Album cover. Monument (JWG-38389) (1982)
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The Winning Hand is a compilation album by Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Brenda Lee. It was released on November 1, 1982, by Monument Records. The album was produced by Fred Foster. The album contains some newly-recorded material as well as catalog material with new instrumental tracks Two singles were released from the album: "Everything's Beautiful (In Its Own Way)" (Willie and Dolly) and "You're Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning" (Willie and Brenda), peaking at number seven and number 43, respectively, on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. A television special of the same name, hosted by Johnny Cash, aired in March 1985.
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Track listing
Side 1
- You're Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning Brenda Lee and Willie Nelson (Donnie Fritts) 2:54
- Ping Pong Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson (Boudleaux Bryant) 2:18
- You'll Always Have Someone Willie Nelson (Willie Nelson, Hank Cochran) 2:56
- Here Comes That Rainbow Again Kris Kristofferson (Kris Kristofferson) 2:51
- The Bigger the Fool, the Harder the Fall Kris Kristofferson and Brenda Lee (Kris Kristofferson, Mike Utley, Steve Bruton) 3:40
- Help Me Make It Through the Night Kris Kristofferson and Brenda Lee (Kris Kristofferson) 3:46
- Happy Happy Birthday Baby Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson (Margo Sylvia, Gilbert Lopez) 2:28
- You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago Willie Nelson and Brenda Lee (Willie Nelson) 2:46
- To Make a Long Story Short, She's Gone Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson (Willie Nelson, Fred Foster) 3:04
- Someone Loves You Honey Brenda Lee (Don Devaney) 2:51
- Everything's Beautiful (In Its Own Way) Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson (Dolly Parton) 3:13
- Bring on the Sunshine Brenda Lee (Danny Epps) 2:58
- Put It Off Until Tomorrow Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) 2:24
- I Never Cared for You Willie Nelson (Willie Nelson) 2:21
- Casey's Last Ride Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson (Kris Kristofferson) 4:06
- King of a Lonely Castle Willie Nelson (Kenny Devine) 3:17
- The Little Things Dolly Parton (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) 2:32
- The Bandits of Beverly Hills Kris Kristofferson (Kris Kristofferson) 2:33
- What Do You Think About Lovin' Dolly Parton and Brenda Lee (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) 2:38
- Born to Love Me Brenda Lee and Kris Kristofferson (Bob Morrison) 4:19
Recording
The album contains some newly-recorded material as well as catalog material with new instrumental tracks. All of Dolly's contributions were recorded during her time with Monument Records (1964–1967).
Recording sessions for the album took place in Nashville at Sound Emporium, Young'Un Sound, and Fred Foster Sound Studios. Additional sessions took place at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado, and Pedernales Recording Studio in Spicewood, Texas.
Recording sessions for the album took place in Nashville at Sound Emporium, Young'Un Sound, and Fred Foster Sound Studios. Additional sessions took place at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado, and Pedernales Recording Studio in Spicewood, Texas.
Release and promotion
The album was announced in the September 4, 1982 issue of Billboard as the first release by Monument Records through a new distribution deal with CBS. It was released November 1, 1982, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Monument Records launched a major radio, retail, and advertising campaign budgeted at $100,000 to carry the album to country, pop, and adult contemporary audiences. The album's cover art depicts the four artists as kings and queens on a deck of cards. This artwork was utilized on posters, promotional decks of cards and other point-of-sale materials spotlighting the album's theme. Monument printed approximately 5,000 decks of promotional "Winning Hand" cards, with Kris and Willie as the kings and Dolly and Brenda as the queens. They were sent to pop, adult contemporary, and country radio stations and a limited quantity was sent to retail locations nationally. Two weekends in November 1982 were designated as "Winning Hand Weekends" at key radio stations, including more than 60 country stations. The participating stations received 25 copies of the album and first single for giveaways. Additionally, Monument used the album's cover graphics to make a series of four-color 12-by-24-inch posters. Each poster was limited to 3,500 copies against red, green or blue backgrounds for in-store display. Along with the posters, retailers received promotional flats of the album cover with easel backs for display, and an eight track "mini LP" with four duet and four solo tracks from the album to be played in-store. CBS distribution also coordinated a series of retail contests to run from December 1982 to January 1983. Winners won an expense-paid trip to see any act of their choice from The Winning Hand album in concert in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, or Atlantic City.
