Howdy, Vern!
This here's your old buddy,
Ernest P. Worrell.
Hey, I got one for ya, Vern.
Ever hear the one about
the farmer's daughter
and the octopus?
the farmer's daughter
and the octopus?
Know somethin' Vern, life's full of
tough decisions, like which drink'll
do the trick when you wanna wet
your whistle. If you said PBR, then
you're my kinda guy and I'll save
you a stool down at Kenny's.
If you said sparklin' water...
If you said sparklin' water...
you ain't from around here.
But when it comes to pickin' a sodie pop to sip on a summer day when I'm hangin' on a ladder in the blazin' hot sun watchin' you shingle your roof... it's old Yeller for me.
That's right, Vern. Meller Yeller sure does hit the spot.
It quenches your thirst and brings out the
flavor of your chewin' tobacca.
flavor of your chewin' tobacca.
Guess what, Vern? While I'm busy sippin and supervisin',
I thought you and me could listen to a stack of grade A
rockabilly and early rock 'n' roll records. Sound like a plan?
Okay, Vern, the first platter's on the turntable so get ready
to tap your toes and whistle while you work, good buddy!
to tap your toes and whistle while you work, good buddy!
JETT POWERS
At the top of my play list is a cool cat you know as P.J. Proby, but here's somethin'
you might not know. Way back when he was just startin' out, P.J. made records
usin' the name Jett Powers. By the way, Vern, this Houston boy is also an
actor. He played Elvis the Pelvis and Roy Orbison in musical theater.
Now let's have a listen to the second Jett Powers single released
in the fall of 1959, a song written by Maybelle Jackson.
It's a doozie of a disc called "Loud Perfume."
you might not know. Way back when he was just startin' out, P.J. made records
usin' the name Jett Powers. By the way, Vern, this Houston boy is also an
actor. He played Elvis the Pelvis and Roy Orbison in musical theater.
Now let's have a listen to the second Jett Powers single released
in the fall of 1959, a song written by Maybelle Jackson.
It's a doozie of a disc called "Loud Perfume."
"Loud Perfume" - Jett Powers
(Sept. 1959, uncharted)
(Sept. 1959, uncharted)
DENNIS HERROLD
Born in ole Virginnie, Rockabilly musician Dennis Herrold was livin' in Dallas
in the late 50s when he landed a recording contract and waxed four songs
written by his friend Dub Dickerson. Dub's the dude who, along with
Herrold's wife, wrote Ricky Nelson's big hit "Stood Up." Of the
four songs Dennis Herrold laid down in a single recording
session in the fall of '57, only two hit the street - issued
back-to-back on the same 45. Here's the rockin' A side
of that Dennis Herrold platter-- "Hip Hip Baby!"
in the late 50s when he landed a recording contract and waxed four songs
written by his friend Dub Dickerson. Dub's the dude who, along with
Herrold's wife, wrote Ricky Nelson's big hit "Stood Up." Of the
four songs Dennis Herrold laid down in a single recording
session in the fall of '57, only two hit the street - issued
back-to-back on the same 45. Here's the rockin' A side
of that Dennis Herrold platter-- "Hip Hip Baby!"
"Hip Hip Baby" - Dennis Herrold
(Dec. 1957/Jan. 1958, uncharted)
JOHNNY RIVERS
Hey Vern, ever been to the Whisky A Go-Go? I ain't talkin' 'bout the rotgut
you drink at Kenny's that makes you run to the little boys' room. I mean
the nightclub in Hollywood where my buddy Johnny Rivers performs.
Here's a nifty number Johnny recorded live at the Whisky, a go-go
style cover of "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," a song written
and waxed by Chuck Berry in 1956. Heeeeer's Johnny!
you drink at Kenny's that makes you run to the little boys' room. I mean
the nightclub in Hollywood where my buddy Johnny Rivers performs.
Here's a nifty number Johnny recorded live at the Whisky, a go-go
style cover of "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," a song written
and waxed by Chuck Berry in 1956. Heeeeer's Johnny!
