"That's News to Me" - Archive #3
A Mix of Music Related Text and Photos That You May Find Interesting
A Mix of Music Related Text and Photos That You May Find Interesting Sundazed Music is proud to
announce the release of Buck Owens & TheBuckaroos Live At Carnegie Hall. Recorded at the venerated New York Cityconcert hall in 1966,
this complete concert CD release finds Owensfrontingthe classic lineup of Buckaroos: Don Rich on guitar and fiddle, TomBrumley onsteel
guitar, bassist Doyle Holly and Willie Cantu on drums. Buck Owens & The Buckaroos Live At Carnegie Hall spotlights in-personversions
of chart-topping hits like "Act Naturally" and "Tiger By TheTail,"as well as many of the singles Owens placed on the country charts
from1963-66, songs that influenced--and were covered by-- pop artists asdiverseas Ray Charles and the Beatles. The Sundazed
release--featuring the complete, unedited Carnegie Hallshow -- restores Owens' producer Ken Nelson's original stereo mix as wellasthe
vintage cover artwork from the highly successful 1966 Capitol albumand adds previously unpublished photos of the historic
engagement. Sundazed Music is proud to announce
the release of Country Pickin' by Don Rich, a 24-song career retrospective featuring material Rich recorded as the cornerstone member
of Buck Owens' backing band, the Buckaroos. This compilation spotlights the many talents of Rich, whose silver-sparkle Telecaster,
flying fiddle and harmony vocals -- with an occasional vocal lead--were mainstays on all of Owens' classic country/pop albums from the
1960s. Stuart calls Rich "the king of
twang," whose voice "gave even thesaddestsong a silver lining." The late Gram Parsons in 1972 referred to Rich'sguitar playing as
"perfect," and Hillman says, "Rich's lead guitar,fiddleplaying and soulful tenor made the Buckaroos the premier country musicbandin the
'60s." This first-time ever career overview also contains detailed linernotesby country music authority Rich Kienzle as well as many
unpublishedphotosfrom Buck Owens' personal archives.
. 
photo: Commercial Appeal,
Memphis, Matthew Craig
Rockabilly Hall of Fame staff reporters, Phil Davies (with camera, upper left in photo) and Shaun Mather (next to Phil, upper left)
watch Jerry Lee Lewis blow out his birthday cake candles, Saturday afternoon, September 29, at the Killer's official birthday on his
ranch in Nesbit, MS.By the time JLL could get to the cake the candles had nearly fried the frosting.Saturday evening, September 30,
the Killer took the stage at the HolidayInn Select in Memphis to perform for his fans and special guests duringthe annual Convention
Celebration. Just before that, Jerry's Lee wifeKerrie introduced the key members andvolunteers of the Fan Club and gave out special
awards, including one toSam Phillips, who along with his son Knox, were at the event. Jerry Leehit the stage around 10pm and proceeded
to put on one of his best showsin the past two decades. He performed forapproximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, taking requests form
theaudience. He tried to perform every tune the crowd asked for and didthem all with passion and fury. Yes, he even kicked over the
piano stoola few times. The only reason that Jerry Lee quit was that the hotel hadturned on the house lights and said he was running
over. The Killerdidn't think so, nor did the fans. But alas, he left the stage smilingand waving with a good 2 hours more leftin him,
vowing to give us a 6 hour set next year. This was an event thatwill not duplicated soon. -Bob Timmers
September 26, 2000 - Greetings from the great Plains. Just had a classic recordingsession at
Cowboy Bob's in Lincoln last Sunday. Bobby Lowell, who had beenhospitalized and was being sent to "hospice" for his final days -
kindarefused to do that - and had Zeke & the brothers from "The Tribesmen"literally assist in his escape from the hospital. He wanted
to spend hisfinal days with his friends and musicians. He called for a "party" atCowboy Bob's - and at least 50 musicians and friends
showed. It was anotherclassic with a wide array of musicians in attendance, including Bobby'ssister (Sherry Lowell-Lewis) who came up
from El Paso, TX. (She is aprofessor at UTEP -and quite a story herself - she's a lot younger thanBobby. Although never in the
recording studio before - Bobby asked her torecord a couple of songs she used to sing to Bobby when she was little -"and we did". We
laid down great versions of "Michael Rowed The BoatAshore" & "Puff The Magic Dragon" - with me producing and playing guitar,Dave Robel
on drums, C.A Waller on guitar, George Bryan on bass, and afriend on Bob Davis' on keys. Frankly, I've not played or even heard
thosetunes for years - but it was for Bobby and wonderful. He left the partyafter about 1 1/2 hours - my friend, the end is near I am
afraid. I don'texpect him to live long. I sent Bobby a copy of the "Blues CD" we cut (offthe website) - he should enjoy it. Just
wanted to fill you in on Bobby - "when he left the session - all 50 people followed him out to the car that was taking him back to his
trailer. The crowd started to clap in unison which then evolved into a sustained round of applause as this old warrior (as he calls
himself) left all of us - probably for the last time". There were lots of tears on this throng of veteran musicians and bikers. -- and
it was OK. from: Mike "Pinky" Semrad
Former CMA Award Winner Will Record All New Album. There is a real treat in store for fans of Grand Ole Opry star, Jack Greene.
