Vinyl Record Memories Newsletter
(VIP CLUB)

The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of my Newsletter. Writing stories about my vinyl record memories with added content from my collection is my 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 #136 - September, 2024

In This Issue:

• Spotlight Song of The Month - The Song That Turned George Strait Into An Overnight Star.
  

• Framed Album Cover Art of The Month - A Special Second Album Release.
  

• Collecting Vinyl Records As Album Cover Art.
  

• "My Boyfriend's Back"  - More Classic Album Cover Art.

• American Bandstand, 1957 - First Show Performance.
  

• You Might Also Like These Vinyl Record Memories.

• What's Next?

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.

Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song of The Month.
George Strait - Amarillo By Morning

DJ Ned Ward and his producer, Mr. Barney, often play memorable Country Classics, so this one is a perfect choice for the Country Doo-Wop Show... "Spotlight Song of the Month."

Ned's Spotlight song this month is a return to 1983 with this rodeo classic, and the song that turned George Strait into an over night star. Watch as George Strait and his band perform, "Amarillo By Morning," in the last live performance at the Houston Astrodome in 2003.  Of all the live George Strait songs I feel there is none better than this rodeo classic.

The whining fiddle arrangement played by Gene Elders on "Amarillo By Morning" during this live performance will stay with you long after the song ends.  Sadly, Gene Elders died on March 20, 2024.

Framed Album Cover Art of The Month.

A perfect follow-up to the Country Doo-Wop Spotlight song is my 1982 original Vinyl LP Album, "Strait From The Heart," shown below.  The Album was purchased new in Austin, Texas at a local K-Mart store and it remains in near mint condition.  As you can see the LP still has the shrink wrap on the outer cover along with the price sticker. The sticker is not on the album itself but on the shrink wrap, and could be removed without damage to the album cover.

On January 14th, 1983, George Strait released "Amarillo By Morning" as the third single from his "Strait from the Heart" second album.  The album had already produced Strait’s first ever #1 song in “Fool Hearted Memory,” and he would score another #1 with the fourth single from the album “A Fire I Can’t Put Out.”

“Amarillo By Morning” was a hit as well, but surprisingly, it wasn’t one of Strait’s record number of #1s. It stalled at #4.

Framed Album Cover Art - Vinyl Records As Art.

Vinyl records are not only appreciated for their music but also for their visual appeal. The artwork on album covers can be a work of art in itself, and many vinyl collectors take pride in displaying their records as a form of decor. Some record collectors even frame their favorite album covers to showcase them as pieces of art just as I do. Examples are displayed on the pages of my vinyl record memories site and in my Newsletters...

Below is another example of the framed vinyl record art included on the pages of vinyl record memories dot com. Each record retains a unique story, whether it's the memories it evokes, the music it introduces, or the connections it fosters. Vinyl records continue to captivate music lovers with their timeless charm and the stories they hold.

The Angels Framed Album Cover Art.
("My Boyfriend's Back")

The Angels LP shown below was purchased new. I added the frame and took this photo on 09-13-2021 so you can see the excellent condition of this nearly 60 year old vinyl LP. The record itself is also in excellent condition but I have replaced the record insert sleeve with an updated acid free paper sleeve.

This vinyl LP is an original September, 1963 release with catalog number MGS - 27039 on Smash Records - vendor Mercury Records Corporation. If you'll notice in the bottom right corner this original LP was issued as a monaural recording, not in stereo.

The song is featured in the 2006 Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. The Angels version was used in the promotional trailers for the 1993 movie My Boyfriend's Back, but was not featured in the film itself. You can read about the "Angel with an Attitude" here.

American Bandstand Goes Live In 1957.

"American Bandstand," one of the most influential TV shows of the 20th century, debuted nationally 67 years ago on August 5, 1957.

The location was in a West Philadelphia studio, with Dick Clark hosting singer Billy Williams and The Chordettes, a female quartet known for its 1954 chart-topper "Mr. Sandman."

"Mr. Sandman, send me a dream...make him the cutest that I've ever seen..." rapidly found its way into the public's consciousness, climbing to number one within weeks of release and remaining there for most of December 1954 and January '55. The record sold 800,000 copies in 12 weeks with only radio and record shops available at the time. The song was one of two played on that first live show in 1957.

The Chordettes would record another song that was so cute and simple it just screamed the fifties.  Their big hit “Lollipop” would follow a year later in 1958. Their last hit was in 1961 with “Never on a Sunday,” from the movie of the same name.

You might also like these stories...

• Charley Pride's vinyl memories reflect on the song, "She's Just An Old Love Turned Memory," and a past romantic relationship. In this song, the singer describes how a former girlfriend is no longer a significant part of his life but merely a faded memory. Remember your old flame?

• The Johnny Rodriguez 1976 cover of the Eagles' 1975 song, "Lyin' Eyes," may not outshine the original, but Johnny's cover version with an added country twist might be the best ever on this song.
  

• Our "Poetry in Motion" vinyl memories was originally written about our most popular American pastime, girl-watching. A fun "Soda Shop" song that would send Johnny Tillotson to fame and fortune. Enjoy this cute song from 1960.
  

I hope you find time to visit more great stories about growing up in the 50s, 60s and 70s. You can start here....

What's Next?

Brian Wilson is an American Treasure and Good Vibrations is without a doubt one of  Wilson's greatest songwriting accomplishments. What song did Brian say was his favorite  song? Join the FREE newsletter for the answer.

More Framed Album Cover Art including a Beach Boys original.

Ever thought of having your own website? I built Vinyl Record Memories "from scratch" with SoloBuildIt! Click below to find out more....