Something I saw while watching an old Gunsmoke rerun on TV inspired today's edition of Anatomy of a Song. It surprised me at the time -- not because I didn't already know about it, but because those old Gunsmokes seldom ventured into subjects that didn't really have a lot to do with the action on … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – A Texas Favorite
Category: Boomers
The Odyssey Of Mickey Baker
In an earlier post about the Bonnie Sisters, I mentioned that they'd been helped along by Mickey Baker, a talented guitarist who would later be part of the R&B duo Mickey & Sylvia. But even though he and his performing partner struck gold in 1957 with "Love Is Strange," Mickey Baker might have been a … Continue reading The Odyssey Of Mickey Baker
Four Aces Struck Gold In The 1950s
In the early 1950s the big band era was winding down and the rock and roll revolution was still to come. The pop music landscape was filled with a little bit of everything, and among those who thrived were singing groups that seemed to spin out hit after hit by specializing in sweet ballads. One … Continue reading Four Aces Struck Gold In The 1950s
Fantastic Foursome – A Song For The Season
We haven't had a Fantastic Foursome for a while, so maybe I should explain the idea for those newer visitors who haven't run across it before. It's a recurring special feature that spotlights a particular song, and then offers the chance to listen to four different versions and vote for your favorite. The song we're … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – A Song For The Season
The Many Talents Of Memphis Minnie
There have been countless female blues singers through the years, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one who could match the abilities of the legendary Memphis Minnie, who first rose to fame in the 1930s. In addition to writing most of her own songs, she was as good a vocalist as any of her contemporaries … Continue reading The Many Talents Of Memphis Minnie
Jerry Byrd’s Hawaiian Love Affair
Depression-era Lima, Ohio, wouldn't seem to be a likely place for a young boy to grow up dreaming about Hawaii, but on second thought it might have been ideal. After all, what better way to forget hard times than to imagine yourself in a Pacific paradise? That must have been how it was for steel … Continue reading Jerry Byrd’s Hawaiian Love Affair
The Bonnie Sisters Briefly Flirted With Fame
In a recent post about the DeJohn Sisters I mentioned that they'd been the inspiration for another singing group, the Bonnie Sisters, who weren't sisters at all but still managed a Top Twenty hit in 1956 with "Cry Baby." Unfortunately, it would be the girls' only good-selling record, and they soon became yet another forgotten … Continue reading The Bonnie Sisters Briefly Flirted With Fame
Johnny Mercer Could Sing Too
Most articles about legendary songwriter Johnny Mercer end up being all about his list of memorable songs, which is understandable because it's an impressive collection that totals more than fifteen-hundred. But even though he looked more like a songwriter than a crooner he was actually a pretty good singer too, and I thought we might … Continue reading Johnny Mercer Could Sing Too
The Music Of The Sopranos
Most know by now that James Gandofini has unexpectedly died in Rome from an apparent heart attack. Not surprisingly, there are countless articles exploding into the media stream about the 51-year-old actor, and even though he had a diverse career most are centered around his iconic gangster character, Tony Soprano. We're doing the same here … Continue reading The Music Of The Sopranos
Slim Whitman Passes On
Earlier this year, in a post titled Slim Whitman Is Amazing, I spotlighted the long and varied career of the iconic country music star. It has now been reported that he has died at age 90 in Florida, apparently of natural causes. I've reactivated the song link on that earlier post, and have also replaced … Continue reading Slim Whitman Passes On
Geezer Music Club 