Our Monthly Club Meeting will be this Sunday,
July 8th at the Homewood Public Library.
2:00 PM
RECORDS & CD’S-----MUSIC------FOOD------FRIENDSHIP
GOOD TIMES-----GUEST SPEAKERS----
MEMBER PRESENTATIONS

********NEXT CLUB MEETING WILL BE AUGUST 12, THE 2ND SUNDAY*********

We’re making final preparations for our upcoming record & CD show. Just 1 month to go. There is a job for you. We’ll need help at the door, in the kitchen, at the food counter, setting up Friday and many other various jobs that make the show successful. Let us know what you would like to do.

At this month’s meeting we will be putting the address labels on the mailing list post cards telling people about the show. We need as much help as possible to do this with the large number of post cards we have. Drop by and help out.

Also at the meeting, Bill Taylor will have a new CD which he provided some of the tunes for. It is the Best Of Caprice Records. Its producer is Gary Granahan. Gary had a top forty song in 1958 entitled “No Chemise Please.” Bill will have 10 copies of the CD and the cost is only $10. Bill was able to provide some songs in the stereo format that were needed to complete the CD. Artists include The Angels, James Ray, Janie Grant and The Wildwoods (Five Satins). Come early and get your copy.

Johnny Powell will also provide some music for us at this month’s meeting in more than one way. For more info about this check out the section below about this month’s music theme; CAR SONGS.

Club member Bobby Best who was in the hospital last week is now at home. Welcome home, Bobby.

Atlanta Record & CD Show. Sunday, July 15th At the Marriott Century Center Hotel located at I-85 & Clairmont Rd (exit 91). The hotel is on Century Blvd 1/4 mile from I-85.

I think we’re all of the age where we can get a kick out of this video. Enjoy. Now where did I put my glasses and keys?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yN-6PbqAPM

Here are the answers to last month’s trivia questions.

1) Dave Clark and his band mates formed the Dave Clark 5 to raise money for what purpose? To raise money for his soccer team.
2) Chas Chandler, bassist for The Animals, took what American guitarist to London that soon became a superstar? Jimi Hendrix
3) What American performer was sometimes called the “Fifth Beatle?” Billy Preston
4) The Yardbirds, through personnel changes, became what hard rock super group of the 70’s? Led Zeppelin
5) Name the British performer that had a # 1 hit in 1964 that was singing on the radio at age 9, had her own TV show at 15, made over 500 appearances during WWII to entertain the troops, had her photos plastered on UK and USA tanks for good luck and became known as “Britain’s Shirley Temple?” By the way she will be 75 this year. Petula Clark
6) This duo’s first 3 hits were written by Paul McCartney. Peter & Gordon
7) Although never together at the same time, what group had guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page as members? Yardbirds
8) What was the first song The Beatles sang during their first appearance on Ed Sullivan February 9, 1964? “All My Loving”
9) Which of these groups was not from England? A
a. Sir Douglas Quintet
b. Troggs
c. Nashville Teens
d. Spencer Davis Group

Thanks again to Andy Millard for his insightful discussion of the British music invasion of the 60’s at last month’s meeting. It was very educational and entertaining. As we learned there’s much more to the whole thing than we know or have heard.

Jerry Grammer’s memory this month is straight from the heart.

“Step Back In Time”

Although some of the Old has been replaced by 21st Century, I still feel the the “Old South” with every road, trail, business and home I pass.

This is the “Free State of Winston.” Self proclaimed by the inhabitants following the Civil War (War Between the States). Although time has replaced some structures, mindsets and appearances, I find the “Old South” alive and well in Arley! Right down to the annual “Chittlin Festival” held every year on the third Friday of March, for the past 47 years. We must step back in time to understand.

First known as Houston and later changed to Winston County. It was and still is a Mecca for home grown music and wonderful people.

My adventure to this Town started with a friend, and Lifelong member of this sacred society. His name; Hoyt Ray Johnson. A talented singer, songwriter, musician and most underrated persona and talent in the history of Arley.

