Monthly Archives: October 2014

JACK BLANCHARD'S COLUMN at Music Charts Magazine®
 

A LITTLE MIRACLE IN ASHFORD, ALABAMA

 
When you’re hitch-hiking cross country
you usually wind up taking circuitous routes,
and getting stranded in places you never knew existed,
and meeting people who are surprised that you exist.
We were once detained as suspected chain gang escapees,
which is where this story will eventually arrive.

You may be trying to go north,
but find yourself heading east or west,
and happy to get a ride,
to get off the side of a long and often creepy road.

When hitching you see the roads differently.
You notice the gum wrappers, cracks, puddles,
weeds and insects on the shoulders.
You get to know them well, sometimes being there for many hours.

A bend in the highway that cars disappear around in seconds,
is a mystery to you.
Maybe there’s a town up there,
or an old gas station where you might get water, or a lucky ride,
or more endless miles of nothing,

Hitch-hiking to a place a thousand miles from where you start
can easily cover almost double the AAA route,
moving laterally as often as forward.
And you can plan on a number of extra days
in the burning sun or cold rain.

This isn’t all bad.
Looking back on it It’s an adventure.
At the time it seemed like punishment.

Bob Egan and I were trying to get back to Buffalo from Florida,
and got dropped off at nightfall in a tiny southern town,
by a bakery truck driver going in for the night.
The two-lane county road traffic amounted to a vehicle an hour,
it was dark and getting chilly,
we hadn’t eaten, and were practically broke.

We were in Ashford, Alabama,
at the intersection of US84 (now called “Old US 84”),
and the road going northward was the narrow County Road 55.
There was a streetlight on the corner, so we stood under it,
trying to look wholesome and non-threatening.

Kids from the village came around to watch us stand there.
We were the biggest thing going on in town.
They were just a few feet from us,
but we couldn’t understand a single word they said.
We were from another planet.

After an hour or maybe three,
a dump truck rumbled toward us from the wrong direction.
Shovels were hanging on its sides and clanging.
It stopped and large elderly man in a plaid shirt got out.
He was the sheriff or maybe the chief constable.

The big man was friendly, but said he had to take us in
because we fitted the description of two chain gang escapees…
two young Yankee fellas, one dark-haired and one blond.
We tried to tell him how innocent and nice we were,
but the report said that they were smooth talkers,
and not to believe anything they said.

We climbed up into the truck cab
and he drove us about two blocks to the police station,
where we sat and were given coffee and a sandwich,
while the sheriff made some phone calls.
The police station was on Main,
which in my memory was an unpaved dirt street.

After a while he said “We don’t have a regular jail here,
but we’ve got a place for you to stay until court in the morning.”
Then he drove us to a big wooden house of indeterminate color,
and introduced us to a matronly lady
who was the proprietor of this rooming house.
She was as friendly as he was,
but we were surely headed for life on the chain gang,
and that took a little edge off the fun.

We did get some needed sleep and some breakfast in the morning.
The rugged old cop picked us up
and said we had been cleared of all suspicions.
He drove us to the county line.
Like an idiot I said “Good luck catching those guys.”
He waved out the truck window and headed back to town.

It only took a few decades for me to figure out what really happened.
He knew we would be stuck all night on that corner.
He could see that we were tired and probably hungry,
and he made the phone call to the boarding house lady
to put us up for the night.

There were no escaped convicts.
Just two youthful strangers who needed some help.
I have a warm spot in my heart for Ashford, Alabama,
and those good people.

© 2014.

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan… Grammy & CMA Award Finalists. Billboard Duet of the Year. Home Page: www.jackandmisty.net Mastering & restoration studio: 407 330 1611

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan... 
Home Page: http://www.jackandmisty.net
Awards: Grammy, Billboard, CMA, BMI, ASCAP.

Mastering & restoration studio: 352-530-2068.
Email: jackandmisty@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Nu-Blu - All The Way - New Releases - Bluegrass - Music Charts Magazine - Jesus and Jones - Audio InterviewNu-Blu – an audio interview with Music Charts Magazine’s Big Al Weekley.

