“It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler,” a song written by Don Wayne and Walter Haynes, was recorded by Cal Smith for MCA Records on June 6, 1974, at Bradley’s Barn, 722 Bender’s Ferry Road, Mount Juliet, TN. In the same session, it was also recorded: “Brother Jack”. With the production of Walter Haynes, the song was released in November 1974, reaching # 1 on the US Hot Country Songs charts on March 1, 1975, and remained on the charts for a total of 16 weeks. It also reached # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts on March 15, 1975. It was the third and final number one in Cal Smith’s career.
The song was included in Cal Smith’s eleventh studio album, It’s Time To Pay The Fiddler (MCA 1975), the album was released in early 1975, and on March 15, 1975, it reached number # 8 on the charts from US Top Country Albums, and spent a total of 12 weeks on the charts.
Versions:
Conway Twitty 1975 (MCA)
Loretta Lynn 1975 (MCA)
Ernest Tubb 1975 (MCA)
Colm & The Sundowners 1979 (ILM)
Buddy Burleson ???? (Three Star Records)