BOOTH ANNOUNCER GARY OWENS:
...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.
And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
Ernest P. Worrell's
Rock-A-Billygoat
on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!
PIGGYBACK COLD OPEN:
CLICK TO PLAY FIRST VIDEO.
AT 5 SEC. MARK... START
SECOND VIDEO!
"Let Your Love Flow" - The Bellamy Brothers
(Mar./Apr. 1976, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
From West Central Florida, USA, Shady Del Knight's neck of the woods,
those were The Bellamy Brothers, David and Homer, kickin' off their
shoes and kickin' off today's show with the biggest hit of their
career, "Let Your Love Flow," a country crossover
chart-topper in the spring of '76.
Howdy, Vern! This here's your
old buddy Ernest P. Worrell.
Like a bad penny, I done turned up
again here at Shady's Place.
Hey, Vern... gotta ask - is that a
Nutty Buddy in your pocket...
or are ya just happy to see me?
Hey, I got a dilly for ya, Vern...
Ever hear the one about the farmer's
daughter and the Roto-Rooter man?
daughter and the Roto-Rooter man?
Know somethin' Vern, life's full
of tough decisions, like which
drink'll hit the spot when
you're all hot and sweaty
and wanna wet your whistle.
If you said PBR, then you're
my kinda guy and I'll save
of tough decisions, like which
drink'll hit the spot when
you're all hot and sweaty
and 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 when I'm
hangin' on a ladder watchin'
you shingle your roof...
it's old Yeller for me.
a sodie pop to sip when I'm
hangin' on a ladder 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
another stack of grade A tunes. Sound like a plan?
supervisin', I thought you and me could listen to
another stack of grade A tunes. Sound like a plan?
Okay, Vern, my next 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!
This is my third show on S-P-M-M
spinnin' the best of early rock & roll,
rock & roll revival, rockabilly, hill-
billy, traditional country, new country,
crossover country, you get the drift.
Seein' as how we're right smack dab
in the dead of winter, today's show
is a Solid Cold edition. Every
platter I'm playin' is served cold
with a cold open aka a cold intro.
Copy that, good buddy?
Ain't none of my beeswax, Vern...
but you look a little rough around
the edges this mornin'... like you
got tangled up with a junkyard dog.
What happened, Vern? Lemme guess.
Wifey caught you with stripper glitter
on your hands? Out all night and
runnin' wild... your woman sittin'
home with a month old child?
Well, I'll be ding, Roger Miller's
got just the thing, a ditty he wrote
just for you, Vern-- "Dang Me!"
"Dang Me" - Roger Miller
(June/July 1964, #1 Country/#7 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
That was bad boy Roger the Dodger
Miller with "Dang Me," a hit novelty
number from the summer of 1964,
#1 on the Country chart. Just 'tween
you and me, Vern, I done my share
of midnight ramblin'... and so have
these red hot hepcats, Gene Vincent
And His Blue Caps. In early 1958,
they made a run at the top 20 with
a platter that's tailor made for a
high school hop. It's called--
"Dance To The Bop!"
they made a run at the top 20 with
a platter that's tailor made for a
high school hop. It's called--
"Dance To The Bop!"
"Dance To The Bop" - Gene Vincent And His Blue Caps
(Dec. 1957/Jan. 1958, highest chart pos. #8 R&B/#23 Hot 100,
#36 Cash Box), perf. on Nov. 17, 1957, ep. of The Ed Sullivan Show
#36 Cash Box), perf. on Nov. 17, 1957, ep. of The Ed Sullivan Show
Gene Vincent And His Blue Caps with "Dance To The Bop," their last single
to reach the chart in the U.S., a record that made the top 10 on the R&B chart.
If you're watching my simulcast on YouTube, you saw a rare video of Gene
and his group doin' that song on an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show.
If you're just tuning in, I'm your
old buddy and new best friend
Ernest P. Worrell... and we're
Rockin'-A-Billygoat here on
S-P-M-M Retrosonic Radio.
just a reminder, Vern, this is a
Solid Cold edition. Every song's
got a cold open. Up next, I'd like
you to meet a one hit wonder -
a little lady from Virginie who
was dubbed The Female Elvis
Presley. Janis Martin's here
to ask the musical question
-- "Will You Willuum?"
