Coping By Camping

After a series of days with high temperatures of 100 or more (peaking at 109 on one very memorable day), our part of the Midwest has cooled off to the mid 90s. Funny, that used to seem hot. But even with the cooler temperatures, we're still under drought conditions and there is no sign of … Continue reading Coping By Camping

Marlene Dietrich The Singer

Although we mostly think of Marlene Dietrich as an exotic and mysterious actress who began appearing in films way back in the 1920s, she had a surprising amount of success as a vocalist too. Although her singing voice might have been somewhat of an acquired taste for listeners, it was certainly distinctive, and music would … Continue reading Marlene Dietrich The Singer

John Davidson Still Doing His Thing

I thought I'd dedicate this one to my sister, who happened to mention John Davidson over coffee at a local java cafe recently. Although he was never a big singing star, Davidson was a familiar presence on TV for many years on shows like That's Incredible and Hollywood Squares, and is still entertaining fans even … Continue reading John Davidson Still Doing His Thing

Discovering Beegie Adair

I have a confession to make. I have the TV on and tuned to the cable music channels a lot, especially if I'm reading. But that's not what my confession is about. My guilty secret is that by doing so, I often discover - or rediscover - performers who make perfect subjects for write-ups on … Continue reading Discovering Beegie Adair

Andy Griffith – The Early Years

Most of us have probably read that Andy Griffith just died at age 86, and news stories have naturally focused on his memorable roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock. But a lot of people might have forgotten that before he showed up in Mayberry, his career had already included huge record sales, Broadway … Continue reading Andy Griffith – The Early Years

Born To Be Blue – Beverly Kenney

Another of the many tragedies that seem to occur too frequently in music is the fate of singer Beverly Kenney, who was a rising jazz star in the 1950s. She seemed to have a lot going for her -- an outstanding voice and a singing style that meshed perfectly with the type of cool jazz … Continue reading Born To Be Blue – Beverly Kenney

Don Grady Had A Musical Side Too

I was saddened to read of the recent death of Don Grady, who is probably most remembered as one of Fred MacMurray's boys on the popular, long-running (12 seasons) TV show, My Three Sons. But in addition to his acting career he also had a musical side, and he showed it before, during, and after … Continue reading Don Grady Had A Musical Side Too

Summer Hits Hot And Dry — And Fiery

No, that's not a picture of my back yard. But that's how it seems around here, because we've had a really long, worrisome dry spell. And that's coming from someone who usually doesn't mind a little dry weather because it keeps my lawn from growing too fast. (I've often expressed my dislike for yard-work in … Continue reading Summer Hits Hot And Dry — And Fiery

Rock And Roll – The Early Days

Nailing down the details of the origins of rock and roll has always been a little difficult, but that hasn't stopped anyone from trying (including yours truly, here on the GMC).  The truth is that it all came about from a combination of various musical influences, but it is possible to identify key moments, like … Continue reading Rock And Roll – The Early Days

Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song

So I was listening to an old song that I'm sure most of us remember -- "Sweet Georgia Brown" -- and I discovered something interesting. The song, which you might remember as the signature tune of the Harlem Globetrotters, has been performed by just about everybody since it was written almost a century ago. And … Continue reading Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song