He has agreed to record a new album, featuring all new Country and Christian Country songs. "It's been a long time since I've recorded
a completely new album," Greene states. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to find great songs and get back in the
studio." Below are the
Song Titles for the Nov. 21 Rick Nelson Box Set. Some very good songs. Rick's version of Tired Of Toein' The Line is the standout
track. Also a unreleased duet with Don Everly on Bye Bye Love from the Live at the Troubadour days is onboard. We have not yet been
informed wherethe box set is available ... www.hollywoodandvine.com/ricknelson/DISC 1 (I Don't Mess Around, Boy)I'm Walkin'
You're My One And Only Love
A Teenagers Romance
Be Bop Baby (Single Version)
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (45 Version - Stereo Debut)
If You Can't Rock Me
Stood Up
Waitin' In School
Believe What You Say (Single Version)
My Bucket's Got A Hole In It
Shirley Lee
My Babe
Poor Little Fool
There Goes My Baby
Lonesome Town (Version #1 - Stereo Debut)
I Got A Feeling (Stereo Debut)
Cindy (Version #2)
It's Late (Stereo Debut)
One Of These Mornings (Stereo Debut)
Gloomy Sunday (1958 Unreleased Imperial)
Brand New Girl (1958 Unreleased Imperial)
Never Be Anyone Else But You (Single Release)
Just A Little Too Much (Version #2)
Sweeter Than You (Single Version)
I've Been Thinkin' (Version #1)
I Wanna Be Loved
Might Good (Stereo Debut)
Hey Pretty Baby
Lonesome Town (Version #2 - Fast)
Just A Little Too Much (Version #1)
My Rifle, My Pony & Me (w/Dean Martin) (1958 Unreleased Imperial)
DISC 2 (Hello Mary Lou, Goodbye Imperial)
Young Emotions
Glory Train
I'm Not Afraid
You Are My Sunshine (1960 Unreleased Imperial)
Ain't Nothin' But Love (Stereo Debut)
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
You Are The Only One
Milk Cow Blues
Travelin' Man
Hello Mary Lou
Today's Teardrops
Everlovin'
A Wonder Like YouSweet Little Loveable You (1961 Unreleased Imperial)
Young World
It's Up To You
Teenage Idol
I Got A Woman
String Along
Gypsy Woman
I Rise, I Fall
Fools Rush In
For You
The Very Thought Of You
There's Nothing I Can Say
I'm A Fool
I'm Talkin' About You
The Christmas Song (1964 Unreleased TV Show)
Jingle Bells (1960 Unreleased TV Show)
DISC 3 (Easy To Be Free)
Louisiana Man
Night Train To Memphis
You Just Can't Quit
Alone
Mystery Train
Suzanne On A Sunday Morning
Promenade In Green
She Belongs To Me
Easy To Be Free
Come On In (Live)
Bye Bye Love (Live With Don Everly - 1969 Unreleased Decca)
Look At Mary
Life (Single Version)
Thank You Lord
The Last Time Around
Gypsy Pilot
Love Minus Zero/No Limit
Garden Party
Palace Guard
Are You Really Real
DISC 4 (Rave On)
One Night Stand
Legacy
Truck Drivin' Man (Live 1977 At Lake Tahoe)
Wings
One x One
Stay Young
Carl Of The Jungle
Mama You've Been On My Mind
Dream Lover (w/o Bongos)
Tired Of Toeing The Line (1980 Unreleased Capitol)
Almost Saturday Night
Believe What You Say (1980 Single Version)
Back To School Days
Rave On
The Loser Babe Is You
Call It What You Want
Doll Hospital (1980 Unreleased Capitol)
Give'Em My Number
Do You Know What I Mean
True Love Ways (Memphis Sessions)
MEMPHIS, TN - September 29, 2000 - The Rockabilly Masters, a rockabilly "super group" with 6 highly talented peformers in one package,
will soon have their debut CD released on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame label. Texas businessman Ed Morgan (former lead guitarist for
