In The Beginning

It wasn't until after I was asked to write about country music in the 1990s that I reflected back at how much I enjoyed writing at a younger age. What will always bother me is why it wasn't something that became a vocation rather than just an avocation.

When I was in fifth grade, my father (who then worked for Trans World Airlines) decided to take me, along with my sister who was in third grade and my mother to Europe for two weeks. My teachers, Mrs. Larson and Mrs. Jackson, only asked that I take my "new" math and spelling to keep up with those and that I did a presentation when we returned.

What a lucky child I was to have parents that were so involved with their children's studies. While gone mother provided me with a journal and together we wrote in it every day we were on the trip. Dad took 8mm home movies and when we returned spliced the reels together as well as made a presentation board of all the monies of the different countries. Together my parents went to school with me and we told the story of our family trip. It might be appropriate to add, even if it dates me, that it was a luxury for a family in those days to get to go to Europe.

Here is my journal and then a bit about the places we journied to back then.

My Trip to Europe - October 1965

We left for New York in the afternoon. We were going to Switzerland but the flight was canceled so we went to Paris. On the airplane to Paris we got a big delicious meal.

October 21 - When we got to Paris at 7:00 am we rented a car and drove to the Hotel Claud Bernard. That day we saw the Eiffel Tower and the L'Arc de Triomphe. That we ate some long sticks of bread walking down the street. Later we ate in a tiny restaurant in Paris.

October 22 - That morning we had our first breakfast in Paris. It consisted of bread, jam and tea. We also shopped in Paris that day. We then headed for Switzerland. That night we stayed in the Hotel de la Fontain. We ate a big dinner of chicken. The town is named Auxerre.

(REALTRAVELADVENTURES.COM - On our third day our tour was through beautiful agriculture hillsides to the little town of Vézelay with the Roman Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene on top of the hill. Here Medieval crusaders from three places converged before setting out for campaigns on Jerusalem. Since ancient times the crypt of the cathedral has been a shrine for the ashes and finger bone reliquary of Mary Magdalene.
Pope Eugene II started the crusades in 1090. St. Bernard 1146 preached the Second Crusade here and Richard Lionhearted and King Philippe Auguste of France started the Third Crusade from here.
Today Vézelay is still a religious mecca, now claimed by Magdalene cultists and new age seekers. Many artists have made studios in the old brothels, which served weary pilgrims before they embarked on the Crusades and now display galleries of silk screens, oils, ceramics, and fiber arts. A wonderful place to select prized remembrances of our trip! Many of these buildings contain Roman vaulted cellars, some of which are converted to lovely restaurants and bars. )

October 23 - We left Auxerre for Geneva, Switzerland.

As we were coming down the mountains we could see the sun shining on the snow capped Alps. In Geneva we stayed at a good hotel de L'Ancre. We also saw Lake Geneva.

October 24 - We window shopped in Lusanne then we went on towards Bern. Before we got to Bern we found a new modern hotel called the Gusthof (hotel) Bahnhof. We stayed there that night. We bowled and ate by ourselves in a dining room. The meal consisted of pork chops, potatoes, cauliflower and carrots.

October 25 - The next morning we drove 12 km or 7 miles to Bern and ate breakfast. We had planned to shop but found out the stores didn't open until 2:00. So we drove towards Zurich. That night we stayed at the Hotel Tellsplatte near Zug. We stayed there and walked down a path to the Lake. It was a pretty stroll. We had very good service there. We also saw the snow capped mountains.

Hotel Tellsplatte (www.tellsplate.ch) has not changed alot since almost forty years ago. What a beautiful place. The hotel you will see at the back of this photo from their website. You cross the road to a building (which was much smaller) that at that time was a postal station and gift shop. The path you see took you to Lake Lucerne and where you will see below an open air chapel tht faced the lake which has a story of its own. (below)

Another few (back toward the small town of Zug where we shopped). It shows a good view of the beautiful lake framed by the mountains. The views were spectacular.

From their site this photo shows a guest looking out much as my mother and I did. Our rooms were situated at the end of an upper floor. Mom and dad had the room to the right and my sister and I had the room right across the hall. It was late in the season and the hotel was virtually empty. There was a wicker balcony right out a small door at the end of the hall and this is exactly the view.

The rooms looked much the same. The big open windows allowed for the vistas to surround you. Each morning we went down to the restaurant where they reserved a table for us that was immediately laden with beautiful fresh pastries, fresh butter and homemade jams and jellies. It was always accompanied by hot tea and coffee.

The legend - (from the hotel website)

At the end of the 13th century the sheriffs of Habsburg tyrannized and subdued the people who lived in the area that we today call Switzerland. The most cruel of them all was Gessler who used extremely humiliating methods. At a time he had placed his hat - decorated with peacock feathers - on a pole at the market-place of Altdorf and announced that every man who passed the market-place should fall down on his knees as a sign of appreciation and reverence.
On the rock near our hotel, where Tell miraculously managed to free himself, a chapel was built in later years. This chapel is still open today.

One day William Tell - a hunter and farmer from the nearby valley of Schächen - passed the market-place with his son without paying attention to the hat. Gessler had him arrested immediately and told him that his only chance to stay alive was if he could hit the apple that Gessler had placed on the head of his son - with a cross-bow. Tell's arrow hit the apple and, when Gessler saw that Tell had prepared a second arrow, he asked why. Tell replied that it was intended for Gessler if he had hit his son instead of the apple.

