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, great memories, and keep the oldies alive.

Issue #144, May, 2025

In This Issue:

• We Remember Johnny Rodriguez.

• Patsy Cline - She Was The Voice of The Average Woman.

• Guitar Man - Did Jerry Reed Outshine Elvis On This One?

• DJ Ned Ward Adds Some Shine To Vinyl Record Memories.

Dance With Me (Just One More Time) Johnny Rodriguez. (December 10, 1951 – May 9, 2025)

Johnny Rodriguez, widely regarded as the first Mexican American country star, has died. He was 73. His death on May 9 was confirmed in a social media post from his daughter, Aubry Rodriguez. I was fortunate to see Johnny early in his career over fifty years ago in Cincinnati. You can visit at least four of his stories and songs on Vinyl Record Memories. This one is a favorite of mine. The above LP Album was purchased new in 1974. I have the album framed and hanging on my Hobby Room wall. The song, Dance With Me (Just One More Time) is a featured song on the album.

Describing his cultural relationship to country music, Rodriguez related in a PBS documentary that "It was just like the music of our people. In Mexican music, you have stories. Mexican music and country music said almost the same thing, just in different languages."

Our Patsy Cline Vinyl Record Memories.

Patsy Cline will always be considered some of the very best in country music by a female artist. She's had the most legendary life of any female country singer.

Perhaps this is due to her early death just after she had entered her prime. Patsy Cline's songs are not just "Country Songs." They're songs about women's feelings.

She was the voice of the average woman...the waitress at the diner, the woman working swing shift at the local factory, the counter girl at the all-night truck stop, or even the stay-at-home mom who stops to wonder what happened to all her dreams. Patsy Cline was their voice. Listen to most Patsy Cline songs on a dreary rainy night and tell me you don't feel the heartbreak in her songs.

Give me an old dusty dark bar with Patsy on the jukebox and a cold one at the ready. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Did Jerry Reed Outshine Elvis On The Guitar Man Session?

The songwriter, the singer, the background vocalists, and the session players all have important roles. Some are of the opinion that this song would not have been recorded were it not for the guitar talents of Jerry Reed.

The original sessions kicked off with a rundown of Guitar Man. It soon became apparent there was no way they were going to get the sound Elvis heard and was looking for on the original Jerry Reed recording. Elvis wanted Reed in on the session. Reed was contacted and agreed to play on the recording with Elvis. It should be noted that, Scotty Moore played rhythm guitar, and Floyd Cramer played piano on the original recording.

And as soon as they hit the intro, Reed said, "You could see Elvis' eyes light up... He knew we had it." And once Elvis got into the song, it was just a jamming session, and then things really began to happen.

A Fun Visit With DJ Ned Ward On His Oldies Show.

A return this month to DJ Ned Ward's popular Oldies Show. Ned asked if I would go over the new web design features of Vinyl Record Memories with his listeners as it is designed for everyone, but especially for those seniors who tune in to Ned's show regularly. Ned agreed that it is refreshing that a younger group also finds both Ned's show and the Vinyl Record Memories website a new experience in music entertainment. The website drop-down menu at the top of each page makes for an easier viewing experience for everyone. Thanks again to our friend, Ned Ward, for taking time for our Vinyl Record Memories.

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.

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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