Push play and listen in as Big Al Weekley and Carolyn Routh discuss the new release of Nu-Blu’s new Album “All The Way”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“With this new project we are going all the way by stepping outside of genre boundaries and letting our fusion of musical tastes and interpretations guide us like never before,” says lead singer Carolyn Routh.

To step out and decide to make a living in music takes a tremendous leap of personal and professional courage. For Daniel and Carolyn Routh, however, the husband-and-wife team that founded Nu-Blu, it became a necessity, the way to maintain the life-giving force of their music. Today, even as they continue to grow and reach loftier and bigger goals, they have reason to celebrate: the release of their new project, All The Way, released through Rural Rhythm Records. The album is fueled by the George Jones inspired song “Jesus and Jones,” which has gained attention and exposure nationally across multiple genres.

Nu-Blu, based in Siler City in central North Carolina, is comprised of Carolyn, who handles bass and vocals; Levi Austin on vocals and banjo; Austin Koerner, on mandolin; and Daniel, who is the band’s Renaissance Man – guitarist, singer, manager, and tour coordinator, among many other roles. The group brings its lively and entertaining version of Americana-bluegrass music to audiences across the nation year-round. Their sound acknowledges the traditional institutions that have shaped it, yet is innovative and daring enough to bring a fresh sparkle to contemporary acoustic music that lands them squarely in the forefront of bands blazing the trail in acoustic entertainment. Influences range from the sounds of original bluegrass pioneers like Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and Lester Flatt to rock bands of the 1980’s, and modern contemporary sounds such as Alison Krauss and Union Station. Carolyn’s soprano vocal approach might be described as similar to Ms. Krauss, except she carries a phrasing and emotional elegance that shows a clear originality. Daniel and Levi provide inventive singing to fill out the vocal sound, while all four members present instrumental prowess to impress.

Nu-Blu started back in September 2003 after Carolyn and Daniel, who had played for years in different genres both Nu-Blu - All The Way - New Releases - Bluegrass-A-Music Charts Magazine - Audio Interviewseparately and together, decided to devote their efforts to forming Nu-Blu. Despite challenges that included numerous personnel changes, the folding of their original record label, and even a stroke that left Carolyn unable to speak or move her right side, the Rouths were determined to make Nu-Blu a full-time vehicle for them to bring music to their fans.  With the addition of Levi in 2007 and Austin in 2011, the magical sound of Nu-Blu was complete, and as the group continues to build a national fan base, audiences are listening.  The band is finding itself more and more at home on the radio charts, most recently with the evocative “Jesus and Jones.” The stage is now set for the group to continue its chart trend with the songs from All The Way.

What’s ahead for Nu-Blu? Plenty, you may believe that. Every year, the band logs more miles on the road than the year before, plays more shows than the year before, sleeps more nights on the bus than the year before. But for Daniel, Carolyn, Levi and Austin, it’s not a chore, it’s a way of life. It’s not slogging from one venue to the next, it’s another opportunity to touch their audiences’ lives with music, that great universal bond which closes the gaps of humanity and brings lightness to hearts, smiles to faces and redemption to souls.

“If we can touch somebody on a deep level,” says Daniel Routh, “and create a moment for them that they always will remember and entertains them, that’s gold. If we can say to someone,‘Hey, check this out. If you like this, you’re probably going to like bluegrass!”  Really that’s why we’re here.”

 

Website:  http://www.nu-blu.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Nu.Blu.Bluegrass.Artists?ref=hl

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/nu_blu

Bobby Broom - My Shining Hour - Music Charts Magazine Jazz Album Review by Benjamin Franklin VDate = 22 July 2014     

Artist’s name = Bobby Broom 

Genre = Jazz

Title = My Shining Hour

Record company = Origin

 

Review =

            Leader of various recording sessions beginning around 1980, sideman on numerous recording dates headed by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and David Murray, a regular with Sonny Rollins off and on from the early 1980s until a few years ago, and leader of the Deep Blue Organ Trio beginning in 1999, guitarist Bobby Broom has been much in evidence during the last three decades. The music on My Shining Hour indicates why he is a significant presence on the scene.