Although I have written about Hoyt and the times we shared as friends and musicians, I have never mentioned what a beautiful family he had. I visit Hoyt’s Mom (Avis as she has asked me to call her) on various occasions. Being nearly 90 years of age and except for her difficulty in hearing, is exceptionally alert. She appears to always enjoy my visits and lets her children and grandchildren know, so as to be there too. We always have a good visit. Recently I took a friend from England, (Dave Pascalini) with me. He has always been a Southern music fan. He has never lived anywhere, other than England, but knows more, than some Americans, about our Southern homeland. Tears streamed down Dave’s face as we left the Johnson home that day.

As we crossed Duncan Bridge for possibly his last time, He glanced back and teared up again.

I will never forget that day!
Jerry Grammer

E mail from England Dave

Jerry
Driving to work today -- it was quite hot -- like when I was with y'all -- I rolled down the window and turned up the sounds, “Cindy Oh Cindy" -- by Hoyt - came out real strong and alive -- and even as --- I WAS DRIVING --- I was transported back to that wonderful peaceful place where I once stood not long ago with you --- already it seems like a century has passed since then.
My memories broke as I reached work far too soon. Out on patrol. Catch you later!
Dave

MUSIC THEME FOR JULY: CAR SONGS

A GTO, 442, Camaro, Firebird, SS 396, a gold 1957 Chevy and a ‘Vette. These were cars I remember in the Banks High parking lot during my years there. Unfortunately, none of these were mine. Cars were very important to guys then and still are. There are plenty of car clubs around town and the surrounding counties. I enjoy going to a car show and looking at the rebuilt and restored cars. And just like so many other things, artists wrote songs about cars. What was the first? Don’t know. I’m sure they go way back. The earliest I can think of would be Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88” from 1951. There are songs about cars still being written or covered even today. We all know, “409” & “Little Deuce Coupe” by the Beach Boys. And then there’s “GTO” by Ronny & The Daytonas, “Hey Little Cobra” by The Rip Chords, Jan & Dean’s “Dead Man’s Curve”, Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally” and the classic “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Charlie Ryan.

Rock had its share of car songs but performers of other genres of music weren’t left out. Blues had Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Pontiac Blues”, “Ford V-8” by Honey Boy Allen, Howlin’ Wolf’s “Mr. Highway Man” and “Key To The Highway” by Little Walter. R&B got into the act with “I Got A New Car” by Big Boy Groves, “Automobiles” by The Spaniels and “Buick 59” by The Medallions. Instrumentalist did their part with songs like “Stick Shift” by the Duals, “Sting Ray” by The Routers, “Four In The Floor” by The Shutdowns and Nelson Riddle’s “Route 66 Theme.” And even a jazz performer, Mose Allison, sang about his “V-8 Ford Blues.” Slot cars? Sure. There’s “Lotus 23” by The Revells.

Car songs are not just a guy thing. Robin Ward recorded “In His Car”, Susan Lynne did “Don’t Drag No More” and The Surfer Girls did a rocking song called “Draggin’ Wagon.” “Black & White Thunderbird” was a song by The Delicates and then there’s Carol & Cheryl” doing “Go Go GTO.” Does it get any better than Joyce Green’s Black Cadillac?

Song trivia time.

1) In the song, “Beep Beep”, what type car was bugging the singer and if it had passed his Caddy it would have been a “big disgrace.”
2) “Fun, Fun, Fun” is about a girl who had her car taken away by her dad. What kind of car?
3) The driver in Golden Earring’s “Radar Love” had what singer on the radio?
4) Paul Revere & The Raiders had a song that’s title was a particular kind of car. What kind was it?
5) What model was the Cadillac in Johnny’s Cash’s “One Piece At A Time”?
6) What were the 2 cars involved in the race in “Dead Man’s Curve?”

Now, if you had a dream car and your girl left in it would you miss her or be like Baker Knight and want one thing, “Bring My Cadillac Back.”

