R.I.P Phil Niekro

 When someone mentions knuckle ball pitchers the first name that pops in my mind is Phil Niekro. He was pitching well before I was born. However, as a Braves fan it wasn't long before I knew who he was. Later in his career I was able to see him pitch in person, he was playing for the Cleveland Indians and I saw him pitch in Baltimore.

He won 318 games, threw a no hitter, struck out over 3000 batters and is in baseball's Hall of Fame. He lead the league in wins twice, won 5 Gold Gloves, was a 5 time All Star, simply put he was a good pitcher.

He will be missed by his fans, friends and family.

                                                        Highlights...

His Hall of Fame Speech...

R.I.P Tony Rice

 Tony Rice the great Bluegrass guitarist has passed away.  Eight years ago I was able to catch Tony Rice with Peter Rowan and the McCourys' my thoughts on the show are available here. 

Here performs "Church Street Blues"

"Blue Railroad Train"

A guitarist who played with Peter Rowan, Jerry Garcia,  David Grisman,  Ricky Skaggs,  Bela Fleck, and Jerry Douglas. Playing with the likes of those musicians it is no wonder he was inducted into  the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

"Guitar Space Summertime" jamming with Jerry Garcia

"The Soul of a Man Never Dies" with Ricky Skaggs

The legend will be missed!

Battle of the Bands Results: If I Make it Through December

 Almost through December! In my last Battle of the Bands for 2020 Marty Robbins beat Alan Jackson 4 to 2.  I like both artist. Marty's cowboy songs were my first musical discoveries.

                                                   "Many Christmases Ago"

"Don't Worry About Me"

"They're Hanging Me Tonight"

"Devil Woman"

I hope you enjoyed! I will have a new Battle on New Year's Day to ring in the New Year!

R.I.P Leslie West

 Vocalist, guitarist and founding member of the rock group Mountain has passed away at the age of 75. 

                                                      "Nantucket Sleighride"

"Long Red"

'

His band Mountain played at Woodstock and is said to have influenced Heavy Metal.

"Mississippi Queen"

Leslie West was a talent who will be missed. May he R.I.P.

 

Monday's Music Moves Me: Christmas Music, Santa Songs

 Welcome to my blog! This Month's theme for Monday's Music Moves Me is Christmas Songs. I am breaking it up into many themes and this week I selected Santa Songs. 

                                                  Mariah Carey with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson

"Oh, Santa" 

It wouldn't be Christmas without "Santa Shark"

Bruce Springsteen "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"

The Beach Boys "Little Saint Nick"

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Battle of the Bands: If We Make it Through December

 I guess with Charley Pride's death my mind has taken a slightly country turn. 2020 has been a tough year. Covid would be the obvious finger point and then in the United States it was n election year. Personally it has been a tough year with my Dad passing and the other not so fun things going on in my life. Well time keeps going, and a new year is coming "If We Make it Through December."

The original written in 1973 by Merle Haggard...

Contender One: Marty Robbins

Contender Two: Alan Jackson 

Well you decide who wins in the comments. I count them up and announce the winner in a week or so in a different post. Marty versus Alan singing a Merle song well you can't say this song isn't Country. I am planning to post the results before the end of the month just in case we don't get through December. Hopefully we will ring in the New Year with my next Battle stay tuned!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Reindeer Songs (Christmas Songs)

 Monday's Music Moves Me theme for December is Christmas Songs. I did my first one on a theme of Winter Time. My theme this time around is Reindeer games, I main songs!  Spike the Eggnog and let's start this Holiday Dance Party.

The Temptations take on "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"

Chuck Berry "Run Rudolph Run"

Amy Grant Ali Lohan "Santa's Reindeer Ride"

Elmo and Patsy "Grandma Got Ran over by a Reindeer"

Gene Autry "Nine Reindeer"

Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoy the Holidays!

R.I.P Charley Pride

 Charley Pride was considered the first Black Country star, one of three African-Americans in the Grand Ole Opry and  a Hall of Fame member. He was a two time All Star baseball player in the Negro leagues. In 1956 he was was drafted into the Army. Regardless of his race he could be described as a hero and due to his race he could be described  as a pioneer.

A veteran, a talented athlete and a legendary musician that was Charley Pride. As mentioned a member of the Grand Ole Opry and a Country Music Hall of Fame member. 30 number one hits, four Grammy Awards and numerous other awards document an incredible career.'

Here he sings the National Anthem...

Grammy for Best Sacred Performance "Did You Think to Pray"

Grammy for Best Gospel Performance "Let Me Live"

First song selected due to his connection with baseball and being a veteran. The other two for Gramy wins and showing his variety.

"Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" is considered his biggest hit...

Country music lost a legend. He will be missed by his fans, friends and family.

R.I.P Chuck Yeager

 Born in a small town in southwest West Virginia Chuck Yeager would go on to serve his Country in three wars and become the first person to break the sound barrier. He has bridges, highways, and an airport named after him.  

Chuck Yeager was inducted into The International Air and Space Hall of Fame, the International Space Hall of Fame, and the Aerospace Walk of Honor. He had a military career that went from Private to General. He lived a life that places him deservedly in the pages of history books.  He passed away 12/08/2020 at the age of 97.

The breaking of the sound barrier...

He will be missed by his family, friends, the State of West Virginia and is a true hero!

Battle of the Band Results: Calypso and Mixed Drinks

 

Thought I would open my blog with some 1950s Coca Cola ads since my song featured Coca Cola. The winners even pre-dated the 50s. Rum has been adding the smile to coca cola for years!

I bet you weren't expecting a Calypso song.  However if you been following for a while you know I like to mix it up and nothing is really planned out. 

The Andrews Sisters beat Harry Belafonte 4 to 1. Somebody had shared the Andres Sisters version on a facebook group. It was kind of a ear worm that stuck around for the battle. We celebrate winners so let's go!

                                                     "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

They had a number one hit with "Ferryboat Serenade"

"Shoo Shoo Baby" another top hit

Well I have a week to come up with something for my last Battle of the Bands battle of 2020. Stay tuned to see what I come up with!

Monday's Music Moves Me: Winter Time (Christmas Songs)

 Monday's Music Moves Me theme for December is Christmas Songs all month long. As I do them, I am going to split them into still different themes. Happy Holidays and I hope you enjoy! To get us in the Holiday Season this week I will start us off with some Winter Songs that have made there way into the Christmas Carol list.

                                               Brett Eldredge and Meghan Trainor "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

The Ronettes "Sleigh Ride"

Ella Fitzgerald " Frosty the Snow Man"

Bing Crosby "Winter Wonderland"

I hope you enjoy! For more Christmas songs check out he other 4M Dance Parties here. See you next Monday!

                                      

Battle of the Bands: Rum and Coca-Cola

 In the 1940s some radio stations apparently didn't play this song because it mentioned rum in the title. If that wasn't bad enough the lyrics allude to prostitution.  Guess it goes to show rock, pop, rap, hip hop or whatever didn't invent controversial music. Also it is good to point out the tropics had songs way before Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffett. So let's put some rum and Coco-Cola together  and take a listen. 

The lyric written by Lord Invader and here is his version.....

Well this a Battle of the Bands.  I play an original pick a couple of covers. You listen and tell me which cover you like the best in the comments. In a week or so, I count up your votes and announce a winner in a new post. 

Harry Belafonte

The Andrews Sisters

So who is going to win Harry or the Sisters? Let me know in the comments. Stay tuned I will be back with another post soon!