October 26 - We drove towards Zurich. That night we stayed at a hotel on a hill. We walked to the train station and road a tram to downtown Zurich. We ate there too.

October 27 - We drove up to Basil, Switzerland our last stop in Switzerland. We road through Germany on the autoban. That night we stayed in a little town 20 km away from Metz, France.

October 28 - We went to Luxembourg where there is very pretty scenery. Later we drove through Belgium where there was alot of pine forests. That night we stayed in Dunkerque, France. From our hotel we could see the remains of a old church where it had been bombed.

(from Wikipedia: Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe, and ranked 175th in size of all the 194 independent countries of the world; the country is about 2,586 square kilometres (998 sq mi) in size, and measures 82 km (51 miles) long and 57 km (35 miles) wide. To the east, Luxembourg borders the German Bundesländer of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, and, to the south, it borders the French région of Lorraine. The Grand Duchy borders the Belgian Walloon Region, in particular the latter's provinces of Luxembourg and Liège, more in particular the German-speaking Community of Belgium, to the west and to the north respectively.)

October 29 - We drove to Calais, France where we turned our car in and took a boat to Folkstone, England. We then took a train to London. We stayed that night at a place where mother and father stayed one time the Lynton Hotel. We took a double decker bus to Picadilly Circus. Then when we got back to the hotel we watched English T.V.

October 30 - We got up and ate breakfast then a taxi took us around Buckingham Palace then to the airport.

(Mom and Dad had brought us on a previous trip dolls from England - a guard from Buckingham Palace and an English Bobby (Policeman). Years later we always got a kick (as a family) out of the song, "England Swings" by Roger Miller (see at the end))

Flight 771 we left 12:30 from London to Chicago - flying time 8 hours and 57 minutes at a altitude of 35,000 feet (at this altitude outside temp is about 50 below zero). We will pass over Belfast, Ireland and in about 45 minutes after take off later we will pass over Greenland. We had a big meal. We also saw a movie.

We got to Chicago in 8 or 9 hours. We took a plane to Kansas City. In the Kansas City airport we saw some barbecue chips. They looked so good after eating foreign food.

In addition I had to keep a page on each country - their dress, food, homes, cars, scenery. highways and streets, places we saw and the people.

Some interesting observations of a fifth grader -

France - Vezalay - an old Medieval city with the largest church in France and said that Mary Magdelene was buried there. Dunkerque - an old city rebuilt because of the bombing there (during WWII)

Switzerland - their homes are attached to the barns, the girls wear aprons over their dresses, scenery has very pretty mountains, lakes and countryside

Germany - four lane highways called autobans

Luxembourg (in my mother's handwriting - one of the smallest European countries)

Belgium - Brussels, a busy place more cars and people running around than in Paris

Great Britain - drive on opposite side of the street than we do

In the back of my book it was evident my sister and I must have been playing school. Mother also had a list of small trinkets to take back to our best friends, our relatives and teachers as well as items we purchased to bring back.

ENGLAND SWINGS

words and music by Roger Miller

England swings like a pendulum do

Bobbies on bicycles, two by two

Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben

The rosy red cheeks of the little children

Now, if you huff and puff and you fin'lly save enough

Money up to take your family on a trip across the sea

Take a tip before you take your trip

Let me tell you where to go

Go to England, oh

England swings like a pendulum do

Bobbies on bicycles, two by two

Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben

The rosy red cheeks of the little children

Mama's old pajamas and your papa's mustache,

Falling out the window sill, frolic in the grass,

Tryin' to mock the way they talk, fun but all in vain,

Gaping at the dapper men with derby hats and canes.

England swings like a pendulum do

Bobbies on bicycles, two by two

Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben

The rosy red cheeks of the little children

England swings like a pendulum do

Bobbies on bicycles, two by two

Westminster Abbey, the tower of Big Ben

The rosy red cheeks of the little children

Tread Softly

Tread Softly
Valerie Clark

We always wish that we’d done more
The time is sweet, but oh, so short
You can’t go back, so hold on tight
It could be today, it might be tonight



Tread softly on this precious ground
Too soon you will be heaven bound
Hold every moment in your hand
Time it passes with the grains of sand



It’s always when the day is done
The could haves and the should haves come
Live every day with all your heart
It is all you’re given and all you’ve got


Tread softly on this precious ground
Too soon you will be heaven bound
Hold every moment in your hand
Time it passes with the grains of sand



And when your Lord, he calls you home
Make sure you’re ready to face his throne
You’ve lived your life with all you could
Regrets they had no place from where you stood


Tread softly on this precious ground
Too soon you will be heaven bound.

The Woman In The Mirror

The Woman in the Mirror
Valerie Clark

Four years old looking in the mirror
Her love for me was like no other
The old black and white may not last forever
But forever is the love of a mother


Mom taught me the difference between wrong and right
But the greatest gift she gave me were my wings of flight.
The woman in the mirror that I see
Is a little bit of mom and a whole lot of me


Off to college on a crisp fall day
She said, “Time has come to find your way.”
“I have taught you everything I could.”
I know you so well, and you’ll do as you should


Mom taught me the difference between wrong and right
But the greatest gift she gave me were my wings of flight.
The woman in the mirror that I see
Is a little bit of mom and a whole lot of me


She’s gone and I reflect on those years
She encouraged me through dreams and tears
Told me, “You can be anything you want to be.”
It was the thing that always set me free.