"Will You Willyum" - Janis Martin
(May 1956, highest chart pos. #35 Billboard's Coming Up Strong)
Landing a spot on Billboard's specialty
I need to scoot and skedaddle... but stay put. Coming up on
chart Coming Up Strong in the spring
of 1956, that was rockin' little mama
Janis Martin sounding like Elvis the
Pelvis and, if you ask me, sounding
even more like rockabilly queen
Wanda Jackson.
This Arkansas boy scored 42 hits on the
Country chart in the 70s and 80s. Let's
turn back the clock to his early years
when he was waxin' right good rock-
abilly records but not making much
noise on the chart. It's Narvel Felts
coverin' The Drifters' "Honey Love!"
"Honey Love" - Narvel Felts
(Feb. 1960, highest chart pos. #60 Hot 100)
From early 1960, That was rockabilly singer & guitarist Narvel Felts
doin' his version of "Honey Love," a #1 charting R&B hit for
Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters in 1954. I think young
Narvel sounds a heck of a lot like Clyde on that one.
doin' his version of "Honey Love," a #1 charting R&B hit for
Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters in 1954. I think young
Narvel sounds a heck of a lot like Clyde on that one.
Ernest P. Worrel of The Shady Bunch
deejay posse keeping you company
on the squawk box, and here's the
crossover country single that was
topping the national chart the day
President John F. Kennedy was
assassinated. It's the duo of
Dale And Grace singin' their
biggest hit and signature song
--"I'm Leavin' It Up To You!"
deejay posse keeping you company
on the squawk box, and here's the
crossover country single that was
topping the national chart the day
President John F. Kennedy was
assassinated. It's the duo of
Dale And Grace singin' their
biggest hit and signature song
--"I'm Leavin' It Up To You!"
"I'm Leaving It Up To You" - Dale & Grace
(Oct./Nov. 1963, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
He's from Mississip and she's from down in Loozeeana. Sweet harmony there
from a bitter time in American history... the duo of Dale Houston and Grace
Broussard singing "I'm Leavin' It Up To You," the most popular song in
the U.S.A. the day the president died. By the way, that Dale & Grace
biggie is a cover of a song written and originally recorded in 1957
by the rock 'n' roll duo Don And Dewey.
Hey, guess what, Vern?
I'm plumb outta time, dadgummit!
I need to scoot and skedaddle... but stay put. Coming up on
the flip side
of Gary Owens' news, it's English rugby mum and
singing sensation Sarah Collins with another edition of her
series How Sarah Got Her Groove Back... and I'll be
comin' round the moutain in two shakes of a jiffy
with another heapin' helpin'
of toe tappin' tunes
for your bobby sock high school hop, your
hillbilly hayride and your heartland
hoedown. It'll be a hoot!
Until next time, this is your old buddy
Ernest P. Worrell sayin' so long, don't take
any wooden nickels, and don't do anything
I wouldn't do... know what I mean Vern?
CLICK TO START VIDEO NOW!
To play us off, here are them good ole Texas boys
England Dan and John Ford Coley with their chart-topper--
"I'd Really Love To See You Tonight!" See ya later, alligator!
"I'd Really Love To See You Tonight" - England Dan & John Ford Coley
(Aug./Sept. 1976, highest chart pos. #1 Adult Contemporary/#2 Hot 100,
#4 Cash Box, performance on The Midnight Special)
Now that's a Roger Miller song I haven't heard in ages! I'd forgotten all about it.
ReplyDeleteLove both the opening and ending songs, especially the last one.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteThanks for taking the Early Bird spot again this week, dear friend! Your old buddy and new BFF Ernest P. Worrell says "howdy" and welcomes to volume 3 of his radio series Rock-A-Billygoat.
I was excited when the YouTube producer who creates enhanced versions of old hits decided to tackle Roger Miller's "Dang Me." I was going to suggest that you pick "Dang Me" as your earworm for the day, but it seems like you'd rather have "Let Your Love Flow" or "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight" stuck in your noggin on repeat. I've been running those two through my mind all morning.
Thanks again for reporting for duty so early, dear friend Kelly. Please scratch Pat under his chin and enjoy the rest of your week!
