The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of my Newsletter. Writing stories about our vinyl record memories with added content from my collection is another way of sharing memories and keeping the oldies alive.
I
do hope that you enjoy these little stories I write. They are short,
they will not win any prizes for literature, but it’s all about the
music and our vinyl record memories.
We wish you lots of fun on this journey to the time of Drive-In Movies, Pizza Parlors, Malt Shops, and those memorable Friday & Saturday night school dances.
Issue #130 - March, 2024
A Special thank you to my good friend and high school classmate, Gary Ritchie. Over the years Gary has provided me with information that I have been able to adapt to my newsletter and online articles. A great help and certainly appreciated...and a big reason, "Why old friends matter."
Take a trip down memory lane with with the original classic oldies show - Monday thru Saturday from
1pm to 3pm, all times Pacific, on KNCP Newberry Mix 107.3 FM. Ned Ward turns music into memories playing yesterday's country favorites and the classic hits of the 50's and 60's Doo Wop style.
March 5th, 2024 marks the date 61 years ago that Patsy Cline died in a small plane crash in Tennessee while enroute home from a show.
Our Country Doo Wop Spotlight song of the month will showcase 2 of our favorite 1940s classics, "Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You)" originally released in January 1945, and "I Love You So Much It Hurts" from 1948.
When people think of Patsy Cline songs, the soft ballads immediately come to mind: "Sweet Dreams," "Crazy," "Leaving On Your Mind," ...But it took some searching before I settled into her softer, more emotional style.
With the help of the legendary Jordanaires singing backup and Floyd Cramer on Piano,
her style of singing on the song "Someday," and her rendition of the song, "I Love You So Much It Hurts" is another that will tug at your heartstrings. And as her timeless music is discovered by each new generation of fans, her music will indeed be with us Today, Tomorrow and Forever...
The LP Album shown below is an original 1985 MCA release produced by Patsy's original producer, Owen Bradley. The album LP cover and the record inside are in like new condition.
The album contains a handful of songs recorded from 1950s sessions working under the record company Four Star Records.
It was also released on Pickwick sub label "Hilltop" Records. The
Hilltop version is a painted portrait of Patsy and also includes an original version of Walkin' After
Midnight. I also have a copy of that album and will display it in the April, 2024 Album Cover Art of the Month series. Both albums were released after her death.
Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You) - (Original release date - 1945)
More than 50 artists have recorded the song "Someday" over the years including the 1962 recordings by Ray Charles, Connie Francis, and Brenda Lee. Gabe Ward, the father of our DJ buddy, Ned Ward, released a 1945 78rpm cover recording as a member of The Hoosier Hotshots.
Patsy Cline posthumously released a single version of the song "Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You)" from the album "A Portrait of Patsy Cline" which reached number 23 on the Hot 100 chart in 1964. The album contained Patsy Cline's less-familiar recordings, including country and pop standards. Enjoy this classic cover by Patsy Cline.
"I Love You So Much It Hurts" (Original release date - 1948)
"Showcase" is a studio album by American country music singer Patsy Cline, and includes the song, "I Love You So Much It Hurts." Recorded with The Jordanaires it was released on November 27, 1961. It was Cline's second studio album and her first since her album titled Patsy Cline in 1957.
The song is a timeless classic that delves into the depths of love and all the emotions it encompasses. Its simple yet powerful lyrics, coupled with Cline's heartfelt delivery, infusing her signature style into the song, make it a truly unforgettable song.
Her cover version not only pays homage to the original masterpiece by songwriter and artist, Floyd Tillman but also demonstrates its timeless quality and ability to resonate with different generations.
Whether you are going through the tumultuous journey of love or simply appreciate the beauty of a well-crafted ballad, this song is sure to leave a lasting impact. So, sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy the bittersweet melodies of this song.
It has been four years since Kenny Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes on March 20, 2020. He was 81.
We continue this month with our Kenny Rogers collection series and the Vinyl LP, "Gideon," the ninth studio album by Rogers. This month marks 44 years since it was released on March 24, 1980 and hit #1 on the Country albums chart. The album includes the worldwide hit "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" (a duet with Kim Carnes, who co-wrote the entire album with her husband Dave Ellingson).
When writing about music, especially music that was recorded before you were born, you only have the luxury of listening as an outsider. It is the Album Cover Artwork that will be a constant reminder of how good the music inside really is.
The LP includes an 11x24 inch Tri-fold Poster of Kenny Rogers in full cowboy dress. The back of the poster is composed of a lyric sheet and there is a separate "Cowboy" letter also inside. The first and last paragraphs from the letter are reprinted below.
I guess its only fittin and proper that it should all end where it started...in a dusty West Texas town in the very church where my Pa preached for more than 30 years. When I was a boy I couldn't wait to get away from him and this town...
But now here I am lookin down on my own funeral and seein the people gathered...Some thought I was a good man and some not. But all agreed: Gideon Tanner chased a dream...and at least I died a Cowboy...
United Artists Records – LOO-1035
© 1980 liberty - United Records
This is a very special album as it is embossed on both sides (it has a raised pattern, design, image, etc.) and has a "Not For Sale - Demonstration" stamp at the bottom left corner of the back of the album. See back of album below.