Mom taught me the difference between wrong and right
But the greatest gift she gave me were my wings of flight.
The woman in the mirror that I see
Is a little bit of mom and a whole lot of me

Days would come and many years would go
Still her love for me I’d always know
The reflection of her heart and her soul

The woman in the mirror that I see
Is a little bit of mom and a whole lot of me

Shootin Tequila From A Paper Cup

Shootin Tequila From a Paper Cup
Valerie Clark


Keep your fancy martini glasses and all that stuff
Sticky sweet girly shots aren’t for the tough
Champagne in your best crystal, keep that too
Even a frozen margarita just won’t do


We don’t need your salt, we don’t need your lime
These girls just don’t need to waste that time
We’re here tonight to whoop it up
Shootin tequila from a paper cup


A cold beer is alright and makes a pretty good back
We’ve never turned away a shot of Jack
Somehow it just ain’t gonna be the same
As that Cuervo gold shooter when we don’t feel tame


We don’t need your salt, we don’t need your lime
These girls just don’t need to waste that time
We’re here tonight to whoop it up
Shootin tequila from a paper cup


One tequila, two tequila, three tequila floor
Just one more and we are out the door

Cause-

We don’t need your salt, we don’t need your lime
These girls just don’t need to waste that time
We’re here tonight to whoop it up
Shootin tequila from a paper cup

Bubba's Got A Girlfriend

Bubba’s Got A Girlfriend
Valerie Clark

Eleven years and you would think that she had learned
Twice around the block and she’s twice been burned
She’s had enough and his bubbles finally burst
No more of the same old song with just a different verse


‘Cause she’s gonna find her own way
It’s been a long time comin to this day
All the pain and wasted years
All the arguing and all the tears
It’s in the past, it’s a whole new life
She’s her own woman and not just Bubba’s wife


Bubba’s got a girlfriend is the word around town
And she’s cheerin’ and jumpin’ up and down
He’s yours with my blessing, but it will be your curse
Because bein with him is not for the better just for the worst


‘Cause she’s gonna find her own way
It’s been a long time comin to this day
All the pain and wasted years
All the arguing and all the tears
It’s in the past, it’s a whole new life
She’s her own woman and not just Bubba’s wife


Eyes wide open and lookin for so much more
Knowin when God closes one he opens another door


‘Cause she’s now found her own way
It’s been a long time comin to this day
All the pain and wasted years
All the arguing and all the tears
It’s in the past, it’s a whole new life
She’s her own woman and not just Bubba’s wife

Music and Me

There was a time when I was gone three weekends out of four and almost every night to every musical event I could find. Those years it was about being a fan, a journalist and, transcending labels, a lover of music and those that made the music.

Somewhere I lost that or I just let go. I've begun to understand that we get in a bad place in our lives and sometimes deny ourselves the things and those we love because that is what we think we deserve. It was the joy of my life.

The good news is recognizing the problem and beating it. I've found it again. That means I've also found joy in the people I experienced it with, too.

Recently I took in the WKDF Birthday Bash for the total purpose of seeing John Rich stand there, guitar in hand and sing. No "smoke and lights" as Dusty would say in Pure Country (God Bless George Strait!). It was totally worth being slam dunked against bars at the front of the stage. It took me back to the days of the mid 1990s when I met the guys of Lonestar (actually 1996). It was about that time that they were the house band of the Wildhorse where the WKDF party took place. As John referenced those early days when he was with Lonestar all those memories came flooding back! What a joy to remember what had been and where I stood that night with friends and hearing the super talented John Rich perform.

It brings forth my favorite saying by Dr. Seuss, "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."

We also had the pleasure of going to a Tin Pan South event here in Nashville recently and hearing Chuck Cannon, Shawn Mullins, Billy Dean and Richie McDonald perform and just enjoying hanging out and jamming. Afterward we had the opportunity to talk to Billy and catch up with Richie. Billy is gracious, wonderful and charming. What an incredible man and musician. Richie is Richie and that's a good thing. It's good to know you can be away from someone for awhile and know you'll walk back up and it will be as if time stood still. Nothing seemed to have changed. Well, I guess we all have, but his voice is as strong as ever and his new music is moving and wonderful.

Several weeks later, spur of the moment, we went to a church in Murfreesboro for a benefit to see Richie again and Chonda Pierce. What humor, what talent, what music, what heart tugging experiences were given as a gift to us that night. We really enjoyed the entire evening.

I've started writing like I haven't done in years and sharing that writing. It is heartwarming to have people enjoy what you do and want to share that. I've missed my music and my writing and blessed to have discovered the things I love again.

Find your passion and fuel its fire. Never let anyone extinguish all you can be with their doubts that you are willing to accept. Know who you are, what you can do, what you asprire to be and accept nothing else but the most from yourself. Your shortcomings can become assets.

Saving My "Quote for The Day"

I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous; that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream. Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)

What Is Real?

