I remember seeing, as I drove from Texas to Kansas, a road sign for the turn-off to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It was a long time ago, after my junior year in high school. But that’s an unusual name. A Cherokee name. … Read the rest
Category Archives: music history
I recently read a funny pun/meme that ties in nicely with what I’ve been sharing lately. The pun/meme said, “Elton John bought a treadmill for his pet rabbit. Yeah, it’s a little, fit bunny.” In case you’re not quite up … Read the rest
Maybe you already know that Kenny Loggins has a brother named Danny. And if you do, then you probably already know that Kenny wrote “Danny’s Song” for his brother as a gift for the birth of his brother’s son. And … Read the rest
It would be a bit of a stretch to say I can see very well. At least, without my glasses, it would be a stretch. And even though I’m more vision-challenged now than when I was younger, my eyesight was … Read the rest
Berhane was a musician who died over 40 years ago. And he was buried in the same village where he was born, only 36 years before that. According to a report I read he was laid to rest with a … Read the rest
According to search engine “suggestions,” a very popular search term is “Kanye West net worth.” And sadly, for the hip-hop rapper, it’s way less than it was. Poor dude is only worth about $400 million now. But don’t worry. Because … Read the rest
Let’s see. There was one bassist. Three cellists. Three violinists. And one pianist. Yeah, that about covers it. An eight-piece ensemble that started out, in second class, as a three-piece ensemble and a five-piece ensemble. Second class were their accommodations. … Read the rest
95 years ago, today, October 6, a quirky little guy said, “”Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain’t heard nothing yet.” And the crowd went wild. You probably already know I’m talking about Al Jolson. And you probably already … Read the rest
Hey, you know what would be a lotta fun? Let’s talk about the evolution of music. Are you with me? But let’s don’t do it in my boring musician way. Let’s start with a discussion about it I found on … Read the rest
Violin anatomy is basically the same across almost all models. Except for those cool, modern ones you see contemporary players dancing around with on stages and streets. And there’s quite a bit more going on that you might notice at … Read the rest
It’s the term for when a record or album sells at least two million copies. And back in 1972, a collection of Christian music was recorded that would become an album of double platinum songs. And that album would become … Read the rest
In 1977 I bought a cassette and an album of the same music from the same musician. It was the “Celebrate Me Home” collection by Kenny Loggins. It was (and is) an exceptional project. And it helped springboard me even … Read the rest
Maewyn Succat (and I’m not sure how you pronounce that name) marched to the beat of a different drum. To say the least. His life reads like the script to a Hollywood movie. I’ll call it “Welcome to Drumbeat Island.” … Read the rest
I just read where Paul McCartney was fined £100 ($170) because he planted cannabis seeds and grew cannabis on his farm in Campbeltown, Scotland. That happened 49 years ago today, March 7. His “excuse” was that he got the seeds from … Read the rest
According to one source I just read, it’s officially 50 years ago, today, since Elton John released Rocket Man. And I remember playing the album, Honky Chateau, over and over on one of my drives from Kansas to Texas. That … Read the rest
1975 was a very good year for The Eagles. Matter of fact, on this date, March 1, of that year, their song “Best of My Love became the first of five hit songs off their “On The Border” album. And … Read the rest
A river runs through it. Connect the dots. The ties that bind. And it’s a small world. However you wanna say it, there are so many interweaving threads in human life. I’d like to share a bluer than blue story … Read the rest
In case you don’t know, or don’t remember, Frank Sinatra sang a song called “My Way.” That song starts with this line: “And now, the end is near and so I face the final curtain.” I’ll bet, when Frank sang … Read the rest
On February 17, 2000 there was an auction for John Lennon’s Steinway piano. But it wasn’t just a Steinway. It was also the one he used to compose his song, “Imagine.” That vacuous, ridiculous, and delusional dive into nothingness. I think … Read the rest
I love a samba beat with soft nylon-stringed guitar and congas and smooth bass lines. And I deeply appreciate when a singer/songwriter focuses more intently on vocal performance and recording than just about anything else. So, I certainly tuned into … Read the rest