Don’t be misled by the German 7-inch soundtrack companion whose A-side bears the dual title, “Midnight Cowboy-Asphalt Cowboy” — Ferrante & Teicher did not, in fact, release an early version of the truck-driving country classic, “Asphalt Cowboy” in 1969.

Sleepy LaBeef, in truth, recorded the first – and greatest – version of “Asphalt Cowboy” in Nashville at summer’s zenith (i.e., July 31) as a new decade (1970) dawned:

“Asphalt Cowboy”     Sleepy Labeef     1970

Produced by Shelby Singleton and recorded at Singleton Sound Studio in Nashville with the following musicians:

Jerry Shook: Guitar
Stevie Singleton: Guitar
Chip Young: Rhythm Guitar
Hargus Robbins: Piano
Bob Moore: Bass
Kenneth Buttrey: Drums

“Asphalt Cowboy,” co-written by Lawton Williams, who hit the charts back in 1964 with his vocal tune, “Everything’s OK on LBJ,” was also recorded by Rod Hart and used as the B-side for novelty trucker tune, “C.B. Savage.”

Mr. LaBeef stormed through the Nation’s Capitol just this past week in preparation for a series of dates up the East Coast to follow in early September.

Veteran DC musicians, Darryl Davis & Jack O’Dell, with Sleepy LaBeef in Annapolis