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
Category: Music
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
Bobby Sherman Has Worn Several Hats
One-time teen idol Bobby Sherman has led an interesting life. During the 1960s and 1970s he starred on TV and also had a number of million-selling records, all adding to his status as a heartthrob for a lot of young fans. And even when things started slowing down musically he still managed to find regular … Continue reading Bobby Sherman Has Worn Several Hats
Anatomy Of A Song – The Story Of A Rascal
Even though it's generally considered to be a Jimmie Rodgers Depression-era song, you would probably have to visit a vaudeville house even earlier than that to find the true roots of "In The Jailhouse Now." The first written trace is a 1915 copyright for the team of Davis and Stafford, but it was often performed … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – The Story Of A Rascal
The DeJohn Sisters Gave It Their All
You gotta hand it to the singing DeJohn Sisters. They had very little professional experience when they first hit the recording studio in 1955, but their record of a song they'd written with their brother -- "(My Baby Don't Love Me) No More" -- rocketed into the Top Ten, and the duo figured they'd found … Continue reading The DeJohn Sisters Gave It Their All
Geezer Music Club 