(In light of the recent passing of Roger Williams, I thought I'd repost a piece from 2007. I've added some music and a very nice video I found that features Autumn scenes backed by his classic recording of "Autumn Leaves".) Command Performances - A Specialty Of Roger Williams Command performances by musicians, whether for royalty … Continue reading Roger Williams Will Be Remembered
Tag: Video
Red Allen – Bluegrass Troubadour
Not to be confused with the jazz trumpeter who came along a little before him (although their careers did overlap), bluegrass performer Red Allen was a much-respected and influential part of country music for many years beginning in the 1950s. An accomplished instrumentalist with a solid singing voice, he was a favorite of many fans … Continue reading Red Allen – Bluegrass Troubadour
Covered Bridges At Their Best
Although most people don't enjoy having to dispose of all the falling leaves, Autumn is a difficult season to dislike. Before becoming a chore, those same leaves morph into brilliant splashes of color and combine with crisp, sunny days and chilly nights to create a time of year that's almost magical. In our area of … Continue reading Covered Bridges At Their Best
Grant Green’s Legacy Has Endured
For someone who's been called one of the least-appreciated jazz guitarists of the modern era, Grant Green left behind an amazing amount of material. But he did seem to fly below the radar for much of his career, which was often stalled by drug-related causes. In the years since he died in 1979 (at just … Continue reading Grant Green’s Legacy Has Endured
Barry Mann – Talent Times Two
It might surprise those who don't know the whole story but Barry Mann, who teamed up with wife Cynthia Weil to write some of the most popular songs around, also made a splash early in his career as a performer. That's right, the guy who helped create memorable songs like "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" … Continue reading Barry Mann – Talent Times Two
Johnnie Wright Still Remembered By Fans
It might have escaped the notice of most folks, but a recent news article has reported the death of country music pioneer Johnnie Wright, who passed away at age 97 in the Tennessee home that he still shared with his wife of 74 years, country superstar Kitty Wells. Although his famous spouse is probably more … Continue reading Johnnie Wright Still Remembered By Fans
It Seemed So Much Longer At The Time
We're usually pretty herky-jerky here at the ol' GMC. By that I mean that each new post is usually about a completely different subject than the preceding one. But I am going to make an exception here because I'm continuing with the subject of motor homes or trailers, sometimes called caravans by the British. I … Continue reading It Seemed So Much Longer At The Time
Robin Luke – Hawaii’s Own Teen Idol
Although he was born in California, Robin Luke grew up in Hawaii and was still attending high school there when he was 'discovered'. Promoters saw him as a possible Ricky Nelson-style teen idol and for a few years he did very well. He's now mostly remembered for his 1958 Top Ten hit "Susie Darlin'," but … Continue reading Robin Luke – Hawaii’s Own Teen Idol
Uncle Dave Macon – The Dixie Dewdrop
When digging through the musical past I sometimes run across a character whose story is too good to pass up, even if they're pretty much unknown to many current music lovers. A good example is Uncle Dave Macon, who was one of the first stars of the Grand Ole Opry and also holds the distinction … Continue reading Uncle Dave Macon – The Dixie Dewdrop
The Fiery Side Of Jeri Southern
Despite a singing voice that was sometimes described as limited, Jeri Southern was able to build a good career in the 1950s by becoming the quintessential torch singer, a gal who could deliver a song with impact and verve. And she was also the voice behind a memorable and 'fiery' movie song that I still … Continue reading The Fiery Side Of Jeri Southern
Geezer Music Club 