the Big Bopper) is the master mind behind putting this unique band together. The members are: By MIKE SCHNEIDER -
After weathering a decade of declining sales and the implosion of the themed restaurant industry, Hard Rock Cafe International is now
turning its attention to music. Approaching its 30th birthday, the granddaddy of themed restaurants is planning a new emphasis on live
music in its 103 restaurants worldwide. Hours will be extended late into the night for performances. The 55 restaurants actually owned
by the chain will be redesigned or relocated to create space for live performances; the remaining restaurants are franchises. The Orlando, Fla.- based company also is redesigning its Web site with the aim of making it a top music destination on the Web. It also recently joined with eBay to sell rock memorabilia and Hard Rock collectibles over the Internet.
Changes also will be made to Hard Rock's menu. No longer content with just burgers and chicken wings, Hard Rock chefs are adding 12 new higher-end items such as stuffed veal chops for $26.95 and lobster tails for $19.95.
In 1988, there were only five restaurants worldwide. Now there are 103 restaurants in 38 nations, four Hard Rock Live concert venues and a weekly cable television program on VH-1. The company also operates two Hard Rock hotels, with plans to open two more in two years. The company plans to open as many as eight new restaurants a year and build as many as eight more hotels in five years.
Kerry Dexter reports: In one of the odder pairings of recent note, Linda Gail
Lewis, sister ofrockabilly/rock reprobate Jerry Lee Lewis, and Van Morrison, who may needno introduction, have joined forces to record
an album of materialstraight out of the Jerry Lee canon.Linda Gail hasn't been heard from much since briefly surfacing in the'60s
accompanying her brother, who was taking his lumps at the time. 
September 21, 2000 - Matt Lucas, from Memphis, Tennessee, inductee of the Rock-a-billy Hall of
Fame was recently a very welcome guest at two of Danny Marks jams at both the Silver Dollar Room and at Grossman's on the anniversary
of Elvis Presley's death.Lucas, a great Blues crooner who definitely knows how to turn a phrase passionately, delivered a number of
Blues tunes much to the enjoyment of the audiences and the band and especially Marks himself who, at one point of Blues magic that
transpired between the two while Lucas sang "Matchbox" (a number written by a friend of his, Carl Perkins) was inspired to brilliantly
play his guitar behind his shoulders and then end the song by doing the splits.Matt Lucas, who began as a drummer in the 50's, was
then known as the best drummer in the St. Louis strip joints and played with many of the greats including Bill Haley B.B. King, Bo
Diddley, Ronnie Hawkins, Norville Felts and Ike Turner and with every major group in Canada, staying at the now defunct Warwick Hotel
while playing in Toronto.Lucas helped record such world-wide hits as "My Babe", "Maybelline", "OO-bee Doo-Bee", "I'm Moving On", and
"Rocket 88" written and performed by Ike Turner, on Sun Records. Lucas also did recordings on Quality and Kanata records for various
artists. He was leaving the following day for Missouri to play with Billy Lee Riley.It's an honour to be entertained by one of the
original Blues greats and we look forward to his next visit to Toronto. Matt can be found at www.rockabillyhall.com/MattLucas.html and
at www.deltaboogie.com/mattlucas.