What is "real?" --

Real is the love of God and his only begotten son.
Real are people who put people before things.
Real are people who don't talk behind others backs, but anything they say they would not be afraid to say to their face.
Real are people who love unconditionally, no "look what I did for you" attached.
Real is the innocence of children and the elderly.
Real is being able to give a compliment and mean it, really mean it.
Real is saying what you mean, without being mean.
Real is the wonder of God's world, the sun, the rain, the moon, the mountains, the rivers, the oceans.
Real are people who believe in themselves and stand tall for their rights.
Real is saying what you mean and meaning what you say - all the time!
Real is friendship, true blue friendship that does not fade with bad times and stands the test of time.
Real is the love of family. The kind of love that says, "I know we don't always get along, but I always love you."
Real is finding sometimes you can say you are wrong, even when you know you definitely are right.
Real is being empathetic with the human condition of others.
Real is saying I screwed up and fixing it.
Real is passion for something that will last forever.
Real is finding things in life that will outlive our mortal being.
Real is the touch of someone who loves you with all their heart.
Real is love that does not hold you down, hold you back or hold you hostage.
Real is breathing in life every day with vigor and enthusiasm
Real is reaching for the stars and for people who take you there.
Real is saying I love you, not "ditto."
Real is laughing so hard your sides hurt.
Real is forgiveness.

Real is the beauty of all my yesterdays, the promise of all my tomorrows and and today, the real beauty is today.

I cherish my real friends, my family who loves me in a real way and my Lord who knows the real me and in spite of my faults and failings loves me everyday!

The Lives of Nine Cats: Wiley

Wiley, The Curious Cat with Nine Lives

By V. Clark

Today the caramel cat named Wiley arrived in Spring Hill, Tennessee. It was like coming home. Wiley couldn’t believe that it was five years ago when he was born in this very area. He was back where his life started.

Wiley doesn’t remember much of those early days as a kitten. He was not more than four months old when he found himself stuck between the engine and the hood of a car. Only a very curious kitten could get himself in that kind of trouble! Wiley is just that, a very curious cat.

Less than hour after the car started in his hometown, Wiley arrived in Nashville. The hood opened and he sought freedom high in a small tree outside the home of a lady named Jean. Wiley was shaken and afraid of his new surroundings. But, the little caramel kitten soon settled outside Jean’s house and was in fact, quite comfortable. The kind lady loved on him, brought him tidbits of food and provided him with water. Although confused, dazed and a bit sore he was thankful that he’d used one life and still had a story to tell you. They say cats have nine lives. Lucky for this kitten that story must be true.

The summer went by and fall fell upon the city. Jean and her husband left on vacation and once again Wiley was alone and confused. The food and water lasted, but he was eager to find a kind human to pet him and give him hugs.

One day while chasing a leaf, a leaf the same color as his fur, Wiley noticed two ladies across the street. He looked both ways and ran to safety behind a big tree. It was a big adventure for such a little cat. He peeked out around the big tree and looked at the ladies.

Soon the ladies smiled at him, talked to him sweetly and came over to scratch him behind the ears. When it started to rain they quickly delivered a bowl of food tucked under a car to keep it dry. Later that night they made him a nice bed in a box by the front door of the house. He curled up in the bed, yawned and as he kneaded the blanket in the box he felt sure this would be his new home. He just had to convince the lady that lived in that house to let him in the front door!

The next few days Wiley was on his best behavior rubbing against the lady’s legs and batting his eyes each time she approached him. It didn’t take long and he was home sweet home. Thankfully she was quite fond of him, showing him lots of love every day. He adjusted to the two cats of the house, Lynx and Michaela Ann and in turn, they adjusted to him.

Over the next few years Wiley would use up two more of his nine lives. In both cases he slipped outside and couldn't find his way home. Little Wiley was a scaredy cat and was always better off staying inside where he belonged. When he was gone he always missed his human mommy and the other cats of the house.

So today as he sat sunning in the window of the new house he looked around and smiled to himself. It felt good to be safe and sound, back in Spring Hill and that was exactly where he planned to stay!

Rough Drafts for Curiosity Seekers Series

The starting of -

"Curiosity Seekers: Country Markets of Williamson, Maury and Rutherford County, Tennessee."

Here we go! Let me know what you think.

Every morning my drive to work takes me down State Highway 431 past the A&D Market. It is located in the Thompson Station/Spring Hill area of Tennessee, south of Nashville.

It usually isn’t gasoline I’m seeking, but the best cup of coffee in the world. Fresh, hot and they have real cream, too! The same man greets me every time I stop and his demeanor is welcoming with that “thanks for trading with us,” attitude.

Back in the kitchen you glimpse a woman baking hot biscuits. The warmer case is filled with biscuits loaded with tenderloin, country fried steak, sausage, country ham and chicken. There's always a basket of fresh tomatoes and an occassional homemade cinnamon roll or coffee cake on the counter.

The locals congregate in the little side room sipping coffee and swapping stories. Deer heads adorne the walls. You can hear the comments on the local weather and the local hunting.

Of course, you’ll see the citified pumping gas, but they rarely venture inside to savor what has become one of those comforting, predictable aspects of my day. A&D is one of those rare places you would feel comfortable not locking you car door. I feel like I’m at home even though I know no one’s name.

There was a day when I did need to fill up the tank. I pulled up to the pump by the front door and as I fumbled for my wallet in the early morning hours my door was opened by an older gentleman in coveralls and a ball cap. He addressed me as "ma'am" and inquired if I was paying with cash or credit card.