            One might argue, as some have done, that standard tunes—those that constitute what is called the Great American Songbook—have been performed so frequently that they are effete. Broom’s treatment of them on this CD offers convincing evidence for concluding that this is not the case, that standards have endured for a reason: they are rich enough to inspire seemingly endless interpretations. After deciding to record an album of such material and determining the selections, Broom had to consider the mood he wished for him, bassist Dennis Carroll, and drummer Makaya McCraven to establish. Perhaps surprisingly, he risked listener boredom by opting for uniformity, not variety: the overall mood is mellow, with tempos that are seldom rushed. “The Jitterbug Waltz” is the most sprightly performance, though much of “Just One of Those Things” is gritty; “The Heather on the Hill” is a slow ballad. The other selections are in a middle groove. Yet because of Broom’s inventiveness, this music is vital, not dull.     

            Solos demonstrate Broom’s creativity. Unfailingly appealing, they evolve from the melodies but, with the exception of the guitarist’s playing on “Sweet Georgia Brown,” hardly even allude to them. That is, they are true improvisations because, while retaining the compositions’ harmonies, they are melodically original. I offer a challenge to people who listen to this release: Have someone set a CD player to start a tune at the beginning of a Broom solo and stop the machine when it concludes. While listening to the music, try to identify the composition he is playing. Doing so will not be easy.  

            Despite the attractiveness of all the selections, “Oh, Lady Be Good” strikes me as particularly noteworthy. Broom plays the seldom heard verse alone and very slowly before his sidemen join him in stating the melody. Then, for two-and-a-half minutes Broom and McCraven participate in four-bar exchanges, sometimes with Broom playing double time. Such interactions can be predictable and tedious, but these are not.

            Because of Broom’s leadership of the Deep Blue Organ Trio, which infuses even standards with a blues feeling, listeners might expect My Shining Hour to include strong blues elements, even though not one of the selections is a blues. There are a few such touches, but not many. Mainly, Broom, Carroll, and McCraven treat the compositions respectfully, capturing their moods and letting their natural beauty emerge. Yet what most recommends this CD is Broom’s soloing, which is imaginative and engaging.

 

Author = Benjamin Franklin V

Music Charts Magazine® History

– Song for the month of October 2014:

Perry Como “It’s A Good Day

Perry Como - It's A Good Day - October 2014 Music Charts Magazine Song of the Month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s a Good Day” is a popular song written by Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour and published in 1947.

 

The song has been recorded by many singers since its introduction, most recently by Susie Arioli. The song was also recorded by legendary Judy Garland on a recording of The Judy Garland Show. The most popular version of the song is probably Perry Como’s, released on his 1955 RCA Victor album So Smooth.

 

The song served as the background score during the opening credits of Indian film director Rajkumar Gupta’s 2008 debut film Aamir.

 

The FX series Wilfred used the song for the episode “Trust” where it was played in the montage of Ryan and Wilfred’s time in Venice Beach, California.

 

In the 1999 film Blast From the Past the song played in the background when Father Calvin (Christopher Walken) was checking supplies in the bunker.

 

The song made an appearance on an episode of America’s Funniest Home Videos.

 

In 2013, the song (Peggy Lee version) was used as backdrop in commercials for the University of Phoenix.

 

 

Read more at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_a_Good_Day

JACK BLANCHARD'S COLUMN at Music Charts Magazine®
 

FRAMES

 
A famous photographer was set up on a scenic overlook
to shoot the beautiful sunset.
A stranger walked up beside him
and gazed silently at the gorgeous sky.
After a couple of minutes the stranger said this:
“It’s almost like a painting.”
The photographer said: “Yes. Nature’s catching up.”

Life is a picture without a frame.
There’s too much to see to really appreciate it.
We see life best when it comes in little sections
cleverly framed so we know what to focus on.
It’s easier for us to see the tree than the forest.

In olden days it was the fashion
for hikers on  nature walks to carry wooden picture frames.
When they came upon a beautiful vista,
they would look at it through the frames,
blocking out the not so pretty things,
and adjusting the frame to see only the best parts,
in artistic balance…like a painting.

