sistasmiff

I can’t add nothing to what all’s being said about Michael Jackson.  I was and am a huge fan of the KOP from the early music all the way up to Black and White. A good way for me to resurrect my Feel Good Friday here is to let the music of Michael Jackson speak [...]

I know lots of people in my age group are thinking the same thing tonight: How bizarre is it that TWO of the major, Pop Culture icons of our generation died on the same day?

We knew Farrah’s time was short but Michael Jackson?  This afternoon, my sister texted me about Farrah and made the statement [...]

Life is funny.  I mean, sometimes ya just gotta laugh at it.  I’m so not up to telling the tale again but I will mention the whole job situation is different.  I should have good news to report in the next few days so for now, don’t ask me what happened.  It’s not that exciting and I’m trying to forget it and move on to the next page.
Mom didn’t have her surgery today as was scheduled because she got pretty sick with bronchitis and pneumonia last week.  She is doing better from that but still having a time getting her strength back. 
Need I say again if you smoke….quit.  Just do it and save your family and yourself lotsa trouble later on.  It just complicates everything.  Everytime Mom gets a cold, etc. she gets this horrendous bronchitis thanks to the COPD.  I don’t mind and I know my sister doesn’t mind tending to her or being there when she needs us to be.  It is hard on everybody and things all have to be shuffled around, sometimes late at night when she has a panic spell because she can’t breathe, as happened last Friday night at 9:35. 
#2 was most unhappy about having to go over to Mimi’s that late.  He griped and moaned and I gave him the Guilt Trip speech about “What would you do when you have one of your headaches (he has migraines) and me or Dad wouldn’t help you or do whatever we have to do to make you feel better?”   Eh.  Deaf ears.
Funny thing was though…Saturday afternoon, #2 got to thinking that the next day was Sunday and that might mean he may have to go unto the House of the Lord. This brought him some anxiety and he musta spent a lotta time conjuring up this suggestion he made to me…with a totally straight face..”Um, Mom….you know, Mimi might need us tomorrow so we might oughta stay home from church so we can look after her.”  I screamed laughing. Little stinker.
And here we have some moving pictures of Foster, who is getting bigger by the second.  We are seriously working on potty training (l

They didn’t call him “The Voice” for nothin’…Vern Gosdin was the geunine article.  After years of health problems, mostly related to strokes, Vern died here in Nashville yesterday.
The last time I saw Vern was about a year ago when CLC and I had lunch at the Cracker Barrel by Opryland.  Apparently, Vern was a daily customer and was on a first name basis with all the staff.  (Remember, Chris? One-by-one just about ALL the waitresses came by to see him?) 
Vern had a couple of different careers in music, first making his mark in the Bluegrass world in the 60’s with The Golden State Boys, which included his late brother, Rex, Don Parmley and  Chris Hillman.  They later changed the bands’ name to The Hillmen.  Vern was right in the middle of the country/rock movement of the late 60’s on the West Coast and even had one of his songs in the movie “Easy Rider.”
After giving up a music career and moving to Atlanta, Vern resurfaced and lordy, I’m glad he gave music another go.  Some of my very favorite country music recordings are Vern’s…his version of “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)” is my favorite rendition of that tune…Curtis Young’s perfect harmony on it is just superb…

 
Vern’s Gospel album, in my mind, is way up there with the best of the best. The Gentleman Formerly Known As My Husband had the priviledge of contributing harmony vocals on this album. I can’t speak for him but I would wager he is quite proud of that.  Vern’s version of “Jesus Hold My Hand” is my most absolute favorite recording of that Albert E. Brumley classic…
Vern’s classic, written with the late Max D. Barnes, Chiseled In Stone, I think, is up there with He Stopped Loving Her Today with the best of the best of country songs…embodies everything that makes a country song a great country song…very visual and real; so much so you just want to cry when you hear it…

What’s new?

2 has become a Pogo Stick King.  Something about seeing a kid pogo sticking brings joy to my heart.  Ah, to be able to aimlessly jump up and down, not a care in the world. 

Over dinner with my kids this evening, this conversation was heard…(Do note that names have been changed to protect the Guilty)

2 says: “Did Potential-Hoodlum-That-You-Two-Sometimes-Hang-Out-With have to go back to jail?”

Both the Manchild and the Manchild’s Sister looked at him much like Marcia Brady used to do Cindy when she tattled.  “Nice going.”
You know what my favorite part about the kids going through this Stay-With-Dad phase is?  Secrets!  “Let’s not tell Mom this because she will be pissed.” 
Ok, let’s pick this apart, shall we? 
Why would Mom be opposed to my Darlings being friendly with Butthead-Down-The-Street-Who-REALLY-Likes-The-Feel-Of-Handcuffs-Round-His-Wrists?   Hmmm….maybe it has something to do with that time I caught him destroying my neighbors Christmas decorations?  Or the time I caught him destroying an election sign in my yard?  And any number of other times I’ve caught this kid in the act of THINKING about doing something he isn’t supposed to?
He has asked my kids “Why doesn’t your Mom like me?”  Ummmmm…..let me count the ways.
I can always count on #2 to fill in the blanks.  I think stuff like this is the reason they like to stay at Dad’s more than Mom’s.  Oh Lord Jesus, rock my babies…
Oh, how I wish I could elaborate on some funny things I hear at my workplace.  Oh heavenly day…everyday I learn something new and it don’t have to do a THING with work. Next time you see me, axscht me.
And on another un-related note…I got to visit a tad with my oldest/newest close friend, Eric the Brilliant Singer/Songwriter/Film-maker  a week or so ago.  (This is him with our other school chum, the most wonderful and amazing John.  (I still have a hard time calling...