"Brown Eyed Handsome Man" - Johnny Rivers
(from 1964 album Johnny Rivers At The Whisky À Go-Go)
THE EVERLY BROTHERS
Next we have those those singin', guitar pickin' brothers, Phil and Don,
the Everlys. These boys are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as
the Country Music Hall of Fame. They influenced everybody from the
Beatles on down with their country style rock 'n' roll. Here are the
Everly Brothers performing their first big hit, "Bye Bye Love,"
a 1957 single that wound up on Rolling Stone's list
of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
the Everlys. These boys are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as
the Country Music Hall of Fame. They influenced everybody from the
Beatles on down with their country style rock 'n' roll. Here are the
Everly Brothers performing their first big hit, "Bye Bye Love,"
a 1957 single that wound up on Rolling Stone's list
of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"Bye Bye Love" - The Everly Brothers
(July 1957, highest chart pos. #2 Hot 100,
#1 Cash Box/#1 Country)
RICKY NELSON
Now here's my boy Ricky Nelson with a song from his third
studio album Ricky Sings Again. In this scene from his family's
television show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,
Ricky rocks the house with "You Tear Me Up."
studio album Ricky Sings Again. In this scene from his family's
television show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,
Ricky rocks the house with "You Tear Me Up."
"You Tear Me Up" - Ricky Nelson
(from Jan. 1959 album Ricky Sings Again)
EDDIE COCHRAN
Eddie Cochran was an innovative and influential rock 'n' roll singer and guitar
player who wrote his own songs. In September '59 the future Rock and Roll
Hall of Famer brushed the top 20 in Britain with "Somethin' Else." Eddie
and his brother Bob penned the song along with Eddie's girlfriend,
songwriter Sharon Sheeley. When she was only eighteen, Sharon
wrote Ricky Nelson's first #1 charting smash "Poor Little Fool,"
making her the youngest woman to write a chart-topping
U.S. hit. Here now is Eddie C. delighting the teens on
Dick Clark's Beech-Nut Show with "Somethin' Else!"
player who wrote his own songs. In September '59 the future Rock and Roll
Hall of Famer brushed the top 20 in Britain with "Somethin' Else." Eddie
and his brother Bob penned the song along with Eddie's girlfriend,
songwriter Sharon Sheeley. When she was only eighteen, Sharon
wrote Ricky Nelson's first #1 charting smash "Poor Little Fool,"
making her the youngest woman to write a chart-topping
U.S. hit. Here now is Eddie C. delighting the teens on
Dick Clark's Beech-Nut Show with "Somethin' Else!"
"Somethin' Else" - Eddie Cochran
(Sept. 1959, highest chart pos. #58 Hot 100/#22 UK,
perf. on Dick Clark's Beech-Nut Show)
perf. on Dick Clark's Beech-Nut Show)
NARVEL FELTS
Now let's wrap up the show with an Arkansas fella, a good old boy
by the name of Narvel Felts, known to fans as "Narvel the Marvel."
In the late 50s, Narvel rocked-a-billygoat with the best of 'em,
but couldn't get a hit. Narvel's luck changed in the 70s when
he found fame as a country artist. Let's trace Narvel's
rockabilly roots all the way back to 1957 and listen
to a single he released that year, "Cry, Baby, Cry."
by the name of Narvel Felts, known to fans as "Narvel the Marvel."
In the late 50s, Narvel rocked-a-billygoat with the best of 'em,
but couldn't get a hit. Narvel's luck changed in the 70s when
he found fame as a country artist. Let's trace Narvel's
rockabilly roots all the way back to 1957 and listen
to a single he released that year, "Cry, Baby, Cry."
"Cry, Baby, Cry" - Narvel Felts
(Sept. 1957, uncharted)
Hey, guess what, Vern...
I need to skedaddle for now... but stay put.
I'll be back real soon with another batch of tunes
for your high school hop and your heartland hoedown.
Till then don't take any wooden nickels
and don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Know what I mean, Vern?
Some great musical choices today! I've always been a big fan of P.J Proby. Very unique voice. I did know he originally recorded under the name of Jett Powers.
ReplyDeleteI'm embarrassed to confess I have all of Ricky Nelson's albums plus a box set that covers all his early years. I saw him a few times in concert during the 80's looking very much like Shakin' Stevens.