Frames are interesting.
On television they make a picture shorter from top to bottom
and we think we’re seeing a panorama.
Hair styles are designed to frame the face.
When we “frame” somebody for a crime,
we focus suspicion upon them.

Stories and songs frame parts of life for us to understand…
showing us life with order and meaning,
and not showing us the ugly or boring parts.
People in story and song seldom sleep or go to the bathroom,
because they are not important to the plot.
Every line is written to add to the continuity,
and take the action to a satisfying ending.

Real life doesn’t have many good endings.
It usually peaks somewhere around the middle,
and then just wanders off,
but the authors are smart enough to stop at a high point.
Stories give us life we can understand…in a frame.
Bite size.

I don’t mean to say life can’t be fun, inspiring, tragic, hilarious,
noble, evil, and interesting in every way.
It is, and I love it.
But it’s often more interesting when we look back on it.
Our memory is selective.
It forgets the boring parts.

Artists, composers, and writers help us to find meaning,
or the illusion of meaning,
in a world that appears pretty random to the naked eye.
I do this kind of thing for a living. It’s my life’s work,
and I’m glad I didn’t listen to the well-meaning people
who advised me to give up this nonsense,
and get a real job.

Music, literature, poetry, and art help us to to get a frame
around this life we find ourselves in.

Jack Blanchard

© 2012, 2014.

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan… Grammy & CMA Award Finalists. Billboard Duet of the Year. Home Page: www.jackandmisty.net Mastering & restoration studio: 407 330 1611

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan... 
Home Page: http://www.jackandmisty.net
Awards: Grammy, Billboard, CMA, BMI, ASCAP.

Mastering & restoration studio: 352-530-2068.
Email: jackandmisty@gmail.com.

 

 

 

October 6, 2014

 

Album

LW

TW

Artist

Title

(Label)

TW SPINS

LW SPINS

Weeks on Chart

Spin +/-

Stations

3

1

Kevin Fowler

Panhandle Poorboy

(Kevin Fowler Records)

1,450

1,262

13

+188

72

1

2

Mike Ryan

Dancing All Around It

(MR)

1,341

1,308

18

+33

67

5

3

Micky & the Motorcars

Hearts From Above

(Smith Ent.)

1,316

1,141

13

+175

73

2

4

Josh Grider

One Night Taco Stand

(AMP)

1,310

1,306

13

+4

70

7

5

Sunny Sweeney

Bad Girl Phase

(Thirty Tigers)

1,215

1,040

12

+175

71

10

6

Cameran Nelson

Shotgun

(CN)

1,057

996

13

+61

57

13

7

Pat Green w/Lyle Lovett

Girls From Texas

(Sugar Hill Records)

1,005

894

5

+111

68

11

8

Brian Keane

You Can’t Go Home

(BK)

977

923

11

+54

60

12

9

Stoney LaRue

Golden Shackles

(eOne Music)

975

922

7

+53

68

4

10

Granger Smith

If Money Didn’t Matter

(GS)

930

1,222

21

-292

56

9

11

Deryl Dodd

One Night Too Long

(Smith Ent.)

897

1,010

19

-113

55

6

12

Zane Williams

Hands of a Workin’ Man

(ZW)

868

1,068

16

-200

54

14

13

LiveWire

Drivin’ You Outta My Mind

(Way Out West Records)

866

861

16

+5

51

16

14

Phil Hamilton

Dirty Love

(Winding Road)

850

820

12

+30

53

17

15

Matt Hillyer

A Little Less Whiskey

(MH)

813

799

12

+14

57

22

16

Josh Abbott Band

Hangin’ Around

(Warner/Atlantic)

806

658

4

+148

67

8

17

Bart Crow

If I Go, I’m Goin’

(Smith Ent.)

