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!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Lives of Nine Cats: Wiley
Wiley, The Curious Cat with Nine LivesBy 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
"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
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Baptism in West Texas
Family Stories: Baptism in West TexasMy 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.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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)
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)
Friday, February 6, 2009
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.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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.
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