Here's an amazing fact -- in August of this year, it will have been thirty years since Elvis died. Of course, it might not be as amazing to you as it is to me, but I'm willing to bet that most of us wouldn't have guessed that it had been that long since he took … Continue reading Elvis Presley And The Genesis Of Rockabilly
Category: Country
REVIEW: Feel Like Going Home – The Essential Charlie Rich
This release is a new presentation of a 1997 album titled Charlie Rich - Feel Like Going Home, a compilation of music that he recorded through the years for several different record companies. It's now been added to the Epic/Legacy Essential series and is the same music with different packaging, so this review applies to … Continue reading REVIEW: Feel Like Going Home – The Essential Charlie Rich
REVIEW: Swamp Gold Country (Vol 1)
Since most of the country is suffering though Winter weather and needs a diversion, it seemed like the right time to revisit indie music of the country persuasion. It's always a real kick to see what's available from some of the independent regional outfits that are operating in various parts of the good ole US … Continue reading REVIEW: Swamp Gold Country (Vol 1)
Alabama’s Randy Owen Is Only Human
Holy Cow. Randy Owen, the lead singer of country group Alabama, has turned into a geezer! I happened to be scanning with the TV remote last night - a common occurrence, I'm forced to admit - and spotted him singing solo in what appeared to be a recent appearance. He'll turn 58 this year and … Continue reading Alabama’s Randy Owen Is Only Human
REVIEW: Grassroots Country – Hand Picked (Vol 1)
Of all the reasons I enjoy music, there's one that I sometimes forget -- music can be fun, and that's the reaction I had the first time I listened to Hand Picked (Vol 1), from the folks at Twang Brand Music. If you're a little new to the world of grassroots country music, you won't … Continue reading REVIEW: Grassroots Country – Hand Picked (Vol 1)
Gentleman Jim Reeves – The Country Music Crooner
Somehow I find myself again writing an article about a crooner, my fourth over the last few months. (1, 2, 3) Country music singer Jim Reeves is my subject in this session, and calling him a crooner might be a bit of a stretch from the term's normal definition, but it's a pretty accurate description … Continue reading Gentleman Jim Reeves – The Country Music Crooner
Jerry Reed And His Friend Mr. Smirky
It seems to me that there have always been actors I like to call "Mr. Smirky". You know the kind of guy I'm talking about -- they appear in a lot of movies and are very popular with their fans, but always seem to play a variation of the same character. He's smooth, cracks wise, … Continue reading Jerry Reed And His Friend Mr. Smirky
Saturday Matinees With The King Of The Cowboys
I realize that kids still have celebrity heroes they follow and admire, including personalities from the entertainment or sports worlds, but there appears to be a dearth of one type of hero from my childhood -- cowboy stars. I'm not talking about actors who occasionally appear in westerns, but rather those guys who created and … Continue reading Saturday Matinees With The King Of The Cowboys
Celebrating The New Year With Ray Stevens
In the early 60's I was working in radio, mostly as a DJ but sometimes with added duties that included everything from minor tech work to programming. It would have been nice if the added responsibilities had resulted in higher pay, but working for a small-town radio station at that time meant that you pretty … Continue reading Celebrating The New Year With Ray Stevens
Willie Nelson – The Early Years
Willie Nelson is probably one of the most famous musical stars around, and I can't imagine anyone not instantly recognizing his grizzled face when they see it or his unique voice when they hear it. I wonder though if there are many of us around who remember the early days, before he became the character … Continue reading Willie Nelson – The Early Years
Geezer Music Club 