789

1,026

20

-237

54

20

18

Sam Riggs

Hold On and Let Go

(SR)

782

715

9

+67

58

19

19

Wade Bowen

When I Woke Up Today

(Lightning Rod Records)

772

721

5

+51

60

18

20

Ray Johnston Band

More Crown Than Coke

(RJB)

761

794

21

-33

52

21

21

John Slaughter

Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

(JS)

712

659

10

+53

51

31

22

Kyle Park

Turn That Crown Upside Down

(Indie/Thirty Tigers)

698

490

3

+208

60

15

23

Cody Johnson

Me & My Kind

(CJB)

693

829

15

-136

46

25

24

Shane Smith & The Saints

Dance the Night Away

(SSS)

691

594

11

+97

50

29

25

Randy Rogers Band

She’s Gonna Run

(MCA Nashville)

650

530

3

+120

58

26

26

Jon Wolfe

What Are You Doin’ Right Now

(JW)

642

580

7

+62

50

24

27

Mark McKinney

Maybe We Should

(Texas Evolution)

623

595

8

+28

53

27

28

The Statesboro Revue

Live A Little

(Vision Ent./Shalley Records)

579

572

20

+7

35

28

29

JB and the Moonshine Band

Yes

(Average Joe’s)

558

534

11

+24

52

33

30

Gabe Garcia

Missing

(396 Entertainment)

518

469

4

+49

42

37

31

Curtis Grimes

Baby Don’t Cry

(CG)

516

434

2

+82

42

23

32

Jesse Raub Jr.

Good Man Go Wrong

(JRJ)

503

629

19

-126

39

36

33

Dolly Shine

Her Name Was Trouble

(DS)

499

448

9

+51

36

32

34

Tyler and the Tribe

Can I See You Again

(TATT)

491

477

8

+14

40

35

35

Charlie Robison

Look Out Cleveland

(Thirty Tigers/Jetwell, Inc.)

486

450

12

+36

46

34

36

Mario Flores

High on Summertime

(MF)

485

469

4

+16

36

30

37

Casey Berry

Fool

(80615 Entertainment)

464

492

15

-28

38

38

38

Sean McConnell

Bottom Of The Sea

(SM)

445

415

7

+30

35

39

39

Jason Eady

Lonesome Down and Out

(JE)

433

397

3

+36

40

44

40

Clay Thrash

Ain’t No Law

(Grange Records)

393

344

2

+49

34

41

41

Junior Gordon

County Fair

(JG)

392

376

6

+16

35

43

42

Kris Gordon

Worth a Shot

(Frio Records)

380

344

5

+36

38

48

43

Jason Cassidy

Take It Off

(JC)

346

298

3

+48

40

N

44

Green River Ordinance

She Is In The Air

(GRO)

345

248

1

+97

32

45

45

Aaron Einhouse

Blue Collar Troubadour

(AE)

336

324

3

+12

35

46

46

The Rusty Brothers

The Devil (Revisited)

(Vision Ent.)

324

314

6

+10

31

47

47

Rodney Crowell

Long Journey Home

(RC)

310

312

8

-2

33

N

48

Jake Ward w/Melissa Brooke

Hit The Road

(JW)

298

271

1

+27

30

49

49

Dix Hat Band

In and Out

(DHB)

297

283

2

+14

25

N

50

Brandon Rhyder

That’s Just Me

(Reserve Records)

295

268

1

+27

34

 

Non Reports:

1st Week:  KKCN, KTCS, KVOM

2nd Week:  KSAM

 

Freezes:  KBIM, KIXN, KMOO, KMOU, KOKE, KVST, KWEY, KXIT, TXRDR

Copyright © 2014, the Texas Music Chart. Used with permission from Best In Texas Music Marketing LLC, Houston, TX

.

HOTDISC TOP 40
5 October 2014

 

This is a list of the Top 40 Most Popular Songs released on the Rush Released promotional CD. Each week DJs and media people who receive Rush Released send back their reaction sheets where they are given the chance to rate every song. This chart is exclusively for clients of the Rush Released CD.  The chart is published weekly here, and also in Country Music People, Country Music & Dance, Up Country and Southern Country magazines.

To watch the video for each song (where available) click on the titles.

