Texan Big Bill Lister is best known for his early 1950s stint as Hank Williams'
opening act and rhythm guitarist and for recording Williams' compositions "countryfied,"
"The Little House We Built Just Over The Hill," and "There's A Tear In My Beer," which
became a posthumous 'duet' hit for Williams with Hank Williams, Jr. after Lister uncovered
Williams' original demo acetate in the late 1980s. Lister is interesting for more reasons
than that, however. He was an engaging and commanding performer and one of those rare
Texans honky-tonkers, but Lister was no dyed-in-the-wool Texas honky-tonker; his
influences straddled both sides of the Mississippi, but he was more a show singer than
a dance hall musician. Today, he's still active and sounding as good as ever, a half
century after he made his first recordings. Lister's raw, uncompromising country music
may have limited his success in the rapidly changing climate of early 50s commercial
country music, but it makes him a true treasure today. On the Bear Family CD are all of
his 1951-53 Capitol recordings, as well as sides he cut prior to his move to Nashville
for the San Antonio-based Everstate label in 1949-50. In addition to above-mentioned
classics like "There's A Tear In My Beer," "Countryfied," and several unissued sides,
under appreciated songs like "RC Cola And Moon Pie," "What The Heck Is Going On," and
rare Texas recordings like "Local Yokel" and "This Time Sweetheart."
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                  Text from Traditional Country Hall Of Fame Artist's Profiles