Hi, Joey!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, good buddy! You claim early bird honors this week and I thank you for coming by and sharing some interesting tidbits related to Ernest P. Worrell's introductory post.
I'm excited to know you are familiar with P.J. Proby and already knew that he started his career as rock 'n' roller Jett Powers. Proby's early sides are on YouTube, and I am waiting for someone to come along and work some of their remix/remaster/enhancement magic on them to bring them fully to life. Thanks for reminding those of us stateside about Shakin' Stevens aka "Shaky," the rock 'n' roll star who charted 33 Top 40 hit singles in the UK. In the West End musical Elvis!, Shaky landed one of the lead roles - Presley in his prime - the army and feature film period, and P.J. Proby played Elvis during his Las Vegas years.
I love Ricky/Rick Nelson, never tire of his singing and playing, and still feel the sting of his tragic death. I'm happy to know you are a big fan as well.
Thanks so much for dropping in, good buddy Joey, and have a super day in the UK!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteJim Varey as Earnest P. Worrell is a gem. I loved those old Mellow Yellow commercials. You know I totally forgot that he passed away many years ago. He's a Tennessee boy. Tell me is it just me or did you pick up the similarity of 'Loud Perfume' and 'Blue Seude Shoes'? The Everly Brothers 'Bye Bye Love' is the only song feature I knew. I thought for sure a few of the other would reing familiar but didn't. Thanks for sharing some great oldies that newbies to me. Have songsational day, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for dropping in for the Shady's Place debut of your friend and mine, the one and only Ernest P. Worrell. I was wondering if you were even old enough to remember Jim Varney and his portrayal of this lovable character in TV commercials and in a series of Ernest movies. I'm thrilled to know that you do remember him. Yessum, Jimbo was a heavy smoker, I read, and he died of lung cancer in 2000 at the young age of 50, a lesson for everyone out there who is still puffing away.
P.J. Proby is one of those artists who had better luck and found greater fame in the UK than here at home in the U.S. I agree with you that his "Loud Perfume" sounds a lot like "Blue Suede Shoes." P.J. and other early rock 'n' rollers imitated Elvis, Carl Perkins and other major stars of the genre, and many of their recordings share similarities. As I always try to do, I posted what I think are great songs that are little known and seldom heard. I was already familiar with the big hit by the Everlys, the Eddie Cochran classic and the Johnny Rivers go-go number, but the other songs in this post were new to my ears when I recently discovered them on YouTube. If you like the Ernest character as much as I do, then please stay tuned, because that Tennessee boy will be back soon with another heapin' helpin' of rock 'n' roll and rock-a-billy tunes.
Thank you again for bringing your cheery personality to my space, dear friend Cathy, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Tom,
DeleteOh, I do remember Jim Varney. He was excellent in the Mellow Yellow commercials. It seems we rented a few of his movies from the late 80s back in the day when home movie rentals was a super popular thing to do but we never really got into the films we saw. I'm not sure why. We might have to revisit some of his earlier works just for the fun of it. I hadn't realized how many films he did until this morning. Did you know that he did voice-over in the first two Toy Story movies? His character was the Slinky dog. If you're interested here's a YT clip (almost at the end) but honestly I would've never figured it out who's voice it was because it's so short had I not known. Thanks for sharing the dance floor with me yesterday. Have a good week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for returning to chat, dear friend! Over the years I tried watching a couple of Varney's films and didn't find them very entertaining. I think Jim, as his Ernest character, worked best in small doses in TV commercials. No, I was not aware that Jim did the voice of Slinky in the Toy Story movies. I found a good clip, maybe the one you watched. Start playing at the 2:20 mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irYGFAi93tY
Varney had an ideal voice to play that goofy Slinky dog toy!
Thank you again for visiting, dear friend Cathy, and enjoy the rest of your week!
HI Shady! That Ernest was really a fun character! I always enjoyed watching him...his comebacks and jokes were so seamless! It's sad that we had to lose him so soon. He could bring love and fun to people of all ages!