01

01

Drinkin’ Beer
RAY SCOTT 

02

02

Pretty Girls
BARRY P FOLEY & DOUG ADKINS

03

04

Fishin’ Pole Dancin’
BRUCE LARSON

04

05

Good On You
NATIVE RUN 

05 03

I Am What I Am
TONY CLARKE

06

08

Put It In Your Pocket
SONIA LEIGH  

07 09

Highway Number Nine
DAVE SHERIFF  

08

07

Travelling Star
MIM GREY

09

06

It Ain’t All Good But It Ain’t Half Bad
TONY STAMPLEY

10

11

Southern Drawl
DAVID SHELBY

 

 

 

 

11

10

Right By Your Side 
THE DIABLOS 

12 15

Fire
BEAU + LUCI

13

14

Corner Cafe
MANDY STROBEL

14 12

Maybe There’s Love After You After All
DAVID FRIZZELL

15

16

Who Left The Door To Heaven Open  
DAVID WOOD 

16

20

Come On Back Home
PHILIP CLAYPOOL

17

18

Seamus Finn
REG KEYWORTH BAND

18

13

How’s The World Treating You
JIM REEVES & BARBI FRANKLIN

19

21

Jesus And Jones
NU-BLU featuring SAM MOORE

20 17

Let’s Start A Party
OWEN HOWELL

 

 

 

 

21

23

Nowhere With You
SARABETH 

22

19

Never Really Left
BRIAN COLLINS

23

24

Powder Keg
DAVID HILGENFELDT PROJECT

24 22

Wake Up Drunk
COREY COX

25 28

If I Love You  
LUANNE HUNT

26

27

Fearless
SAMMY HAKIM 

27 25

Everything Is Made In China
DAVID STARR

28

26

Love Like Jesus
PAWNSHOP KINGS

29

29

Cowboys Of The Caribbean
BERTIE HIGGINS

30

30

Something I Wrote
CODY RILEY

 

 

 

 

31

31

Wrecking My World
M CALLAHAN

32

33

Target On My Heart
ASHLIEGH LISSET  

33

35

Just Kiss Me
CAMERON TROY

34 34

Welcome Home
MIKE WARD

35

32

How I Only Wish That I Could Fly
CHARLIE BOSTON

36

37

Don’t The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time
ACE DIAMOND

37

38

Ten Thousand Ways
LOST HOLLOW

38 36

Good Day To Get Gone
KAYLEE RUTLAND

39

39

Serves Me Right
PETE DYMOND

40

40

That’s The Sound
SARABETH

THE HOTDISC BRITISH & IRISH INDEPENDENT TOP 10

01

01

I Am What I Am
TONY CLARKE

02

03

Highway Number Nine
DAVE SHERIFF

03

02

Travelling Star
MIM GREY

04

04

Right By Your Side
THE DIABLOS

05

06

Welcome Home
MIKE WARD

06

05

How I Only Wish That I Could Fly
CHARLIE BOSTON

07

07

Serves Me Right
PETE DYMOND

08

08

As Good As It Gets!
ROB ALLEN

09

10

Streets Of Loneliness
JANEY KIRK with JERRY DONOHUE

10

09

Dreams Sometimes Come True
KEITH SHAW

 

The Hotdisc chart is compiled from DJs and industry professionals’ ratings of songs currently being promoted on the Rush Released CD. They are not airplay charts, as airplay charts cannot work in Europe because there are no terrestrial country stations. The hundreds of country programmes on air which we service are likely to play a particular song only twice at most in a three month period, therefore rendering airplay charts insignificant in Europe. It works well in America where there are plenty of non-stop country stations but it does not work here. Any Airplay Chart you may see claiming to provide this service is bogus and Hotdisc does not condone these charts at all. They are misleading at best for the reasons stated.

The Hotdisc charts are put together weekly using ratings supplied by DJs who give scores to every song on the last three months’ editions of Rush Released. The scores are averaged out per week to give an accurate guide to the songs which are being championed by the industry. The aim is to showcase the songs which the industry professionals are flagging up as quality songs. This is a very useful exercise as it is free of politics, hype and rigging and done solely on merit!

Copyright © 2014, Hotdisc, The Old Manse, Hallidays Park, Selkirk, TD7 4LA, Scotland. Used with permission from HotDisk.

HotDisc Top 40 at Music Charts Magazine

JACK BLANCHARD'S COLUMN at Music Charts Magazine® 

 

THE MUSIC BUSINESS USED TO BE MORE FUN.