Release date: October 10 on Anti Records - Disc Being
Hailed as Major Comeback. Merle Haggard, renegade genius of hard country music, roars back onto the road this fall, showcasing
tunes from his forthcoming album, IF I COULD ONLY FLY. Set for release October 10 on Anti Records, this singular set represents a
return to the maverick form that first established him, back in 1965, as modern country music's most original force. Starting the
coast-to-coast tour in his native California and barnstorming into Manhattan for an October 8 Irving Plaza show and October 9 David
Letterman appearance, Haggard remains, as Newsweek recently said ``a great voice." And, just as importantly, he is as passionate and
outspoken a writer as ever -- a fact the album's first single "Wishing Old Things Were New" makes strikingly clear; the L.A. Weekly
called it "stunning ... guaranteed to startle even the most inveterate Hag fan." Elsewhere, Lisa Robinson in Vanity Fair noted: "When
you've loved and the lost the way MERLE HAGGARD has, you understand what life's about, and he proves it on IF I COULD ONLY FLY," while
Entertainment Weekly highlighted the album as a comeback in their recent Fall Preview issue.
Empire, Liverpool, UK -
14th September 2000 - Last year's successful concert dates and CD with skiffle king, Lonnie Donegan, seemed just a pleasant break in
Van Morrison's schedule, but not a bit of it. Van remains in the 1950s for a tour to promote his new CD with Jerry Lee's much-married
sister, Linda Gail Lewis. The tour arrived at the Liverpool Empire on Thursday 14th September and although the booking was only
announced a couple of weeks before, it was a full house of 2,500 Van Morrison fans. Although modernized, the Liverpool Empire retains its charm as a wonderful, old-world theatre. I have seen so many famous acts there and my uncle used to say that no-one could better Jimmy Durante! My favourite moment occurred with Chubby Checker in September 1962. The Lord Day's Observance Society had decreed that there must be no dancing on stage in Liverpool on a Sunday. Chubby opened with "Hey Look Me Over" and "Georgia On My Mind" and without a dance step in sight. Then his feelings got the better of him and he ripped into "Dancin' Party". The theatre manager rushed out and stopped him mid-song. "Any more of that," he said like an angry schoolmaster, "and I'm bringing the curtain down." Chubby had no choice: he stuck to the rules and I must be one of the few people who witnessed a non-twisting performance from Mr Twister.
On another occasion in 1960, Eddie Cochran was drunk backstage and so his musicians propped him up with the microphone stand and his guitar. The compere announced "Eddie Cochran", the curtains opened and the rush of adrenaline made Eddie sober again and he was able to perform normally.
Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent played there in June 1963 on a package show with Freddie and the Dreamers! It was the end of a long tour and both Jerry Lee and Gene were worn out. However, I recall Gene delivering a great "Chain Gang" and Jerry Lee singing both parts of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say", when he had only recorded Part One.
Although I like Van Morrison's music very much, I had never seen him before. I knew he was unpredictable and I didn't fancy one of his bad nights. Only last year at Southport, he performed most of his set with his back to the audience and hadn't said a word. When he ventured into The Beatles Shop in Liverpool, the manager Steve Bailey greeted him and was put in his place by a minder. "You don't talk to Van," he said. "Well, he's the loser," said Steve, "I was only going to offer him a 10% discount."
The Red Hot Pokers opened the show with a couple of well-played R&B standards. The two saxes sounded great and promised much for the evening ahead. Linda Gail Lewis then sat down at an electric keyboard and she had the showbiz trappings that Van either lacks or hates. She smiled at the audience and was having a great time as she performed. She slowed down for a sultry "Dark End Of The Street" and I prefer her like this as her voice can be shrill on the rockers. After three songs, she announced Van Morrison, who was wearing a double-breasted grey suit, hat and shades. If he had carried a machine-gun instead of an electric guitar, he could have had a role in the St Valentine's Day Massacre. We never saw his hair or much of his face and his jacket was never unbuttoned. He did speak to us, although most of the time he was mumbling over the applause. The Man may have had a charisma bypass but you still keep watching. Despite the fact that one of his key lines is "I'm in heaven when you smile", he never smiled once in the two hour concert.