Puzzled, I asked, "is this full service." That term is so rare, but so is someone greeting you willing to pump your gas.

His reply took me back, "it is for the ladies when I'm here."

I handed him my credit card and he slid and handed it back. Still a bit puzzled I ventured into the market looking over my shoulder as he started pumping my gas and washing my windows. If you are curious at all, no it was not an extra charge!

It occurred to me that this man must be the original owner of the market and the family must be the ones at the counter and cooking in the back.

So this will tell you why I was instantly curious about the origins of the market and its owners. Eventually I would not only have to find the answers to my questions for A&D, but also for other markets in the area. Thus the idea for this book.

I hope as people read these stories it satisfies their curiosity, but more than that makes them open their eyes and minds as they pass through their route each day and makes them curious of their own surroundings.

I am sure I'm not the only person that drives through their day and notices things that peak their curiosity. Old churches, cemetaries, these markets, old barns - things from times past that seem to carry their own history with pride and just beg to tell a story.

“Curiosity is the very basis of education and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say only the cat died nobly.” - Arnold Edinborough

Baptism in West Texas

Family Stories: Baptism in West Texas


My father is almost 83 years old and somedays he finds it tough to remember what was for breakfast (although it is usually eggs, sausage and fried potatoes!). When it comes to remembering his days on the family farm, his time in the U.S. Navy in World War II or the history of his family there is no lack of memory. The stories are colorful and many times hilarious. They are always quite vivid. He is a master story teller and I never tire of hearing them. When one comes along I haven't heard I'm in awe that there is yet a new one for him to tell.





In the 1950s after my parents were married they made a trip to west Texas (near Muleshoe) and stopped by to say hello to my father's grandfather. A good looking man, Sherman Tucker must be my father's direct link to his story telling wit. Sitting in a ladderback chair on the front porch of the dusty farmhouse Grandpa Tucker rocked it back and forth, scratching his head thick with white hair. It was hot and dusty. The rains were few and far between that year. Great, great grandpa Tucker looked at my father and said, "it's so dry out here the Baptists have started sprinkling and the Methodists are using a damp wash rag." He refered to the many methods of baptism and painted a realistic picture of the weather in west Texas.



I regret that I haven't collected all these stories my father as locked in his head. It is an ambitious goal to try and get those tidbits of life down on paper.

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards

As a lover of many kinds of music you'd think The Grammy Awards would be a big favorite, but many times I'm not a lover of the musical performances. Tonight I was delighted with the second musical number of Justin Timberlake with the Reverend Al Green along with Boyz II Men and our own, Keith Urban showcasing his guitar prowess. Their rendition of Al's hit - "Let's Stay Together," was very enjoyable. It's what my friend, Cappo, calls "playing music." Play and enjoy! Seems like everyone was doing just that. Yeah, yeah, the word was it was a sub in number, but maybe that was why it seemed fun, not over rehearsed. (Keith also showed up in the Bo Diddley tribute!)

Moving on through the program, when the Reverend Green joined Duffy to announce "Song of the Year" it was sweet to hear Al Green kick off "Moon River" and then see the legend, Andy Williams in the audience. As for their rendition of S&G's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," please do not ever do that (or attempt that) again. That is one of my absolutely favorite songs of all time and that just was very hurtful.

It's unfortunate the sound was so bad because I was looking forward to Kid Rock's "All Summer Long." That song just kicks! It has me thinking, John Cougar Mellencamp's "Cherry Bomb" for flavor and of course it's inspiration, Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," and the get down of the Doobie's "Blackwater." Love, love, love that. Probably because it makes me want to dance like I was in college again. Ha!

No other genre has the best ticket seller in music than country music. Kenny Chesney, I will say, did country music right when he performed acoustically. He was introduced by Morgan Freeman who highlighted his presentation with a statement that although Chesney sold out venues he still believed it began with a song. Bravo for that.

Songwriters are heralded no where else like they are in country music. Not since the golden era of composers in the 40s has the song been so celebrated as it is by the country music industry. Rich in lyric and melody, country music, if listened to with open heart and soul will prove its value of what it has to offer.

Lifetime Grammy Awards went to the incomparable, Brenda Lee and also the one and only Dean Martin.

In the best pop male vocalist John Mayer won for "Say", although I was torn between my generation performers, Paul McCartney and James Taylor, and the kickin' Kid Rock because of "All Summer Long."

That takes me to James Taylor's project COVERS that came out last September. I went to AOL music and listened to his version of the Glen Campbell classic, "Wichita Lineman." I'm an absolutely devoted James Taylor fan, but I remember with pain when people thought the young and talented country singer, Wade Hayes, should not have done a cover, which was "Wichita Lineman." I loved Campbell's version, but truly was taken with Wade's version and thought it so sad it was pulled because a few critics felt it should be. Fans did not voice the same sentiment and last time I checked the music was for them. Ahh, well all is done, but I'll take up a banner for someone who wants to sing a great song, especially when they do right by it. I went in search on YouTube to see if it existed and lo and behold it did (see below). Bravo, Wade!