Monument Records launched a major radio, retail, and advertising campaign budgeted at $100,000 to carry the album to country, pop, and adult contemporary audiences. The album's cover art depicts the four artists as kings and queens on a deck of cards. This artwork was utilized on posters, promotional decks of cards and other point-of-sale materials spotlighting the album's theme. Monument printed approximately 5,000 decks of promotional "Winning Hand" cards, with Kris and Willie as the kings and Dolly and Brenda as the queens. They were sent to pop, adult contemporary, and country radio stations and a limited quantity was sent to retail locations nationally. Two weekends in November 1982 were designated as "Winning Hand Weekends" at key radio stations, including more than 60 country stations. The participating stations received 25 copies of the album and first single for giveaways. Additionally, Monument used the album's cover graphics to make a series of four-color 12-by-24-inch posters. Each poster was limited to 3,500 copies against red, green or blue backgrounds for in-store display. Along with the posters, retailers received promotional flats of the album cover with easel backs for display, and an eight track "mini LP" with four duet and four solo tracks from the album to be played in-store. CBS distribution also coordinated a series of retail contests to run from December 1982 to January 1983. Winners won an expense-paid trip to see any act of their choice from The Winning Hand album in concert in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, or Atlantic City.
Singles
Dolly and Willie's duet, "Everything's Beautiful (In Its Own Way)", was released as the first single on November 8, 1982. It debuted at number 75 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated December 11. It peaked at number seven on the chart dated March 7, 1983, its thirteenth week on the chart. The single charted for 20 weeks. It also peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 102 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The single peaked at number two in Canada on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.
"You're Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning" by Brenda and Willie was released as the second single on March 14, 1983. The single debuted at number 75 on the Billboard Hot County Songs chart dated April 9, 1983. It peaked at number 43 on the chart dated May 14, its sixth week on the chart. The single charted for nine weeks.
"You're Gonna Love Yourself in the Morning" by Brenda and Willie was released as the second single on March 14, 1983. The single debuted at number 75 on the Billboard Hot County Songs chart dated April 9, 1983. It peaked at number 43 on the chart dated May 14, its sixth week on the chart. The single charted for nine weeks.
Television special
After writing the album's liner notes, Johnny Cash suggested that the album be made into a television special with him as the host. Fred Foster, Willie, Kris, Dolly, and Brenda immediately agreed to both of his suggestions, but it took a couple of years to arrange the schedules of these five superstars for the special to become a reality. The special includes every cut from the album in addition to some "signature songs" by each performer. Foster stated that he was humbled that the artists involved were participating in the special for a nominal fee in tribute to him. He went on to say that there wasn't enough money around or a sponsor able to pay for it otherwise. The special aired in over 150 markets in March and April 1985.
Critical reception
Billboard published a review in the November 13, 1982 issue which said, "From the ultra-visual packaging to the liner insert penned by Johnny Cash, this is an engaging project involving three former Monument artists and one currently signed to the reactivated label (Kristofferson). The ambitiousness of the undertaking overrides some uneven spots, which can be expected when you're pairing different superstars on nearly every track of a double-record set. Best cuts include "You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago" by Nelson and Lee, "To Make a Long Story Short, She's Gone" by Nelson and Kristofferson, and "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" by Parton and Kristofferson."
The review published in the November 13, 1982 issue of Cashbox said, "This is the ace that Fred Foster has been saving to play once Monument finalized its distribution agreement with CBS, and the LP is worth the wait, providing an assortment of duets and solo efforts made possible by adding recently-recorded tracks to existing material from the Monument vaults. Though the combination of this fearsome foursome is in itself a strong suit, the two-record set is enhanced by inspired cover art and thoughtful liner notes by Johnny Cash."
Greg Adams of AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars. He felt the album was "too redolent of a various-artists anthology to truly succeed as a piece."
The review published in the November 13, 1982 issue of Cashbox said, "This is the ace that Fred Foster has been saving to play once Monument finalized its distribution agreement with CBS, and the LP is worth the wait, providing an assortment of duets and solo efforts made possible by adding recently-recorded tracks to existing material from the Monument vaults. Though the combination of this fearsome foursome is in itself a strong suit, the two-record set is enhanced by inspired cover art and thoughtful liner notes by Johnny Cash."
Greg Adams of AllMusic gave the album 3 out of 5 stars. He felt the album was "too redolent of a various-artists anthology to truly succeed as a piece."
Billboard review, November 13, 1982.
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Cashbox review, November 13, 1982.
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Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated December 11, 1982. It peaked at number four on the chart dated March 12, its fourteenth week on the chart. The album charted for 24 weeks. It also peaked at number 109 on the Billboard 200.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.
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