ReplyDeleteOf course I love the Everly Brothers-Karo and I did a cover of "Bye Bye Love", but the Everlys have always owned the song. It was good to see and hear from Johnny Rivers-even though I don't recall hearing "Brown Eyed Handsome Man", (you said it was Chuck Berry's), Johnny grabbed this one and ran with it! Johnny Rivers unique voice and style are so magnetic.
I could see that Eddie Cochran really got the girls' attention with his growling and bassing "Somethin Else" on Dick Clark's show. I, too love this one, and his moves just make his voice and style more exciting! His persona was totally "Somethin Else"!
Thank you for presenting these greats today, Shady! Ricky Nelson was so suave, and, like Elvis, he just couldn't help his talent and good looks! He is so missed and never forgotten!
It's good to have you back, Shady. Thank you Ernest for a rocking post. Have a great week! ♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks a lot for hustling back over for the second time this week to join Ernest P. Worrell as he hosts his first bop-till-you-drop sock hop here at Shady's Place!
I'm glad you remember Ernest. He was indeed a fun character. Jim Varney as Ernest made a big impression on me when he started appearing in TV commercials in the early 80s advertising a variety of products and services. I wasn't even aware that he had a one-season TV series in 1988 called Hey Vern, It's Ernest! co-starring Gailard Sartain of Hee Haw fame. Of course, Varney went on to star in a series of Ernest movies as well.
I have enormous respect and admiration for Johnny Rivers. During his years in the early and mid 60s appearing live at the Whisky, Johnny sang go-go style covers of country and pop songs and made them uniquely his own. My cousin turned me on to Johnny Rivers and I wound up buying all of his albums recorded live at the Whisky. With the crowd noise in the background including those squealing female fans, Johnny's live albums are exciting. I don't even remember The Dick Clark Show aka Dick Clark's Beech-Nut Show, and I am thrilled to be finding some nicely remastered performance clips from the program on YouTube. Eddie Cochran's appearance on the show is one of them. I was also delighted to find that clip of Ricky Nelson doing a song from one of his albums on his family sitcom. Narvel Felts is a wonderful discovery - a talented guy who captured the authentic sound and feel of rock 'n' roll and rock-a-billy but was more successful later on as a country artist.
Thanks again for coming back over, Suzanne. I hope Master Scootie is enjoying his summer vacation. If you enjoyed this post with Ernest as the host with the most, then stay tuned, because he'll be back with another stack, know what I mean Vern? :) Enjoy the rest of your week, my special friend!
Lots of good 50s music, Shady! Some I know, some I don't. My favorite here is probably the Everly Brothers number, but I do love Johnny Rivers. This just isn't my favorite song of his.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend, and thanks a lot for coming! I'm pleased to have you on hand as Ernest P. Worrell makes his debut with a Jett Powered lineup of vintage rock 'n' roll and rock-a-billy sounds. As I told Cathy (above) my mission is to mix well known million sellers with great yet obscure recordings that are new to you and, in many cases, new to me. I already knew half these songs, but the rest are recently discovered gems of the genre. I'm delighted to know you enjoyed this remastered/synced performance clip of Phil & Don and that you are also a Johnny Rivers fan. Johnny's career went through various phases starting with the Go-Go-style covers of R&B, folk, country and rock 'n' roll songs he sang and recorded live at the the Whisky a Go Go. I'm guessing you prefer Johnny's later work at a singer/songwriter.
I'm glad you had fun listing to Ernest's play list, dear friend Kelly. Thanks again for dropping by and enjoy the rest of your week!
Really enjoyed this post, especially the Jett Powers song. It sounds like he could have given Jerry Lee Lewis a run for his money, but, of course, it didn't chart, so he didn't.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming over, good buddy! I had a premonition that you would enjoy this post filled with old time rock 'n' roll and rock-a-billy. I am delighted to learn that you dug the rockin' slab by P.J. Proby aka Jett Powers. Powers platter harks back to the late 50s when popular music was loaded with references to the way be bop babies dressed and conducted themselves, such as wearing "tight skirts" (song title by Floyd Dixon - 1960), "tight dress, lipstick, high heel shoes" (Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen") and "Loud Perfume." Jett Powers did a great job of imitating the style of rock n' roll pioneers including Elvis and Roy Orbison, but his "Loud Perfume" didn't make any noise on the chart and his other single "Go, Girl, Go" didn't go far. Proby got a much warmer welcome across the pond where he had several hit singles and appeared on the 1964 Beatles TV special. Stateside, Proby brushed the top 20 in 1967 with "Niki Hoeky."
