Vinyl Record Lovers Newsletter
(VIP Club)

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The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of my Newsletter. Writing stories about our vinyl record memories with added content from my collection is another 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 #131, April, 2024

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In This Issue:

• Imagine A World Without Cell Phones.

• It All Begins With A Song.
  

• Showtime...A Return Visit To The Country Doo Wop Show.
  

• Spotlight Song Of The Month.
  

• Waylon, Willie and The Boys.
  

• Kenny Rogers Vinyl LP Album Collection Series.

• Remembering Patsy Cline - A Special Edition.

• You Might Also Like These Stories...
  

• What's Next?

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The Single Best Thing About Augusta National...

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I don't ever recall making an entry about golf in prior newsletters. And why would I as my newsletter is not about golf. However, while at a doctor's appointment I picked up a Golf Digest magazine and was pleasantly surprised at what I read. The following is directly from the magazine.

Not a lot about the Masters can be described as quaint anymore. Last year there were whispers one man spent $36,000 on souvenirs and didn't walk out with that many bags.

Some people will tell you that the single best thing about Augusta National is the pimento cheese sandwich, still sold wrapped in green plastic for $1.50. Those people are lying to you, and you should never trust them again. The pimento cheese sandwich isn't even the best sandwich on the grounds. That would be the Georgia Peach ice cream sandwich. Heaven's desert.

No, the single best thing about Augusta National is the enforced absence of cell phones. It is a glorious directive, made greater for how fanatically it's enforced. A patron wearing his ballcap backward will be asked to turn it around, sir, please, and thank you. A patron who pulls out a cell phone will never be seen again.

I would imagine they have a point. Without a phone, you will spend hour after blissful hour in the moment, engaged in the world around you. Congrats to the 2024 Masters winner, Scottie Scheffler.

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It All Begins With A Song.

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"The song. The reason that they're
powerful is that they get immediately
right to your heart." Kris Kristofferson

The Real Unsung Heroes...

We all hum their tunes. We know their words by heart. And we tell the story of our own lives through their art. Yet, few of us know their names. "It All Begins With A Song" is a film about one of the most important and unknown forces in music: The Nashville Songwriter.

It tells their story in a way it has never been told. It documents their struggles. From paying their dues to working through their creative process. From the eureka moment of uncovering that musical gem that turns into a hit to receiving a Grammy and hearing how their words and music change people’s lives.

But most of all, the film pays tribute to the most valuable resource in the music industry today. It All Begins With A Song: The Story of the Nashville Songwriter is FREE to stream on Amazon Prime (with Prime membership)!

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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.

A Special Return Interview With Ned Ward On
The Country Doo Wop Show...

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It was certainly my pleasure to sit in with Ned and his producer, Mr. Barney, for another interview this month on his popular Country Doo Wop Show. A little change of pace as Ned reflected on a great patriotic movie, the 1942 classic, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" starring James Cagney playing the roll as George M. Cohen. 

A perfect movie to reflect on during these hard times for our country. Don't miss the great video of Cagney dancing down the White House stairs and walking beside veterans as they sing the very patriotic "Over There,"  a 1917 song written by George M. Cohan, a patriotic song designed to galvanize American young men to enlist in the army and fight. Read the "Yankee Doodle Dandy" story here...

Ned also gave a shout out to my favorite Spanish songstress, Vickki Carr, a special page highlighting this wonderful American singer from Mexican origins. She is admired by the very best in the entertainment world including Elvis, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Please visit our page and read some facts you may not know about this special lady, Vikki Carr...

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Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song of The Month.
Waylon, Willie and The Boys...

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After listening to this country classic on Ned Ward's Country Doo-Wop Show I decided to add this great video as our Spotlight Song of The Month.

Enjoy this classic by The Highwaymen originally recorded in 1977 by Waylon Jennings titled, "Luckenbach, Texas" (Back to The Basics of Love). The song debuted on April 16, 1977, reaching #1 on the country charts on May 21, 1977, and staying there until June 25, 1977.

The Kenny Rogers Album Collection Series.
("Classics" Vinyl LP - Released 1979)

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We continue with our Kenny Rogers Collection Series for April and showcase his framed duet album with Dottie West titled, "Classics."

The album, released in 1979, was the second (and final) album of duets released by the unlikely pairing of Kenny Rogers and Dottie West.

According to an often-told story, the pairing of Kenny & Dottie was accidental. Kenny had a recording session scheduled just after Dottie’s and he stopped by the studio early. They shared Larry Butler as their record producer. Dottie had just recorded “Every Time Two Fools Collide” as a solo and while listening to the playback Kenny sang along.

Dottie loved the sound and had Kenny sing the second verse and the solo was transformed into a duet. That led to an entire duet album and Dottie joining Kenny as the featured performer on his tours where they would unite onstage for a segment of duets. It became one of the most popular tours of that era.

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Remembering Patsy Cline - A Special Edition
1964 LP, "Today, Tomorrow & Forever."

When writing about music, especially music that was recorded before you were born, you only have the luxury of listening as an outsider. It is the Album Cover Artwork that will be a constant reminder of how good the music inside really is.

Beautiful artwork on memorable album covers and sleeves is a sign of our life and times. For music fans, the covers are the expression of a period, of a particular time in their lives. Below is another very nice Framed Album Cover Art I still have in my collection today.

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The March 2024 Newsletter entry displayed the Patsy Cline 1985 MCA release, "Today, Tomorrow & Forever," produced by Patsy's original producer, Owen Bradley.

This month the original 1964 LP, "Today, Tomorrow & Forever," released on Pickwick sub label "Hilltop" Records is the painted portait version of Patsy and also includes an original version of "Walkin' After Midnight."

This LP was originally released on Pickwick sub label "Hilltop" Records in 1964. This album LP cover does show signs of wear around the edges and slight ring wear on the back of the cover. The record is in very good condition showing only a few light scratches. A perfect LP Framed Album Cover Art for any Patsy Cline fan.

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You might also like these stories...

• Prettiest town I've ever seen, women there don't treat you mean. The smooth voice of George Hamilton IV, and the name "Abilene," summon up images of a West Texas town that offers a place for escape, romance, for fresh beginnings. Take a moment and step back in time.
  

• "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress" is a rock and roll classic characterized by its catchy guitar riff and memorable lyrics. The song tells the story of a mysterious and alluring woman who captures the attention of the narrator. Read about this 5'9" Beautiful Tall lady.
  

• The songwriter, the singer, background vocalists and session players all have important roles. Some are of the opinion this song would not have been recorded were it not for the guitar talents of Jerry Reed. A perfect song match with Elvis and Reed on Guitar Man.
  

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?

We will continue with our Kenny Rogers Collection Series for April and showcase his 1979 album titled, "Kenny." This album contains his hit songs, "You Decorated My Live," and "Coward of The County."

Our Framed Album Cover Art of The Month will feature the original 1956 album, "The King and I," an album and vinyl record nearing 70 years old in excellent condition.

A Farewell to the Memphis Man. A look back on this amazing guitarist, Lonnie Mack, and his special song about cool cars and roadhouse music.

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