Thanks so much for Let The Love Flow. I'm just going to play that again and again while I work at my desk. I'm not writing today, so music is very welcome to help me do the chores I've put off for weeks. Vern outdid himself today!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cheryl-Lee!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend! Thanks for popping over early to take second place in the race to my space - Shady's Place.
Yessum, that song by The Bellamy Brothers is a catchy one. I've been running it through my mind ever since I listened to Ernest's show when it was published first thing this morning. I was thrilled to find that nicely cleaned-up video of the Florida duo performing their big hit which reached #1 on the charts in the bicentennial year.
I hope Ernest's tuneage causes you to whistle (and sing along) as you work. Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Cheryl-Lee, and enjoy the rest of your week!
He made such a career being a goofball. He was a good voice actor as well.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for dropping by, good buddy! You wound up in third place which ain't too shabby.
I'm delighted that you are giving props to character actor Jim Varney in his best known role as Ernest. He was lots of fun to watch and listen to. Poor guy only lived to age 50 and will soon be gone 22 years. I am proud to give him "immortality" as a Shady Bunch DJ.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, good buddy Alex!
Oh, I miss poor Vern and all the commercials he was in. He makes a good host here starting off with a great song that I have not heard in ages. Many of the other songs I have not heard of but I liked listening to them and seeing the old shows they were on. Janis does, indeed, sound like Elvis. The Honeylove song is a bit...suggestive which is a lot of fun to listen to. The song sung by Dale & Grace is great and this is the version I know. I know the last song quite well but, just like me, I had no idea of the title or who sang it so I am glad I now know. Hope you are having a great day with a warm sun.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for being a day one Dotty, dear friend!
Yessum, my first exposure to Jim Varney was in various TV commercials in which he played Vern's snoopy, nosy, gossipy, irritating neighbor, a pest you couldn't get rid of.
I'm glad you gave a favorable nod to The Bellamy Bros., and I am especially proud to be presenting the seldom heard ditties by Janis Martin and Narvel Felts. I think they're both great. At times, Janis sounds more like Wanda Jackson to me, and Narvel sounds like Little Anthony as he sings his rendition of the oft covered Clyde McPhatter/Drifters classic "Honey Love." The words of that song are indeed suggestive. Me likey!
I always get sad when I hear that Dale & Grace biggie because it takes me back to that extremely painful moment in U.S. history when the president was slain. I'm pleased that you also enjoyed Ernest's showender by England Dan and John Ford Coley.
No warm sun here in the Sunshine State today, dearie. This morning it was raw and cold with heavy rain coming down. Skies are still gray at this hour, but I believe the rain has ended.
Thanks again for your kind visit and wonderful comment, dear friend BB. I'll be over to see you tamale, but please remember that I will be hours later than usual getting there. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady and Happy Wednesday. Being retired I have to always check the calendar to see what day it is! Well, it's Ernest Day here and some of those songs I know and a few were before my radio loving days. But what always strikes me funny is how I know all the lyrics when I listen to the ones I do remember. Especially the last one. I swear it was just yesterday it was a hit and not 1976! In '63 when the President was assassinated I was 10 and will always remember that day. November of that year was also the month our house burned down. Maybe I told you that story? Anyway, a weird year in my youth with many happenings I'll never forget. I hope all is well with you and you are enjoying some warm days for me as we're in the deep freeze today! Take care Shady!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for coming over on day one, dear friend!
Ha! Join the club. I was just asking Mrs. Shady what day it is. Yessum, iffin' there's a Groundhog Day, then I'm thinking there should be a national holiday called Ernest Day. :)
I'm glad song lyrics popped back into your head as Ernest ran down his volume 3 play list. The first song and the last are two of the catchiest country-rock singles I can think of. It's interesting that both records charted in 1976 and both reached #1, reminding us that crossover country and country influenced rock were very popular styles in the mid 70s. Linda Ronstadt had a number of hit country-oriented singles during those years.
Yessum, I knew you were old enough in November, 1963, to have been impacted by the tragic event on that dark day in American history. I'll never forget the sight and sound of my mother curled up in the fetal position on the couch sobbing for days on end following the assassination, and glued to the TV coverage. Many pop recordings released just before 11-22-63 sold poorly in spite of their excellence because Americans went into mourning and were not in much of a mood to buy records. This sweet, simple country style love duet by Dale & Grace, the #1 song in the land that week, serves as a counterpoint to the horror the country was witnessing.