Thanks again for joining the fun, good buddy Kirk!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed your vacation. It’s good to see you back sharing musical memories. I was shocked to learn I wasn’t even born when The Everly Bros had the “Bye, Bye” hit. It must have been tremendously popular for me to have been singing along to it some ten years later.
Jett Powers did sound a lot like Elvis!
I’ve always liked Johnny Rivers. Did you know he sat in with a band led by Dick Holler, who later wrote “Abraham, Martin, and John”? During Beatlemania, Johnny played with the likes of Trini Lopez, Eddie Ruben, Joe Osborn, and too many other greats to name; managing to be one of the first (and few) Americans to have a top 10 song (Memphis) in the middle of the British Rock invasion. Music was everything to this guy, and it showed! My all-time favorite song of his was/is “Poor side of town”.
Narvel Felts wasn’t at all familiar to me, though now I doubt I’ll forget that voice! Nice range. I wonder, though, did he only do covers?
I don’t know where you dig these gems up, my friend, but it sure is entertaining!
Hi, diedre!
DeleteI'm very happy to see you here today, dear friend! Thanks for coming by to meet and greet Ernest P. Worrell and listen to his lineup of vintage rock 'n roll and rock-a-billy tunes.
Listed as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, it's easy to understand why the Everlys' hit "Bye Bye Love" was still popular on the radio years after it first rode the chart. It's interesting to note that Phil & Don's signature song went to #1 on Cash Box and on the Country chart, but was denied the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, held back by crooner Pat Boone's summer smash "Love Letters In The Sand." Two other pop records interfered with "Bye Bye Love" as it struggled toward number one - "So Rare" by big band leader Jimmy Dorsey, and "Dark Moon" by Gale Storm.
Thanks for enlightening me and other readers about Johnny Rivers' early career. I wasn't aware of those details and I thank you for providing them. All I knew was that Johnny was one of the few U.S. artists to survive and even thrive during the British Invasion. I might also mention that before Johnny's famous stint as a regular performer at the Whisky a Go Go on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, he was drawing big crowds at another Sunset Strip nightclub called Gazzarri's, a venue that helped launch the careers of The Doors and Van Halen. "Poor Side Of Town" is probably my favorite Johnny Rivers song as well, and it was a giant of the jukebox at the Shady Dell.
Narvel Felts's early career was helped along by Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. Narvel is not listed as a songwriter and he was most successful as a cover artist, doing countrified versions of hits made famous by other artists including "Lonely Teardrops," "Drift Away," "Reconsider Me," "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "Everlasting Love."
Your last sentence is a wonderful endorsement, dear diedre. I like to dig deep for quality nuggets to present at Shady's Place. It pleases me tremendously when friends like you appreciate what I have to share. If you got a kick out of Ernest playing guest host, then stick around. He'll be back soon with more gems of the genre.
Yessum, Mrs. Shady and I enjoyed our getaway in Mexico. Thanks for mentioning it and for the warm welcome back.
Thank you again for dropping by and for being such a loyal friend, deidre. Take care and I hope to see you again soon!
They call me Mellow Yellow, they call me Mellow Yellow! I always sing that song when I heard the name of that soda pop. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm only really familiar with "Bye Bye Baby" since dad loves the Everly Brothers. I grew up listening to this song and my head was bobbing along. It's a classic sound.
These are all classic sounds and definite soundtracks for the summer. You gave me a soundtrack for skating, swimming, and going to the beach. Thanks for sharing, dear friend. Happy Thankful Thursday!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming over to experience the homespun humor of Ernest P. Worrell as he hosts his first post at Shady's Place. I'm glad you enjoyed the tuneage.
"Bye Bye Love" is the best known song of the bunch because it was a much bigger hit than any of the others on Ernest's play list. ("Bye Bye Baby" is a different song - a Four Seasons hit.) I wonder if your dad remembers Ernest. Do you remember the series of Ernest movies?
