Fire And Smoke – Earl Thomas Conley – 1981 (Album – Fire And Smoke)
When this song came out, it sent a message through Country. This unassuming guy from Portsmouth, Ohio had written songs for many others, and had a few songs of his own that misfired until RCA Records found him and signed him to a legit record deal. The Fire And Smoke album is one of the best country albums of the past 45 years, launching 4 big singles and boasting 10 about perfect country songs on it. Fire And Smoke the song, was the first of his 20 #1 songs, and at the end of 1981, it was named the #1 song of the entire year. ETC had a new and different style that would help take country in a new direction. He, at that moment, was as influential as George Strait and John Anderson. It was younger, tighter and this was the beginning of one of the great chart runs. His albums were terrific and this single lead the early charge. Take a listen to ETC. Yes, he’s mentioned in the new Luke Bryan song, he’s one of Luke’s favorites. (BTW – he needs to be in the Hall Of Fame)