Yessum, I remember you sharing the story of your house burning down that same year.
No, dear friend, we are not enjoying warm days down here. It's been the coldest week of the season by far and the worst is yet to come, with a high of only 46 and a low of 29 predicted, I believe, on Saturday. That temp range amounts to a heat wave in your neck of the woods, but to us it's doggone cold. :)
Thanks again for being here for Ernest's third show on SPMM Retro Radio, dear friend YaYa. Take care, enjoy your cozy fire and your new pet Annabelle and have a delightful Friday and weekend up there north of the Arctic Circle at a place called The Pines!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to yesterday? Dang it, if that day just didn't up and get away from me! Good grief, my brain is in a blender these days. It's great to see Earnest P. Worrell hosting another edition of "Rock-a-Billygoat".
I remember quite well The Bellamy Brother's top 10 hit, "Let Your Love". Flow" from 1976, the year of our nation's bi-centennial birthday! The 70s really rocked.
Your next song a very old one from the early 60s by Roger Miller, "Dang Me". I was two and half years of age when it released but that chart topping country song had to have continued its popularity throughout the decade because I remember hearing it while in my early grade school years (1st-4th). I'm thinking I was in grade 4. At least that's the earliest memory that comes to mind. Roger recorded another fun, unforgettable tune, "King of the Road" the same year this one topped the chart.
The rest of the song titles/artists to follow are introductions with the exception of "I'm Leaving It All Up To You". I knew the song title but not the original recording duet. It's Linda Ronstadt's 1970 cover I grew up hearing. I will say of the new oldie artist that impressed me the most is the Janet Martin. I clicked play on the video before I began reading the paragraph before it and instantly picked up on her Elvis vibe. She pulls it off quite well. Did she maintain the same style throughout all of her music or was it just on this song? I'm gonna have to visit YouTube to listen to other songs by her.
You ended with a great song from the 70s, "I Really Like To See You Tonight" by England Dan & John Ford Coley. DH & I began dating in September 1976 the same time this song scored big and it got played frequently at proms. I believe he owned the single on vinyl but gone is his stash of records with the loss of some much other stuff that we couldn't retrieve from his parents home after his dad's passing. Oh well...at least I can reminisce and enjoy the sounds of yesterday like I did this morning right here on SDPP! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for joining the fun, dear friend! Ernest P. Worrell welcomes you to his third Rock-A-Billygoat show on SPMM.
Yessum, I figured you'd know the first song and the showender, two major hits from the bicentennial year 1976, because you had come of age by then and you and DH were courting. The recordings are also similar in my mind because they are both catchy country-pop songs, both #1 charting crossover hits, and both performed by male duos. Yessum, to me, soulful songs like those two represent the best of the 70s. I like them a lot more than the shallow, run-of-the-mill disco ditties that dominated the charts through much of the decade.
I'm pleasantly surprised that you remember "Dang Me" by Roger Miller, even though you were only a toddler when it first charted. I agree that the song and Roger Miller the artist maintained their popularity throughout the 60s, enabling you to hear the novelty song several times when you were an older child.
Thanks for reminding us that Linda Ronstadt covered "I'm Leaving It Up To You," originally by Don "Sugarcane" Harris and Dewey Terry (a recording duo known as Don & Dewey) and turned into a chart-topping hit by Dale & Grace. Linda's version was released in 1970 on her second studio album Silk Purse. You might also remember that Donny and Marie Osmond topped the Easy Listening chart with their version of the song in 1974.
I'm so glad you liked Janis Martin. Wiki has some interesting tidbits about Janis and her hit record "Will You Willyum":
<< The song became the biggest hit of her career, selling 750,000 records. Soon Martin was performing on American Bandstand, The Today Show and Tonight Starring Steve Allen. She also appeared on Jubilee USA, and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, becoming one of the younger performers to ever appear. Billboard named her Most Promising Female Vocalist that year. (Elvis) Presley and RCA were so impressed with Martin's stage presence that they dubbed her the Female Elvis. >> So, I gather that her nickname as the Female Elvis was due as much to her gyrations on stage as her vocal performances. I think she sounded a lot like Wanda Jackson at times. I believe Janis continued to record and perform in the same rockabilly - rock & roll vein. In the early 80s, she started performing in Rockabilly shows in the U.S. and Europe.
