Tag Archives: country music

Music Monday: May 15, 2023

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

On May 6, 1968 Columbia Records released “At Folsom Prison” by country legend Johnny Cash. It was the first live record of his career and both a critical and commercial success. It hit #1 on the country albums chart and #13 on the Billboard 200 Album chart as well.

The concert was held 55 years ago on January 13, 1968. The Man In Black was joined by guests June Carter (they did not marry until March 1968), Carl Perkins, The Statler Brothers, The Tennessee Three-guitarist Luther Perkins, bassist Marshall Grant and drummer W.S. “Fluke” Holland-along with Columbia staff producer Bob Johnston who pulled it all together to make the album complete. It was so successful Cash followed this record with another live prison album, At San Quentin, released in 1969. That hit the #1 spot on both the country & national album charts.

Today’s song was originally released in 1967 as a duet with Carter. It became a #2 hit that year and won the duo a Grammy Award in 1968 for Best Country & Western Performance, Duet. If you do not know how the story ends by now, Cash went on to become one of country music’s greatest artists. He continued collaborating with Carter, who became his wife & partner, for the next 35 years until her death on May 15, 2003. Cash died four months later on September 12, 2003.

“When I breeze into that city
People gonna stoop and bow
All them women gonna make me
Teach ’em what they don’t know how“.

Folsom vinyl 2

Ad for Folsom Album

Top: The cover for the 1968 release. Bottom: The ad for the album which appeared in Cashbox Magazine in May 1968, courtesy of Johnny Cash’s website. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

 Johnny Cash & June Carter: “Jackson” ( Recorded live at Folsom Prison on January 13, 1968. Written by Jerry Leiber (credited under Gaby Rodgers, who was his wife & his occassional pen name) and Billy Edd Wheeler.

Stay safe and well.

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Let’s Take A Moment Day 546

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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?

blog Sept 2021

(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.

As I have shared before, my grandmother is the one who introduced me to country music, How do you thank someone for bringing Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton & others into your life? And that was only one of the many invaluable gifts my grandmother gave me. Today marks 20 years since she died. I miss her every moment of every day. And since September 17 marks the 98th birth anniversary of Hank Williams, I thought today’s song was a great way to remember them both.

“When tears come down like fallin’ rain
You’ll toss around and call my name
You’ll walk the floor the way I do
Your cheatin’ heart will tell on you“.

Idie's wedding picture

Hank

Top: My grandmother (with my grandfather) on their wedding day in April 1934 Hank Williams circa 1950. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Hank Williams: “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (1952, written by Hank Williams).

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

Stay well.

All Hail The King!!!

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Photo courtesy of fineartamerica.com

Today Vixens we celebrate the 80th birthday of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis.  This man did it all:  sang, danced and acted (what is referred to today as a triple threat).  But what we are indebted to him for most of all is bringing rock and roll music-complete with country, R&B & gospel roots plus the songwriting geniuses of Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller-into mainstream America.

There is nothing I can write about this man that has not already been written, so I will not bore you with words other than these:  Thank you, Elvis Aaron Presley, for the enormous gift you gave and left us.  We are deeply indebted and grateful.

Here is a link to a YouTube montage clip of His Royalty performing one of those Leiber & Stoller gems, “Hound Dog“.  Pay homage to the King!!!

Enjoy, Vixens!!!