If you've been brave enough (or open-minded enough) to pursue reading this article in spite of your conventional mental image of Lawrence Welk, then I congratulate you. I certainly have little room to criticize those who haven't looked at it, because my memories of him are probably similar to theirs -- that is, I considered … Continue reading When Lawrence Welk Became Cool
Author: BG
BG (aka The Big Geez) is a retiree who who has spent over a decade generating the Geezer Music Club, where he tries to prove that geezers can stay in touch with today's world. . .and still find time for the trimming of ear hair.
Jerry Reed And His Friend Mr. Smirky
It seems to me that there have always been actors I like to call "Mr. Smirky". You know the kind of guy I'm talking about -- they appear in a lot of movies and are very popular with their fans, but always seem to play a variation of the same character. He's smooth, cracks wise, … Continue reading Jerry Reed And His Friend Mr. Smirky
REVIEW: Nanny Assis – Double Rainbow
I have to say that I'm a little surprised to find myself reviewing an album by a Nanny, but I guess I should hasten to add that in this case it's a name, not a profession. Nanny Assis, a respected Brazilian jazz percussionist and veteran of many concert and recording sessions, has now joined the … Continue reading REVIEW: Nanny Assis – Double Rainbow
Saturday Matinees With The King Of The Cowboys
I realize that kids still have celebrity heroes they follow and admire, including personalities from the entertainment or sports worlds, but there appears to be a dearth of one type of hero from my childhood -- cowboy stars. I'm not talking about actors who occasionally appear in westerns, but rather those guys who created and … Continue reading Saturday Matinees With The King Of The Cowboys
Benny Goodman Conquers Carnegie Hall
I've written about Benny Goodman before, at least in passing, and have even featured him prominently in some articles. (Including the one in which I wondered if he was my doppelganger.) However, I thought it was time to write in more detail about an event connected to him that had a profound effect on my … Continue reading Benny Goodman Conquers Carnegie Hall
Musical Memories – Early TV Themes
It is a truism that our memories are often triggered in a variety of ways related to our senses. We see someone or something that reminds us of an experience in our past, or we catch a familiar scent or taste, possibly something as simple as warm cinnamon rolls, that brings back fond memories of … Continue reading Musical Memories – Early TV Themes
Harry James – More Than Just Betty Grable’s Hubby
It's pretty difficult to talk about Harry James without mentioning his famous wife, Betty Grable, and indeed they were a well-known couple for over twenty years, a union that also produced two children. But this is a place for musical discussions, and although Betty did make a number of movies that included lots of singing … Continue reading Harry James – More Than Just Betty Grable’s Hubby
REVIEW: Pablo Aslan – Buenos Aires Tango Standards
The title of Buenos Aires Tango Standards, a new album being released in mid-February on the Zoho label, is a little misleading. According to the album notes, Pablo Aslan and his group certainly seem to be covering a number of tango standards as the title suggests. But his stated purpose is to provide something more … Continue reading REVIEW: Pablo Aslan – Buenos Aires Tango Standards
In Appreciation Of Popcorn – Regular And Moog
Popcorn. Love it. Always have. Always will. In fact, there was a period in my life when I gobbled a lot of it every single day. I had convinced myself that I'd invented a new diet -- fill up on popcorn and you won't have room for anything else. Unfortunately it didn't work, which might … Continue reading In Appreciation Of Popcorn – Regular And Moog
One More Toast To Anita O’Day – And To Her Mentor
A lot of music lovers mourned the loss of Anita O'Day a while back, and rightfully so. When she died at age 87 it marked the end of a legendary career that reached from her early days as a big band singer (or songbird, a subject I covered in a previous article) through her many … Continue reading One More Toast To Anita O’Day – And To Her Mentor
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