Tennessee Pulleybone

About Tennessee Pulleybone

Tennessee Pulleybone was a band formed in Cookeville, Tennessee. The original group featured "Big" Ken Smith (Bass), Jerry Tuttle (Instrumentalist), Biff Watson (Guitar), and John Wolters (Drums). Later members were Dave Gillon (Guitar), Tom Hamilton, and Thomas "Bones" Kaelin (Drums). Their recording of "The Door Is Always Open" on JMI Records hit the Billboard Country chart on September 8, 1973 and peaked at 75. Other singles on JMI Records were "I Ain't In A Long, Long Time", and "Clean Your Own Tables". After JMI Records closed, the band went on to sign with RCA Records and began touring with Willie Nelson, Bobby Bare, Freddy Fender, Gary Stewart and numerous others. Still today they are often referred to as the first country band to sign to a major label. Some of their songs were written by Dave Gillon who also wrote hits for other artists such as Roy Clark, and Kenny Rogers.