Werly Fairburn

Werly Fairburn (November 27, 1924 – January 18, 1985) was an American rockabilly musician.

Fairburn was born near Folsom, Louisiana. In his youth, he listened to the Grand Ole Opry and old-time music ("hillbilly music") on the radio. He learned to play guitar from an old, local blues musician. When World War II began, he took a job at a New Orleans shipyard before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in Hawaii. When he returned to New Orleans, he considered a singing career, but to make a living he learned how to cut hair. In 1948 he became known as the "Singing Barber" when he broadcast on WJBW from his barber shop.[1][2]

In March 1955, Werly joined the cast of the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, where he performed alongside Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bob Luman, David Houston and other early rockabilly stylists. Werly remained with the Hayride through the end of 1957. His first album appeared on Trumpet Records in the 1950s. Over the years he recorded for Columbia, Capitol, and Savoy. Fairburn also owned a label called Milestone Records in the 1950s and 1960s. Fairburn's music blended country, blues, and New Orleans rhythm and blues (R&B). He was popular in New Orleans and in Dallas, where he performed on the Big D Jamboree. His song "I Guess I'm Crazy" was covered by Jim Reeves. His 1956 single "Everybody's Rockin'" is considered a rockabilly classic. Fairburn moved to California in the 1960s and performed until his death in 1985.[1]

Discography
Year Title Label
1953Camping with Marie / Let's Live It OverTrumpet Records No. 195
1953I Feel Like Cryin' / Baby, Call on MeTrumpet Records No. 196
1954Good Deal, Lucille / Baby He's a WolfCapitol Records #F2270
1954Love Spelled Backwards Is Evol / Nothin' But LovinCapitol Records #F2844
1954Prison Cell of Love / I Feel Like Cryin’Capitol Records #F2963
1955It's a Cold, Weary World / Spiteful HeartCapitol Records #F3101
1955I Guess I'm Crazy (For Loving You) / That Sweet Love of MineColumbia Records No. 21432
1956Broken Hearted Me / Stay Close to MeColumbia Records No. 21483
1956Everybody's Rockin' / It's HeavenColumbia Records No. 21528
1956All the Time / I'm a Fool About Your LoveSavoy Records No. 1503
1957My Heart's on Fire / Speak to Me BabySavoy Records No. 1509
1957Telephone Baby / No Blues TomorrowSavoy Records No. 1521
1962You Are My Sunshine / Doggone That MoonMilestone Records No. 2013
1968My Crazy World / There's Something OnPaula Records No. 295
  • A Little Bit of Nothing
  • Won't It Be Nice
 Capitol Records (not issued)
  • I'm Jealous
 Columbia Records (not issued)
  • All By Myself (live)
  • I've Got Nothing But Love
  • Old Memories Come Back
 not issued

Notes

All singles before Milestone 2013 were issued as 78 rpm and 45 rpm records with the same issue numbers. Milestone 2013 and on are 45 rpm only issues. UK record collector Matthew Duncan provided information for this article, having referred to Barry John's Rockabilly Price Guide for 45 rpm records and vintage recordings from his collection.

References
  1. Eder, Bruce. "Werly Fairburn | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  2. Luster, J. Michael. "Crescent City Country: Hillbilly Music in New Orleans". Louisianafolklife.org. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
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