Van and Linda began with their forthcoming single, an flawless revival of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Let's Talk About Us" with an excellent piano solo from Linda. They followed Jerry Lee's arrangement of "You Win Again" and this set the pattern for the night. Time and again, they plundered the Jerry Lee Lewis songbook and we had "Old Black Joe" ("Not politically correct but I don't mind," muttered Van), "Hello Josephine (My Girl Josephine)" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On".
Most of the time Linda Gail Lewis was singing harmony with Van and she sang very few lines on her own. They did "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues" as equal partners but most of the time it was Van's show. He did two superb blues,"I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town" and John Lee Hooker's "Feel So Good" and included some of his trademark scat singing where "I'm so lonely" becomes "I'm so lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely."
Backed by Linda Gail and the Red Hot Pokers, Van performed several of his successes including "These Dreams Of You", "Jackie Wilson Said", "Step Away" and "Precious Time", which seems to be a close cousin of Fats Domino's "Be My Guest". (I prefer Fats Domino's lyric: the line, "She's so beautiful but she's gonna die someday" may be correct but we don't need to be reminded.) His invigorating song about his daytime job in Belfast, "Cleaning Windows", ended with a coda referring to "Be Bop A Lula", "Who Slapped John" and "What'd I Say". An R&B instrumental glided into a solid version of Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women Nos 12 And 35".
The audience was with Van all the way and when he took a break to leave Linda Gail with "1,2,3 I'm In Love Again,", there was a mini-stampede to the bar. Van returned, smoking a cigarette, after just one song, which served those rude patrons right.
This was a great two hour show and I would urge you to catch them if they come to your town. Van has often glared at his musicians on stage but here he asked us to applaud Linda Gail and the Red Hot Pokers. The audience responded loudly and Van even said "Thank you".
Spencer Leigh
Spencer Leigh is the author of
"Halfway To Paradise", which has been reprinted by Finbarr International, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2QQ, UK and is the story of British
popular music before the Beatles. His latest book, "Brother, Can You Spare A Rhyme?", covers 100 years of hit songwriting and is in UK
bookshops from September 18th and available on the websites, amazon.co.uk and www.bandline.net. Spencer's webpage is at
spencerleigh.demon.co.uk and contains details of his programmes for BBC Radio Merseyside.
Non-Rockabilly - Move over
Woodstock, the world's greatest rock music event, "Rock in Rio for a Better World," is set to start Jan. 12 thru 21, 2001, in Rio de
Janeiro, it was announced by Brazilian impresario Roberto Medina. The event will feature some 40 international and Brazilian artists
and bands, performing on three massive stages in a festival area west of central Rio de Janeiro that is being designed to accommodate
over two million people, 50 stores, beer gardens, multiple restaurants, rock climbing and skate boarding rinks, a multi-media pavilion,
programming lectures, demonstrations and discussions on world peace, a world music pavilion featuring international dance troupes and
companies, heliports and an elaborate public transportation system. Sensational circus acts and DJs from around the world will also be
featured among the event's many performing venues. So big is the event that its promoters are creating 1.9 million t-shirts for
attendees and a single McDonald's location expects to flip upwards of 60,000 hamburgers a day. Other food vendors are bracing to sell
900,000 sandwiches and 500,000 slices of pizza. At the kick off of "Rock in Rio For A Better World" on Jan. 12, all of the television
stations in Brazil will simultaneously go silent for three minutes to draw attention to the event and the cause for which it was
created. In addition to broadcast coverage in Brazil, Medina plans to license coverage in over 50 countries, attracting a potential,
international audience of over 500 million people. 
Chicago rockabilly band will perform at The Blue Grass Inn in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 22, 2000. The band will perform
songs from their latest CD release, "Betty's Blue Star Lounge" the third recording by noted Chicago guitarist Bill Harnden a.k.a.
Rockin' Billy. The CD is the result of songs written during the bands 1 á year stint as the house band at Betty's Blue Star Lounge
playing every Thursday until 4am in the morning. The diverse crowd at Betty's is reflected in the albums wide range of material.