It’s Friday so you know what time it is? Time to feel good and get on back to Tulsa Time…I gotta do both clips cause both clips kick some arse.
This one is a veritable plethora of rock legends….my boyfriend, Eric Clapton, his pals Jimmy Page,Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, a mandolin slappin’ Steve Winwood and some others.

This one is my other feller, Don Williams and what’s so cool about this clip is the guy in the red, playing the faaar outta that git-tar, Danny Flowers, who was good enough to write this great song for us to enjoy.

I’m so sad to hear this morning that singer/songwriter and my fellow longtime Hendersonvillian, Dan Seals has died.  
I first remember Dan as part of England Dan and John Ford Coley.  This song was HUGE when I was a kid.  I still love it and it’s on my Ipod.
  
When I worked at the Country Music Hall of Fame in the 80’s, they had a tape player that played current country hits over and over and over and over and over…….Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tanya Tucker, Earl Thomas Conley (gawsh I love him) and Dan. Everytime I hear any of those tunes, I’m transported back to the old Hall of Fame with the REALLY ugly mural on the wall.
I was always partial to Dan’s “Addicted” and then this song….a little heavy on the corn, but, I think a great song and a great recording…anything written with or by Bob McDill is always so visual…”Everything That Glitters” is no exception.

Just trying to get us through the week, ’specially Holly!
I’m brain-dead from training.  I have several things I’m planning on blogging about, but, can’t think straight so until then, feast yer ears on Neko Case.

I’m back to where I look forward to Fridays and it sho do feel good. I hope you feel good this Friday.
Humor me here…I LOVE this song.  I can’t help it.  It’s on my Ipod with the incomparable Mary Martin rendering it, but, alas…no You Tube video could I find of her singing it so  I suppose the adorable Lennon Sisters, though dressed ridiculously here, are just cuter than bugs in a rug and dang if them girls didn’t nail that harmony!

And while I was hunting down the Lonely Goatherd, oh my sweet precious Lord Jesus…I found this…

I about wet my pants laughing over this one. Mr. Welk called it a “modern spiritual.” Heh. It was spiritual, alright.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, y’all!
I love me a good, Irish Tenor. Dennis Morgan could flat bring it.

Because my head and chest are so fulla gunk, I don’t have nothing heavy to blog about so I’ll give you a snappy little gospel tune this Sunday morning courtesy of Rosie Rozell and the Searchers. That’s fine stuff, now…

I know it’s Friday and that whole “Feel Good” thing but I have got to answer my pal Murrey who called and left a message wanting some commentary on the brilliant move by those Corporate Tools/Suits/Pinheads/Weasels/Or Whatever Favorite Adjective You Might Have That Would Insult Somebody, over WSM’s decision to ”relieve” Keith Bilbrey from his duties from their station AND from his gig as the Opry announcer-AFTER 34 YEARS.
When Keith’s wife, Emy Jo emailed me the other night about the news, I thought I was seeing things. It is wrong on so many levels.
I’m not married to my First and Second Husband anymore so I don’t guess it will hurt him for me to publicly say right here and right now …Hey YOU! Yeah you spineless, ballless, butthead at WSM who decided that Keith’s services were no longer needed….YOU SUCK.
So in honor of the Honorable Mr. Bilbrey…

And since I missed last week’s FGF….this too.

If you get the urge to let Said Buttheads at Gaylord know of your displeasure with their decision, have at it…
mailto:Chris@wsmonline.com) General Manager
(mailto:Joe@wsmonline.com) Oper. Manager
(mailto:pete.fisher@opry.com)

Country Music has lost a dandy with the passing of Hank Locklin.  He’s one of the few from that era and on that level, it is sad, but, my gosh….91 years of living and up until fairly recently, Hank was active.  What a funny little man who sang some classics…..Please Help Me I’m Falling, Send Me The Pillow are the biggies.
Hank and the Biffer went all the way back to Houston days. 
I have many memories of Hank but my FAVORITE one is this one right here.

This was at Carl Smith’s Medallion Ceremony when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.  I was TRYING to take a picture of Carl and Goldie, their son Dean, his wife Tammy, and their daughters Lori Lynn and Carlene.  Hank happened to just wander up and got in the middle of it like he was supposed to and it was hilarious.   Like Hank was standing in for Carl, Jr. or something.  Har.  Good times.
Here’s a little clip of Hank singing his signature song…..ah and my beloved T. Tommy Cutrer introducing him….I swear, I’m so glad I was able to hang around all these people.  Lotta love to Hank’s family, ’specially his son Adam who is a good feller.

