Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today we celebrate the 69th birthday of Lee Martin “Dewey” Bunnell, one third of the band America that defined the simple elegant beautifully constructed soft rock sound of the 1970’s. He was born on January 19, 1952 in England, his mother’s native country & his father’s place of deployment as a member of the U.S. Air Force. He met his two bandmates & fellow air force brats, Gerry Buckley and Dan Peek, when all three were in high school together overseas & formed the group in 1970. Their first record came out in 1971 & brought the band instant success. In 1973 they won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist & by 1974 they were working with esteemed record producer George Martin. Before the pandemic Bunnell was still making records & playing live shows with Buckley. Peek died in 2011 but left the band in 1977.

Bunnell is the writer & singer of several of the band’s hit songs including “Ventura Highway” (Day 61), “Tin Man”, “Sandman” and today’s song, their first hit, from the group’s self-titled debut album. The track went to #1 for three weeks in the spring of 1972. It was also nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1973. I must admit while all three members of America were attractive, Bunnell was my favorite. Why? He had the longest hair & that was important currency in the 1970’s. And thankfully in that decade it was free of the ill advised man-bun.

“The ocean is a desert with it’s life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
But the humans will give no love“.

America circa 1972 (L-R): Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

America: “A Horse With No Name” (1972, written by Dewey Bunnell).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.