It's been a while since our last Fantastic Foursome, and I've picked a lively Hank Williams tune for this one. Although he was actually from Alabama, one of his best-known songs -- "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" -- was based on the music of Southern Louisiana and named for an iconic dish from the region. But … Continue reading On the Bayou With A Fantastic Foursome
Tag: country music
Goodbye To Claude King And Fran Warren
I've never really intended for the GMC to be a consistent source for obituaries of musical artists. In fact, there are a lot that don't show up here. But I do try to mark the passing of those performers who have been featured on earlier posts, and I also note some of those who haven't … Continue reading Goodbye To Claude King And Fran Warren
Texas Ruby Was A Real Firecracker
Texas Ruby has been gone for fifty years now, and she didn't headline in Vegas or score any huge hit records during her too-short career, but she remains one of the most memorable country music stars of all time. Ably accompanied by husband Curly Fox's fiddle, her deep singing voice and distinctive performing style helped … Continue reading Texas Ruby Was A Real Firecracker
Lulu Belle And Scotty Took A Detour
The life of a performer is often a tough one and a husband and wife team probably faces added complications, but it can be a rewarding experience too. That's why it probably surprised country music fans in the late 1950s when popular duo Lulu Belle and Scotty left the business behind and took an unusual … Continue reading Lulu Belle And Scotty Took A Detour
Finding Smiles Amidst Nemo’s Snowdrifts
When I read that the blizzard that hit the Northeastern U.S. had been given the name 'Nemo' it surprised me a little. The National Weather Service says it's just a marketing ploy from the Weather Channel and wants no part of it, but it has really caught on, and the next blizzard -- Orko -- … Continue reading Finding Smiles Amidst Nemo’s Snowdrifts
It All Started With Clarence – Or Was It Tom?
One of the things I enjoy most about musical history is how often you can find interesting connections. I ran across one recently while reading a piece about a currently popular folk/country group, Old Crow Medicine Show. It seems that the legendary Doc Watson (who died last year) helped the group get its start. That … Continue reading It All Started With Clarence – Or Was It Tom?
The Mystery Of Charly McClain
As hard as it might be to believe, the GMC is approaching seven years of existence and has featured almost twelve-hundred articles. At least half of those (and probably more) have been profiles of various musical performers from the past, and during that time I've noticed some similarities in how their careers progressed in later … Continue reading The Mystery Of Charly McClain
Slim Whitman Is Amazing
Slim Whitman occupies a unique spot in the world of music. Lots of would-be sophisticates have poked fun at him for years, a practice that probably reached its peak in 1996 when the silly sci-fi movie Mars Attacks! utilized one of his yodeling songs ("Indian Love Call") as the only weapon that could stop the … Continue reading Slim Whitman Is Amazing
Patti Page Topped The All-Time Charts
I was saddened to read that pop/country singer Patti Page died recently. She was 85 when she died and had enjoyed a long career, continuing to be musically active almost to the end. She's probably most remembered now for early hits like "Tennessee Waltz," which was one of the best-selling records of all time -- … Continue reading Patti Page Topped The All-Time Charts
Dorothy Shay – The Park Avenue Hillbilly
If you were a dedicated fan of The Waltons, the iconic 1970s TV show that was a huge hit for many years, you might remember that one of the teens - Jason - was musically inclined, and that he sometimes risked his mother's wrath by entertaining in an area roadhouse, the venerable Dew Drop Inn. … Continue reading Dorothy Shay – The Park Avenue Hillbilly
Geezer Music Club 