Lefty Frizzell

Lefty Frizzell, the definitive honky tonk singer, revolutionized country vocalists by smoothing out the rough edges of honky tonk with longer, flowing phrases. He made honky tonk more mainstream while preserving its gritty roots, influencing generations of artists from George Jones to George Strait. Despite initial setbacks, Frizzell's innovative singing style became the foundation of hard country music.

Born in 1928 in Texas, Lefty Frizzell began singing professionally as a teenager and quickly rose to fame with hits like "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time." Despite personal and professional challenges, including battles with alcoholism, he continued to record and tour, leaving a lasting impact on country music. His influence was solidified posthumously, with artists like George Strait and Randy Travis honoring him, leading to his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982.