I'm thrilled to have provided songs for your summer soundtrack. Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend JM. Happy Thankful Thursday and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI don't, but tomorrow I'll ask dad. When were these movies popular? From the early to mid-80s, dad was busy working for the park service, courting and then marrying my mom that he didn't keep up with pop culture.
I'm familiar with that Four Seasons song! Must have been a slip of the tongue.;)
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteJim Varney played Ernest in a series of films starting in 1983 and ending in 1998. Your dad should remember some of those later films, and maybe you saw a couple of them yourself. Jim also played Jed Clampett in the 1993 Beverly Hillbillies movie. There was also an Ernest TV series that ran in 1988.
Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend JM!
I remember the 1993 Beverly Hillbillies movie and he does look familiar. He also reminds me of someone from the Adventures of Pete and Pete, I'll have to look later to see who starred in that show.
DeleteI'll chat with dad at dinner. We had a busy day today, exploring Lambertville.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI'm glad you remember the 1993 Hillbillies movie. If you happen to see it again you'll know that was Jim Varney in the role of Jed. The Adventures of P & P is not on Varney's credits list, so you must be thinking of another character actor. I haven't seen that series. Yessum, by all means, check with your dad. I'm sure he remembers Ernest P. Worrell.
Thanks again for coming by, dear friend JM, and have a great week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI was chatting with dad at dinner and sadly, he doesn't quite remember him. :( Ah, well. I think dad sees a lot of things and sometimes doesn't put a name to a face or vice versa.
Have a great week as well, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteWell, that's a surprise, because the Ernest character appeared frequently in commercials when I lived in Central PA, but thanks for checking with you dad.
I hope your week is off the a great start, dear friend. New post coming tomorrow morning and I hope to see you then. Take care!
Glad to have you back, friend Shady. Missed you. Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming by to meet your new best friend, Ernest P. Worrell, doing his first stint as guest host at Shady's Place. I hope you liked his heartland humor and vintage tuneage.
I missed you too, cat. Thanks for the warm welcome home, and thanks again for checking out the post. Enjoy your Friday and weekend, dear friend!
awwwwwww, The Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson and Eddie Cochran my teen music.Glad your home safe.
ReplyDeleteparsnip
Hi, Gayle!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? How are Winston & Agatha?
I'm excited to see you and to know that a few of Ernest P. Worrell's tunes resonated with you. Individually and collectively Phil & Don, Ricky and Eddie cranked out some of the greatest genre recordings of the 50s and early 60s. Phil, Ricky and Eddie left us too soon, leaving Don Everly the sole survivor of that group.
Thank you for the warm welcome home, dear friend Gayle, and have a super weekend!
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteJust dropped in to say Hey and see what was shakin' at Shady's Place. You are definitely shakin' the place up with this rockabilly set! I'm not familiar with most but my favs are (no surprise) the Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson. Ricky Nelson has some Elvis in him I think...
I noticed that your first picks had some Texas influence, the first being in Houston and the second in Dallas. I don't know much about rockabilly but I would guess that the Lone Star State might've been a hotbed for rockabilly appreciation, yeah?
I loved the Eddie Cochran video. The first thing that struck me is as odd was how many people in the audience were chewing gum and then I realized it was the Dick Clark Beech-nut Show, back when advertising came primarily in the form of sponsorships. I bet those Beech-nut execs were there handing out gum like crazy and telling everyone "Now make sure you look like you're really enjoying your Beech-nut chewing gum. Make sure everyone can see you chewing..." Ya think??
Your final artist has quite the name: Narvel Felts. I never heard of him. You mentioned that he finally found fame in the 70s as a country artist. What hits did he have? I'm wondering if I would recognize any of them as my parents were always listening to country music back then.
And before I go, I'll just say, Give me a Mello-Yello anyday over anything else!
Just wanted to stop in for a quick visit. Will be chattin' with you soon, I hope. Can't wait to hear about your Mexico trip!
talk soon,
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi, Michele!
DeleteI am thrilled to see you here this evening, dear friend. Thank you very much for dropping in!
