McCall was born Billie Dale Fries on November 15, 1928, in Audubon, Iowa. His father was also called Billie and so he was the junior. He later legally changed his name to William Dale Fries, Jr.
McCall is best known for the 1976 No. 1 hit song, "Convoy". Its theme of using CB radio to rebel against the new federal speed limit of 55 mph was popular and topical so the single sold over two million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in December 1975. Though McCall is not a one-hit wonder, "Convoy" went on to become his signature song. McCall first charted the song "Wolf Creek Pass", which reached No. 40 on the U.S. pop top 40 in 1975. Two other songs reached the Billboard Hot 100, "Old Home Filler-Up an' Keep on a-Truckin' Cafe", as well as the environmentally-oriented "There Won't Be No Country Music (There Won't Be No Rock 'n' Roll)". "Classified" and "'Round the World with the Rubber Duck" (a pirate-flavored sequel to "Convoy") bubbled under the Hot 100. A dozen McCall songs appeared on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, including the sentimental "Roses for Mama" (1977).
In 1978, the movie Convoy was released, based on the C. W. McCall song. The film starred Kris Kristofferson, Ali MacGraw, Burt Young, and Ernest Borgnine and was directed by Sam Peckinpah. It featured a new version of the song, written specially for the film.
The song "Convoy" is featured in Grand Theft Auto V. In 2014, Rolling Stone ranked "Convoy" No. 98 on their list of 100 Greatest Country Songs.
In addition to the "original six" McCall albums released between 1975 and 1979, two rare singles exist. "Kidnap America" was a politically/socially-conscious track released in 1980 during the Iran hostage crisis, while "Pine Tar Wars" referred to an event that actually happened in a New York Yankees–Kansas City Royals baseball game during 1983 (a dispute concerning the application of a large quantity of pine tar to a baseball bat used by George Brett, one of the Royals' players).
Fries died on April 1, 2022, at age 93 from complications of cancer. In an interview he conducted on February 9 while in palliative hospice care, he gave his blessing for the use of his signature song "Convoy" for the Freedom Convoy protests in Canada, with Taste of Country noting that he was "energized and enthusiastic" about the revival of interest in the song and its message.
Outlaws and Lone Star Beer
C.W. McCall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, they're rompin' down in Austin
And they call it "Western Swing"
They even wrote a song that says
"Bob Wills is still the king"
Well that I can agree with
But this much I declare
Than outlaws and Lone Star beer
From Tennessee to Texas,
They say it's all the same
Well, there's no "T" in Nashville,
But we've got our claim to fame
It's called The House That Hank Built
And it's sacred, Lord, I swear
There's more to country music
Than outlaws and Lone Star beer
Well, there's more to country music
Than the hurtin' side a' life
Like takin' pride in fam'ly
And a good, warm, lovin' wife
There's more to country music
Than to leave somebody cryin'
And the cheatin'
And the lyin'
Now brothers, understand me
I don't put nobody down
'Cause we all know with what you do
Well you're the best around
But as I stand to cheer you
I'll make my feelin's clear:
There's more to country music
Than outlaws and Lone Star beer
Yeah, there's more to country music
Than outlaws and Lone Star beer
The lyrics to C.W. McCall's song "Outlaws and Lone Star Beer" speak to the nature of country music and the stereotypes that come along with it. The opening lines declare that the musicians in Austin are "rompin' down" to Western Swing and Bob Wills, the king of Western Swing, is honored in song. While the singer agrees with this sentiment, he goes on to express that there is more to country music than outlaws and Lone Star beer. As the song progresses, the singer asserts that country music involves a pride in family and a warm, loving wife, rather than just the hurt and betrayal that is often portrayed in popular songs.
The lyrics also touch on regional pride, referring to the House That Hank Built in Nashville as "sacred." While people might say that Tennessee and Texas are the same, there are unique elements to each region. The tone of the song is not dismissive, however, as the singer believes that each musician is the "best around," but he just wants to make it clear that there is more to what they do than the typical cliches.
Overall, the song attempts to broaden the definition of country music beyond what is typically associated with it. While outlaws and beer are certainly a part of the genre, they are not the whole picture. The singer urges listeners to look beyond those surface-level characteristics to appreciate the full scope of what country music represents.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, they're rompin' down in Austin
In Austin, people are dancing and having fun.
And they call it "Western Swing"
They call this type of music Western Swing.
They even wrote a song that says
There is a song that was written and sung.
"Bob Wills is still the king"
The song is about Bob Wills being the best musician.
Well that I can agree with
I also agree that Bob Wills is great.
But this much I declare
I also want to add something.
There's more to country music
Country music is more than what is commonly known.
Than outlaws and Lone Star beer
It is not only about outlaws and drinking Lone Star beer.
From Tennessee to Texas,
From Tennessee to Texas, people think country music is similar.
They say it's all the same
They believe all country music is alike.
Well, there's no "T" in Nashville,
Nashville's name does not have the letter "T" in it.
But we've got our claim to fame
We are known for something good too.
It's called The House That Hank Built
We have a famous landmark called The House That Hank Built.
And it's sacred, Lord, I swear
It has great significance and importance.
Well, there's more to country music
Country music has other aspects.
Than the hurtin' side a' life
It is not only about hardships.
Like takin' pride in fam'ly
It is also about being proud of one's family.
And a good, warm, lovin' wife
It is also about having a happy, loving spouse.
There's more to country music
I want to emphasize again that there are other elements to country music.
Than to leave somebody cryin'
It is not only about making someone sad.
And the cheatin'
It is not only about being unfaithful.
And the lyin'
It is not only about being dishonest.
Now brothers, understand me
Listen to me carefully, brothers (as in, fellow country singers).
I don't put nobody down
I do not criticize anyone.
'Cause we all know with what you do
We all know about the great things you do.
Well you're the best around
We all recognize you as the best.
But as I stand to cheer you
While I support and commend you.
I'll make my feelin's clear:
Just know that I want to express myself.
There's more to country music
Again, country music has other facets worth considering.
Than outlaws and Lone Star beer
Country music is not just about outlaws and drinking beer.
Yeah, there's more to country music
Yes, there really are other aspects to country music.
Than outlaws and Lone Star beer
Once again, country music isn't only about outlaws and drinking beer.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D W
Wow what a great song. Wished country music still sounded like this.
Marc Adventures
Ya
eric zerkle
Back when a Jeep was a Jeep and not a status symbol for some stuck up Barbie looking woman.
Lonnie Heitrich
If you pay for it you can do whatever you want with it. Let's see your jeep.
Robert Harrison
Theme sett
Robert Harrison
My Grat Grand Father was west TEXAS
Robert Harrison
Oregon,Salute