As you might have read, banjo wizard Earl Scruggs died recently at age 88. Although he is often remembered as part of the Grammy-winning duo Flatt & Scruggs, his career flourished for over four decades after the twosome split in 1969. Along the way he became one of the most admired and influential musicians in … Continue reading Banjo Pioneer Earl Scruggs Will Be Missed
Category: Boomers
Sal Mineo Also Had A Musical Side
Sal Mineo isn't the first name that comes to mind when I'm thinking musical thoughts, but even though he was primarily an actor he did sell some records as a singer. He also starred in a movie about jazz drummer Gene Krupa, but his musical side was only one aspect of the fascinating story of … Continue reading Sal Mineo Also Had A Musical Side
Dixieland: Italian Style – Tony Parenti
The legendary Louis Armstrong always said that he’d been born in New Orleans on July 4th, 1900, but a few years after his death it was discovered that he'd actually been born on August 4th, 1901. However, there was at least one local who actually was born in 1900 and went on to become a … Continue reading Dixieland: Italian Style – Tony Parenti
Plumbing: A Life-Long Nemesis
A recent plumbing repair (having our water heater replaced) has once again reminded me how much I hate anything to do with it. For a lot of years I tried to do my own repairs and usually just made things worse. In fact, I always said that I could make a leak worse just by … Continue reading Plumbing: A Life-Long Nemesis
Being Out Of Control
It's become a standard joke, but I have to admit that I - like most men - enjoy playing with the TV remote control, and I was doing just that today when I got to thinking about something that I hadn't really considered before. Modern remote controls do just about everything, but their core function … Continue reading Being Out Of Control
Biggest Hit Record During World War II
If you're like me, you would assume that the biggest hit record of World War II was probably something along the lines of Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" or maybe the Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," but even though they were very popular they weren't the biggest. That would be Elton Britt's "There's A … Continue reading Biggest Hit Record During World War II
Elvis Followed Big Mama Thornton
I would guess that anyone reading this is familiar with Elvis Presley's 1956 rendition of "Hound Dog," but the King wasn't the first singer to hit the top of the charts with the song. That would be Big Mama Thornton, the blues-singing harmonica wiz whose record of the song sat atop R&B charts while Elvis … Continue reading Elvis Followed Big Mama Thornton
Appalachian Memories Of The Imagined Kind
Whenever I see pictures or films that depict early scenes from Appalachia I always feel a kinship with the people shown, even though I can't really be sure whether my family roots stretched that far. But my ancestral history includes lots of folks from Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana, and Eastern Kentucky is considered to be … Continue reading Appalachian Memories Of The Imagined Kind
Something Different From The Left Banke
Looking back on the pop music scene of the 1960s, we now realize that it was one of the most diverse eras in history. Most of those variations still influence today's music, but a group known as the Left Banke was something a little different. The band's two big hits -- "Walk Away Renee" and … Continue reading Something Different From The Left Banke
Warren Smith – Talent To Burn
Most fans of early rock and roll know about Sun Records in Memphis and how it helped give starts to guys like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. But there was at least one talented Sun alumnus -- Warren Smith -- who was just as good as … Continue reading Warren Smith – Talent To Burn
Geezer Music Club 