I'm sorry DH had to part with his record collection that included this biggie by England Dan & John Ford Coley, a song that holds great meaning for you as a couple.
Thank you again for coming over and for this excellent comment, dear friend Cathy. Enjoy the rest of your TT and have a safe and happy weekend!
Tom,
DeleteI do remember Donny and Marie covering "I'm Leaving It All Up To You". I recall them singing it on their TV show. Thanks for sharing those Wiki tidbits on Janis. I did go by YouTube but only barely scraped the surface of my investigation of Janis' discography collection. I'm heading back over there next to see if I can do more digging around. Yep, that was a bummer we couldn't get more of our prized belongings from DH's parents but we didn't have time to riffle through the huge mess of stuff the person who took possession of his parents' home. Just thinking about that brings me down a bit but there's nothing we can do about it now other than to move forward. *sigh* At least, we can stream our favorite oldies anytime!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI'm glad you remember the Donnie & Marie version, too. I'm delighted that you took such interest in Janis Martin, an artist who got off to a good start with "Will You Willyum," a record she recorded while still in her mid teens. Unfortunately, Janis couldn't generate as much excitement with subsequent releases. I have a source that shows she released about a dozen singles and an EP after her strong debut, but none of them made the pop charts.
I still regret selling for pennies each many of my treasured record albums to get some quick cash. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes caused flooding that damaged some of my other valued collectibles. Thanks to the internet and YouTube, we can listen to just about any song ever recorded and see HQ pictures and videos of vintage items we might have once owned. It's the next best thing to having them back.
Thanks again for dropping in, dear friend Cathy, and have a wonderful week!
I remember Ernest from all the commercials he was in. So funny.
ReplyDeleteI remember when The Bellamy Brothers were on the radio. I must have heard that song so many times, it was very popular.
I've never heard Dang Me, dance To The Bop. or Will You Willyum before.
Honey Love sounds kinda familiar so I think I must have heard that at some point.
And I know I've heard I'm Leaving It Up To You. But I looked up the Don and Dewey version because this one didn't sound like this one that I had heard and it was definitely the Don and Dewey version that I knew.
Of course I knew I'd Really Love To See You Tonight. I'm pretty sure that was popular and on the radio all the time back then.
I hope you have a great week.
Hi, Mary!
DeleteI'm pleased to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming to Ernest P's platter party! I'm so glad you remember him from those early TV commercials. The annoying character Jim Varney played in those TV spots formed the basis for this series.
Yessum, given your age, significantly younger than Shady DK, it doesn't surprise me that you well remember the first song of Ernest's show, the one by The Bellamy Brothers, and the last one by England Dan (younger brother of Seals and Crofts member Jim Seals) and his partner John Ford Coley. Both songs played heavily on the radio and the two duos performed their respective hits on TV shows like Solid Gold, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, American Bandstand and Tony Orlando And Dawn.
Many artists have recorded Clyde McPhatter's "Honey Love." It's such a great song that I enjoy every version I've ever heard, especially this cover by Narvel Felts. Very cool that you remember the original version of "Leaving It Up To You" by the rock & roll, blues and R&B duo Don & Dewey. D&D didn't have any hits of their own, but several songs they wrote and/or originally waxed later became hits for other artists. In addition to the chart-topper by Dale & Grace, successful covers include "Farmer John" by The Premiers, "Justine" by The Righteous Brothers, "Big Boy Pete" by The Olympics and "The Jolly Green Giant" by The Kingsmen.
Thanks again for coming to play, dear friend Mary. Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll see you at your place this weekend!
Good afternoon my friend. I only know the last two songs in your group today. I recognize "I'm Leaving It Up To YOu" as sung by Linda Ronstadt. I also have to admit that I don't know much about Vern and Ernest.
ReplyDelete"I'd Really Love To See You Tonight" is such a pretty song. I didn't know of the connection between England Dan and Jim Seals. Learn something every time I visit you! Hope the rest of your week goes smoothly.
Janet’s Smiles
Hi, Janet!
DeleteI'm happy that you could make it over for Ernest P. Worrell's 3rd SPMM show, dear friend. Thank you for coming!
