Messages From Animals

Although I understand that the critters in the pictures below aren't really responsible for the messages, there's not much doubt that many animals do communicate. I'm reminded of the squirrels that sometimes cavort around when I'm taking a walk in a nearby parkland. (Actually it's a park-like cemetery, but I thought that might sound creepy … Continue reading Messages From Animals

The REAL Eddy Duchin Story

Although his orchestra was enormously popular in its day, Eddy Duchin would probably not be a recognizable name to most current music fans except for one thing. A few years after his death, Hollywood star Tyrone Power portrayed him in The Eddy Duchin Story, a very colorful tale of his life that even today occasionally … Continue reading The REAL Eddy Duchin Story

The Lion Sleeps More Than Once

I guess most of us probably remember the Tokens' big hit song from 1962, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," but what you might not remember is that it wasn't the last time this particular lion made an appearance on the charts. It was also a Top Ten hit a number of years later for singer Robert … Continue reading The Lion Sleeps More Than Once

From Pom-Poms To Vampires – Toni Basil

Although I occasionally write holiday-themed pieces, a lot of special days pretty much pass with minimal notice on the ol' GMC. I guess I'm just enough of a contrarian to not follow what is a pretty universal practice in blogdom. Having said that, I thought maybe today I'd write a Halloween piece. I guess you … Continue reading From Pom-Poms To Vampires – Toni Basil

Guys Will Be Guys

The pictures below are some of those that have been making the rounds lately under the heading Men Who Lack Adult Supervision, and I thought I'd pass them along. (Thanks to both K and M, and anyone else I might have missed.) A few of the photos take a little study to catch the finer … Continue reading Guys Will Be Guys

Van McCoy — Disco And More

Dig out your white three-piece suit and get ready to hit the dance floor -- it's disco time! But in spite of the image that might have popped into your head, I'm not going to write about John Travolta or the Bee Gees. Instead, I thought I'd feature another performer from the era, and his … Continue reading Van McCoy — Disco And More

Remembering The REAL True Grit

Recently I read that a re-make of True Grit, the 1969 Western movie that won John Wayne an Oscar, is due to hit theaters in December. Jeff Bridges has taken over the role of Rooster Cogburn, and it's said that the new film is a much more serious version, with none of the tongue-in-cheek moments … Continue reading Remembering The REAL True Grit

The Talents Of Horace Heidt

Unlike most of the entertainers I've written about, swing-era bandleader Horace Heidt's talents didn't depend on his own musical abilities. Although he could play piano, he usually left the keyboard to others. And he was never really known as a composer or arranger, like so many of his contemporaries. But he did have two things … Continue reading The Talents Of Horace Heidt

Decorating Your Divorce

Although the dissolution of a marriage is usually a traumatic event, a lot of people seem to find some relief by using a little black humor to mark the occasion. That can take many different forms, but for a lot of folks -- mostly women, it appears -- a party is just the thing. But … Continue reading Decorating Your Divorce

Gwyneth Tackles The Country Side

Something a little different today. I don't often write about current performers, but one who fascinates me is the Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who -- after receiving beauty and acting talent in the genetic lottery -- apparently got back in line and picked up a good portion of singing ability too. I first noticed her … Continue reading Gwyneth Tackles The Country Side