Shoot me if you don't like Neil Diamond. I'm a victim of my generation. Neil Diamond was absolutely "it" when I was in Junior High. "Sweet Caroline," was just the song along with "Cracklin' Rosie" and . I saw him in concert with my best friend years later and he was hilarious. He stood on his piano in his tight pants and a woman right down front had her binoculars directly on him. He got her attention and asked, "WHAT are you looking at?" He laughed and pointed to those in the rafters, "they need binoculars, but you are right in front of me." She was totally embarrassed and it was great. I also have the LP soundtrack to the Jazz Singer.

Those we lost this year, that I will miss: funny and talented Jerry Reed, the incomparable Eddy Arnold, Dan Fogelberg...

COUNTRY AWARDS

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
Nominees: Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Ann Womack and Trisha Yearwood
WINNER: Last Name - Carrie Underwood from: Carnival Ride [19/Arista/Arista Nashville]

Best Male Country Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
Nominees included Trace Adkins, James Otto, George Strait and Jamey Johnson
WINNER: Letter To Me - Brad Paisley from: 5th Gear [Arista Nashville]

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For established duos or groups with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
Nominees: Brooks and Dunn, Lady Antebellu, Rascal Flatts and the who? The Steel Drivers
WINNER: Stay - Sugarland from: Enjoy The Ride

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)
Nominees: Chesney and Strait; Strait and Loveless; Sugarland, Jake Owen and Little Big Town and Yearwood/Urban
WINNER: Killing The Blues - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss from: Raising Sand[Rounder]

Best Country Instrumental Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
EDITORIAL - Is it ok for Cherryholmes III on Skaggs Family Records and Jerry Douglas, et.al. on Koch and Bela Fleck on Rounder and Pat Metheny with Jerry Douglas and Bruce Hornsby to be nominated - sure, but just look WHO won!
WINNER: Cluster Pluck - Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert & Steve Wariner from Brad's "Play" project[Arista Nashville]

Best Country Song (A Songwriter(s) Award)
(Artist names appear in parentheses.)
Nominees: Gorley/Regan for Dig Two Graves sang by Randy Travis; Clawson/Criswell/Kirby for I Saw God Today sang by George Strait; Jamey Johnson/Miller/Otto for In Color sang by Jamey Johnson; Gorley/Miller for You're Gonna Miss This sang by Trace Adkins
WINNER: Stay - Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland) - from: Enjoy The Ride [Mercury Records; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles Publishing]

Best Country Album (Vocal or Instrumental.)
Nominees: That Lonesome Song - Jamey Johnson; Sleepless Nights - Patty Loveless; Around the Bend - Randy Travis and Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love - Trisha Yearwood
WINNER: Troubadour - King George Strait (ok, here is me jumping up and down, yelling yippee and my cats looking at me like I'm totally insane - which I usually am when you say "George Strait") CAN YOU BELIEVE HE HAS NEVER WON A GRAMMY - ABOUT TIME!!!!


OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

ANDY WILLIAMS

Andy Williams (one of my mother's favorites) was born in Iowa and grew up in Ohio (bless his midwestern soul). As a pop or "easy listening" icon he had his own variety show from 1962 -1971 which would explain my knowledge of this performer since that period was the heart of my childhood. With 18 gold albums and 3 platinums, Williams didn't have a hit with Moon River, but was always associated with classic written by the incredible, Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer. Williams was asked to sing the song (from the movie "Breakfast at Tiffanys" with Audrey Hepburn) at the Oscars in 1962. "The Days of Wine and Roses" another Mancini/Mercer collaboration was sung by Andy and won the Oscar the next year. Of course as a teenager in 1970, "Where Do I Begin," from Love Story was well known and never forgotten (the movie or the song). He may well be the best known of a long list that performed "The Impossible Dream" (from Man of La Mancha) since it was featured in a Honda commercial.

Interestingly, Williams who was on the Cadence Label, eventually acquired the masters from that label including label mates, The Everly Brothers and eventually started another label to rerelease material. The label, Barnaby, also had several hits with country humorist and gifted musician, Ray Stevens. In 1970, the label released Jimmy Buffet's first project.

From 1971 - 1977, Williams hosted the Grammys. His brother Don (who at the time managed Ray Stevens) invited Andy to Branson, Missouri in 1991 and soon Andy Williams opened the Moon River Theater. Both the Theater, his home in Branson and in California have been featured in Architectural Digest as he is an avid collector of art.


OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Check out what nominee Lee Ann Womack considers 10 great country songs that won Grammys at CMT.com (direct link)

Grandma Moses

You can not imagine how excited I became when the discovery was made that our family, descended from Mayflower Compact signer, Richard Warren, made us related to Grandma Moses.

The irony is that as I was growing up my mother had curtains in our kitchen eating area that were a replica of this Grandma Moses (1860-1961) print ("A Beautiful World" - 1948). I still have some of those curtains stretched and framed. I fell in love with the folksy style of her work. In addition, we had a piece of hand painted watercolor art handed down by my great grandmother (we have yet to discover the painter) that was so similar in style.

Anna Robertson studied the art of Currier and Ives (another favorite of mine). She was born in New York, grew up in Virginia and returned to New York as she raised her family. It wasn't until 1940 that her art that grew out of paintings made of thread became known. She was eighty years old. Awwww....to know that anything is possible at any age if you believe enough and are passionate about the creation of your art!

