Lefty Frizzell Was the Most Influential Artist in Country Music History

First, let's make one thing perfectly clear.

There is no artist that is the most influential in the history of country music. That title is subjective, and will depend on who you're talking to.

But one thing is for certain. When you're discussing who's the most influential, the name of Lefty Frizzell is prominent in the chatter!

William Orville Frizzell, the man we would call 'Lefty', had his first number one hit in 1950, and it was a big one! In the video clip below, another Country Music Hall of Fame member introduces Lefty and has his perform that number one 'If You've Got The Money (I've Got The Time)'.

From that first number one to his last in 1964 (Saginaw, Michigan) and beyond, Lefty not only had his own legendary career, he influenced so many others. Who are a few of the artist's who cite Lefty as a major influence?

How about George Jones, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard and John Fogerty? There's a lot more, but that's not a bad start.

Lefty died at the much too young age of 47 back in 1975 from a massive stroke. But of course great music (and influences!) never die. Let's go back for that final number one Lefty had, 'Saginaw, Michigan', and the next time you're hearing real country music, see if you can't detect just a little bit of Lefty in it.