Crop Circles Were Just The Beginning

About a year ago I put up a brief post that featured a picture of a decorative crop circle, but I thought I'd revisit the subject today for a couple of reasons. For one thing I now have the slideshow gizmo at my disposal, which allows me to show a whole series of pictures instead … Continue reading Crop Circles Were Just The Beginning

Canadian Bard Gordon Lightfoot Still Entertaining Fans

Canadian folk singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has built up a large fan base through the years, and many of his hits come immediately to mind. Songs like "If You Could Read My Mind," "Carefree Highway," and "Sundown" have all been big sellers for Lightfoot, who is now in his 70s. But even though those are all … Continue reading Canadian Bard Gordon Lightfoot Still Entertaining Fans

Charlie Christian – An Inspiration To Generations Of Guitarists

Django Reinhardt might be the patron saint of all jazz guitarists, but for many of those who built careers on playing electric guitars, Charlie Christian was the inspiration. And even though he had a very short career and has been gone for nearly 70 years, he is still revered by many. The Texas-born (but Oklahoma-raised) … Continue reading Charlie Christian – An Inspiration To Generations Of Guitarists

A Couple Of Easter Treats

Nothing too serious today. Just a light-hearted and silly song that I remember from my childhood, followed by a three-part video that tells the story of the classic movie, Easter Parade. Rosemary Clooney - "Peter Cottontail" (Sorry, videos removed at source.)  

Danny Davis – Bringing The Brass To Country

Depending on your point of view, you either applaud Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass for helping bring country music to a mainstream audience, or you think that they pulled it too far away from its traditions. I guess I'm on the fence with this one, but I do have to point out that country … Continue reading Danny Davis – Bringing The Brass To Country

Jess Stacy’s Unforgettable Moment

In a recent piece about early jazz singer Lee Wiley I mentioned that she'd had a short and troubled marriage to pianist/bandleader Jess Stacy, but his career makes for an interesting story too. He was a very respected veteran of the big band era who first rose to fame with Benny Goodman and played alongside … Continue reading Jess Stacy’s Unforgettable Moment

Ricky Nelson Loved The Collins Kids

One of the best stories from the early days of rock and roll might be that of the brother and sister rockabilly act known as the Collins Kids. When the Oklahoma-born siblings first joined radio's Town Hall Party in 1954, Larry (Lawrence) was just ten and Lorrie (Lawrencine) a couple of years older, but they wowed … Continue reading Ricky Nelson Loved The Collins Kids

The Return Of My Nemesis

Nothing too profound today (unlike normal days when my profundity is breathtaking to behold) but I did want to report that I'm starting to get that feeling of unease that occurs every year about this time. You know the one I mean -- fear of the rapidly growing grass and subsequent lawn care. Regular readers … Continue reading The Return Of My Nemesis

Appreciating Lee Wiley

Although you seldom hear Lee Wiley's name mentioned now, she was one of the best of the early jazz singers, with a very distinctive voice and style. She was also a pioneer in the practice of recording 'songbook' albums built around a single composer, and even though it's been well over three decades since her … Continue reading Appreciating Lee Wiley

The Happenings Are Happening Again

Like so many other 'oldies' groups, the 1960s combo known as The Happenings has been reincarnated in recent years and seems to have found some success, judging from the video below. Some of the original guys are on board (literally, when playing on cruise ships) and are helping recreate the sounds of the past, including … Continue reading The Happenings Are Happening Again