Recent as it was compared to most of the other recordings on Ernest's playlist, it surprises me that you don't remember the first song, "Let Your Love Flow," by The Bellamy Brothers, a #1 charting hit in 1976. It also fascinates me that you and friend Cathy (above) remember the Linda Ronstadt version of "Leaving It All Up To You," but not the versions by Don & Dewey, Dale & Grace or the mid 70s hit cover by Donnie & Marie.
All there is to know about Ernest and Vern is what you see here, Janet. The rest is up to the imagination. Jim Varney's lovable character originated in 15 sec. and 30 sec. TV commercials. There was no time for character development, only an impression, the essence of what the guy was about. Varney's film roles as Ernest didn't interest me at all, only those early commercials which captured him at his funniest. Those spots are what inspired this series.
I'm glad you enjoyed learning that "England Dan" Seals is related to Jim Seals, a member of yet another hit making duo, Seals and Crofts.
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Janet. Take care, give my buddy Benny a pat and a treat, and enjoy your Friday and weekend!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteThese songs are new to me! I love the sound and I think I have a playlist for the snow that is coming this weekend. Solid cold hits, indeed!
Have a great Thankful Thursday! I hear Florida is supposed to drop to the 30s this weekend. Stay warm as well!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI'm pleased to see you, dear friend, and so is your old buddy and new BFF Ernest P. Worrell. Thanks for attending his third radio platter party on SPMM!
WHAT??? More snow coming to your region this weekend? Yessum, we're going to experience the coldest air of the season this weekend, with an overnight low tamale night into Saturday that is expected to dip below the freezing mark, but no snow is in the forecast-- yet. :)
I'm surprised to learn that every song in Ernest's set is new to you, given the fact that four of them were chart-toppers. I hope you'll give them repeated spins this snowy weekend.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, dear friend JM!
Ernest, you are so cute, and I am sure you will never change. What a treat to see you here again. Wow! Those Bellamy Brothers are a couple of cuties, and "Let Your Love Flow" is a great song, easy flowing and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteRoger Miller always gives us fun songs and "Dang Me" is a great corny song that made a big splash on the charts. It is one of those songs you love to hate, and always know the words. Sorry to have lost Roger so soon.
I remember Be-Bop-Alula, with Gene Vincent and I have always liked the choking hiccup sound (or whatever it's called) in this one. Karo did a recording of it, but he couldn't quite choke it out-haha! I enjoyed "Dance to The Bop".
Okay, Ernest..."Will You Willyum" is such a goofy title, and thank goodness for Janis Martin's voice, which indeed is similar to Wanda Jackson! If not for Janis, I would have to give this one a 'thumbs down'. The song grew on me, and I loved the piano and instrumentals. I kind of recall the name Narvel Felts, but don't recognize the song "Honey Love". I will have to listen to the Drifters version to see if it rings a bell.
Well, Ernest, you did it again. I have a favorite; I mean a SUPER favorite on your post today! Dale & Grace-what a treat! "I'm Leaving it Up To You" is one of the best songs ever! I am not sure if this one had a personal meaning for me in 1963, but I loved it then. I think a lot of it is the delivery, rhythm and instrumental, and how their voices link together so well. Karo and I recorded our version of this one-what a job it was. Thanks for this one Ernest!
A very cool ending song with England Dan & John Ford Coley-I always liked their name. "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" is such a dreamy song. It's one of those songs that make you warm inside knowing that someone actually might be feeling this, and perhaps they tell you in so many words.
Thank you, Ernest P., for a fun post. It is so good to see you. I will let Shady know how enjoyable your dialogue and song offerings are so you can surely return soon!
Shady, Ernest is a keeper! I hope you are doing well. We are still in a cool down, but only slight drizzles for rain. I really don't want to see any ice or heavy snow this year (fingers crossed). Take care, Shady. See you next time!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming over for another heapin' helpin' of music and merriment courtesy of Ernest P. Worrell, the King of Homespun Heartland Humor.
Yessum, those Bellamy Brothers cleaned-up good, didn't they? As the saying goes, "Video killed the radio star," but those handsome boys didn't have a thing to worry about. They looked as good as they sounded on that #1 charting hit of theirs.
