Catfish John

"Catfish John" is a song written by Bob McDill and Allen Reynolds first released on McDill's album Short Stories,^[1] and subsequently recorded and released by American country music artist Johnny Russell.^[2] It was released in November 1972 as the fourth single from the album, "Catfish John"/"Chained".^[3] The song is credited with propelling Bob McDill into the front ranks of country songwriters.^[3]

"Catfish John"
Single by Johnny Russell
from the album Catfish John / Chained
B-side	"Promises of Your Love"
Released	November 6, 1972
Genre	Country
Length	2:48
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Allen Reynolds Bob McDill
Producer(s)	Jerry Bradley
Johnny Russell singles chronology
"Rain Falling on Me" (1972) "Catfish John" (1972) "Chained" (1973)

The song has also been performed by Jerry Garcia (Jerry Garcia Band, Old & In the Way), as well as other musicians.^[4] Toots Hibbert recorded the song on Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead (Pow Wow), a Grateful Dead tribute album.^[5][6] It has also been performed and recorded by Alison Krauss and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Australian country music band The Hawking Brothers released their version in 1973 reaching 32 on the charts.^[7]

Content

The song is a story about a former slave, which emphasizes difficulties of the everyday life for Black people at the time, and about the singer who, in boyhood, found him an inspiration and source of Delta culture.^[8]

Chart performance

Chart (1972–73)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles[9]	12
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	3

References

1. "Short Stories - Bob McDill". AllMusic. November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
2. "Johnny Russell Album Discography". AllMusic. November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
3. Edward Morris Songwriter Bob McDill Talks About His Many Hits Legendary Tunesmith Submits to Rare Interview at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum July 4, 2008 CMT News
4. Robert Margolis Trey, Weir Honor Garcia Disciples and old friends honor late Dead frontman in Berkeley Sep 26, 2005 Rolling Stone
5. Mike Joyce New Releases: Pop The Washington Post June 16, 1996
6. FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN' CELEBRATES GRATEFUL DEAD MUSIC August 8, 1996, All Things Considered on NPR
7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 135. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
8. Randall, Alice; Carter Little; Courtney Little (2006). My Country Roots: The Ultimate MP3 Guide to America's Original Outsider Music. Thomas Nelson, Inc. pp. 92. ISBN 1-59555-860-8.
9. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 463–464. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.