It was given to me around 1981-82 by a friend of the family shortly after I moved to a small town outside Austin, Texas. He played guitar in local dim-lit dusty bars and smoke-filled saloons in and around the surrounding Hill Country area north of Austin.
He told me the album was given to him by a local DJ the year the album was released but never played it. When I told him I collected vinyl records he offered the album in exchange for a six pack of Lone Star Beer. We drank the beer that evening... As you can see I still have the album today.
Although the album is not sealed, the record inside appears as though it has never been played. I never talked to the DJ to ask if he played the record but it is in excellent condition as is the LP cover. Released by RCA Records in 1978 it stayed at #1 on the country album charts for ten weeks and would spend a total of 126 weeks on the country charts. Notice the small "Not For Sale" etched in gold at bottom left of album.
Ry Cooder is an American music icon, one of the most innovative artists to ever have given us his music. When most artists struggle to stay relevant in their 70s, he's still killin' it! The Prodigal Son, a collection of blues and traditional gospel songs, was released in 2018.
As n.p.r. music pointed out in a 2018 article - If there's a complaint about The Prodigal Son, it's that Ry Cooder's reverence for the old songs can sometimes overshadow his considerable repertoire of guitar sounds and textures.
You might also like these stories...
I hope you find time to visit more great stories about growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s. You can start here....
Looking for that special song, artist, or group on this site?
We will continue with our Kenny Rogers Collection Series for April and showcase his duet album with Dottie West titled, "Classics."
Our Framed Album Cover Art of The Month will feature the Patsy Cline Special edition Follow-up Album also titled, "Today, Tomorrow & Forever" released by Hilltop Records.
Enjoy this classic by The Highwaymen originally recorded in 1977 by Waylon Jennings titled, "Luckenbach, Texas" (Back to The Basics of Love).
A Little Bit of Nostalgia in your inbox each month.
Congratulations on an outstanding site. I am from old school. I was 13 when Rock & Roll erupted in 1955. I would literally run home from school to watch Bandstand every day. I lived outside Philly and grew up with all the Philadelphia music scene and its performers. Keep up the good work and I thank you for your time and effort in keeping the old vinyl music alive for us and future generations.
Bill Moore,
Lugoff, SC
Deceased 2020
Bill was our first newsletter subscriber.
Rest easy, my friend.
"Thank you so much for all the work you have done on these pages. I found my way here, and spent the next two hours in absolute bliss. Memories, memories...thank you for rekindling them."
Bob Douglass,
VA
Danny, I could not believe the content of your website. It is just amazing to recall so much we lived through just by checking out so many old posters & album covers.
Your site floods me with memories & reinforces my belief that it truly was a great time to be a teenager. Good work, Danny, please stick with it.
Sincerely Dale
dalekleeart.com
AVRT
Danny, Great job !!!! I can't express enough how much my mother
would have been so happy with your work on her song. As for myself and
the rest of my family, we really appreciate your time & effort to
let everyone who is interested in her song know the true story behind
it. Read more...
Thanx so much, Bob
I just read your article on Duke of Earl/Vee Jay Records. My father was Randy Wood, President of Vee Jay at the time.
I'm doing some research on the company and am learning how influential Vee Jay was in shaping the future of music. Nice to see your web page.
Michele Marotta
February 15, 2015
"I don't usually contact doo wop article authors as I rarely find much value in the articles, but your article struck me as sincere, genuine and respectful."
Tom Sokira,
Producer, Audio Engineer
"In The Still Of The Night" (1956)
Read the story here.
Danny, I think you did a great job and my family enjoyed it as well. I have had some more time to go through your site and find it to be fantastic, and your personal story is great as well.
You truly
are a blessing to all of Us. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. I
look forward to seeing and hearing more from you.
Paul Giacalone
The song "You Were Mine" was written by Paul Giacalone. Read the story here.
This song started it all for Billy Joel as he noted... "I dreamt the melody, not the words. It took me maybe two or three hours to write the lyrics. We almost didn't put it on an album. We were sitting around listening to it going... naaah, that's a chick song." Learn more...
Step back in time and relive those Blue Moon vinyl record memories with this unique cover of a Doo-Wop classic from 1961. You're gonna love this performance.
A Carl Perkins Rockabilly Session with the legends of Rock & Roll who admired him and followed his music. Read their story...
Will anyone ever record songs like this again? A Beautiful song with perfect harmony and words you can actually understand, make sense and have a meaning. Read more.
This haunting ballad is about a plea from a heartbroken teenager trying to understand why her boyfriend is going out of his way to treat her unkindly. Read more...
Three unforgettable decades, full of musical magic, incredible artists and songs, and memories that will last forever. Read more...
A Charley Pride classic with perfect lyrics...
"When the world's spinning round, too fast for me, I need a place to dream...So I come to your banks, I sit in your shade, and relive the memories." Roll on Mississippi...
The Duprees 1962 recording of "You Belong to Me," became the most popular version at the time, reaching #7 on the charts. This talented group brings back memories from more than 60 years ago and adds a touch of class to the original recording. Read more...