VISIT http://www.allposters.com/ to purchase Grandma Moses Artwork.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy's are this Sunday, which prompts me to drop a short note here about a friend of mine, Tom Wurth.

It was a few years back when he was in his early 20s and was part of a project in Nashville by a company that produced children's projects. "Love Songs and Lullabyes for Daddy's Little Dreamer" was nominated for a Grammy and Tom had the opportunity to attend the awards.

Now, this young man is poised to have that big break in country music. Tom Wurth's resume includes two songwriting cuts (by Ty Herndon and Ken Mellons), two successful songs on the Music Row Chart the past two years ("Bread on the Table" and "Good Ground"), a project loaded with Top Ten Hits that was co-produced by legendary John Ford Coley (of 70's pop duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley) and Bart Butler, production of Eddie Money's country project including, "Gimme Some Water" featuring Vince Gill and a long list of opportunities on stage opening for top country and pop acts.

Yes, friends can be partial, but since the first time I heard him sing I was convinced he was going to have to share that talent. You can judge for yourself. Check out his video and links here. I think you'll agree whole heartedly with me that his talent is unique and deserves to be heard.

Night and Day

I'm totally addicted to old movie classics and tonight while channel surfing landed on one I'd somehow missed, "Night and Day," with the one and only Cary Grant. The "loosely" written story of composer, Cole Porter, it is, if not true to Porter's story it is filled with his music and of course, Grant.

Porter is one of the greats along with the Gershwins, Irving Berlin ("God Bless America" and "White Christmas"), George M. Cohan ("Give My Regards to Broadway"), Scott Joplin, Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer of Tin Pan Alley and other contemporaries such as Oscar and Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.

Learning is something that will ever be part of my blood so I had to research Wikipedia to see about Cole's works. With that came the discovery of interesting facts -

• Cole's musical comedies include "Kiss Me, Kate" based on Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew," "Anything Goes" and "Silk Stockings." His hit songs include "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "I've Got You Under My Skin."
• In the 1930's he wrote (for a movie, but not used) "Don't Fence Me In" which did not become a hit until sung by Roy Rogers (and later Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters).
• Mary Martin (later in Peter Pan and the mother of actor, Larry Hagman of "Dallas" fame) sang "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" in "Leave It To Me."
• He wrote the music for the Gene Kelly/Judy Garland show "The Pirate" which included "Be A Clown" later plagerized in "Singing in the Rain" by Donald O'Connor as "Make "Em Laugh." That is absolutely pure art performed by Donald O'Connor.
• In the 1956, "High Society" with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly (the remake of The Philadelphia Story starring Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katherine Hepburn) contained Porter's last great hit, "True Love." This musical version was Grace Kelly's last role before becoming part of nobility as Princess Grace of Monoco and she was given the part after it was turned down by Elizabeth Taylor. It was also the first pairing of Crosby and Sinatra that become a great musical relationship. I actually loved Celeste Holm's role as Sinatra's photographer and faithful friend.
• His final score was in 1958 for CBS' "Alladin."

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK:

Jo Dee Messina's "These Are the Days" (written by Holley Lamar and Stephanie Bentley) references a "homeless man singin' an old Cole Porter song."

"Lovesick Blues" was written by Cliff Friend and Irving Mills (two other Tin Pan Alley composers) in 1922. The "Georgia Crackers" which included the Dorsey brothers recorded it in 1928, but it is most known by the Hank Williams country rendition of 1948. Just proves how a song can have a life of its own! The list of artists who have covered it is extensive including Arlo Guthrie, Linda Rondstadt, Don McClean, Charley Pride, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline, Glen Campbell and the one and only George Strait took his version to #24 in 1992

Cary Grant and Kevin Costner

My birthday is January 18th and each year I celebrate the day with my friends and family. My mother was one who always made your special day incredible and a one of a kind day for the year. When I was little she handmade a snowman cake with matching invitations. In college she sent a strawberry bundt cake with a new flannel nightgown and my favorite book when I was a child, "Little House on the Prairie." It was always a day to be spoiled. My friends carry on that tradition and it makes me very happy.

Two talented and handsome men share my special day. In fact, Kevin Costner and I were born on the exact same day.

My Favorite Movies

Kevin Costner (January 18, 1955) - Dances with Wolves, Open Range, Wyatt Earp and Silverado; Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves ; Message in A Bottle, Field of Dreams and For the Love of the Game ; The Untouchables; The Big Chill and Bull Durham; The Bodyguard and JFK.

Cary Grant - Archibald Alexander Leach (January 18, 1904) - An Affair to Remember; Operation Petticoat, Father Goose and Houseboat; Hitchcock's North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief and Notorious; Bringing up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, Charade and The Bishop's Wife.

Want more info on these or other actors - go to http://www.imdb.com/ - a great source for all movies and actors

Others sharing my birthday: Danny Kaye - David Daniel Kaminsky - another FAVORITE movie - White Christmas; Bobby Goldsboro - 1968 "Honey" and guitarist for Roy Orbison (1941); A.A. Milne - father of my favorite character - Tigger (1882); Daniel Webster - statesman and orator (1782)

Backward Movement

BACKWARD MOVEMENT

As a disclaimer, just wanted to let anyone reading this blog know that my posts will never be in a chronological order. There will always be backward movement to thoughts and ponderings that seem to resurface now and again. I may miss putting down my opinion on a given show or movie or book or even a happening in my life. When it pops back to the top of my brain it will land here.