Gospel, country, rockabilly, Latin, punk and blues are melded together into a seamless "coyote sound".But that's what rockabilly has
always been - one part country, one part blues, a little gospel, and an extra jolt of energy that defies description.This is real
rockabilly played for real Americans.Rockin' Billy born in Chicago has been a guitarist for 20 years and professionally for the last
15. Originally part of the 80's Chicago hardcore scene, he played with such luminaries as Big Black, Naked Raygun, the Effigies, and
Articles of Faith.By the early nineties Billy had stints playing blues and country in Memphis, Nashville, and Dallas, fusing the twang
of the south with the drive of the north.The blues has always been a big part of Rockin' Billy's music, at the age of 15 he was a
regular at the infamous Sunday morning jams on Maxwell Street on Chicago's south side playing the blues in the midday sun with 80 year
old bluesmen drinking Mad Dog.In recent years Billy has been a respected member of the influential Chicago gospel music scene
accompanying some of the best choirs the city has to offer.But the music boils down to basic 50's style rock & roll with strains of
Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, and of course, Elvis.A recent opening slot for B.B. King in King's hometown of Indianola,
Mississippi proved just what a wide range in appeal this powerful blend could be. And as Steve Earl was heard to say while listening to
a cut of Billy's First album, "damn that boy can play that guitar". For more information, contact: Mary Ryan at 312-455-9334 or
rockinbilly_wildcoyotes@yahoo.com
Tony
Wilkinson reports: "This should set the blood running. The headline acts for Hemsby 2001 have been announced as: Janis Martin, Jack
Scott with his American band, Sanford Clark with Al Casey (that has to be worth going for in its own right). Mack Stevens (wonder
which poor British guitarist he will swing around by his feet whilst the poor blighter has to keep playing). The Calvanes (a vocal
group produced on record by Big Sandy - new one to myself. Anybody else out there know of them?) To quote the old saying, be there
or be square. Regards, Tony - Waxowilko@aol.com
Since the mid-60's Cees Klop has been on a one man mission to preserve(what otherwise mighthave been lost forever) previously
unknown 1950's Rockabilly/Rock'n'Roll.There is one thingof which we can be assured (with his many record seeking trips across theNorth
Americancontinent each and every year) the best is yet to be discovered. Sept. 8th - Are you in the market for
some extremely cool souvenirs, cheap? The MemphisMusic Hall of Fame and Museum has closed, after 10 years in operation. Thefacility
featured more than 10-thousand rare photos and recordings, costumesand vintage instruments. But the museum's proprietor says they lost
thelease because of other plans for the space, and it's too expensive to moveit all. The museum would also have to compete with the new
Memphis Rock andSoul Museum. The museum's last day was Wednesday, but the gift shop willremain open to sell souvenirs at, or below,
cost. The owner says he'salready sold off the Elvis stuff to an unnamed private collector, and he'stalking with the University of
Memphis and other organizations about otherparts of his collection. Barbara Pittman's husband, Willie, used to manage this museum,
located on 2nd Street, close to the Beale St. area.
Buddy's sister Verdi passed away on Tuesday last week. Verdi died of cancer. She sang backing vocals on many of Buddy's
recordings, including "Party Doll" and "Somebody Touched Me" among others. Verdi enjoyed the pages among the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.
Dearly, she bought joy to many people. Buddy always spoke highly of his sister. They loved each other very much. She will be greatly
missed.Obit:
FRITCH, TX - Verdie Ann Brown, 65, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000.Services were in First United Methodist
Churchwith the Rev. David Brasher officiating. Burial will be in WestlawnMemorial Park by Minton/Chatwell Funeral Directors. Mrs. Brown
was born in Hamlin. She moved to Fritch 33 years ago fromLos Angeles. She taught in the Sanford/Fritch Independent SchoolDistrict. She
was a member of First United Methodist Church. She had served ashonorary chair of "Hope." She was named Masonic Lodge Woman of theYear
and Outstanding Volunteer at Lake Meredith Aquatic and WildlifeMuseum. She also was involved with Reach for Recovery at the Don
andSybil B. Harrington Cancer Center in Amarillo.She married James "Don" Brown in 1958 at Canyon.Survivors include her husband; three
daughters, Cindy Sewell and KimLindley, both of Fritch, and Leslie Foster of Amarillo; and fivegrandchildren. -(Amarillo Daily News,
Aug. 25, 2000)
August 28, 2000, NASHVILLE - Larry Cordle's
"Murder on Music Row's" recent feat is being nominated by the CMA for Song of the Year. Congrats to Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard
Time on IBMA nominations for Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year for "Murder On Music Row" and "Black Diamond Strings". See
Larry:
by Daniel Gewertz - Saturday, August 19 - Boston Herald. The Everly Brothers never rehearse.
