R.I.P. Leo Teel

[David Griffin]

I've just learned from Lynn Groom on FaceBook that Leo Teel passed away yesterday at 2PM. Leo was a recording pioneer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. He had a studio in Grand Praire,TX for over 60 years. He loved the steel guitar & was a close friend of Tom Morrell. Leo recorded tons of his generations' artists including Willie Nelson & Lefty Frizzell. I'm sure there were many more that I can't remember. Hopefully someone else does. He was quite a character & I saw him remain calm in situations during sessions where most people would have lost it. A great man who will be sorely missed. I feel priveledged to have known & worked with the man.

[Tony Farr]

Back in the late 50's early 60's, I worked with Leo at the Ol Top Rail out on Hwy 114 with Bill Pernell and his band. Gary Van and the Starlighters were working across the street at the Starlight Club. That's about the same time that Jimmy Dean came out with big bad John, that sure brings back a lot of memories for me. Billy Brady was playing steel for Gary Van during that time. Bill Pernell had one heck of a band back then.

[James Pennebaker]

I remember playing fiddle on some Boxcar Willie sessions at Mr. Leo Teel's studio back in the mid 70s. I was all of 19 or 20 years old at the time and I remember walking into that studio was like entering another world. It was like going back in time. Very sad to hear of his passing.

JP

[Mitch Drumm]

http://www.funeraldigest.com/obituaries ... /144438294

Good overview of Leo at the above link, with a very early picture.

I've got a couple of old 45s by him. As I recall, he was a pretty good vocalist and owned several labels such as Top Rail and Teel.

He wrote and recorded this classic tune which I think was released by Decca. He must have been a classic Texas character I'd like to have met.


FERTILIZER
(Leo Teel)

While walking down the street one day down in Alabami
I met a little feller who was lost from his mammie
I stopped to talk to him a while but he was kind of shy
I asked him what his name was and he began to cry


My pappy's name is Ferdinand; My Mammy's name is Lizer; (Lizer!)
And so between the two of them; They named me Fertilizer.
Well Fertilizer had so many other little brothers
He said they used all the names; While naming all the others
but he was really happy cause he drew so much attention
The kids gave him a nickname that wouldn't do to mention

His pappy's name is Ferdinand; His Mammy's name is Lizer; (Lizer!)
And so between the two of them; They named him Fertilizer.


His pappy's name is Ferdinand; His Mammy's name is Lizer; (Lizer!)
And so between the two of them; They named him Fertilizer.

(solo)

While walking down the street one day down in Alabami
I met a little feller who was lost from his mammie
I stopped to talk to him a while but he was kind of shy
I asked him what his name was and he began to cry

My pappy's name is Ferdinand; My Mammy's name is Lizer; (Lizer!)
And so between the two of them; They named me Fertilizer.
Well Fertilzer had so many other little brothers
He said they used all the names; While naming all the others
but he was really happy cause he drew so much attention
The kids gave him a nickname that wouldn't do to mention

His pappy's name is Ferdinand; His Mammy's name is Lizer; (Lizer!)
And so between the two of them; They named him Fertilizer.