Vinyl Record Memories Newsletter

The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of our monthly Newsletter. Writing stories about our vinyl record memories is a fun way to  share great music and keep the oldies alive.

Issue #143, April, 2025

In This Issue:

• New Vinyl Record Memories site update - What Do You Think?

• We Remember Merle Haggard

• Remember This Opening? "Ooh Man, Dig That Crazy Chick."

• We Don't Forget Our DJ Friends.

A Visitor Friendly New Look And Feel - Mobile Included.

We have redesigned the entire site in order to make it easier for visitors and members of Vinyl Record Memories to get around the site. We have eliminated the left navigation bar and replaced it with  an easy to use simple drop-down menu at the top of the site below the header. This will allow you to easily find pages and articles on this site.

In addition we have changed the Mobile access to also make it much easier to find pages on the site. The mobile view has a dark maroon menu tab in the top right corner of your phone. Tap on the maroon menu button and it will deliver a drop down menu of all pages on the site. We hope this will allow you to visit our site more frequently, and enjoy all the stories and songs from the fifties, sixties, seventies, and beyond.

Merle Haggard - An April Birthday To Remember.

April is the birthday month for one of our favorite country stars we have lost. Let's say "happy birthday, y'all" to one of the greats of country music, Merle Haggard.

This is one of my favorite Merle Haggard songs and Jewel's vocal adds a nice soft touch to his perfect country voice.

It doesn't matter which way a Haggard classic is sung or rearranged, even as a duet it is, and always will be that pure strong influence that Merle has had on country music. I believe this is the best country side of Jewel. It is, in my opinion, one of the better versions of the song ever recorded as a duet.  Simply put....

Jewel is a diamond and Merle is pure gold.

Sadly, one of the great country legends of our time died on his birthday, April 6, 2016. God bless you, Merle Haggard, for making country music a pleasure to listen to and the way it should be played. Please enjoy this video with Merle and the very seductive Jewel performing this Country classic, That's The Way Love Goes.

Ready For Summer? - How 'bout Them Short Shorts?

Most of us remember The Royal Teens for their 1958 #3 song Short Shorts. As a teenager, I loved the song and back then could easily relate to the opening line with the wolf whistle and the phrase "Ooh Man, Dig That Crazy Chick."

Yes, 1958 was a very good year for rock ‘n’ roll - Elvis was hot; The Danleers cooled us off with “One Summer Night,” The Elegants beamed through our transistors with “Little Star,” Bobby Darin rocked our Saturday nights with “Splish Splash,” and Jerry Butler and The Impressions kept us dancin’ close with “For Your Precious Love.”

And suddenly there was this fantastic saxophone solo and this cute girl struttin' around on stage singing "We wear Short Shorts." The song was an instant hit behind a great band and a novelty tune with few words. A major saxophone artist at the time, King Curtis, was in the studio and said, "Who's playing that Sax, it's unbelievable." And, here it was, this skinny little 14-year-old member off the band, Bill Crandall.

Dreams sometimes came true during this magical excursion through our musical youth. You could form your own street corner group and practice the harmonies of Dion and The Belmonts with your neighborhood pals, while singing under the street lights. Life in the late fifties is a time many would gladly return to. Read the rest of the story here...

Best Of The DJ World...

We always like to mention our DJ friends who have be favorable to Vinyl Record Memories over the years. DJ Ned Ward has a new updated weekend show and is kind enough to allow me to pay a visit to his show at times.

DJ Ned Ward's Oldies Show is on Saturday and Sunday and Pat Appleson's Country Classics is on Sunday night.  Catch them both as I do and listen to the very best in oldies and great country classics. Both Ned and Pat are long time subscribers to our FREE Vinyl Record Memories Newsletter. Links are below for both shows.

Ned Ward's Oldies Show...

Listen to Ned Ward's Oldies Show, Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 3pm, all times Pacific. DJ Ned Ward turns music into memories playing yesterday's Classic Hits from the 40's thru the 90's on the new and exciting KNCP Newberry Mix 107.3 FM.

Pat's Country Classics...

Pat Appleson considers himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with talent as diverse as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Tom T. Hall, Ray Stevens, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Larry Gatlin, Roger Miller, Tanya Tucker, Bill Anderson, Charlie Pride, Mac Davis, and many others. Pat's show, "Pat's Country Classics," is on every Sunday from 9pm-Midnight EST.

Framed Album Cover Art of the month will return next month along with more great Newsletter vinyl record memories. Stay Tuned...

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