Today is Tuesday, you know what that means…we’re gonna sing a Tuesday song!

I wanted to be a Mouseketeer SOOO bad at one point. I’m not talking 70’s Mouseketeers or Justin Timberlake Mouseketeer….I wanted to be one with Karen and Cubby, Annette, Tommy, Cheryl, Jimmie, Bobby and Cissy….no wait…Cissy was Bobby’s partner on Lawrence Welk. ANYHOO, I wanted to be one.
Oh, and I need my medicine. I haven’t filled my ADD medicine that I’m out of because it is expensive and I dont have insurance at the moment. I’m liable to zip from one subject to the other at the drop of a…..
My old friend Eric sent me a copy of his documentary Everyone But You.  It is my mission to make sure everybody sees this movie, especially my own kids who have dreams of making a life in music.  This thing is so brilliant and beautiful and real, it should be required viewing for all the music biz students at every college in the country.
There were so many things in this movie that made me laugh so loud and then there were several things that made me cry.  After nearly 20 years of being married to a recording artist/musician/songwriter/etc./etc so many things in this hit home with me.  And on the other hand, my own self, being a stifled, frustrated artist…I totally got it.
I’m so proud of Eric for doing this and I hope he’ll keep hawkin’ it even though he has to work for food and stuff.  It inspires the crap outta me.  Thank you for sharing it, mah friend. 
I had the thought today, too…what if I get a Booty Call and they get a busy signal or no answer?  Just sayin’….
Ok, lets see what else?  Oh…look at this picture of my beautiful daughter:

My new favorite piece of music I heard today?  Tu Vo Fa L’Americano by the Puppini Sisters.
Oh and the best news I got today?   I start working Monday.  Thank you, Jesus.

After that startling revelation yesterday about the state of Kenny Chesney’s bald head, I figured a Tuesday with a little bit of Louvin wouldn’t hurt nobody’s feelings any.  
 
Not a ton of live, Louvin Brothers footage out there, which is quite sad.  The good news is that the influence of the Louvins is something that I’m not sure can be adequately measured.  Case in point, our favorite Emmylou would probably not be in country music had it not been for that little mix tape Gram Parsons made for her that had some Louvins on it.  Pretty mind-blowing, isn’t it?

This footage of Charlie, Emmy and Vern Gosdin is from “Nashville Now” in about 1987. I remember watching this live and I “taped” it on the VCR (that sounds almost primitive to say, doesn’t it?) and I musta watched this of them singing “Love and Wealth” a billion times.

Interesting thing about the Louvins is that they  came from the same little area in Alabama that produced Vestal Goodman and some of the guys in Alabama. Must be something in the water down there around Sand Mountain that could produce the vocal power of an Ira Louvin and Vestal Goodman, ya know? (Ironically, Vern and Emmylou were both born in Alabama)
Ol’ Charlie’s still at it at the ripe, young age of 81.  He’s not known for his exactly “sunny” disposition.  He insulted me good one time backstage at the Opry and I didn’t know what hit me. I was a young newlywed and was totally mortified.  I don’t guess he MEANT to humiliate me like that….oh, sure he did!  HAR
I had a tshirt that had this wonderful album cover photo on it.  I only wore it once because I got strange looks from people who musta thought I was a Satan worshipper or something.  I believe the tshirt is safely housed at the X’s house and is worn by him.  I actually had this album, or my Dad had it in his collection.  I may still have it…not sure.

 
I’ve been on a major Louving kick ...

It’s Friday so let’s get our Feel Good on, shall we?
Today’s entry is about 8 minutes long, however, if you don’t have 8 minutes, skip over to the 5:41 mark and just soak up the goodness of an audience member from Carol Burnett’s show singing (quite well). This is fo’ real entertainment.

I think I know who mighta stolen Lance Armstrong’s bike…

So I was looking for some more pictures of the WSM Radio tower. (Guess why?) I stumbled across the website of a guy I went to elementary, junior high and part of high school with. We were in the same 5th grade class, actually.
Anyway….nobody told me Eric Shiveley became a brilliant singer/songwriter/filmmaker. HELLO???
I can’t remember the last time I heard music that blew me away. It’s been a LONG time. I am not easily impressed musically. Yeah, I’m a music snob. I admit this. I woulda been blowed away even if I didn’t know Eric way back in the olden days. Just listen/watch.

Since it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I want to dedicate my Feel Good Friday submission to all those happy couples out there. What better way to do it than with John Prine and Iris Dement singing “In Spite of Ourselves.” It’s a very warm, tender song…..heh heh. Hilarious.

I know you’re sitting there wondering “Reckon what the number one song in the nation was the day Miz Collie was born?”   Wonder no more….Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells.