As rock'n'roll began to skyrocket in popularity, Walser opted to stay in the Texas Panhandle, raise a family and work as a mechanic and auditor for the National Guard, rather than move to Nashville and pursue a recording career. As a result, he had little following outside Texas for the first part of his career. However, he never stopped playing and became widely known in Texas. From 1959-61 Walser had a group called The Texas Plainsmen and a weekly radio program. For the next three decades he was always in bands and played a heavy schedule. He wrote popular original songs such as "Rolling Stone from Texas", which received a four-star review in 1964 from Billboard magazine.
As time went on, Walser also became known for maintaining a catalog of older, obscure country music and cowboy songs. He keep alive old 1940s and 1950s tunes by country music pioneers such as Bob Wills and Eddie Arnold, and made them his own in a style that blended elements of honky tonk and Western swing. He also was known for his extraordinary yodeling style in the tradition of Slim Whitman and Jimmie Rodgers.
In 1984, the Guard transferred Walser to Austin, a center of the burgeoning alt-country music scene. He put together his Pure Texas Band and developed a strong local following. Walser opened for Johnny Cash in 1986. In 1990, Walser was "discovered" by musician and talent scout Tiny McFarland [2].
In 1994, aged 60, Walser retired from the Guard. Able to devote himself fully to music for the first time in his life, he was immediately signed by Watermelon Records, and released his first LP, Rolling Stone From Texas, produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. His extraordinary vocal abilities earned him the nickname "the Pavarotti of the Plains" by a reviewer for Playboy magazine. Because of his Austin base, he attracted fans from country music traditionalists, and alternative music and punk fans. His band later became the opening act for the Butthole Surfers.
Don Walser was voted "Best Performing Country Band" at the Austin Music Awards, was voted top country band of the year by the Austin Chronicle in 1996, and received an Association for Independent Music "Indie" Award in 1997. He also received recognition in mainstream country, and played the Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 1999, and again in 2001. In 2000 he received a lifetime "Heritage" award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and he and the Pure Texas Band played at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He also received cameo roles in feature movies with honky-tonk settings, such as The Hi-Lo Country (1998), starring Woody Harrelson.
In September, 2003, Don Walser retired from live performances due to health issues. Three years later, Walser died due to complications from diabetes on September 20, 2006, 6 days after his 72nd birthday.
Sugar moon
Don Walser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long around about June
I'll be walkin' with sugar
'Neath that old sugar moon
Gonna drop her a line
To expect me soon
Saccharine and some sugar
I can see us right now
She'll get the calendar down
Scratch your circle around
Day we're altar bound
When it's sugarcane time
Long around about June
Wedding bells will be chining
'Neath that old sugar moon
When it's sugar moon shines
Long around about June
I'll be walkin' with sugar
'Neath that old sugar moon
All the kisses I missed
I'll be gettin' 'em soon
Sugar kissed from sugar
'Neath that old sugar moon
Oh, I'm dreaming sweet dreams
All the lovin' I'll get
When I get back to my pet
Lordy how I, my friend
Til it's sugarcane time
Long around about June
And I'll be walkin' with sugar
'Neath that old sugar moon
Walkin' with sugar 'neath that old sugar moon
The lyrics of Don Walser's song "Sugar Moon" paint a vivid picture of a man who is eagerly anticipating his reunion with his lover. The man claims that he will be with his lover "when it's sugarcane time, long around about June." He promises to bring "saccharine and some sugar 'neath that old sugar moon," suggesting that he plans to bring sweet treats as a way to show his affection. He then describes his excitement at the prospect of being reunited with his lover. He imagines that they will get married and "wedding bells will be chining 'neath that old sugar moon." He dreams of all the kisses he will receive from his lover, saying that "all the kisses I missed I'll be gettin' 'em soon, sugar kissed from sugar 'neath that old sugar moon."
Overall, the song paints a picture of a man who is deeply in love and eagerly anticipating the day he will be reunited with his lover. The sugar moon serves as a metaphor for this reunion, with the sugary treats and the promise of love and affection creating a sense of sweetness that permeates the song.
Line by Line Meaning
When it's sugarcane time
I'm eagerly waiting for the time of the year when sugarcane is harvested.
Long around about June
It usually happens around the month of June.
I'll be walkin' with sugar
I'll be with my sweetheart.
'Neath that old sugar moon
Underneath the light of the full moon.
Gonna drop her a line
I'll send a letter to tell her that I'll be coming soon.
To expect me soon
So that she can prepare for my arrival.
Saccharine and some sugar
I'll bring some sweet gifts for her.
I can see us right now
I can imagine us together already.
She'll get the calendar down
She'll mark the calendar to prepare for our wedding.
Scratch your circle around
She'll encircle the date of our wedding.
Day we're altar bound
The day when we'll officially become husband and wife.
Wedding bells will be chining
The church bells will ring to announce our wedding.
All the kisses I missed
All the times we were apart and couldn't kiss.
I'll be gettin' 'em soon
I'll get to kiss her soon.
Sugar kissed from sugar
Sweet kisses from my sweet love.
Oh, I'm dreaming sweet dreams
I'm fantasizing about all the love we'll share.
All the lovin' I'll get
All the love and affection I'll receive from my love.
When I get back to my pet
When I return to the one I love.
Til it's sugarcane time
I'll continue to wait for the sugarcane harvest.
And I'll be walkin' with sugar
And I'll be with my love.
'Neath that old sugar moon
Under the beautiful moon that shines upon us.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB WILLS, CINDY WALKER, JAMES ROBERT BOB WILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick McKee
Mam I am so glad I bought his records when he was still alive. A great talent.
scott cunningham
1 of the true greats and man could he yodel this song is so true he will be missed
geech55
Thanks for sharing Al. Your Dad was excellent!
Kim Coffey
More Hot Road Mercury! Please. Like a rolling stone, even better
Jimmy Steel Duvall
Aint this the truth ! Well done Boys !
Kalkas53
should have been an opry member