It's always a rollercoaster when it comes to this chickadee! Enjoy the ride.

Just for fun here's my favorite photo of Michaela Ann (left - top), or Miche - she, like my other cats, T. Wiley, Ginny Beth, Coco Rene' (adopted by my father) and cats of friends and family (Gracie, Sophie, Spooky, Callie, Sheba, Misty, Harrison, Jamie) are often the subject of my writing. I'm currently working on a book called, "The Lives of Nine Cats." The book is dedicated to the most wonderful cat in the world, my first, Lynx. A seal-point Himalayan, he was everyone's cat. We miss him very much. Here's my sweet little boy.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue

With my sister and a great friend unemployed and being in the staffing business, this 1974 movie with icon, Jack Lemmon and the great Anne Bancroft might as well be set in 2009. The trials and tribulations of an unemployed man due to economic downturn is universal regardless of the date stamp. A dark comedy, it is a Neil Simon classic.

If you have never seen this movie, check it out. I caught it on TNT.

I've imbedded a seven minute clip from YouTube below.

The 70s and John Ford Coley

I will admit to being a child of the 70s. Musically I survived the disco era.

Which brings me to a wonderful man, John Ford Coley. About six years ago, my friend Tom Wurth, had become friends with John who became his mentor and producer. When I came up with the idea to do a musical benefit for the church I attended I enlisted my friend (and then boss) Dean Sams of Lonestar and Tom to help get the talent needed. For John Ford Coley to participate was absolutely unbelievable. In 1977 I graduated from college and groups like England Dan and John Ford Coley as well as Seals and Crofts and Bread were at the top of my listening chart. What I found was not only a talented and gifted individual, but a very special man gifted with wit and storytelling (two of my favorite qualities in people).

This past weekend we revisited the Country Music Hall of Fame to hear John (last year he did the Songwriter Session with our friend Tom Wurth). It was great to not only hear John again, but also to grab a copy of his Live CD (from his Phillipine tour last year) that he and Tom produced once he was back in the states. I love live projects and this is great listening.

Throughout High School it was Bread; Three Dog Night, Carole King, Tommy James and the Shondells, The Carpenters, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel, The Rolling Stones and I have the LPs to prove it! It was the era of "American Pie" and still when Garth does that song I think of my brother using the handle of the fireplace screen pull as a mic to sing that song on the hearth at age five or six.

So, what WAS the number one song each year I was in college (at the University of Missouri).

1973 - September 8th "Let's Get It On" - Marvin Gaye - WOW - listen to the version done by Shannon Lawson!
1973 - July 21 & 28 "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" - Jim Croce - he died on his way to a concert at Mizzou - what a loss
1974 - February 2nd - "The Way We Were" - Barbara Streisand - I was in LOVE with Robert Redford and this movie!
1974 - May 18th - "The Streak" - Ray Stevens - my father LOVES Ray, but I am still laughing at my baby brother acting out this song through the halls of our house (do not KILL me Mark for my story telling!) At Mizzou "streaking" was rampant. That's a whole different blog!
1974 - "Annie's Song" - John Denver - ok, I liked John Denver. Shoot me! I saw him twice in the late 70s and even went to Aspen in the early 80s and there was just a mood. He did a song that we sang in Girl Scouts in the 70s that is my favorite song of all time. It is a folksy ballad called, "Today."
1975 - "You're No Good" - Linda Rondstadt - visions of the Dixie Club, the Ag Sig house, the DG house and lots of beer. Life at Mizzou.
1975 - "Blackwater" - The Doobies - ok, just read one line up. This song, forever will remind me of college days and Jack Daniels.
1975 - the BeeGees, The Eagles, KC and the Sunshine Band, America, Captain and Tennile, B.J. Thomas, Barry Manilow - dancing "The Hustle," and yes, Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy."
1976 - Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," love me some Simon and Garfunkel AND "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" - by England Dan and John Ford Coley
1977 - David Soul (Starsky and Hutch) - "Don't Give Up On Us Baby" - I interviewed Keith Urban once and we found we had David Soul records in common! and the Eagles "Hotel California"


Enough for memory lane music, bring it to the future. Good music any day is just that and those I've met make the best!


Check out http://www.johnfordcoley.com/ soon as he is changing up his site and his MySpace at www.myspace.com/johnfordcoley Tom's is www.MySpace.com/TomWurth

A View From My Barn

A View From My Barn

I'm so blessed to have gifted and talented people around me every day. My friends Amie and Cathy as well as our friend Vicki love to photograph anything and everything. We all see the world through the eye of a camera. Two years ago Amie came back to Tennessee to visit from the beautiful state of Colorado. She did a photo shoot with our friend Tom Wurth for his music projects and at the same time we took a day to do nothing but explore the area around where I live in the Nashville area.

We are determined to take these beautiful photos and create a book, "A View from My Barn." Another item for the "To Do List." It has also crossed my mind that a little series of pieces from the "Curiosity Seeker" might be appropriate because every photo prompted us to wonder and question the origin of each barn, farm and house we encountered on our little day trip.

Maybe on her return trip this year we can complete that part of the project to the point to pitch it to someone. Know any great publishers?