Vinyl Record Memories Newsletter
(VIP CLUB)

The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of my Newsletter. Writing stories about my vinyl record memories with added content from my collection is my 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 #126 - November, 2023

---

What's New?

Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song: Many thanks to DJ Ned Ward and his producer, Mr. Barney, as Vinyl Record Memories enjoyed a late November return visit to the Country Doo-Wop show.

Framed Album Cover Art of The Month: Kenny Rogers is featured again this month with his 1980 compilation album that reached No. 1 on both the Pop and Country charts.

Statue of A Fool was a #1 song in 1969 and twenty years later a #2 Country song, and our favorite from a former Country music star with 10 number one hits.

Ready For Christmas? How About A Pink Cadillac? If he really loves you ask him to buy you that special ride, crank up the volume, and let's have a party in your Pink Cadillac.

More Vinyl Record Memories. Selected pages with stories and songs about many of the  forgotten oldies classics. Your trip down memory lane.

Let's get started...

---

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.

Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song of The Month.
"Roll On Mississippi"

---

Charley Pride was the topic of our Spotlight Song interview with DJ Ned Ward and his producer, Mr. Barney as we talked about one of our favorite Country Classics, Roll On Mississippi, a #7 hit for Charley Pride back in 1981.

When you listen to this song pay close attention to the lyrics. The song could have easily been written about Charley Pride growing up in Sledge, Mississippi.  Maybe the writers had Charley Pride in mind when they wrote these classic country music lyrics.

Ned and I talked about how Charley Pride makes you feel as though you are actually there on the banks of that grand old river, sitting in the shade and reliving old memories.

We also talked about the background singers and how the music blends so well together. When the violins begin to play they have just the right tone and the background singers sound as if they might be from a large church choir, blending perfectly with Charley Pride's golden baritone voice. This is how the older folks remember good Country Music.

---

Framed Album Cover Art of The Month.

We continue this month with the Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits Album, a 1980 compilation Club Edition album that reached No. 1 on both the Pop and Country charts in the US.

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 how good the music inside really is.

For music fans the covers are the expression of a period, of a particular time in their lives. Below is another like new Framed Album Cover Art I still have in my collection today.

The album contains the song "Lady" which was written and produced by Lionel Richie, and ranks among Kenny Rogers's biggest hits.

Richie had originally pitched this song to the Commodores and they turned it down. Then later, it was given to Rogers to record, and it became the biggest-selling hit single for him as a solo artist.

The success of "Lady" also boosted Richie's career. The production work on the song was his first outside the Commodores and established his success as a solo act during the 1980s.

Released more than 40 years ago, this is another great example of our Framed Album Cover Art you can display on the walls of your Hobby or Retro-Room.  The album shown is in near-mint condition with both the cover and vinyl record inside showing no signs of any defects.

---

Statue of A Fool - Who's The Best on This Classic?

Statue of A Fool was a #1 song for Jack Greene in 1969 and twenty years later a #2 Country song, and our favorite, from a former Country music star Ricky Van Shelton who produced 10 number one hits, and is no longer in the music business.

Pay close attention to the keyboard player on this song. He absolutely pulls this background together perfectly. Read more about him below the video.

Record producer and keyboard player Barry Beckett teamed up with drummer David Hawkins, bassist David Hood, and rhythm guitarist Jimmy Johnson to form the Muscles Shoals Rhythm Section. Beckett didn't read music and played everything by ear but his distinctive piano and organ flourishes were an integral part of many timeless records.

He saw the keyboards as "a very transparent instrument. It's very easy to come up with a mood on a track." The mood shines through as you Listen to his distinctive piano talent on this great cover song by Ricky Van Shelton.

---

All I Want for Christmas Is A Pink Cadillac!

Pink Cadillac was released in 1984 as the B-side of the album's lead single, "Dancing in the Dark." This version by the "Killer," Jerry Lee Lewis, was released in 2006 from the album, "Last Man Standing."

In "Pink Cadillac," the guy lets his girl know why he loves her even though she gets on his nerves. It's not her money, it's her candy-colored Cadillac with the plush velvet seats.

The auto imagery was inspired by Elvis Presley's 1954 rendition of "Baby Let's Play House" in which Presley replaced the original lyric: "You may get religion" with: "You may have a pink Cadillac", a reference to the custom-painted Cadillac that was then Presley's touring vehicle.

Some may feel "Pink Cadillac" is a little racy, but it's far from the edge. It's pretty much how each individual interprets the lyrics.

---

You might also like these stories...

• Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye was first released in 1962 by Don Cherry as a country song and became a Top Ten hit for The Casinos in 1967, reaching #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Read more...

• The Diamond's two songs, Little Darlin' and The Stroll were featured in the Box-Office hit release "American Graffiti" in 1973. The dance called "The Stroll" began in black communities to the song "C. C. Rider" by Chuck Willis prior to the song by the same name. Read more.
  

• Coney Island Baby features a Top 20 Doo-wop hit made popular in 1962 by The Excellents, a group from the Bronx, New York with original lead singer John Kuse. Read more...
  

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 to add our Kenny Rogers albums for the "Album Cover Art of The Month" feature. December will showcase Kenny Rogers album, "We've Got Tonight." 

Our favorite "Back to The Fifties" style Christmas song along with Special Guest, Elvis, and his sit down duet with one of our favorite Country Ladies.

Top of Page