Music for your enjoyment:
Hot Rod Lincon: http://youtube.com/watch?v=I0FWoJ3kRuA
Beach Boys: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FoqHPYIUtBM
Mercury Blues: http://youtube.com/watch?v=09zm1Q8x7rE
Black Cadillac: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CBhp1Wn-4mA

Just for fun, try these
Muscle Cars: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Uu_PwF1lPo
Let’s ride on Route 66: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-DZg3IenLXk

NOW FOR MORE MUSIC AND FUN, COME TO THIS MONTH’S MEETING AND NOT ONLY HEAR WHAT CLUB MEMBER JOHNNY POWELL HAS FOR US RELATING TO 'CAR SONGS' BUT GET A LOOK AT HIS 1930 "MODEL A" FORD HOT ROD AND GET A FREE CD ALSO. COME AND BE A PART OF THE FUN AND HEAR SOME INTERESTING CAR SONGS AND RELATED STORIES AND TRIVIA. BRING ANY 45'S, LP’S, OR PICTURE SLEEVES THAT ARE CAR-RELATED.

Recent deaths from the music family

NEW YORK - Hank Medress, whose vocals with the do wop group the Tokens helped propel their irrepressible single "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" to the top of the charts and who produced hits with other groups, has died of lung cancer. He was 68.

Medress died Monday at his Manhattan home, relatives said.

He was a teenager at Brooklyn's Lincoln High School when he launched his vocal quartet in 1955 with Neil Sedaka, performing as the Linc-Tones. When Sedaka departed for a successful solo career, lead singer Jay Siegel joined brothers Mitch and Phil Margo and Medress to become the Tokens.

It wasn't until 1961 that the group scored its singular smash, its hypnotic "Wimowehs" derived from a traditional Zulu melody. The Weavers had made the song a folk staple in the '50s, but the Tokens brought their version to No. 1 on the pop charts.

The band had other minor Top 40 hits, including "I Hear the Trumpets Blow" in 1966 and "Portrait of My Love" in 1967 — but never recaptured the success of its enduring single.

Medress would return to the charts, though, when the Tokens landed a production deal. The all-girl vocal group the Chiffons benefited from his studio touch with the classic '60s singles "He's So Fine" and "One Fine Day."

After splitting with the Tokens in the 1970s, Medress worked with a record company executive named Tony Orlando, persuading him to handle vocals on "Knock Three Times" — a move that catapulted the song into pop history. Medress and production partner Dave Appell also produced the Orlando and Dawn hit "Candida."

In the 1970s, Medress helped former New York Dolls lead singer David Johansen reinvent himself as lounge lizard hipster Buster Poindexter, producing his debut album and the single "Hot, Hot, Hot."

From 1990-92, he served as president of EMI Music Publishing Canada. More recently, he worked as a consultant to Sound Exchange, a nonprofit group helping musicians collect royalties.

He was survived by four children and two grandchildren.

Last of the original Drifters dies at 81

Bill Pinkney, the last survivor of the original members of the musical group The Drifters, died Wednesday. He was 81.
Pinkney was found dead at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach Police spokesman Jimmie Flynt said. The death was not considered suspicious, he said.
Pinkney was scheduled to perform for Fourth of July festivities there.
Pinkney's manager, Maxine Porter, declined to discuss his cause of death, but said Pinkney had had health problems.
The Drifters, whose hits include "Under the Boardwalk," "Up on the Roof," and "Save the Last Dance For Me," still performed Wednesday night. An announcement about Pinkney's death was made after the show, said the group's publicist, Donnie Lowery.
Pinkney, born in Dalzell, S.C., wasn't with The Drifters when they recorded their biggest hits. He left in the band in 1958 because of an argument over cash. His distinctive bass voice can be heard on the group's version of the holiday classic "White Christmas."
Even though he left the group, Pinkney didn't let go of The Drifters' name. He fought for laws allowing performers or bands to claim an affiliation with a classic group like The Drifters or The Coasters only if at least one member recorded with the original group.
The Drifters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Pinkney was a World War II veteran and pitched for the New York Blue Sox of the Negro Baseball League in the late 1940s and early '50s.