C O U N T R Y M U S I C C L A S S I C S
Doug Davis
Owner/Publisher/Manager/Editor/
Writer/Gopher/Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Thursday July 28th, 2011
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com
STORY BEHIND THE SONG
According to Marty Cooper, Donna Fargo and her husband/producer Stan Silver, had turned down several of his songs before recording his "You Can't Be A Beacon If Your Light Don't Shine."
Cooper says that Silver actually called him, requesting a gospel song for Donna's next recording session. She actually didn't get the song until just before going into the session so she had to learn the song in the studio.
Her "you Can't Be A Beacon if Your Light Don't Shine" entered the country music charts June 8th, 1974 and was at the top of the list the week of July 27th for one week.
It was her 7th charted song and her 4th number one. It was on the charts for 15 weeks.
The Dot Record single also scored a # 57 on the pop charts.
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A T T E N T I O N: R A D I O S T A T I O N S:
Our short form daily radio features, "Classic Country First" and "Story Behind The Song" are now available to radio stations.
Both features are available at no charge.
For information, email me at classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
QUESTION: I heard about a big court battle concerning Jim Reeves' estate. I thought it was settled a long time ago?
ANSWER: Earlier this month, Nashville Seventh Circuit Court Judge Randy Kennedy ruled that the dispute concerning Reeves' estate would be narrowed to the interpretation of a 1976 will written by Reeves' widow, Mary. A trial is tentatively set for October.
For most of the past 20 years, distribution of royalties from the estate have been stalled by court battles between heirs and a variety of individuals.
QUESTION: I'm a big John Denver fan but my dad says that was not his real name. Is that true?
ANSWER: John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf in 1943.
QUESTION: Do you know whatever happened to Danny Davis – who had a group called Nashville Brass?
ANSWER: Danny Davis (real name: George Nowlan) died in 2008 at the age of 83.
QUESTION: I know that a lot of singers recorded the song "Hey Good Lookin'." Did anybody besides Hank Williams have a hit on the song?
ANSWER: In addition to Hank's 1951 # 1, "Hey Good Lookin'" peaked at # 74 in 1992 for The Mavericks and # 8 in 2004 for Jimmy Buffett.
QUESTION: My dad says that Faron Young had 45 number one records. Is that true?
ANSWER: Faron Young scored 89 charted songs - but only five number ones.
QUESTION: My brother in law--who thinks he knows everything about country music--says that Bill Anderson wrote all of Connie Smith's records. Is that true?
ANSWER: Bill wrote or co-wrote eight of Connie Smith's 48 charted songs.
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Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to:Classics@countrymusicclassics.com
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NUMBER ONE ON THIS DATE:
1945
Oklahoma Hills - Jack Guthrie
1953
It's Been So Long - Webb Pierce
1961
Heartbreak U.S.A. - Kitty Wells
1969
Johnny B. Goode - Buck Owens
1977
It was Almost like a Song - Ronnie Milsap
1985
You Give Good Love - Whitney Houston
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MUSIC KILLED MY UNCLE (and other thoughts).
By: Jack Blanchard
Music killed my uncle.
He was trying to play "Flight of the Bumblebee" on a tuba, and blew his liver out the horn.
When I was a young and innocent brat
there were a few horses among the cars on the streets of Buffalo.
I remember the Dodd's milkman letting the kids feed his horse.
The driver's name was Jim. I've forgotten the horse's name.
My apologies to the very nice dead horse.
They test cosmetics on rats. I don't care to see a rat wearing lipstick.
And it must be humiliating for the rat.
Mornings are fun because you haven't yet realized what the day is planning to do to you.
If I were just taller and people were smaller
They'd give me their dollars and I would just spend it.
I'd look down from up there and make fun of their hair
'Cause I'm tall and they're buying my friendship.
I'm Thin and I'm Rich and I'm Tall. They love me 'cause I've got it all.
I can sing this all wrong 'cause the point of this song
Is "I'm Thin and I'm Rich and I'm Tall".
My computer went into some kind of a coma.
Misty told me to reboot the whole damn thing while holding my mouth a certain way.
That didn't work, so I did the only logical thing... I looked for somebody to blame
MAKING A HIT RECORD.
Lyricists say it's the words. Composers say it's the music. The artists say it's the vocal performance.
The musicians say it's the arrangement. Producers say it's the whole package.
I think the only good rule is this:
When you play it for friends, you don't want to have to cough to cover certain parts.
When trying to pick our next single, we analyze tempo, lyric and music content,
vocal performance, etc.. We get discouraged and angry, bang each other on the head,
and give each other wedgies.
There is very little nutrition, or anything else in a chicken wing.
I would rather put hot sauce on a squirrel.
Note to Humane Society:
I would never put hot sauce on a live squirrel, unless it provoked me.
THE SOUND OF EMPTINESS.
I was sitting by the window listening to the sound of emptiness.
