Country music has always been replete with guys named 'Tex', and I'm not even going to begin to try to list them. (But if you're any kind of fan I bet you've already thought of a few). You can also find quite a few performers whose last name was Williams, but as near as I … Continue reading The One And Only Tex Williams
Category: Nostalgia
Marilyn Maxwell – From Singer To Movie Star
Because of the fifty-year anniversary of her death, you've probably noticed a lot of articles lately about a certain film legend, but we featured Marilyn Monroe this time last year. Instead, I thought I'd offer the story of Marilyn Maxwell, one of several actresses who were sometimes compared to her and one whose name was … Continue reading Marilyn Maxwell – From Singer To Movie Star
Ted Weems And His Late-Blooming Hit
Although he died a half-century ago, Ted Weems is still remembered by a lot of older music fans. An early jazz musician and bandleader, Weems was very popular in the prohibition era and would later introduce fans to Perry Como, but is probably most remembered now for the late 1940s popularity of "Heartaches" -- even … Continue reading Ted Weems And His Late-Blooming Hit
Something New On The Ol’ GMC
It's no fun having a blog if you don't try new things once in a while, and that's what I'm doing today. If it works out, I'll occasionally mix this type of post in with our normal pieces. However, to help determine that I need a little feedback via comments at the bottom or votes … Continue reading Something New On The Ol’ GMC
Del Shannon – An Early Runaway Success
It's difficult to think about Del Shannon without immediately recalling "Runaway," his debut record that ended up becoming one of the best known songs in the history of rock and roll. In fact, it was so evocative of the era that it was later used as the theme song of a TV show set in … Continue reading Del Shannon – An Early Runaway Success
Crooner Tony Martin Had Long Career
After a long and notable career, crooner Tony Martin has died at age 98. Below I've reposted a earlier piece, and have also reactivated the song sample, "Stranger In Paradise." (The following was originally published in 2009.) Tony Martin — Crooner Or Cowboy? I love to watch old Western movies on TV, but I have … Continue reading Crooner Tony Martin Had Long Career
Summer Olympics Showcasing London
Just in case you missed all the zillions of news stories, I thought I'd let you know that the London Olympics are underway (and share some pictures too). I just read that Great Britain has spent almost 10 billion pounds even in these tough times, but I guess they figure it's worth it. Wendy Luck … Continue reading Summer Olympics Showcasing London
Archie Bleyer Joined La Rosa In Godfrey’s Doghouse
If you were a fan of Arthur Godfrey when he was a popular radio and TV host in the 1940s and 1950s, you probably remember the volatile star's on-air firing of popular crooner Julius La Rosa. What you might have forgotten is the name of his musical director in those days, a guy who had … Continue reading Archie Bleyer Joined La Rosa In Godfrey’s Doghouse
Move Over, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers
I've written before about singing cowboys, including one piece that compared Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. I've also profiled Rex Allen and a few others, but there was another guy who was not just a singing cowboy but also a respected band vocalist, a Broadway star, and a character actor with a long career in … Continue reading Move Over, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers
Doin’ The Hucklebuck With The OTHER Paul Williams
You might have noticed that entertainer/songwriter Paul Williams has been in the news this Summer as the subject of an award-winning documentary titled Paul Williams: Still Alive. But there is another Paul Williams deserving of some attention, a guy who was a rock and roll pioneer. His claim to fame was something called the Hucklebuck. … Continue reading Doin’ The Hucklebuck With The OTHER Paul Williams
Geezer Music Club 