You probably wouldn't guess that someone born as Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski would become a country music star. But even though his real name contains a clue to his original musical background, it would be his stage name -- Pee Wee King -- that would be remembered by fans. And even though he was a … Continue reading From Polkas To Honky-Tonk – Pee Wee King
Tag: Video
Workin’ Hard – The Delta Rhythm Boys
To paraphrase one of James Brown's best-known descriptions, you could make a good case that the Delta Rhythm Boys were 'the hardest working close-rhythm singing group in show business'. Of course, there have been many combos that could make the same claim, but it would be difficult to top the longevity, versatility, and wide range … Continue reading Workin’ Hard – The Delta Rhythm Boys
The Max And Les Connection
Although I wasn't born there, I have spent a substantial part of my life in and around the home city of today's subject. In fact, a statue was recently unveiled there to commemorate him -- Hoosier native Max Ehrmann, who died way back in 1945 at age 72. Ehrmann was an attorney and businessman who … Continue reading The Max And Les Connection
The Tragedy Of Little Willie John
Tragic stories have always been a part of music history, and have played out in almost as many varieties as there are performers who've lived them. But one of the most most poignant types of tragedies is when a performer throws away his opportunity, and that would be the case with R&B pioneer Little Willie … Continue reading The Tragedy Of Little Willie John
The Reluctant Crooner – Rudy Vallée
Yes folks, I'm writing about crooners again. It's a subject that has always fascinated me, and my interest has resulted in a number of articles that date all the way back to my Crooner Conundrum piece from four years ago. But today's subject -- Rudy Vallée -- was a different kind of crooner. For one … Continue reading The Reluctant Crooner – Rudy Vallée
A Crooner Named Clint Eastwood
In a recent piece about James Darren, I mentioned that many of the rising young actors of the era were also promoted as singing stars, but one that might surprise you is a guy who is now better known as a legendary superstar and director. That's right, folks. Clint Eastwood was once one of those … Continue reading A Crooner Named Clint Eastwood
The Many Faces Of Johnny Cymbal
Although its beginning might be reminiscent of the Marcels' "Blue Moon," Johnny Cymbal's hit record of "Mr. Bassman" had a personality of its own. But even though Cymbal's signature song helped make him a teen idol in 1963, a later piece -- performed under a different name -- would end up being his biggest hit. … Continue reading The Many Faces Of Johnny Cymbal
The Elegance Of Nancy Wilson
I've written several times about my radio experiences in the early 1960's so I won't repeat all that, but I did want to mention again how we had a large shelf of record albums that we slowly worked our way through, playing a cut from each. The result of doing that day after day, week … Continue reading The Elegance Of Nancy Wilson
James Darren Is Still Entertaining Fans
Although it happens even now, the 1950s saw the heyday of the practice of crafting parallel singing and acting careers for young, rising stars. Names like Tab Hunter, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian are still familiar to most of us, but at their height they were enormously popular. The same could be said of another performer … Continue reading James Darren Is Still Entertaining Fans
Appreciating The Past With The Louvin Brothers
I'm well aware that most of today's music lovers are probably not huge fans of old-style traditional country music, and I do understand that because for a long time I too dismissed it as 'hillbilly stuff'. But I have come to appreciate it more and more through the years, not only because of the links … Continue reading Appreciating The Past With The Louvin Brothers
Geezer Music Club 