 

Misty and I often did shows with Jerry Reed, Roy Clark,
Grandpa Jones, and Archie Campbell.
One of those shows was a week long booking
at Atlanta’s Chastain Park Amphitheater, an outdoor venue.
It was Boots Randolph’s show,
and he always treated the artists, musicians, and staff as honored guests,
with long tables of food and drink backstage,
and a party feeling that carried over to the audiences.

Before the first show, Roy stepped out of his bus
carrying a glass of unknown iced beverage.
Misty said “How’re ya doin’, Roy?”
Roy smiled and said “Gettin’ well, honey.”

The drinks never caused any real problems,
although a couple of times the emcee mistakenly tried to take acts off stage
before they were done.
They were innocent mistakes, and kinda funny.
We were all friends.

Like most amphitheaters, it was bowl shaped,
and the bands were pretty much protected from the weather,
but the act out at the front of the stage could get a little wet if it rained.
This can be a thrill if you are hooked up to electrical equipment.

We had just finished our show and were walking off,
when Archie Campbell was heading out to do his act.
I said “It’s pretty windy out there, Arch.”
Archie ran his hand suavely over his hair and said this:
“I don’t have to worry. I bought the casual style.”
He was always funny… on or off stage.

The crowds were huge and Saturday night was our closing show.
We all met back at the hotel
where Boots and his manager X. Cosse had us staying.
They had the hotel dining room set up like a king’s banquet…
tons of food and anything you want to drink.
It was a party for everybody in the show,
including roadies and friends of friends.

For the first hour everybody was there having a good time,
except Jerry Reed, who was conspicuous in his absence.
He bounced into the room at about 11:30, said quick hellos to the gang,
grabbed a take out box, went through the food table like a lawnmower,
and was gone with the wind and his doggy box of food.

Jerry was on Fast Forward,
and his whole appearance lasted about seven minutes.
He had more energy than a crazed squirrel.
Misty went into his bus and got his autograph when we worked together
at the Citrus Bowl.
We loved Jerry Reed, and he was also my favorite guitar player.

Then, later in the party,
there was some excitement going on at the ballroom door
when some medics rushed in with a stretcher.
We wondered what was up.
Roy Clark grinned, raised his glass, and said goodbye to everybody.
Then he made himself comfortable on the stretcher,
and was carried out to the ambulance and rushed to the airport.
He was late and had a plane to catch.

I’ve tried to reproduce the week’s events exactly as they happened,
down to the finest detail, but remember,
I may have had a beer or two myself.

The music business used to be more fun than it is now,
and we miss all our old friends a lot,
but we’re so lucky to have been part of that wonderful era.

Jack Blanchard.

© 2011, 2014 .

 
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan… Grammy & CMA Award Finalists. Billboard Duet of the Year. Home Page: www.jackandmisty.net Mastering & restoration studio: 407 330 1611

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan…
Grammy & CMA Award Finalists.
Billboard Duet of the Year.
Home Page: www.jackandmisty.net
Mastering & restoration studio: 407 330 1611


About Fred’s Country program:

Le program Fred’s Country: La musique Country de Tradition avec Frederic (Fred) Moreau. Le program Fred’s Country est diffusé sur 65 fréquences FM, 53 radios ou webradios.

The Fred’s Country program, is hosted by Frederic (Fred) Moreau and broadcasted weekly on 47 frequencies, 53 Affiliated FM and Web Radio Stations in France, Canada, Belgium, Spain, and more. Listen, download The Fred’s Country program here…

Autre particularité du program Fred’s Country, c’est la seule émission en Europe à programmer un minimum de 75% d’artistes Canadiens particularity of the Fred’s Country program, each week, a minimum of 75% of Canadian Country artists on the air

Radio Show Host: Fred Moreau

Program Fred’s Country w40-2014 – 3 octobre 2014 à 15:00 – October 3rd, 2014

 

 

Music Charts Magazine is proud to be friends with Mr. Moreau and glad to now be one of the many to host Program Fred’s Country. ( French/English)

Radio Program “Fred’s Country” – Now at Music Charts Magazine!