Yessum, I well remember Roger Miller making a big splash on the pop chart in 1964, scoring hit singles with "Dang Me" and "Chug-a-Lug" in the midst of Beatlemania and the British Invasion, and more hit singles in 1965 including "Do-Wacka-Do," "King of the Road" and "Engine Engine #9." My parents were so pleased that a country artist had achieved mainstream popularity that they bought me Roger Miller's album, hoping to steer me away from The Beatles and other beat bands they disliked. Yessum, Roger Miller, a lifelong heavy smoker, died of lung cancer at age 56. Jim Varney, who played Ernest P. Worrell, was also reportedly a chainsmoker. Varney died of lung cancer at the age of 50.
I'm glad you enjoyed this vintage clip (grainy as it is) showing rock & roll legend Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps performing on The Ed Sullivan Show. The remastered sound is what sold me on that video. Thanks for sharing that Karo attempted to do the hiccup sound that so many early rockers used in their singing. Janis Martin is one of the most exciting finds of recent years. She came on strong in the mid 50s, but couldn't mount as successful a career as Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee or, most certainly, Elvis the Pelvis. I posted one or two Narvel Felts songs in previous volumes of Ernest. I love his early rock & roll style. "Honey Love" has been waxed by many different artists. It's a great song and yes, please check out the original by Clyde and The Drifters.
I'm thrilled that you singled out the Dale & Grace biggie, a record that reached its peak the week the president was shot. Ironically, Dale & Grace were in Dallas the day of the assassination and were scheduled to appear on Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars show that night. They reportedly waved to the president's motorcade just moments before he was slain. The Dick Clark event was canceled that night as well as the following night in Oklahoma. I'm so glad this song is special to you and that you and Karo recorded it.
I'm also pleased that you like Ernest's showender, the second #1 hit from 1976 featured in this volume.
Wow, it always makes me happy when you leave here entertained, Suzanne. Thanks for adding that you enjoy Ernest's dialogue. I enjoy writing for quirky characters like Ernest. It's fun and I'm glad you appreciate the word play.
We're heading for the coldest temps of the season tonight, with the mercury predicted to dip below freezing to 29. I hope you and Scootie are well and in good spirits. Thanks again for joining the fun and stay tuned for English warbler Sarah Collins coming your way in my next post on Tuesday. Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend Suzanne!
What I like about this post is that you show the different varieties of country, from 1950s rockabilly (Gene Vincent, Janis Martin, Narvel Felts) to what to my not-always-educated ears sounds like traditional country (Dale and Grace), to what in the 1970s I would have thought of as soft rock (The Bellamy Brothers, England Dan and John Ford Coley.) And there's even a rambunctious, darkly humorous novelty song by Roger Miller to boot! Lyrically, it's a lot more daring than the rockabilly songs of that era. I mean, Elvis or Jerry Lee Lewis never sung about being hung from a tree!
ReplyDeleteAs for the lyrics to "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" I think that guy's really angling for is a one-night stand, but by assuring her that he "doesn't want to move" or "change" her "life", he subtly implying the ball is in her court, that SHE'S the one that doesn't want anything serious. A mellow 1970s come-on if there ever was one.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for staying up late to visit and comment, good buddy. I'm glad you got here in time to enjoy Ernest P. Worrell's latest heartland hootenanny.
Thanks for running down the variety of styles and time periods represented on Ernest's show #3 music menu. I don't like to micromanage my team of Shady Bunch DJs. I prefer to let them to their thing. Therefore, I always allow Ernest to program his own shows. I am AOK with his idea to present a mix of country-oriented music styles from the 50s, 60s and 70s. I'm glad you appreciated the songs in all categories. You make a good point that countrified novelty recording artist Roger Miller was able to get away with song lyrics that would have caused an outcry if sung by more serious artists. Mellow songs like "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," in which the male admirer conducts a low pressure seduction game, played well in the 70s, especially to female audiences, but let us remember that they coexisted alongside songs with blunt "Me Tarzan - you Jane" lyrics that appealed to men, like those found on the Kiss album Rock and Roll Over released that same year (1976). Those Kiss songs include "I Want You," "Calling Dr. Love," "Ladies Room," "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" and "Makin' Love."
Thanks again for joining the fun and for your keen observations, good buddy Kirk. Stay tuned for English sparrow Sarah Collins who will be here tamale with another edition of her series How Sarah Got Her Groove Back. Have a great week!