Though the duo has written some ofthe best-loved songs of rock's golden era, they never compose nowadays.The brothers haven't made an
album since the '80s and are not likely toenter a recording studio again. What Don and Phil Everly manage to do, though, is quite
enough: Theystill sing beautifully."We still even sing in the same keys," said Phil Everly, 61, from hisTennessee home, his voice sounding young, gentle and twangy. "We have aprideful attitude. If we weren't doing it well, we'd just stay home."When asked about creating new Everly material, Phil said, flatly, "Wehave no interest in it."
But ask him about harmony singing and his voice lifts with boyishenthusiasm. "I never get tired of singing the songs because if you stayin the second, in the micro-second of them, all the variables that existmake it fresh," he said. "I only sing harmony, so I have to payattention. It's never the same. It may sound the same to the layman, butit's always minutely different."Phil never thinks of perfect love when he sings, only the perfect note.Newly married, his wife recently saw him wipe away a tear during aperformance of "Let It Be Me," and believed he was thinking of her."But I was just trying to keep the sweat from my eye!" he said. "I wasjust thinking of pitch."
Phil and his brother Don, two years his senior, play South Shore MusicCircus today and Cape Cod Melody Tent tomorrow. The Kingston Trio opens. Touring three months a year, their longtime band includes one bona fidelegend, pedal-steel guitarist Buddy Emmons, and one famed ace, guitaristAlbert Lee. "The band is like a Ferrari: It can run as fast as we want,it's as good as you can get, and also the most expensive band you canfind," Phil said.
In 1973, the year the Everlys split up, there were reports of smashedguitars and flying fists onstage. Phil left the stage in the middle oftheir farewell show. During the act's 10-year hiatus, Phil and Donreportedly weren't speaking to each other. One industry source contendsthat the brothers still say nothing but "hi" before a show. But Phildiffers."We get along fine now. After all the time we spent quarrelling, I'vesimply learned that it's better to be with your family than away fromthem," he said.Placing 24 songs in the Top 40 from 1957 to 1962, the Everlys' sublimeharmonies and rockabilly romanticism is thought of as the essence of alost, innocent age."It's kind of lucky we had the run we did, were around the quality ofwriters we were, and that we lived in a period when songs told stories,which suited harmony singing in a great way," Phil said.
Luck, in fact, looms large in Phil's vision of things."There's a
tremendous amount of talent on this earth that doesn't getnoticed," he said. "They just miss it. A door shut before they got toit, or
the door was open and they decided not to walk in. Donald and Imight've just as easily wound up in a factory. It was hundreds of
little,small, twisty, turny things that puts you in a position to deliverwhatever goods you have to deliver. Looking back on it, I'm
not gonna say'I sure did that swell.' I'm gonna say, 'Boy, I was lucky!'
"
By Del
Villarreal - Here's BIG SANDY & THE FLY-RITE BOYS first full length Hightone CD since1999's "Feelin' Kinda Lucky" and it's a dark disc
called "Night Tide."The new album's lyrically moody with themes of sin, murder and betrayal.However, on the positive side is the strong
and clear vocals provided byL.A. based roots-rock phenom Robert Williams (a.k.a. Big Sandy). The musicis superb as always, as Robert's
backed once again by the world classmusicianship of the Fly-Rite Boys: Bobby Trimble (drums), Ashley Kingman('take off' guitar), Lee
Jeffries (Bigsby steel) & Jeff West (stand-upbass). To the uninitiated in Western Swing and Rockabilly Music and Texas history,a Light Crust Doughboy
just mightbe the latest radiation-altered super hero or an X-Men-type mutant. But forthe youngest member of the world'slongest-lived
country band - Art Greenhaw - the just-released X-Men motionpicture is confirmation of hisnew country-rock tribute to the man who
started it all, Stan lee. And don'tbe surprised if The Light CrustDoughboys do some day star in their own comic book
series.