Lookout Heart! - The Story of Coy Jackson

The first in a series of articles in which we look at the unsung heroes of country and rockabilly music. Today we are looking at Rimrock and Starday recording artist Coy Jackson, responsible for the much loved single 'Lookout Heart'. With thanks to Steve Jackson we present Coy Jackson's story here complete with photographs for the first time. (Images Copyright: Steve Jackson)

Coy Lee 'Franklin' Jackson (27th December 1930 - 3rd January 2002) was born into a musical family. He took his first guitar lessons from his mother at the age of four. He was also second cousin to Buck Owens but inspirations came from a variety of performers including George Jones, Hank Williams and Jim Reeves. His guitar playing was heavily influenced by that of Chet Atkins.

In 1965 he bought a four track tape recorder and with the help of his 10-year-old son Steven made a six track demo. He then sent this off to the label Starday Records, which was responsible for the launch of one of his musical idols George Jones. It was off the back of this he obtained a record and songwriting contract six weeks later.

His only release on Starday was 'What it Takes to Make a Grown Man Cry' on which pianist Floyd Cramer played on for a fee of $200. The flip side 'The Birds and The Bees' was co-written with Wayne Raney, the record having a feel similar to that of 'Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me'. Coy Jackson grew up in the next town from Wayne Raney; he would later record for Raney's Concord Arkansas based label Rimrock Records.

A multi-instrumentalist Coy Jackson could play guitar, dobro, fiddle, mandolin and had the ability to play mostly by ear. Steve says that he "once saw him listen to Pali Gap by Jimi Hendrix and play it perfectly after he complimented Jimi's skill to me." Jackson would also tour Germany with a band playing various instruments.

The first single cut for Rimrock was the much loved 'Lookout Heart', a wonderfully haunting country bop record that features Teddy Riedel on Piano. Though written by Coy Jackson it is attributed on the label to his wife Lila Duncan (Jackson) as he was still under contract with Starday at the time.

Lila and Coy - or Frank as he was known to his family - wrote and exchanged photos during the Korean War. When he returned from his service the pair recognised each other and would marry in the town of Heber Springs, Arkansas on the 8th August 1953.

Not long after his first Rimrock single he would cut another, this time alongside his cousin Chris Riggs. These tracks were 'Let Me Keep My Dreams' and 'I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore'.

Jackson's final record for Rimrock would be released two years later. 'The Ballad of the Big Red One' would be backed with 'Freedom Bird' a great country bopper that tells the tale of a man waiting for the aeroplane to take him home from war, echoing the thoughts of many servicemen.

Lookout Heart' itself had a resurgence in recent years when it was covered by Swedish group The Country Side of Harmonica Sam. This prompted many country music fans to go back and discover the Rimrock original, which is now very sought after by collectors.

Coy Jackson may have only had a handful of releases over his musical career, but the impact that those songs have made is a lasting tribute and I'm sure many country music fans will be pleased to finally know more of his story.

Discography

Coy Jackson

The Birds and The Bees / What It Takes (To Make A Grown Man To Cry) - Starday 734 (1965)

Lookout Heart / The Ring - Rimrock 211 (1966)

Ballad of The Big Red One / Freedom Bird - Rimrock 259 (1968)

Coy Jackson & Chris Riggs

Let Me Keep My Dreams / I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore - Rimrock 217 (1966)