This is not like listening to no sound at all,
because the sound of emptiness contains all the things you hoped would be in it,
and all the sounds that once were.
Do you know where I parked my car?
Jack Blanchard
The Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan Home Page: http://jackandmisty.com
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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY
compiled by Bill Morrison
Buddy Spicher, session fiddle player, born Dubois, PA 1938.
Harold Burkett of "The Four Guys" born Steubenville, OH 1939.
Jonathan Edwards, Bluegrass singer/songwriter/guitarist/harmonica born Aitkin, NN 1946.
Gene Vincent appeared on the "Perry Como Show," 1956.
Jerry Lee Lewis debuted on national TV, on the "Steve Allen Show," 1957.
Marty Robbins released "Its Your World/You Told Me So" 1961.
Bill Anderson's first No. 1 "Mama Sang A Song" debuted on the charts 1962.
Charlie Pride recorded "Kiss An Angel Good Morning," 1971.
Ralph Emery conducted his last all night radio show on WSM 1972.
Donna Fargo scores her fourth straight #1 single "You Were Always There" 1973.
Earl Thomas Conley's "Angel In Disguise" went to #1 1984.
Arista released Diamond Rio's album "Unbelievable" 1998.
Courtesy Bill Morrison: http://www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalMAR.html
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The following is part of the July issue of Maxine Brown's monthly newsletter:
Maxine Brown – News, Music and Cobblers to Die For
Never Before Heard Song by Maxine Brown
The Story Behind A Mama's Prayer
by Maxine Brown
Writing has always been my passion. I often wrote for my own satisfaction. After the break-up of The Browns, Bonnie and I opened our own recording studio. On many occasions, I would turn on the tape recorder and play the piano while singing and recording some of my original material. I would then store the tapes in a big antique trunk which is now full of out dated country songs.
Recently, my son Tommy, who manages my website, came home for a visit. I asked him to help me decide what I should do with all my memorabilia, which I had so carefully preserved. In doing so, he ran across the sheet music and this old tape of "A MAMA'S PRAYER". Being touched by the words, he wanted to put it on my website.
I can remember my grandma Tuberville telling her stories of the hardships she went through trying to raise six children, the share cropping they did for first one and the other, the loss of her husband during the flood of 1928, no food and no money. Then, my mother, surviving the loss of a child. These were two of the strongest women I ever knew. If either of them ever suffered from self pity, they suffered in silence. It inspired me.
The Lord has answered that prayer. My three children are are all grown now. I have six grandchildren and one great grandson. My prayer now is to live long enough to see what they become. A MAMA'S PRAYER is a prayer all Mothers can relate to. This song was never finished but I hope you will enjoy listening as much as my son Tommy enjoyed hearing it for the first time.
Maxine Brown
For Maxine Brown's and The Brown's music: go to her website: Themaxinebrown.com
COBBLER DESERT RECIPES
BLACKBERRY COBBLER
(Mom fixed this on my recent Arkansas visit. It was so good I asked her to make a second batch. You'll love this! – Tommy)
1 Quart Blackberries
1 Cup Sugar
2 Heaping Tablespoons Flour
2 Tablespoons Vanilla
Mix with enough WATER to cover. It takes a lot of juice to make a good Cobbler. Taste to make sure its sweet enough, if not add a little more sugar.
PASTRY;
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Evaporated Milk (1 large can)
4 Heaping Tablespoons Baking Powder
2 Sticks Butter
Place 2 sticks Butter in heat proof, deep dish casserole (casserole must be at least 4 inches deep). Mix flour, sugar, milk & baking powder together. When butter has melted in casserole, pour the batter directly over hot butter. Then, pour the berry mixture directly in center of batter. Bake at 400 degrees. The dough will come up around sides and over top to form a complete crust. Bake until its nice and brown all over. Remember: You must use a deep dish.
THIS IS ALSO GOOD FOR PEACH AND PLUM COBBLERS.
FOR PEACH COBBLER, MAKE THE SAME WAY, ONLY USE
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon each of Cloves and Allspice
1 Cup Sugar, and 2 Tablespoons Flour
PLUM COBBLER:
Make just as you would Blackberry Cobbler;
This is an old fashioned recipe handed down through many generations of my family. Its quick, easy and so delicious. Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream if desired.
Always fun being with you!
Love,
Maxine
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To subscribe to Maxine's newsletter, go to Themaxinebrown.com
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
ROOTS OF FAITH
Flowers of the field weather wind and rain,
Seasonal storms of life passing through Nature's domain.
After a passing storm when day was clothed as night,
Flowering petals unfold to welcome coming light.
As sun's bright rays penetrate through clouds on high,
Magnificent heavy-laden blossoms thankfully raise heads to the sky.
Seeking shafts of pure light, substance to help them grow,
Giving freely of their beauty, nature's replenishing flow.
Like flowers of the field enduring wind and rain,
When we spread roots of faith we'll be nourished and sustained.
Jacqui Richardson
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