Although hers is not a familiar name to most of us now, Gertrude Niesen was a solid success for a couple of decades beginning in the 1930s. A multi-talented performer, she was a singer and comedic actress who was equally at home on the bandstand, on Broadway, or in Hollywood films. She also co-wrote some … Continue reading The Many Talents Of Gertrude Niesen
Arthur Prysock – A Crooner With Style
We haven't featured a crooner for a while, and today the spotlight falls on a guy whose smooth, glorious baritone and mellow singing style certainly made him one of the best. In a career that spanned more than forty years, Arthur Prysock demonstrated a high comfort level with just about every type of music, including … Continue reading Arthur Prysock – A Crooner With Style
Country Catalyst – Christmas Edition
We're way overdue for a new Country Catalyst, the Special Feature that offers a country music song to a wider audience, and I thought I'd combine it with something appropriate to the season. It's a song that might be familiar to you -- it's been around a long time -- but you might not have … Continue reading Country Catalyst – Christmas Edition
The Amazing Valaida Snow
She was proficient on countless instruments but usually played the trumpet, and with such skill that Louis Armstrong declared her second only to himself (which led to her being called 'Little Louis'). She was also a talented dancer and a marvelous singer, with perfect pitch and the ability to handle everything from jazz to soulful … Continue reading The Amazing Valaida Snow
Skip & Flip – A Brief Burst Into The Spotlight
If you were around in 1959 or are just a fan of the music of those days, then you might remember a couple of songs that had a lot in common. Both "It Was I" and "Cherry Pie" almost made it to the Top Ten on pop charts -- number 11 to be exact -- … Continue reading Skip & Flip – A Brief Burst Into The Spotlight
Leon’s Lone Star Cowboys And Beyond
The swing band era that began in the 1930s was echoed by a similar process in country music, when some of the groups then around began to perform in a style that came to be known as Western Swing. It would prove to be a ticket to stardom for guys like Bob Wills and Spade … Continue reading Leon’s Lone Star Cowboys And Beyond
Five-Star Fav: Fresh Off The Boat
It's always a bit of a challenge to put together a new edition of the GMC Special Feature known as Five-Star Favs because it's meant to spotlight a particular song by a specific artist, one that is - you know - a favorite of mine. The difficulty is that it goes against my normal posting … Continue reading Five-Star Fav: Fresh Off The Boat
The Many Talents Of Rosalie Allen
At the beginning of her career Rosalie Allen performed as a singing and yodeling cowgirl, a style inspired by earlier stars like Patsy Montana. In fact, her first hit record in 1946 was an update of Patsy's iconic "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart." But before she eventually retired to raise her family she … Continue reading The Many Talents Of Rosalie Allen
Swingin’ With The Eel – Bud Freeman
Those of us who are fans of the big band era know that the tenor saxophone was an important part of its success, and in the early years its use was popularized by guys like Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. But there was another saxman around in those days who could stake a legitimate claim … Continue reading Swingin’ With The Eel – Bud Freeman
Saluting Silly Songs – A Classic With Staying Power
Although it might be a little tough to define the requirements for our Saluting Silly Songs feature, I know a good candidate when I see and hear one, and it starts with the title. I'm sure most of us remember "Da Doo Ron Ron" by the Crystals, but what you might not know is that … Continue reading Saluting Silly Songs – A Classic With Staying Power
Geezer Music Club 