I'm pleased to know you enjoyed Phil & Don, Ricky and the other old timey rock 'n' roll and rock-a-billy artists featured on Ernest P. Worrell's play list. Three of these artists and half of these songs were brand new to my ears when I discovered them a couple of years ago. To clarify, I was familiar with P.J. Proby but didn't know he started out as rock 'n' roll singer Jett Powers. I agree with you that it's safe to say Texas was a hotbed for early rock 'n' roll and rock-a-billy. Keep in mind that Buddy Holly's hometown was Lubbock.
By golly, you have good eyes. I didn't notice the kids chewing gum in the audience of The Dick Clark Show. Knowing how the game is played, I'm sure you are correct that the Beech-Nut sponsors made sure to issue gum to every teen in attendance. I remember tobacco companies handing out free sample packs of cigarettes to the undergrads at a junior prom I attended in 1968. It is creepy to watch that Eddie Cochran performance because, only a few months later, he was killed in a traffic accident in England. He was only age 21!
Narvel Felts' biggest hits were covers and came after he switched from rock-a-billy to straight country. In 1973 Felts gained a top 10 hit on the country chart with a version of the Dobie Gray hit "Drift Away." In 1975 Narvel's cover of the Johnny Adams hit "Reconsider Me" reached #2 on the country chart. In 1976 Narvel's cover of Jackie Wilson's hit "Lonely Teardrops" went top 5 country. In 1978 Felts scored a top 30 country hit with a cover of Del Shannon's signature song "Runaway," and in 1979 his version of "Everlasting Love," a hit for Robert Knight, Carl Carlton and other artists, peaked at #14 on the country survey.
Thank you again for making time for a visit this week, Michele. I hope it was therapeutic for you to visit Shady's Place and enjoy some oldies from the heartland and Ernest's homespun humor. I wish you a safe and peaceful week ahead, dear friend!
I hope you had a lovely trip and time off. It's nice to get away and equally nice to come back...well, most of the time:). These are some golden oldies which I know a couple but most I don't know. Ricky is trying to be Elvis..Poor Ricky with what followed in his short life. I like the last guy even though I never heard of him
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks a lot for stopping by, dear friend. Yessum, Mrs. Shady and I had a great time on our trip to Mexico. Thank you!
I'm glad you enjoyed Ernest P. Worrell's lineup of oldies from the heartland. We are fortunate to have so many fine clips of Ricky Nelson performing on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. I watched the family sitcom regularly when I was a boy, but I didn't remember this song. I was excited to find it recently on YouTube and decided to add it to Ernest's play list. I still remember going into shock when I learned of Ricky's death in a plane crash. I'm happy to know you dig the sound of Narvel Felts during the early rockabilly phase of his career.
Thanks again for coming over and for your kind comment, dear friend BB. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Some cool tunes from artists I've never heard of and a few I have. I was singing out loud to Bye Bye Love!! Jack was outside checking on the driveway that we worked on over the weekend because it washed out so I felt free to sing without offending anyone...except Arnie took off to the livingroom! So this gal can't sing but I can appreciate those that do and this was a good mix. Enjoyed learning some new things and seeing one of my favorites from the old days..Rick Nelson. So thanks for a good mix and I hope your weather is better than ours. We've been busy trying to get the house ready for the kids from Oregon in a few weeks and navigating the crazy work weeks I've had. Sorry I'm late and hopefully I'll get a post of my own going soon. Take care!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming!
I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this batch of vintage tunes presented by Ernest P. Worrell. "Bye Bye Love" is the biggest hit and best remembered song in this set, and I wish I had been there to hear you singing along. I'm sorry Arnie took off for another room. :) I'm also happy to know that you appreciate the singing and musicianship of Ricky Nelson. Rick was not your typical child actor and rock star wannabe. He had the credentials. He was the real deal, and he is missed.
I can't believe your Ohio weather still has not settled down! What's going on up there? I don't remember other springs being this problematic for you guys. Maybe spring will arrive in "Ernest" by the 4th of July. :)
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend YaYa. I have a new post starting tomorrow and I look forward to seeing you again. In the meantime, have a wonderful week!