One of my favorite posts is a piece from 2007 titled The Quintessential Italian Crooner, in which I put forth my nominee (Dean Martin) as the best of many Italian-American smoothies. That post also generated a lot of comments about a few singers I'd missed, but we all forgot a guy who certainly should have … Continue reading Russ Columbo – The Almost Forgotten Crooner
Category: Retirement
Strange Ideas Are Part Of Artistic Vision
Although they're usually grouped into a classification known as 'public art', the kind of sculptures shown in the pictures below might be better described as strange ideas turned into reality. Of course, ideas are a vital part of a true artist's makeup -- without them he (or she) is just a technician. Still, some of … Continue reading Strange Ideas Are Part Of Artistic Vision
The Velvet Guitar Of Hank Garland
Most of the talented guitarists who have populated country music through the years have been perfectly happy to stay within their comfort zone. But the best of them have occasionally stretched themselves musically, and that would be the case with Hank Garland, the legendary composer of "Sugarfoot Rag", who surprised many fans with his detour … Continue reading The Velvet Guitar Of Hank Garland
Appreciating Manning — Bob, Not Peyton
For Indianapolis Colts fans who are suffering through the absence of Peyton Manning, I offer a Manning of a different type -- a crooner. Of course, baritone balladeer Bob Manning actually started life as Manny Levin, but even if he was sort of a faux Manning he was still a good singer who didn't receive … Continue reading Appreciating Manning — Bob, Not Peyton
Young Or Not, The Rascals Had Lots Of Fans
It's pretty easy to get a little confused about the particulars of a certain 'blue-eyed soul' group -- especially its name. But even if the group started out as the Rascals, then changed to the Young Rascals for a while before eventually changing back to the original, it entertained a lot of fans in the … Continue reading Young Or Not, The Rascals Had Lots Of Fans
Halloween Weekend Brings Out Spooks And Goblins
Regular visitors to the GMC know that slideshows often show up on weekends, and I can't think of anything more appropriate for Halloween weekend than pictures of Jack-O-Lanterns. And to make it extra special, most of them are definitely goblin-like. I can remember attempting to carve pumpkins for my kids when they were small (the … Continue reading Halloween Weekend Brings Out Spooks And Goblins
What Is THAT SMELL?
For most of my childhood we lived on the far side of a small city that also featured a big industrial area on its opposite side. The location of our house in relation to that area was important because it meant that we didn't have to play the daily game practiced by residents closer to … Continue reading What Is THAT SMELL?
Sam Butera – Out Of The Shadows
I realize the title of this piece might sound a little melodramatic, but for two decades beginning in the mid-1950s Sam Butera was the guy who led -- and performed in -- the band behind entertainer Louis Prima. That meant he was performing in the shadows of the flamboyant Prima and his wife, singer Keely … Continue reading Sam Butera – Out Of The Shadows
Facing Up To A Phobia
We all have things that creep us out. You know what I mean. They might make you shudder, or in some cases even cause you to gag and turn your head away. In fact, most people probably have several different things that affect them that way. I decided that facing up to one of my … Continue reading Facing Up To A Phobia
Revisiting Pete Rugolo
Award-winning composer/musician Pete Rugolo died Sunday in Los Angeles, so I thought I'd repost a piece from last year. ------------------------ The Long Musical Journey Of Pete Rugolo It might be unfair to call TV's Richard Diamond show a Peter Gunn clone, because even though both shows featured private eyes and a jazz-laden soundtrack, Diamond actually … Continue reading Revisiting Pete Rugolo
Geezer Music Club 