Once in a while I like to feature one of the less-remembered bandleaders of the big band era, guys who might have been very popular at one time but lacked the lasting fame of a Glenn Miller or Tommy Dorsey. One who could be described in those terms was another trombonist, Russ Morgan, who had … Continue reading The Sweet Sounds Of Russ Morgan
Category: Music
War Surplus Takes Different Forms
While I was growing up, I was always intrigued by a unique establishment located in a seedy area of our small city. I think the sign on the building actually read Army-Navy Store, but we always called it the War Surplus Store. Although I didn't spend a lot of time in the place, I do … Continue reading War Surplus Takes Different Forms
Eddie Cochran – Shooting Star
In a recent piece about the late Hank Cochran, I mentioned that the veteran singer/songwriter had once formed a rockabilly singing duo with another young performer, Eddie Cochran. Although the two were not related they billed themselves as the 'Cochran Brothers' and did well for a while before going on to separate careers. In Eddie's … Continue reading Eddie Cochran – Shooting Star
Got Those Highway 40 Blues
Short and simple today. I'm still recovering from a little adventure I had on U.S. Highway 40. I was driving back from a visit with my daughter, who lives almost two hours away, and I was still a half-hour from home when I developed car problems. Her and I had gone to a late movie, … Continue reading Got Those Highway 40 Blues
Ginny Simms – From College To Kollege
Regular readers will recall that I often write about 'crooners' and 'songbirds' -- the vocalists of the big band era. In fact, if you put either word into the 'search' space on the left side you'll find lots of evidence of my fondness for them. That being the case, I thought maybe it was time … Continue reading Ginny Simms – From College To Kollege
Sakamoto’s Hit Song Was Not About Food
When Japanese pop singer Kyu Sakamoto's ballad "Ue O Muite Aruko (I Look Up When I Walk)" first became a hit in his home country, it had nothing to do with sukiyaki, a familiar meat and vegetable dish. But "Sukiyaki" was the name given to the song by record promoters when it was brought to … Continue reading Sakamoto’s Hit Song Was Not About Food
Folding Money Takes Many Different Forms
I'm pretty sure that the well-worn and often used term 'folding money' isn't normally used to describe what is shown in the slideshow at the bottom. The art of origami -- folding paper into ingenious shapes -- has long been attributed to the Japanese, although there is evidence of the same practice in the history … Continue reading Folding Money Takes Many Different Forms
Hank Cochran Will Be Missed
Country music fans were saddened to hear of the recent passing of singer/songwriter Hank Cochran, who died at age 74 in his home near Nashville. Although he was a polished performer, the long-time associate of Willie Nelson is probably best known for writing hit songs for other singers; including Eddy Arnold's "Make The World Go … Continue reading Hank Cochran Will Be Missed
Working Dads Had Varying Degrees Of Cool
A common scene in movies and TV shows is when a parent -- usually a dad -- gets up in front of his kid's classmates and explains what he does for a living. It's usually handled as a comedy scene, and if he does something that's perceived as cool, the kid basks in reflected glory. … Continue reading Working Dads Had Varying Degrees Of Cool
The Mission Of Lalo Schifrin
Soundtrack music is something that most of us take for granted, but it's vital to the mood and pacing of a film. It also has to do its job while not distracting from the action on the screen, even though in some cases the music might be better than what you're watching. It's not surprising … Continue reading The Mission Of Lalo Schifrin
Geezer Music Club 