Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2013 July 13

= July 13 =

Song by Johnny Rebel
There is a song by the controversial singer Johnny Rebel named "Alabama Nigger". It says here that it is performed by an unknown artist. The controversial song can be heard here. The song is performed by a group, with Clifford Trahan being in the group. Does anyone know who wrote it, when it was released, or what release it appears on? 108.0.244.168 (talk) 06:31, 13 July 2013 (UTC)


 * Well, Clifford Trahan is Johnny Rebel, and like you say, it's a Johnny Rebel song, so Trahan most likely wrote it. Google says it was released on an album called (appropriately enough) "Racist Songs". Not sure when that was, but sometime in the '60s would be my guess, from the lyrics and fidelity. InedibleHulk (talk) 15:00, 14 July 2013 (UTC)
 * I Know Trahan is Johnny Rebel. I know Johnny Rebel wrote most of his songs, but I also know that it is sung by a group with Johnny Rebel being in the group.  I have only found the album name "Racist Songs" listed on download torrents, which are unreliable and sometimes list made up names, leading to misattributions.  I have not found the alleged album title in any reliable source.  It probably doesn't exist.  Trahan is the one in the group singing the verses: "I'm glad this tune came along we done wore out one nigger song" and "I want to be white don't you understand so I can play in a trashy white band".  The song's fidelity sounds like it came later than the Reb Rebel releases.  I doubt it was released by Reb Rebel records, because he mentioned that he recorded 12 songs for that label, 10 of which he wrote; in his interview with Howard Stern; and this is not one of them.  This song sounds like it came from the late 60s or early 70s.  Does anyone know who the other singers in the group are, who wrote it, or what actual release and label it appears on from a reliable source?  108.0.244.168 (talk) 03:12, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
 * This might help. Says this version is by the Trashy White Band, and released by Broadhead Records in the '60s/'70s. David Allan Coe did a version. Not the most reliable source itself, I guess. But something to maybe point you in the right direction. The nigger song he says they done wore out might be "She Ran Off with a Nigger", apparently written by a Will Barnes. It's actually kind of catchy. Released in 1977 (according to this), so if that's the one the TWB wore out, makes sense that "Alabama Nigger" was later. InedibleHulk (talk) 20:21, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
 * David Allan Coe never recorded this song. That was a rumor started by download torrents.  This source isn't correct that Coe recorded these songs, but I think the Trashy White Band is the group I am looking for.  It appears that Trahan might have been a member of this band or a guest singer for that song.  I can hear Trahan's voice in the song.  I can't see the writing credit in the record's picture as it's too small.  Can anyone tell me what it says?  108.0.244.168 (talk) 23:41, 15 July 2013 (UTC)
 * Nah, I can just make out a capital U. Think that's a U, anyway. This is the eBay seller the info (and probably photo) in that link came from. You might try clicking "Contact Member" and asking. InedibleHulk (talk) 02:09, 16 July 2013 (UTC)
 * I don't want to ask anyone about a racist song. I don't want anyone to mistakenly believe that I am speaking in favor of racism.  It is certainly not a Will Barnes or David Allan Coe song.  None of the singers in this song sound like them.  The Trashy White Band did also record "She Ran Off With Buck" that Barnes wrote.  "Alabama Nigger" probably was recorded in 1977 or later.  One of the singers in the group does sound like Johnny Rebel and is most likely him.  108.0.244.168 (talk) 03:21, 16 July 2013 (UTC)


 * For what it's worth, when you asked about this racist song here, I didn't take it to mean you support racism. Just figured you wanted to know where it came from. But yeah, it's your call. Hope you figure it out. I'm out of ideas. InedibleHulk (talk) 04:09, 17 July 2013 (UTC)
 * It appears that it was recorded by the Trashy White Band featuring Johnny Rebel as a guest singer, probably in the late 70s. Should I put this in the Johnny Rebel article?  108.0.244.168 (talk) 08:07, 18 July 2013 (UTC)