R.I.P Jim McBride

 You might not know his name but if you are a country music fan you know the songs Jim McBride wrote.

                                      His first hit by Conway Twitty "A Bridge that just won't Burn"

Johnny Lee's "Bet Your Heart on Me"

Keith Stegall "California"

Waylon Jennings "Rose in Paradise"

Alan Jackson "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow"

"Chattahoochee"

He wrote several other hits. His songs will live on in the recordings of some famous artist. Jim McBride will be missed by his friends and families.

R.I.P Bob Weir

Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead performing "The Last Time" in Landover, Maryland. On January 10, 2026, Bob Weir passed away. A founding member, the youngest member of the legendary band, a member of many Grateful Dead related projects and solo artist will be remembered as a remarkable rhythm guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and musician.

His final performance with Dead & Company "Touch of Grey." Below what might have been his final interview.

To me I saw him several times with the Grateful Dead and I saw him with his Campfire Band and lastly with an orchestra. 

A tiny desk concert from NPR. He will be missed but the music he left behind will fill the air for generations to come.

R.I.P John Lodge

 Bassist, vocalist and songwriter for the Moody Blues passed away at the age of 82. One of the songs he wrote was "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band)

He also wrote "Ride My Seesaw"

He will be missed by fans, friends, colleagues and loved ones. His music will live on.

R.I.P Kris Kristofferson

             

Kris Kristofferson passed away leaving Willie Nelson as the last remaining Highwayman.

It was a "Sunday Morning Coming Down"

Above is a classic trailer of the 1981 film "Rollover" not only was Kris a singer/songwriter but he had an acting career. His roles in The Blade Trilogy stand out to me. However, I did get to see him in concert opening up for Bob Dylan.

He wrote "Me and Bobby McGee" which was made famous by Janis Joplin.

He had a successful life and career. At 88 he lived a full life, but he will be missed by his friends, colleagues and fans. 

"Why Me Lord"

R.I.P Burt Bacharach

 Legends continue to pass away, as the legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach died at the age of 94. Composing some of the best songs for over seven decades and winning six Grammy Awards along the way. 

His first Grammy was for this piece "Alfie" performed below by Dionne Warwick....

He won a Grammy in 1999 with the song "I Still Have the Other Girl" with Elvis Costello

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972, won a lifetime achievement Grammy Award in 2008 and won numerous awards in between.

"Close to You" Burt with Barbara Streisand

He will be missed by his fans, friend and family but his legacy will live on through his music.

Battle of the Bands Results: Mr. Nobody beats Kenny Chesney

 Mac McAnally shut out Kenny Chesney on my latest Battle of the Bands. The Battle fell on  Mac's Birthday. Announcing the results a bit more kindly one could say Mac edged out Kenny. Honestly the outcome was similar to a soccer match as the songwriter knocked off the Country star two to nothing.

As always we celebrate the winners! 

                                                  "It's My Job"

"Down the Road"

I'll see you down the road! Stayed tune as my blog continues and has posts. I won't have a Battle of the Bands on August 1st. I am putting my participation in the Battle of the Bands on hiatus. Maybe I will jump back in down the road. The lowest votes maybe since my first battle. The lowest pageviews for a Battle of the Bands this year in a month where I have had the most pageviews ever.  Sounds like a good time for a hiatus. Thanks for visiting and I will see you soon!

Battle of the Bands: Back Where I Come From

 It's summer time. Today's song is featured in Jimmy Buffett's set quite a bit because the songwriter has a side gig playing in Jimmy's band. Anyway today will be songwriter versus country star. Let me know which one you like the best in the comments and I will announce a winner in a week or so. 

Mac McAnally 

Kenny Chesney

Mac or Kenny let me know! See you soon!

Phil Spector has passed away

 Phil Specter has passed away at the age of 81 in prison for murder. His death was probably Covid-19 related. I hope the victim's family gets peace and comfort with his passing. 

He was a musician, songwriter, guitarists founder Teddy Bears who had a number one hit with  "To Know Him is to love Him." 

At 21 he became the youngest record label owner when he co-founded Philles Records. He wrote songs, co-wrote, produced for artists like Ike and Tina Turner and The Ronettes to name a few.

After a short retirement he came back to the music world in a big way. Producing The Beatles "Let it Be" album and solo efforts by George Harrison and John Lennon. 

He won a Grammy Award, he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

R.I.P Jerry Jeff Walker

 Jerry Jeff Walker a songwriter, Country Music performer, and an artist who has appeared on my Battle of Bands posts a few times has passed away. 

Most recently I used his song "Trashy Woman" and he lost a battle with Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett on a Guy Clark cover. 

He is best known for writing this classic tune..."Mr. Bojangles"

Some of us are just "Gettin' By

Here he performs a song he wrote with Jimmy Buffett "Railroad Lady" 

He left behind a bunch of songs, I'm sure there are plenty of stories out there too. He will be missed by his fans, fellow musicians, family and friends.

R.I.P Mac Davis

 Mac Davis wrote some hits for the King, Elvis Presley.  One of them was this one...

He created some hits of his own like "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me"

It was hard for him to be humble..

He had a television show, he was in a Broadway show, all in all he had a successful career. May he rest in peace.

A to Z Challenge: W is for Warren Zevon

Warning this post features Warren Zevon the first song may include an S bomb. It is possible other songs may have a curse word. I will try to exclude obvious ones like "My (expletive)(expletive) up" which is a really good song.

