plays it most
The Cape h full I
Well said Mr.buckethead!
waffe
A voice like warm budduh.
man, if their cruel introduction of johnny russell doesn't break your damn heart, the song surely will.
nickd444 I Just Dont Believe Johnny was Offended, It Was Out Of Line, But Johnny Always Said Him Self, "Can You See Me All Right"". I Guess To Live With Others remarks, One Just Has To Go Along With It.
I loved the Wilburns but were way out of line on that remark....Johnny was a gentleman but you can see it did hurt him that he was introduced in that way....and then Wilburn made the statement of Johnny eating them out of house and home.....When Johnny Russell opened his mouth to sing, you listen...you don't look his size.....HE HAD MORE TALENT THAN HIS SIZE
It was rude back then. It's rude today.
Damn right! Makes me so mad!!
Nope, the Wilburn brothers loved John to death. Agree was out of line but they took care of him at the end. Actually paid his expenses in death as well.
what he said was part of the script. big john knew they were gonna say it. if you ever watched their show, they said somethin like that to all their guests
I have NEVER CARED FOR 'POLITICAL BOVINE EXCREMENT'! !
If that makes me a 'Red Neck', so be it. Have always loved Johnny Russel and 'Red Necks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer'! ! !
Others can say what they want since I suppose this is a free (notice the lower case) society! !
You have good taste in music, Sir......a workin' man!!!!
Damn, that was one cruel introduction. In some ways, this old world is better now.
Agreed, SIGNALSTAT
He kinda sounds like Randy Owen of Alabama, and has kind of similar facial hair to him, too.
No one notices that this is the Garth song 'Cowboy Bill' .. damn, who didn't Garth steal from?
@coleyman1 Ha ha, that's funny! I still appreciate the artist and the song of course...
What a SARCASTIC INTRODUCTION....I GUESS HE THINKS THATS
HILLARIOUS...
Good God you people, it's show business nobody meant anything by it, it was schitck for the (unwashed) audience, geezaree grow up folks.
Nah you have it all wrong... Saw Johnny Russell many times.. First was as an opening for the Statler Brothers at the Wheeling Jamboree... Mid 70s.. " The Wheeling Feeling" WWVA radio.. Johnny was a great entertainer.. From the first I saw him, he used his weigh as jokes to entertain. .Unfortunately, I believe he died a poor man,, and it could have been alimony and taxes.. The last album I have is a tribute album, from the stars of Nashville,, all the songs he wrote, or sang. Headed up by Connie Smith. Used to pay funeral expenses.. It is a great album, with only acoustics used.. It's a good buy..
Bill Anderson is the best looking man on earth
Love the song but is Johnny actually playing the guitar??
@jrdill1929 Yes what a prick of a thing to say and what class Johnny had in not making a deal about it.
2:16 Huh, interesting, I didn’t think that Catfish John would be a black guy.
What a beautiful voice and how ignorant of Mr. Wilburn...
Mark, that was back in a day when we we all didn't run around with our antennas up looking for an offence.
Listen to the songwriter's version. Bob McDill deserves respect.