Warren Zevon starting us off with  "Lawyers, Guns and Money"  which are helpful things when the Sh** has hit the fan.

If there is a song more popular than the first for Mr. Zevon it is "Werewolves of London"

Somesongs go on to be a success for others like "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me"

A song for our times "Splendid Isolation"

A touching one to end with "Keep Me in Your Heart"

Are you familiar with his work? Do you have a favorite Warren Zevon song? Feel free to share.

R.I.P Roky Erickson

Roky Erickson was a singer songwriter best known for his work with The Thirteenth Floor Elevators. I used perhaps the best known song from the catalog on my recent Battle of the Bands post. There is still time to vote on that.

I thought I would share more of his music and do a more proper tribute.

                                              "Cold Night for Alligators"

"Slip Inside This House" from The Thirteenth Floor Elevators days...

"Rollercoaster"

Back to solo stuff "If you have Ghosts"

"Goodbye Sweet Dreams"

May he rest in peace!

Battle of the Bands: Through Your Hands

A new month, a new Battle of the Bands and even a new song. The song I am picking today comes from one of my favorite songwriters, John Hiatt.

                                             
                                              "Through Your Hands"

                                               Contender One: Don Henley

                                         

                                               Contender Two: David Crosby

A great song, two high profile singers I think I did my job on this Battle. Now I need you to decide the winner with your vote in the comments. I will count up the votes and announce the winner before the next battle. I hope you enjoy the song!

                                                                          

R.I.P Walter Becker

Guitarist, songwriter, musician and half of the legendary duo "Steely Dan" Walter Becker passed away yesterday ( 09/03/17) at the age of 67.

                                                 "Reelin' in the Years"

Perhaps my favorite Steely Dan tune is "Hey Nineteen"

Here is a solo song "Medical Science"

I was turned on to Steely Dan by a guitar teacher probably 25 years ago. There are connections to other musicians Larry Carlton, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs who were just minor degrees of separation from Steely Dan.


Performing "Josie" on Letterman, enjoy Walter Becker playing guitar..

The band left a catalog of amazing songs. May he rest in peace. I'll leave you with "Black Cow"

R.I.P. Holly Dunn

November has not been a good month for singer songwriters. This time around Holly Dunn who had eight top ten singles has passed away at the age of 59. She lost her battle with cancer.

She is probably best known for this song that peaked at number seven on the Country charts "Daddy's Hands"..

Dunn had two singles that topped the Country Charts. This one called "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me"

The other number one was "You Really Had Me Going"...

Dunn had retired from music to devote more time for her other passion art. She is an artist who will be missed.

R.I.P Leon Russell

I was considering going to see Leon Russell on Tuesday at the local music club, I missed him the last time he was in town. He was scheduled to open for a group I was interested in seeing in January. So, I thought I had a couple of chances to catch him. Now I will never get catch him live as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame passed away at the age of 74.

The songs he left behind are the greatest gift the songwriter could leave. Amazingly over 100 acts have covered his song "A Song For You." As I listen it to it now I find it just as haunting as I find it beautiful.

One of his own hits "Lady Blue"..

"Tight Rope" was another hit...

I guess "Good Time Charlie's got the Blues"..

What's your favorite Leon Russell song? Do you have a memory? Feel free to share in the comments. Leon Russell may you R.I.P. 

R.I.P Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen was a true artist and he has passed away at the age of 82. His songwriting made him legendary, his musicianship allowed him to make his songs come alive, and his novels and paintings unleashed more creativity.

He has been inducted in both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame. His talents also landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also honored with the Companion Order of Canada.

One of his latest songs "You Want it Darker"...

He has won numerous awards for his music including several JUNO Awards and a couple of Grammy Awards, His writing also has been recognized with a few awards.

"In My Secret Place"

"Everybody Knows"

"Hallelujah"

May he rest in peace

A Rocktober Nobel Prize

Rocktober continues as Bob Dylan has just won the Nobel Prize for literature.  I suddenly feel better read now that I have listened to his music. Bob Dylan is the first songwriter to win the Nobel Prize. He certainly has written some masterpieces which have been successful for him and the artists who have covered him. As a music fan I find him winning this award very exciting. I wonder which songwriters could be next to win the award.

Today is Bob's day and we salute him..."The Times They Are A Changin'"

"Tangled Up in Blue"..

 

"Don't Think Twice"...

I'm sure I might spotlight a song of his somewhere down the line on a Battle of the Bands. Right now it is just a quick celebration.

R.I.P Prince

Prince was a pop star, a guitar god (when he wanted to be), he could be nasty, and he crafted songs that will be listened to for years to come. He was an artist who was always changing and he will be missed.

"Purple Rain" came out when I was 13 and I probably were that cassette out a few times! Here he is circa 1985 performing "Let's Go Crazy"....

Here is another one "When Dove's Cry"...

Even before then he was a star..."1999"

"Funknroll"...

Prince a talent lost,

Happy Birthday Smokey Robinson!

Today is Smokey Robinson's 76th birthday! There is no better way than to share the music of this incredible singer and songwriter.

Let's go "Cruisin'"...

"The Tracks of My Tears"...

"You Can Depend on Me"...

What's your favorite Smokey Robinson song? What's your favorite Smokey Robinson memory? Please feel free to share.

"Being with You"

I'll be back soon!